Sensex, Nifty open lower over weak global cues

Indian benchmark indices closed marginally lower on Thursday as investors locked in gains amid escalating geopolitical concerns and subdued cues from Asian markets.

By 9:23 AM, the Sensex had declined 108 points (0.13%) to 84,852, while the Nifty fell 46 points (0.18%) to 26,094.

Broader markets mirrored the benchmarks, with the Nifty Midcap 100 dipping 0.32% and the Nifty Smallcap 100 shedding 0.14%.

Bharat Electronics and SBI Life Insurance emerged as top performers in the Nifty basket. Sectorally, most indices traded lower, led by Nifty Metal which plunged 1.27%, while Realty and Consumer Durables bucked the trend.

Analysts highlighted immediate support at the 26,000–26,050 range and resistance near 26,250–26,300 levels.

Despite short-term weakness, analysts maintain a bullish outlook for the broader market, citing sustained higher highs and higher lows on daily charts.

Asian markets displayed mixed performance during early trading hours as geopolitical tensions intensified following remarks from former U.S. President Donald Trump, weighing on Wall Street sentiment.

Key Asian indices reflected this divergence: Shanghai Composite edged up 0.09%, Shenzhen Component fell 0.20%, Nikkei 225 dropped 0.96%, Hang Seng declined 1.26%, while KOSPI gained 0.64%.

U.S. markets mostly retreated overnight, with the S&P 500 down 0.34% and Dow Jones sliding 0.94%. The Nasdaq Composite managed a 0.16% gain.

ADP’s December employment report showed private payroll growth of 41,000 jobs, marginally below the projected 47,000 additions. This followed a revised 32,000-job decline in November.

On January 5, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold Indian equities worth ₹1,528 crore net, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) purchased shares worth ₹2,889 crore net.