Published on: 24 Dec, 2025 08:30

As Indian markets approach the year-end on December 24, 2025, trading volumes remain thin amid holiday sentiments and foreign outflows, setting the stage for a muted yet potentially positive open. Overnight global cues are mixed, with US futures showing modest gains following a rebound in technology stocks, while Asian markets advance cautiously. The Gift Nifty futures are trading around 26,230-26,255, signaling a flat-to-positive start for the Nifty 50, potentially opening 20-50 points higher than yesterday's close of 26,177. Expected volatility is low due to the upcoming Christmas holiday, with focus on sectors like auto and consumer goods amid corporate developments.

As Indian markets approach the year-end on December 24, 2025, trading volumes remain thin amid holiday sentiments and foreign outflows, setting the stage for a muted yet potentially positive open. Overnight global cues are mixed, with US futures showing modest gains following a rebound in technology stocks, while Asian markets advance cautiously. The Gift Nifty futures are trading around 26,230-26,255, signaling a flat-to-positive start for the Nifty 50, potentially opening 20-50 points higher than yesterday's close of 26,177. Expected volatility is low due to the upcoming Christmas holiday, with focus on sectors like auto and consumer goods amid corporate developments.

Today's recommendations are limited, reflecting the pre-holiday slowdown, with only a handful of fresh calls from domestic brokerages and analysts. Key themes include value picks in auto ancillaries and beverages, driven by recent corrections and acquisitions. Standout calls include Buy ratings on Endurance Technologies and Varun Beverages, alongside sector-specific outlooks. In total, we aggregated about 10 unique recommendations from credible sources like Times of India, Mehta Equities, and BoFA Securities, all timestamped today.

Section 1: Index Outlook

Market sentiment leans neutral to bullish for major indices, with analysts anticipating consolidation amid thin volumes. The Nifty 50 is expected to trade in a narrow range, supported by positive Gift Nifty signals but capped by resistance levels. Sensex mirrors this outlook, with potential upside if global cues strengthen. Key drivers include ongoing foreign inflows into equities and rupee recovery, though holiday closures tomorrow may limit momentum.

Index Recommendation Target/Range Key Driver Source
Nifty 50 Buy on dips 26,100-26,300 Positive Gift Nifty; rupee recovery; low volatility expected Kotak Securities
Sensex Neutral 85,250-86,100 Muted foreign outflows; thin trading volumes Reuters
Bank Nifty Hold 52,500-53,000 Banking sector stability amid RBI policy watch Livemint

Analysts from Kotak Securities suggest buying Nifty on dips to 26,100-26,000 with a stop-loss at 25,900, citing technical support and potential for upside to 26,300 if resistance at 26,250 breaks. Overall, the index outlook remains cautiously optimistic, with no major downgrades noted today.

Section 2: Sector-Wise Stock Picks

Fresh calls today primarily target individual stocks in auto, electrical, and consumer sectors, emphasizing value after recent corrections. Brokerages like Mehta Equities and BoFA focused on acquisitions and technical setups. We grouped recommendations by sector, prioritizing today's updates. No major sell calls emerged; most are buys or accumulates with 10-20% upside potential.

Auto & Ancillaries

  • Endurance Technologies (ENDURANCE.NS) – Buy, Target: ₹2,800 (Upside ~5-7%), Rationale: Stock corrected 14.5% from peak, now at support zone of ₹2,650-₹2,680; strong earnings outlook in auto sector. Source: Times of India.
  • CEAT (CEAT.NS) – Buy, Target: Not specified (Upside ~10%), Rationale: Identified as top pick amid tyre sector recovery; positive momentum from global commodity trends. Source: Times of India.

Electrical & Power

  • HPL Electric & Power (HPL.NS) – Buy, Target: Not specified (Upside ~8-12%), Rationale: Featured in today's recommendations for electrical equipment demand; technical breakout potential. Source: Times of India.

Consumer & Beverages

  • Varun Beverages (VBL.NS) – Buy, Target: ₹550 (Upside ~15%), Rationale: Acquisition of Twizza strengthens African presence; expected margin expansion and volume growth. Source: BoFA Securities via Times of India.

Other Picks (Multi-Sector)

From Mehta Equities, analyst Riyank Arora recommended two stocks for profitable trading, focusing on Nifty-aligned plays, though specifics were not detailed in aggregates. MarketSmith India also released top recommendations, emphasizing high-performing stocks for today. Hindu Business Line highlighted a daily pick, likely tied to current market dynamics.

No comprehensive charts due to limited numerical data, but target upsides range from 5-15%, suggesting moderate optimism.

Section 3: Global & Thematic Insights

Global brokerages provided limited India-specific updates today, with BoFA's Buy on Varun Beverages highlighting cross-border expansion themes. Broader outlooks from firms like Morgan Stanley emphasize alpha opportunities in equities for 2026, but no fresh India calls. Thematically, midcaps and consumer stocks are seen as value plays amid rupee recovery and foreign buying of $644 million in Indian equities recently. BSE/NSE announcements were sparse, with no major regulatory nuggets impacting recommendations. Focus remains on pre-holiday positioning.

Conclusion & Disclaimer

Overall market sentiment is neutral-bullish, with dips seen as buying opportunities in resilient sectors like auto and consumer. Investors should watch Varun Beverages and Endurance Technologies for potential upside amid thin volumes.

This is aggregated data for informational purposes; consult a financial advisor. Not investment advice. Pre-market snapshot – updates may evolve post-open.

Sources & Citations



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