Nifty 50 Inches Up 0.25% as Markets Brace for Budget Announcements

Key Highlights:

Market movement: At 11:00 AM IST, February 1, 2026, the Nifty 50 index was up 0.25%, trading near 25,360 points. The Sensex also gained 180 points, signaling positive sentiment in early trade.

Sector trends: Banking and auto stocks led the gains, with investors betting on budgetary support for infrastructure and rural consumption. Meanwhile, metals and PSU stocks saw mild declines, reflecting profit-taking ahead of policy announcements.

Investor sentiment: Market participants are cautiously optimistic, expecting the Union Budget to focus on rural development, infrastructure spending, and tax reforms. Analysts note that FMCG and auto companies could benefit from higher rural allocations, while capital goods may gain from infrastructure push.

Global cues: Asian markets traded mixed, with investors awaiting U.S. Federal Reserve commentary later this week. Despite global uncertainty, domestic sentiment remains anchored on budget expectations.

Outlook: Traders anticipate volatility during Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s speech, but the early uptick suggests confidence in fiscal measures aimed at sustaining growth momentum.

Sources: Economic Times Markets Live, Moneycontrol Market Updates, NSE India Trading Data