Markets closed lower on December 26, the BSE Sensex fell by 367 points, or about 0.4 per cent, to close at around 85,041. The NSE Nifty 50 also declined nearly 0.4 per cent, ending the day below the key 26,050 mark at around 26,042. Despite the fall, both indices managed to post small gains for the week.
Investors chose to book profits in the final trading week of the year. With holiday season keeping volumes thin and no major triggers to guide sentiment, benchmark indices slipped after a muted session.
Among the major losers on the Sensex and Nifty were Bajaj Finance, Asian Paints, Tech Mahindra and Sun Pharma, which fell around 1 per cent each. IT and financial stocks faced selling pressure, reflecting concerns over valuations and subdued near-term outlook.
On the positive side, some FMCG and metal stocks helped limit the overall fall. A few mid-cap and small-cap stocks also saw selective buying based on company-specific news, though broader market sentiment remained weak.
In other markets, the Indian rupee traded slightly lower against the US dollar, adding to the cautious mood. Meanwhile, global markets offered mixed cues, with Asian stocks trading higher in parts, while investors globally remained focused on interest rate outlooks and economic data.