Quiet Start to the Week: Markets Tread Water
After Friday’s solid bounce, Indian benchmarks gave back small gains and ended almost where they started. The Sensex Nifty Close Flat on Monday, December 15, with just mild red ticks as traders stayed cautious amid soft global cues and sector-specific pressure.
Mumbai: The Sensex Nifty Close Flat in a low-key session today, with the BSE Sensex dipping 54.28 points or 0.06% to settle at 85,213.20. The NSE Nifty 50 followed suit, shedding 19.75 points or 0.08% to finish at 26,026.45. From the trading floor at BSE, volumes were noticeably thinner—many desks were half-empty with the holiday spirit already creeping in, and brokers I caught up with said no one wanted to take big bets ahead of key data releases later this week.
Out of the 30 Sensex components, 16 closed lower while 14 managed gains. Nifty’s broader 50-pack saw 27 in red, 22 in green and one unchanged. “It’s typical pre-festive caution—nobody’s chasing momentum,” a floor trader remarked over a quick chai break.
Sector Split: Auto and Banking Weigh, IT and FMCG Support
Auto, Energy and Banking packs bore the brunt of selling pressure, dragging indices into minor negative territory. Heavyweights in these spaces saw selective profit-booking after recent runs. On the brighter side, IT and FMCG counters held firm, offering some cushion with steady buying from domestic institutions.
Broader markets mirrored the muted tone—Nifty Midcap 100 slipped 0.12% while Smallcap 100 edged down 0.08%. Volatility stayed low, with India VIX hovering in the comfortable mid-teens.
Global Markets Stay Soft, Set Cautious Tone
Asian peers closed firmly lower, adding to the subdued sentiment. Japan’s Nikkei tumbled 1.31% to 50,168, Korea’s Kospi dropped 1.84% to 4,090, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1.34% to 25,628 and China’s Shanghai Composite eased 0.55% to 3,867.
Friday’s Wall Street session had already signalled weakness—Dow Jones down 0.51% to 48,458, S&P 500 off 1.07% to 6,827 and Nasdaq shedding 1.69%. Gift Nifty futures pointed to a flat-to-negative open this morning, and the market delivered exactly that.
With no major domestic triggers today, the Sensex Nifty Close Flat reflects a classic wait-and-watch day. DIIs continued their buying streak, offsetting some FII outflows, but overall flows remained balanced.
As the week unfolds with fresh IPO action and global data points, keep tracking the pulse right here.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Stock market investments are subject to market risks. Please consult your financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Data based on closing prices as of December 15, 2025.