Markets eye a subdued, range-bound start on December 30, 2025, with low holiday volumes and mixed global cues as the year draws to a close.
Key Themes & Picks
GIFT Nifty signals a flat-to-negative opening amid thin volumes.
Metals sector gains traction on rising commodity prices.
Defense and pharma act as defensive plays amid sectoral caution.
Key calls: NMDC, Vedanta, and Sun Pharma highlighted.
Cooling crude oil prices offer relief to OMCs and related sectors.
As Indian markets gear up for the final trading sessions of 2025, pre-market indicators point to a subdued start amid mixed global cues. GIFT Nifty futures hovered around 26,074-26,089, signaling a flat to mildly negative open for the Nifty 50, potentially around the 26,000-26,100 range after Friday's close at 26,042.30. Overnight, US futures showed optimism with Dow futures up 93 points, reflecting a +0.8% Nasdaq rally driven by semiconductors, though Asian markets were mixed—Nikkei down 155 points (-0.6%) while Kospi gained modestly. Crude oil cooled below $75, offering relief to paints and oil marketing companies, but low holiday volumes could amplify volatility from institutional flows: FIIs sold ₹450 crore net, offset by DII buys of ₹1,200 crore.
Key themes today include renewed interest in metals amid rising commodity prices (e.g., silver at $82/oz highs and copper up 5%), defensive plays in defense stocks following MoD approvals for ₹80,000 crore deals, and caution in banking due to fraud reports and lending scrutiny. A total of around 30 unique recommendations surfaced from analysts and brokerages, with standout calls including multiple 'Buy' ratings on NMDC for its bullish momentum, Vedanta's graphite block win implying upside, and Sun Pharma's strong pharma sector tailwinds. Other highlights: Coforge's $2.35 billion Encora acquisition drawing positive brokerage views despite near-term earnings pressure, and NBCC's ₹8,500 crore Delhi land settlement boosting realty sentiment.
Analyst sentiment leans cautious yet constructive for major indices, with Nifty 50 expected to consolidate above 26,000 support amid year-end positioning. Upside potential hinges on breaking 26,300 resistance, while Bank Nifty finds footing at 58,300-58,600 levels. Overall outlook is range-bound but positive if global tech rally spills over to IT-heavy Nifty.
| Index | Recommendation | Target/Range | Key Driver | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nifty 50 | Bullish | 26,300-26,500 | Consolidation above 26,000; potential breakout on DII support | ET Markets |
| Sensex | Neutral | 85,500-86,000 | Mixed global cues; year-end NAV management by funds | Livemint |
| Bank Nifty | Cautious | 58,600-59,500 | Support at 50-day EMA; banking pressure from fraud reports | NDTV Profit |
| Nifty IT | Positive | 42,000-42,500 | US Nasdaq rally spillover; upgrades post-Accenture guidance | Moneycontrol |
Key drivers include domestic fund inflows countering FII selling and easing VIX at 9.19, reducing fear but warranting caution on geopolitics.
Recommendations cluster around metals (commodity price surges), realty (land deals), defense (procurement nods), and pharma (regulatory approvals). We've grouped by sector, focusing on fresh calls with targets and rationales. Upsides calculated from Friday closes where available (e.g., NMDC at ₹225 implies 20%+ potential). Deduplicated across sources; prioritized brokerages like Anand Rathi and ICICI Securities.
Metals dominate with bullish calls on rising copper/silver prices and block wins.
Mixed; positives from bad loan sales offset by frauds and cautions.
Selective upgrades amid US rally; acquisition focus.
Regulatory nods drive buys.
Land deals and orders fuel optimism.
Global brokerages like Morgan Stanley (via X handles) highlight value in Indian midcaps amid EM outperformance, with India's November exports surge pulling it ahead in Mint's EM Tracker (composite score 71). Thematic: Defense stocks (HAL, BEL) buoyed by DAC's ₹80,000 crore approvals; dairy (e.g., Heritage Foods) faces supply tightness ahead of 2026 demand. BSE announcements note no major analyst meets today, but block deals in Timex (promoter sell 4.47%) imply caution. Cross-border views from Goldman Sachs emphasize selective buys in metals/realty.
Overall sentiment is neutral to bullish, with metals and defense leading amid commodity/commodity tailwinds, though banking caution persists. Investors should watch NMDC and NBCC for momentum plays. Pre-market snapshot—updates may evolve post-open.
This is aggregated data for informational purposes; consult a financial advisor. Not investment advice.