Overview

• Sensex rose above 85,600 and Nifty crossed 26,200 amid cautious buying.

• RBI announced Rs. 2 lakh crore liquidity support through OMO and forex swaps.

• Metal, realty, and midcaps outperformed while pharma, FMCG, and IT lagged.

Indian stock market today (December 24) showed signs of recovery. At press time, Sensex was trading at 85,626.88, up 102.04 points (0.12%). Meanwhile, Nifty stood at 26,213.15, gaining 36 points (0.14%). 

Metal, media, and realty sectors were the top performers today, each rising around 0.5%. BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices also showed strength, climbing 0.3% each. However, pharma, FMCG, and IT sectors faced selling pressure and traded in red. Here’s what happened in stock market today based on Moneycontrol Live Updates. 

RBI's Liquidity Boost Powers Sentiment

Reserve Bank of India announced that it would pump Rs. 2 lakh crore of liquidity in the banking system. The central bank plans to run Open Market Operations (OMO) for buying government securities along with USD/INR Buy/Sell swap auctions. This move is expected to support credit growth, bringing relief to banking stocks that have struggled lately.

Top Gainers and Active Stocks

Metal stocks performed well in stock market today, with Hindustan Copper, Hindustan Zinc, and NALCO leading the gains. Hindustan Copper shares surged 4.08%, while Hindustan Zinc was up 2.94 %. These were the most active stocks on NSE, reflecting strong investor interest. At the same time, Manappuram Finance was also in limelight. The stock jumped 3.73% to touch a 52-week high of Rs. 307.20. This was its best single-day gain in 16 weeks.

Major Corporate Developments

Here is the share market news shaping investor sentiment today:

Coal India gave approval for listing its subsidiaries, South Eastern Coalfields (SECL) and Mahanadi Coalfields. The stock traded at Rs. 406, up 1.41%, as investors welcomed the move that could unlock value for shareholders.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone announced the allotment of 14.38 crore equity shares to Carmichael Rail on a preferential basis. This was done to acquire 100% ordinary share capital of Abbot Point Port Holdings. The former company’s stock gained 0.60% to Rs. 1,502.65 on the news.

Tata Steel received approval from the Competition Commission of India for taking sole control of Tata BlueScope Steel by buying the remaining 50% equity stake. The stock traded nearly flat at Rs. 170.95.

Also Read: Best Corporate Bond Funds in India for December 2025

Banking and Financial Stocks

The banking sector showed mixed sentiments. Shriram Finance, Axis Bank, and Jio Financial were among the major gainers on Nifty. Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company traded 1.45% higher at Rs. 1,705 after Jefferies retained its 'buy' rating with a target price of Rs. 1,980, dismissing recent allegations as unsubstantiated.

Infrastructure and Capital Goods Sector

Vikran Engineering shares rallied sharply after the company received a work order worth Rs. 2,035.26 crore from Onix Renewables for developing 600 MW AC solar power projects across Maharashtra. The stock jumped 11.82% to Rs. 97.

L&T won an order for the Mumbai metro railway project, Package CA-298, awarded by MMRDA. The project involves electrification of the 24.72 km long Line 4 connecting Bhakti Park to Cadbury Junction.

Currency and Commodity Markets

Indian rupee opened higher at 89.54 per dollar, gaining 12 paise against the previous close of 89.66. The surge came despite ongoing global currency volatility.

Gold prices soared above $4,500 per ounce for the first time. It was driven by rising geopolitical tensions in Venezuela and more US rate cut expectations next year. The precious metal is heading for its best annual performance since 1979, providing a safe-haven option for investors.

Also Read: Stock Market Today: Sensex at 85,493, Nifty Stuck at 26,172; Ambuja Rises, HCL Tech Slips

Market Outlook

Market experts suggest that the stock market today reflects a consolidation phase with an upward bias. The strong domestic economy and supportive earnings growth expectations for Q3 and Q4 of FY26 provide fundamental support.

However, continued FII selling is a concern, with foreign investors offloading Rs. 1,794 crore worth of equities on December 23. Domestic institutional investors cushioned this impact by purchasing Rs. 3,812 crore worth of stocks. Analysts recommend a buy-on-dips strategy with a focus on stock selection based on relative strength.

FAQs

1. Why did the Indian stock market rise today?

The market moved higher mainly due to the Reserve Bank of India’s decision to inject Rs. 2 lakh crore into the banking system. This improved liquidity sentiment, supported banking and metal stocks, and helped indices trade in positive territory despite mixed global cues.

2. Which sectors performed best in today’s market?

Metal, media, and realty stocks led the gains, each rising around 0.5%. Midcap and smallcap stocks also performed well, showing investor interest beyond large-cap stocks, even as select defensive sectors saw selling pressure.

3. How did RBI’s liquidity measures impact stocks?

The RBI’s OMO purchases and USD/INR swap auctions improved liquidity expectations. This boosted confidence in credit growth. It also supported banking and finance stocks, which have been trading at relatively attractive valuations in recent sessions.

4. What were the most active stocks today?

Hindustan Copper, Hindustan Zinc, and NALCO gained sharply among metals. Manappuram Finance touched a 52-week high. Coal India, Adani Ports, Tata Steel, and L&T stocks were also in focus due to key corporate announcements.

5. What is the future outlook for the stock market?

Experts see the market in a consolidation phase with a positive bias. Strong domestic fundamentals and earnings expectations support sentiment, but continued FII selling remains a risk. Analysts suggest buying quality stocks on dips with careful stock selection.