Stock Market News | Nifty 50 Today | Sensex Update | Gold and Silver Prices | FOMC Meeting Outlook
The Indian stock market ended nearly flat on Tuesday as investors opted for profit booking ahead of the crucial US Federal Reserve’s policy meeting and the monthly F&O expiry. The BSE Sensex slipped 150 points to close at 84,628, while the NSE Nifty 50 ended 30 points lower at 25,936, after an early session rebound failed to sustain due to mixed global cues.
Despite the muted headline indices, certain sectors like metals, PSU banks, and real estate managed to outperform, supported by domestic institutional investor (DII) inflows and positive sentiment around government-led infrastructure push.
Key Highlights: Market Performance at a Glance
- Sensex closed: Down 150 points at 84,628
- Nifty 50 ended: 30 points lower at 25,936
- Top gainers: Metal, PSU banks, and real estate stocks
- Top laggards: Financials and IT sectors
- Volatility increased: Ahead of FOMC interest rate decision and monthly expiry
- Global cues: Mixed from Asian and US markets
- FIIs: Continued selling pressure in Indian equities
- Support for Nifty: Seen at 25,850, resistance at 26,300
Nifty 50 and Sensex Today: Profit Taking Caps Gains
The Indian benchmark indices opened on a cautious note amid weak Asian market sentiment. Early gains in PSU banks and metal counters helped offset the initial losses, but renewed selling in financials and IT stocks led to a flat close.
According to Dhanya Nagasundaram, market analyst, “The day’s trading reflected cautious sentiment as investors awaited the US Fed’s interest rate stance. While domestic strength in metals and PSU banks was encouraging, persistent foreign outflows capped market gains.”
Global Cues: Investors Eye US Fed Meeting and Q2 Earnings
Mixed global trends influenced market direction as investors awaited the outcome of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting scheduled this week.
Asian indices such as Nikkei, Hang Seng, and Shanghai Composite traded lower amid uncertainty over US policy direction and slower manufacturing growth in China. Meanwhile, European markets remained subdued with muted corporate earnings results and lower-than-expected inflation readings.
Market experts noted that global investors are closely tracking the Fed’s commentary for any hints on rate cuts or continuation of the current policy stance. This will have a direct impact on emerging markets like India, particularly on foreign portfolio investment (FPI) flows and currency movement.
FII and DII Activity: Foreign Selling Persists
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued to remain net sellers in the Indian equity market, leading to minor pressure on the indices. According to NSE provisional data, FIIs sold over ₹1,200 crore worth of equities, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) provided crucial support with ₹1,800 crore in net purchases.
Market experts suggest that foreign investors are rebalancing portfolios ahead of the US Fed policy outcome, while domestic funds remain bullish due to strong Q2 earnings, robust GST collections, and continued government capital expenditure.
Sectoral Performance: Metals, PSU Banks Shine
Despite the muted overall market tone, sector-specific rotation continued.
- Metals: The Nifty Metal index gained nearly 1.2%, driven by renewed optimism around China’s announcement to cut steel overcapacity and signs of progress in US-China trade relations.
- PSU Banks: The Nifty PSU Bank index also rose around 0.8% amid reports that FII investment limits in select government-owned banks might be increased.
- Real Estate: Stocks in the real estate sector showed strength amid expectations of lower interest rates in the coming quarters.
- IT and Financials: Underperformed due to profit booking and weak cues from global technology stocks.
Expert View: Technical and Fundamental Outlook
Abhinav Tiwari, Research Analyst at Bonanza Portfolio
“Volatility will likely remain elevated due to the FOMC policy decision and monthly derivatives expiry. While foreign institutional selling continues, the domestic sentiment remains resilient, supported by banking and metal stocks. The focus will remain on Q2 earnings, global central bank policies, and commodity price movements.”
Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities
“The Nifty 50 witnessed strong intraday volatility on the monthly F&O expiry day. However, on the daily chart, the index continues to trade above the 21-day exponential moving average (EMA), maintaining its bullish structure. The RSI (Relative Strength Index) has entered a bullish crossover, suggesting further upside momentum.”
He added that in the near term, a break above 26,000 could trigger a sharp rally toward 26,300–26,500 levels, while support is firm at 25,850.
Global Markets Influence: US-China Trade Talks and Fed Decision
Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services
“The domestic market traded volatile within a narrow range, closing nearly unchanged amid profit-taking on monthly expiry and weak global sentiment. However, the Metals sector outperformed due to optimism surrounding China’s industrial policy and progress in US-China trade discussions. PSU banks gained on reports suggesting a possible increase in FII holding limits, while IT stocks corrected after recent gains.”
Nair added that Q2 results, FOMC commentary, and global crude oil movement will drive near-term market direction.
Gold and Silver Prices Today
Commodity markets also witnessed movement ahead of the US Federal Reserve meeting.
- Gold prices on the MCX traded slightly lower, with December futures down 0.3% to ₹123,650 per 10 grams, as investors awaited clarity on the Fed’s rate outlook.
- Silver futures declined 0.5% to ₹142,700 per kg, tracking global cues.
Analysts note that if the Fed signals a pause or rate cut, gold prices may rebound sharply as the US dollar weakens, improving demand for precious metals.
Crude Oil Update: Prices Remain Range-Bound
Crude oil prices hovered in a narrow range as markets balanced supply concerns from the Middle East with weaker demand forecasts from the US and Europe.
Brent crude traded around $86.70 per barrel, while WTI was near $82.40 per barrel.
For India, stable oil prices are positive for the current account deficit and inflation outlook, providing a cushion for equity investors.
Nifty 50 Technical Outlook: Support and Resistance Levels
- Immediate support: 25,850
- Next support: 25,700
- Resistance zone: 26,300–26,500
- Momentum indicator RSI: 59.8 (bullish zone)
- 20-DMA: 25,740
- 50-DMA: 25,480
As long as the index holds above 25,850, analysts expect a continuation of the short-term uptrend, with strong buying likely above 26,000.
Broader Market View: Midcaps and Smallcaps Outperform
The Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 indices outperformed the benchmarks, rising 0.4% and 0.6%, respectively.
Investors showed renewed interest in defense, infra, and PSU stocks, driven by policy announcements and strong quarterly earnings.
Analysts believe that the broader market rally is likely to continue as long as domestic liquidity remains strong and retail participation stays high.
Top 8 Stocks to Buy Today: Expert Recommendations
Based on technical and fundamental analysis, experts have shortlisted the following 8 stocks that could perform well in the near term:
| Stock Name | Sector | Target Price (₹) | Stop Loss (₹) | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Steel | Metals | 180 | 162 | Buy |
| SBI | PSU Bank | 940 | 905 | Buy |
| DLF | Real Estate | 940 | 900 | Buy |
| NTPC | Power | 420 | 395 | Buy |
| ICICI Bank | Banking | 1260 | 1220 | Accumulate |
| Coal India | PSU/Mining | 560 | 535 | Buy |
| Maruti Suzuki | Auto | 12,800 | 12,250 | Buy on dips |
| Bharti Airtel | Telecom | 1,470 | 1,420 | Buy |
These picks reflect strength in core sectors like metals, PSU banks, auto, and telecom, where earnings visibility and policy tailwinds remain strong.
Outlook for the Week: Volatility Ahead of Key Events
The market is expected to remain volatile in the short term due to several triggers:
- US Federal Reserve’s policy outcome
- Quarterly earnings season (Q2 FY26)
- FII and DII flow trends
- Global bond yield movement
- US-China trade negotiations
Experts advise traders to maintain a stock-specific approach and use dips for accumulation, especially in defensive and domestic-oriented sectors.
Investors’ Strategy: How to Trade Nifty This Week
- Buy on Dips: Accumulate quality stocks in sectors like PSU banks, metals, and auto.
- Avoid Leverage: Volatility is expected to rise due to global macro events.
- Track US Dollar Index and Bond Yields: These will guide FII flow trends.
- Focus on Domestic Data: GST collections, manufacturing PMI, and inflation data to impact market direction.
- Use 25,850 as Key Support: As long as Nifty holds this zone, bulls remain in control.
Conclusion: Market Poised for Recovery Post Fed Outcome
The Indian stock market’s flat close reflects investor caution ahead of global monetary policy cues. However, technical indicators, strong domestic liquidity, and sectoral resilience suggest that the Nifty 50 could soon resume its upward momentum once global uncertainty eases.
With supportive domestic macros, rising retail participation, and positive trends in metals and PSU banks, the medium-term outlook for Indian equities remains optimistic. Traders are advised to maintain a balanced approach, focusing on quality stocks and sector leaders.
