Budget Day: Markets End Flat Amid Mixed Sectoral Performance, Smallcap Index Outperforms

The Sensex inched up by 0.01 per cent to 77,505.96, while the Nifty 50 dipped slightly by 0.11 per cent to settle at 23,482.15.

Market Update at 3:30 PM: Indian equity markets closed on a muted note, with the benchmark indices showing minimal movement amid a volatile session. The Sensex inched up by 0.01 per cent to 77,505.96, while the Nifty 50 dipped slightly by 0.11 per cent to settle at 23,482.15, reflecting investor caution after the budget announcements.

The broader market witnessed mixed trends. The Nifty Midcap 150 index fell 0.39 per cent to 19,773.40, while the Nifty Smallcap 250 index gained 0.66 per cent to 15,955.45, indicating continued interest in smaller stocks. Volatility eased further, with India VIX plunging 13.24 per cent to 14.10, signaling reduced market uncertainty.

Among sectoral indices, Nifty FMCG (+3.01 per cent) led the gainers, followed by Nifty Auto (+1.91 per cent) and Nifty Realty (+1.80 per cent). On the flip side, Nifty IT (-1.48 per cent), Nifty Financial Services 25/50 (-0.53 per cent), and Nifty Financial Services (-0.22 per cent) were the biggest drags on the market.

Within the Nifty 50 pack, top performers included Hindustan Unilever, ITC, and Trent, while Bharat Electronics, HDFC Life, and SBI Life saw the most losses.

Market breadth remained balanced, with 1,295 stocks advancing against 1,412 declining, suggesting a stock-specific approach by investors in the post-budget session.

Market Update at 1:10 AM: Indian equity markets saw a moderate decline in mid day trade, with the benchmark indices experiencing selling pressure. The Sensex slipped 0.37% to 77,200.42, while the Nifty 50 dropped 0.62% to 23,361.75, as investors booked profits after the budget session by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman.

The broader market also reflected weakness, with the Nifty Midcap 150 declining 1.07 per cent to 19,637.90, and the Nifty Smallcap 250 slipping 0.40 per cent to 15,786.90. Meanwhile, market volatility eased significantly, as India VIX plunged 9.30 per cent to 14.74, signaling reduced uncertainty among traders.

Among sectoral indices, Nifty FMCG (4.24 Per Cent) was the top performer, followed by Nifty Auto (+1.68 per cent) and Nifty Realty (+1.65 per cent). On the other hand, Nifty Financial Services 25/50 (-2.18 per cent), Nifty Financial Services (-1.59 per cent), and Nifty Bank (-1.08 per cent) were the worst performers, dragging the markets lower.

Within the Nifty 50 index, Trent, Hindustan Unilever, and ITC emerged as the Top Gainers. Conversely, Bharat Electronics, SBI life, HDFC Life were the biggest laggards.

Market breadth remained weak, with 1,175 stocks advancing against 1,459 stocks declining, indicating broad-based selling pressure.

Market Update at 9:40 AM: Indian equity markets continued their upward trajectory, tracking positive momentum despite mixed global cues. The Sensex climbed 0.31 per cent to 77,743.27, while the Nifty 50 advanced 0.24 per cent, reaching 23,564.70.

The broader market also displayed strength, with the Nifty Midcap 150 rising 0.70 per cent to 19,990.65, and the Nifty Smallcap 250 surging 1.01 per cent to 16,011.20. Meanwhile, market volatility eased slightly, as reflected in the India VIX, which dipped 0.18 per cent to 16.22, signaling reduced uncertainty.

Among sectoral indices, Nifty Metal, Nifty Auto, and Nifty Realty led the gains, rising by 1.73 per cent, 0.61 per cent, and 0.54 per cent, respectively. Conversely, Nifty Consumer Durables, Nifty Pharma, and Nifty Financial Services were the worst performers, slipping by 0.27 per cent, 0.21 per cent, and 0.11 per cent, respectively.

Within the Nifty 50 index, Tata Steel, JSW Steel, and Bajaj Auto topped the gainers’ list, advancing by 3.42 per cent, 2.89 per cent, and 2.11 per cent, respectively. On the other hand, Titan, Cipla, and ICICI Bank were the top laggards, declining by 1.08 per cent, 0.74 per cent, and 0.52 per cent, respectively.

Market breadth remained positive, with 1,745 stocks advancing against 643 stocks declining, reflecting broad-based buying interest.

Market Update 8:15 AM: U.S. stocks ended lower on Friday as investors reacted to concerns over upcoming trade tariffs set to take effect over the weekend. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 312.95 points (0.7 per cent) to close at 44,544. The S&P 500 declined 30.20 points (0.5 per cent) to settle at 6,040, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 39.55 points (0.2 per cent) to end at 19,627.

Market sentiment weakened after the White House confirmed that President Donald Trump would move ahead with tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China starting Saturday. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the administration would impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada and a 10 per cent duty on Chinese goods.

The GIFT Nifty indicates a strong start for Indian markets, with Nifty futures trading 67 points higher at 23,533 as of 7:00 AM IST.

Indian equities saw significant gains on January 30, as investors positioned themselves ahead of the Union Budget 2025-26. The Nifty climbed 258.90 points (1.11 per cent) to close at 23,508.40, after touching an intraday peak of 23,546.80, up 297.3 points (1.27 per cent). Market experts anticipate heightened volatility today as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveils the Union Budget at 11 AM.

U.S. Treasury yields moved in different directions, with the 10-year yield increasing by 0.022 points to 4.542 per cent, while the 2-year yield fell 0.007 points to 4.205 per cent.

The dollar index surged past 108.3 following the White House’s confirmation that tariffs—25 per cent on Canada and Mexico and 10 per cent on China—would take effect as scheduled on Saturday, dismissing any reports of a delay.

Crude oil prices extended their upward movement, with WTI futures climbing toward USD 73 per barrel on Friday. Traders closely monitored developments around the tariff deadline, as President Trump reaffirmed plans to implement 25 per cent tariffs on Canada and Mexico but indicated he was still weighing whether to exclude oil from the duties.

On January 30, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) extended their selling streak for the 21st straight session, pulling out Rs 1,188 crore from Indian equities. Meanwhile, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) provided support by investing Rs 2,232 crore.

No stocks are under the F&O ban today.

Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.