Markets Opened 2026 Flat as ITC Weighs Down Indices

The first trading session of 2026 ended flat for Indian equities, reflecting mixed investor sentiment. While the Nifty managed a marginal gain, the Sensex closed lower, dragged down by sharp declines in ITC and other heavyweight stocks.

Key Highlights:

• Sensex Performance: Closed at 85,188.60, down 32 points after intraday volatility.
• Nifty Performance: Ended marginally higher at 26,146.55, up 16.95 points.
• ITC Impact: Shares of ITC plunged 9.69%, becoming the biggest drag on indices.
• Other Decliners: Bajaj Finance, Asian Paints, Bharat Electronics, and ICICI Bank also weighed on sentiment.
• Top Gainers: NTPC, Mahindra & Mahindra, Larsen & Toubro, and Power Grid provided support.
• Sectoral Context: Tobacco and pan masala stocks fell after the government announced new excise duties effective February 1.
• Investor Sentiment: Foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows added pressure, limiting upside momentum.

The session highlighted the challenges ahead for markets in 2026, with regulatory changes and global fund flows expected to play a crucial role in shaping investor confidence.

Sources: Deccan Herald, The Hindu BusinessLine, Rediff Mone