Indian stock markets fell roughly half a percent on Friday as traders pulled back ahead of the weekend, while gold and silver surged to new all‑time highs.
Market Overview
The Nifty closed at 26,042, down 99 points (about 0.4%). The Sensex ended at 85,041, also down 0.4% (367 points). Both indices had been slightly higher earlier in the shortened trading week.
Precious Metals Rally
Gold rose about 1.3% and silver jumped 1.4%, with silver hovering around $75 an ounce, pushing both metals to record‑breaking levels.
Analyst Views
Analysts expect the Nifty to trade in a narrow band between 25,700 and 26,300 in the short term, as there are no strong triggers on the horizon. As long as the index stays above 25,400, the longer‑term uptrend remains intact.
Sector Performance
- Nifty IT fell 1%.
- Nifty Auto dropped 0.5%.
- Bank Nifty slipped 0.3%.
- Mid‑cap 150 down 0.3%.
- Small‑cap 250 down 0.2%.
Out of 4,379 stocks traded on the BSE, 1,690 advanced and 2,540 declined.
Foreign Investor Activity
Foreign portfolio investors sold shares worth about ₹317 crore on Friday, while domestic investors bought roughly ₹1,772 crore. In December, foreign investors sold around ₹18,909 crore.
Outlook
With global uncertainties still present, the market may stay in a tight range unless a major news event occurs. Retail investors, who are not bound by lock‑in periods, are currently favoring IPO participation over holding existing positions.
Disclaimer
Remember, this is perspective, not a prediction. Do your own research and consider your risk tolerance before making any investment decisions.