Published on: 23 Dec, 2025 08:45

The Indian stock market is poised for a positive opening on December 23, 2025, amid supportive global cues and a rebound in sentiment following a strong close in the previous session. Overnight, Wall Street extended gains with a year-end rally in tech stocks, while Asian markets rose, tracking the positive momentum. The GIFT Nifty futures were trading at around 26,230, up about 0.07% from the previous close, signaling a firm start for the Nifty 50. The rupee strengthened marginally, and foreign investor inflows continued to provide tailwinds, though volatility remains low with India VIX at 9.68. Pre-market indicators suggest the Sensex could open above 85,600 and Nifty near 26,200, with analysts advocating a buy-on-dips strategy amid improving momentum.

The Indian stock market is poised for a positive opening on December 23, 2025, amid supportive global cues and a rebound in sentiment following a strong close in the previous session. Overnight, Wall Street extended gains with a year-end rally in tech stocks, while Asian markets rose, tracking the positive momentum. The GIFT Nifty futures were trading at around 26,230, up about 0.07% from the previous close, signaling a firm start for the Nifty 50. The rupee strengthened marginally, and foreign investor inflows continued to provide tailwinds, though volatility remains low with India VIX at 9.68. Pre-market indicators suggest the Sensex could open above 85,600 and Nifty near 26,200, with analysts advocating a buy-on-dips strategy amid improving momentum.

Key themes today include resilience in banking and financials, buoyed by potential RBI policy stability, alongside selective picks in pharma and metals driven by breakout patterns and positive earnings outlooks. A total of around 25 unique recommendations were aggregated from credible sources like Mirae Asset Sharekhan, Prabhudas Lilladher, Anand Rathi, ICICI Securities, and GEPL Capital, focusing on fresh intraday and short-term calls issued or updated this morning. Standout picks include Mirae Asset's Buy on NMDC with a target of ₹86 for its range breakout, Vaishali Parekh's intraday Buy on Indian Bank aiming for ₹820, and ICICI Securities' Buy on Glenmark Pharma targeting ₹2,200 amid long buildup. This pre-market snapshot captures updates up to 8:30 AM IST; market dynamics may evolve post-opening.

Section 1: Index Outlook

The overall outlook for major indices remains cautiously bullish, with analysts expecting consolidation near recent highs but with upside potential on sustained support levels. Global cues, including a stable US dollar and positive Asian opens, are aiding sentiment, though domestic triggers like upcoming corporate earnings previews could influence intraday moves. The Nifty 50's ability to hold above 26,000 is seen as key for further gains toward record levels, while Bank Nifty shows resilience after defending technical supports. Low volatility supports a buy-on-dips approach for indices.

Index Recommendation Target/Range Key Driver Source
Nifty 50 Bullish 26,300–26,350 Positive momentum indicators (RSI), support at 26,000–26,050, low VIX Livemint, Choice Equity Broking
Sensex Bullish 86,000–86,200 Positive global cues, rupee rebound, breakout above 85,700 Economic Times, Kotak Securities
Bank Nifty Positive 59,800–60,000 Break above 59,550 resistance, resilience after holding key levels Livemint, Asit C. Mehta

Section 2: Sector-Wise Stock Picks

Recommendations today lean toward selective buying in undervalued stocks showing technical breakouts, with a focus on metals, pharma, banking, and auto sectors. Pharma stands out with multiple buys on breakout patterns and positive momentum, while banking picks reflect sector resilience. Metals and cement calls highlight demand recovery themes. Overall, analysts emphasize stocks with strong support zones and rising open interest for short-term upside. No major sell calls were noted, aligning with the bullish index bias.

Banking & Financials

  • Indian Bank: Buy, Target: ₹820 (intraday), Rationale: Strong market sentiment with Nifty above 26,000; potential for upward momentum. Source: Vaishali Parekh, Prabhudas Lilladher.
  • IDFC First Bank: Buy, Target: ₹92, Rationale: Higher-top, higher-bottom structure since April 2025; breakout above key moving averages with positive MACD. Source: Vidnyan S Sawant, GEPL Capital.
  • BSE: Buy, Target: ₹3,108, Rationale: Bullish mean reversion from 12-week EMA; breakout from falling channel with sustained momentum. Source: Vidnyan S Sawant, GEPL Capital.
  • IIFL Capital Services: Buy, Target: ₹400, Rationale: Short-term bullish outlook with 7% surge indicating momentum gain. Source: The Hindu BusinessLine.

IT & Tech

No specific recommendations found for this sector today.

Pharma

  • Glenmark Pharmaceuticals: Buy, Target: ₹2,200 (Upside: ~10%), Rationale: Breakout from falling trendline with positive momentum crossover; consolidation breakout above 20-day MA. Source: Somil Mehta, Mirae Asset Sharekhan; also Jay Thakkar, ICICI Securities (target ₹2,120–2,200 on long buildup).
  • Zydus Life: Buy in range ₹960–990, Target: ₹1,320 (Upside: 36%), Rationale: Quant pick for 2025 based on strong fundamentals and momentum. Source: ICICI Direct Quant Report.

Metals & Mining

  • NMDC: Buy, Target: ₹86, Rationale: Range breakout after 15-week consolidation above key MAs; positive momentum crossover. Source: Somil Mehta, Mirae Asset Sharekhan.
  • Vedanta: Buy in range ₹470–485, Target: ₹610 (Upside: 28%), Rationale: Quant pick for metals recovery in 2025. Source: ICICI Direct Quant Report.
  • Hindustan Zinc: Buy, Target: ₹648, Rationale: Triangular consolidation breakout with strong volume; positive MACD expansion. Source: Vidnyan S Sawant, GEPL Capital.

Auto & Ancillaries

  • Ashok Leyland: Buy in range ₹210–220, Target: ₹295 (Upside: 36%), Rationale: Quant pick for auto sector growth in 2025. Source: ICICI Direct Quant Report.
  • Ceat: Buy, Target: ₹4,300, Rationale: Corrective phase reversal at 50% Fibonacci retracement; positive RSI divergence. Source: Jigar S Patel, Anand Rathi.
  • Endurance Technologies: Buy, Target: ₹2,850, Rationale: Stabilization at 38.2% Fibonacci with layered support; bullish MACD signals. Source: Jigar S Patel, Anand Rathi.
  • Jamna Auto Industries: Buy, Target: ₹140, Rationale: Gradual uptrend with bullish momentum; MACD in buy mode. Source: Vidnyan S Sawant, GEPL Capital.

Industrials & Infrastructure

  • BHEL: Buy, Target: ₹310, Rationale: Broad range consolidation breakout with positive momentum; crossed 20-day MA. Source: Somil Mehta, Mirae Asset Sharekhan.
  • RVNL: Buy, Target: ₹345 (intraday), Rationale: Strong market sentiment supporting infrastructure plays. Source: Vaishali Parekh, Prabhudas Lilladher.
  • HPL Electric and Power: Buy, Target: ₹460, Rationale: Trend shift after 42% correction; swing high breakout with RSI confirmation. Source: Jigar S Patel, Anand Rathi.

Consumer Goods & FMCG

  • Varun Beverages: Buy, Target: ₹505 (intraday), Rationale: Positive sentiment in consumer sector amid festive recovery. Source: Vaishali Parekh, Prabhudas Lilladher.
  • United Breweries: Buy in range ₹1,980–2,040, Target: ₹2,525 (Upside: 25%), Rationale: Quant pick for FMCG resilience in 2025. Source: ICICI Direct Quant Report.

Energy & Utilities

  • JSW Energy: Buy, Target: ₹500–510, Rationale: Reversal from support with short covering; Call base at ₹500 as hurdle. Source: Jay Thakkar, ICICI Securities.

Chemicals & Agro

  • UPL: Buy, Target: ₹800–820, Rationale: Symmetrical triangle breakout with long buildup; Put additions as support. Source: Jay Thakkar, ICICI Securities.

Cement & Construction

  • Ambuja Cement: Buy in range ₹545–565, Target: ₹715 (Upside: 30%), Rationale: Quant pick for infrastructure-driven demand in 2025. Source: ICICI Direct Quant Report.
  • Kajaria Ceramics: Hold, Target: ₹1,083, Rationale: Vendor fraud identified but controls tightened; stable outlook. Source: PL Capital.

Section 3: Global & Thematic Insights

Global brokerages maintain a constructive view on Indian equities for 2025, with Emkay projecting Nifty at 25,000 by year-end amid expected bounce-back in the second half. Axis Securities eyes Nifty at 28,100 by December 2026, driven by earnings growth and shift to valuation-led expansion. Thematic focus includes midcaps for value, per Macquarie, though no India-specific calls from globals like Morgan Stanley or Goldman Sachs were updated today. From BSE announcements, no major regulatory nuggets impacting recommendations, but ongoing corporate disclosures (e.g., analyst meets) imply steady sentiment. Quant outlooks from ICICI Direct highlight themes like auto and metals recovery for 2025.

Conclusion & Disclaimer

The sentiment leans bullish with positive pre-open cues and technical breakouts supporting selective buying. Investors should watch banking and pharma sectors for momentum, alongside Nifty's hold above 26,000 for broader upside.

This is aggregated data for informational purposes; consult a financial advisor before acting. Not investment advice. Market conditions can change rapidly.

Sources & Citations



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