The NSE Nifty 50 closed at 26,250.30, down 78.25 points or 0.30%, while the BSE Sensex ended at 85,439.62, lower by 322.39 points or 0.38%.
The weakness in frontline indices spilled over into the broader market, though losses there were relatively contained.
Nifty Midcap index ended 0.16% lower
Nifty Smallcap index declined 0.53%
You may also like: How to Invest in Foreign Stocks from India
Impact on the stock market
Sector-wise performance
From a sectoral perspective, pressure was clearly visible in rate-sensitive and global-facing sectors:
- Nifty IT fell around 1%, weighed down by heavy selling in large IT exporters
- Nifty Oil & Gas also slipped close to 1%, tracking weakness in crude prices and global uncertainty
On the positive side:
- Nifty Realty surged 2.07%, emerging as the top-performing sector
- Nifty FMCG and Nifty Consumer Durables also ended higher, reflecting defensive buying
| Sector/Index | Performance |
| IT & BPM sector | -1.43% |
| Healthcare sector | -0.32% |
| Oil & Gas sector | -1.02% |
| Real estate sector | 2.07% |
| PSU Bank in India | 0.46% |
Top gainers today
| Company | Share Price (in ₹) | Change % |
| Nestle | 1,314.60 | 2.73 |
| Bharat Electronics | 413.80 | 2.64 |
| Eicher Motors | 7,482.50 | 2.02 |
| UltraTechCement | 12,087.00 | 1.58 |
| Asian Paints | 2,815.60 | 1.55 |
Top losers today
| Company | Share Price (in ₹) | Change % |
| HDFC Bank | 977.50 | -2.41 |
| Wipro | 263.30 | -2.12 |
| Infosys | 1,606.40 | -2.07 |
| HCL Tech | 1,607.60 | -1.99 |
| ONGC | 238.09 | -1.40 |
Market aftermath: Impact on stocks
HDFC Bank: Growth Continues, But The Stock Slips
Shares of HDFC Bank fell over 2%, making it the biggest loser on both the Sensex and Nifty. The decline came after the bank released its provisional business update for the third quarter of FY26.
The numbers themselves were not weak.
- Average advances under management rose 9% year-on-year to ₹28.64 lakh crore
- Period-end advances increased 9.8% to ₹29.46 lakh crore
- Gross advances grew 11.9% year-on-year to ₹25.43 lakh crore
- Average deposits rose 12.2% to ₹27.52 lakh crore
- CASA deposits increased 9.9% to ₹8.18 lakh crore
So why did the stock fall? Markets appear to have already priced in steady growth. With valuations still rich, investors used the update as an opportunity to book profits rather than add fresh positions.
Union Bank Of India: PSU Banks Steal The Show
While private banks faced pressure, Union Bank of India stood out as a clear winner. The stock jumped over 4%, hitting a fresh 52-week high of ₹162.99.
In its provisional Q3 update:
- Gross advances rose 7.13% year-on-year to ₹10.17 lakh crore
- Deposits increased 3.36% to ₹12.23 lakh crore
- Domestic CASA deposits grew 5% to ₹4.15 lakh crore
The strong performance reinforced investor confidence in the PSU banking turnaround story. Several other lenders also saw buying interest, underlining the shift towards relatively cheaper banking stocks.
Premier Energies And Waaree Energies: F&O Inclusion Brings Pressure
Shares of Premier Energies and Waaree Energies extended their recent fall, dropping up to 7.5% and 5% respectively. Since their inclusion in the futures and options segment on December 31, both stocks are down 8–9%.
Brokerage Bernstein maintained an ‘Underperform’ rating on both names:
- Premier Energies target price: ₹718, implying over 15% downside
- Waaree Energies target price: ₹2,109, implying around 26% downside
Premier Energies has fallen 12% in one month and over 27% since listing, while Waaree Energies is down around 13% since listing. The takeaway here is simple: F&O inclusion boosts liquidity, but it also increases volatility and scrutiny.
Reliance Industries And ONGC: Geopolitics Fuels Energy Stocks
Energy stocks bucked the broader market weakness.
- ONGC gained around 2%, trading near ₹246.80
- Reliance Industries rose over 1%, hitting a fresh 52-week high of ₹1,611.8
The rally followed reports of a US military operation in Venezuela, with analysts suggesting that changing dynamics could impact crude supply and sanctions. Reliance’s market capitalisation is now inching closer to the ₹22 lakh crore mark, reinforcing its position as India’s most valuable company.
Crude Oil: Prices Dip Despite Rising Tensions
Global crude oil prices traded lower, even as geopolitical tensions grabbed headlines.
As of Monday morning:
- Brent crude (March futures) stood at $60.61, down 0.23%
- WTI crude (February futures) was at $57.13, down 0.33%
In India:
- MCX January crude oil futures traded at ₹5,168, up 0.25%
- MCX February futures were at ₹5,180, up 0.29%
Despite Venezuela holding the world’s largest proven oil reserves, it contributes less than 1% of global production, limiting immediate supply disruption. Adding to this, OPEC+ decided to pause production increases for February and March 2026, maintaining flexibility depending on market conditions.
Meanwhile, natural gas futures fell sharply by over 6%, while agricultural commodities showed mixed trends.
Conclusion:
Monday’s market action was less about fear and more about recalibration. After hitting record highs, indices took a breather as global events, sectoral rotations, and stock-specific developments played out.
For investors, the message is straightforward. Volatility is returning, selectivity matters more than ever, and headline numbers only tell part of the story. Whether this phase turns into a deeper correction or simply another stepping stone will depend on how global cues and earnings unfold in the coming weeks.
For more stock market insights, check out the StockGro blog.
