Published on: 30 Dec, 2025 09:00

Markets anticipate a subdued, flat-to-negative opening on December 30, 2025, amid global risk-off sentiment, F&O expiry volatility, and sharp declines in precious metals.

Key Themes & Picks

  • GIFT Nifty signals a soft start, driven by global declines and expiry jitters.

  • Metals and banking sectors face volatility amid regulatory and commodity pressure.

  • Defense and renewable energy show resilience with fresh orders and momentum.

  • Key calls: BHEL, HUDCO, and NTPC Green Energy highlighted for upside.

  • Long-term optimism persists with Goldman Sachs upgrading India to 'overweight'.

The Indian stock market is poised for a subdued start on December 30, 2025, amid weak global cues and heightened volatility ahead of the monthly F&O expiry. Overnight, US indices closed lower with the Dow Jones down 0.51%, S&P 500 slipping 0.35%, and Nasdaq declining 0.50%. Asian markets followed suit, with Japan's Nikkei down 0.1%, China's Shanghai Composite falling 0.4%, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng marginally up 0.1% but overall reflecting caution. The GIFT Nifty futures traded around 25,930–25,943, signaling a flat-to-negative open for the Nifty 50, down about 0.05–0.07% from Monday's close of 25,942. Pre-market indicators point to persistent foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows, with FIIs selling ₹2,760 crore in cash on December 29, partially offset by domestic institutional investors (DIIs) buying ₹2,644 crore. Sharp declines in gold (down 3.6% on MCX) and silver (down 7%) added to the risk-off sentiment, impacting metal stocks.

Key themes today include volatility in metals amid global precious metal slumps, focus on banking amid regulatory and liquidity dynamics, and defence sector buzz from fresh orders. A total of around 25 fresh recommendations were aggregated from credible sources like Mirae Asset Sharekhan, Choice Broking, NeoTrader, and MarketSmith India, emphasizing selective buys in consumer, power, and banking amid short-term caution. Standout calls include BHEL (Buy, target ₹310, 11.1% upside) for its breakout potential in capital goods, HUDCO (Buy, target ₹265, 17% upside) signaling housing finance recovery, and NTPC Green Energy (Buy, target ₹101.5, 6.8% upside) riding renewable momentum. Long-term, global brokerages like Goldman Sachs remain optimistic, upgrading India to 'overweight' with a Nifty target of 29,000 by end-2026.

Section 1: Index Outlook

Short-term sentiment remains bearish for major indices, driven by weakening momentum indicators, sustained FII selling, and expiry-induced volatility. Analysts expect consolidation or further correction unless key supports hold. Long-term outlook is bullish, supported by resilient growth and policy clarity.

Index Recommendation Target/Range Key Driver Source
Nifty 50 Bearish 25,800–26,100 Weak RSI (49.06), negative MACD, FII outflows, expiry volatility Angel One, Choice Broking
Sensex Bearish 84,400–85,500 Breach of 85,000, trading below 20-DMA, call writing at higher strikes Share.Market, Choice Broking
Bank Nifty Neutral-Cautious 58,700–59,800 Bearish candle, below moving averages, indecision amid profit booking Asit C. Mehta, Choice Broking

Section 2: Sector-Wise Stock Picks

Fresh calls today lean toward selective buys in resilient sectors like consumer goods, power, banking, and metals, amid broader caution. Upsides range from 4–17%, with rationales tied to technical breakouts and sector tailwinds. One sell call in IT reflects profit-booking pressure.

Banking & Financials

  • City Union Bank (CUB): Buy, Target ₹327 (9.4% upside), Rationale: Bullish engulfing near all-time high, higher high-higher low structure signals buying interest. Source: Sumeet Bagadia, Choice Broking.
  • Karur Vysya Bank: Buy, Target ₹280 (112% upside—potential data anomaly, verify current price), Rationale: Strong regional franchise, improving asset quality, focus on retail/MSME lending. Source: MarketSmith India.
  • State Bank of India (SBI): Buy, Target Not specified (up to 46% upside per broader picks), Rationale: Defensive play amid cyclicals, consistent growth in advances/deposits. Source: Motilal Oswal.

IT & Tech

  • Cyient: Sell, Target ₹1045 (4% downside), Rationale: Bearish candle below supports, RSI breaching 40 indicates further downside. Source: Raja Venkatraman, NeoTrader.
  • HCL Technologies: Buy, Target Not specified (up to 46% upside), Rationale: New-age growth story, strong IT sector earnings potential. Source: Motilal Oswal.

Consumer Goods

  • Tata Consumer Products: Buy, Target ₹1300 (8.6% upside), Rationale: Breakout from consolidation above 20/40 DMAs, positive momentum indicators. Source: Somil Mehta, Mirae Asset Sharekhan.
  • Britannia: Buy, Target ₹6300 (4.1% upside), Rationale: Breakout from consolidation pattern above 20 DMA, resuming uptrend. Source: Somil Mehta, Mirae Asset Sharekhan.
  • Honasa Consumer: Buy, Target ₹299 (8% upside), Rationale: Strong bounce from bottom, RSI rebound from oversold levels. Source: Sumeet Bagadia, Choice Broking.

Power & Energy

  • NLC India: Buy, Target ₹275 (7.3% upside), Rationale: Bullish reversal with higher highs/lows, breakout above falling trendline. Source: Sumeet Bagadia, Choice Broking.
  • NTPC Green Energy: Buy, Target ₹101.5 (6.8% upside), Rationale: Bullish engulfing with volume support, breach of key resistance. Source: Sumeet Bagadia, Choice Broking.

Capital Goods & Industrials

  • BHEL: Buy, Target ₹310 (11.1% upside), Rationale: Consolidation above 20/40 DMAs, expected breakout with positive momentum crossover. Source: Somil Mehta, Mirae Asset Sharekhan.
  • V.S.T Tillers Tractors: Buy, Target ₹6700 (1639% upside—potential data anomaly), Rationale: Leadership in power tillers, debt-free balance sheet, demand from small farmers. Source: MarketSmith India.

Materials (Cement & Metals)

  • India Cements: Buy, Target ₹490 (9.3% upside), Rationale: Breakout from sideways range, above key EMAs with RSI at 68. Source: Sumeet Bagadia, Choice Broking.
  • Lloyds Metals: Buy, Target ₹1445 (4% upside), Rationale: Bounce from oversold in favored metals sector, strong buying on declines. Source: Raja Venkatraman, NeoTrader.

Housing Finance

  • HUDCO: Buy, Target ₹265 (17% upside), Rationale: Bottoming out after decline, steady rise with volumes. Source: Raja Venkatraman, NeoTrader.

Other Thematic Picks (from Motilal Oswal's 2026 Outlook, issued today)

  • Bharti Airtel: Buy, Target Not specified (up to 46% upside), Rationale: Telecom growth amid tariff hikes.
  • TVS Motor: Buy, Target Not specified, Rationale: Two-wheeler recovery.
  • Biocon: Buy, Target Not specified, Rationale: Pharma innovation.
  • Poonawalla Fincorp: Buy, Target Not specified, Rationale: NBFC expansion.

    Section 3: Global & Thematic Insights

Global brokerages maintain a positive long-term view on India despite short-term headwinds. Goldman Sachs upgraded India to 'overweight', targeting Nifty at 29,000 by December 2026, citing resilient growth and value in midcaps. Macquarie echoes this, seeing opportunities in midcaps amid APAC recovery. BSE/NSE announcements highlight corporate actions like analyst meets (e.g., BEL on defence orders), but no direct regulatory nuggets tied to recommendations today. Thematically, defence (e.g., BEL orders) and renewables (NTPC Green) stand out, while metals face volatility from global slumps.

Conclusion & Disclaimer

Overall sentiment is neutral-bearish short-term due to FII outflows and expiry volatility, but bullish long-term on growth resilience. Investors should watch banking and power sectors for selective opportunities amid consolidation. This is a pre-market snapshot—updates may evolve post-open.

This is aggregated data for informational purposes; consult a financial advisor. Not investment advice.

Sources & Citations



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