The BSE Sensex closed at 85,408.70, down by 116.14 points, or 0.14%. Similarly, the NSE Nifty50 ended at 26,142.10, falling by 35.05 points, or 0.13%.
The Nifty SmallCap 100 index rose by 0.28%, while the Nifty MidCap 100 index settled 0.60% lower.
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Impact on the stock market
Sector-wise performance
The broader market remained flat with mixed sector performance. The losses were driven by sectors like oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and metals, while sectors like media and real estate saw a positive momentum.
Nifty Oil & Gas emerged as the top loser, falling by 0.76%, with concerns about global oil prices continuing to put pressure on energy stocks.
Nifty Pharma also took a hit, down 0.51%, following weakness in major pharmaceutical stocks like Sun Pharma.
Nifty Metal declined by 0.51% as global commodity prices showed signs of weakness.
However, there was some positive movement in the Nifty Media, which gained 0.44%, and Nifty Realty, which closed 0.17% higher. Despite the overall cautious sentiment, a few sectors managed to buck the trend, albeit modestly.
| Sector/Index | Performance |
| IT & BPM sector | -0.51% |
| Healthcare sector | -0.29% |
| Oil & Gas sector | -0.76% |
| Real estate sector | 0.17% |
| PSU Bank in India | -0.46% |
Top gainers today
| Company | Share Price (in ₹) | Change % |
| Trent | 4,289.60 | 2.39 |
| Shriram Finance | 973.70 | 1.66 |
| Apollo Hospital | 7,172.00 | 1.39 |
| Bajaj Auto | 9,170.00 | 0.78 |
| UltraTech Cement | 11,764.00 | 0.74 |
Top losers today
| Company | Share Price (in ₹) | Change % |
| Interglobe Avi | 5,081.50 | -1.46 |
| Dr Reddys Labs | 1,265.80 | -1.38 |
| Wipro | 268.06 | -1.23 |
| Adani Enterprises | 2,222.70 | -1.16 |
| HDFC Life | 755.35 | -1.13 |
Market aftermath: Impact on stocks
IndiGo: Government green lights new competitors
Shares of IndiGo, the largest airline in India, fell by over 2% to ₹5,047.50 following the government’s decision to grant No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to two new airlines: Al Hind Air and FlyExpress. These new players entering the fast-growing aviation market are expected to increase competition for IndiGo, which currently holds a dominant 60% market share in India’s airline industry.
The news comes on the back of a series of operational disruptions at IndiGo, including flight cancellations and delays that have raised concerns about its operational resilience. In response to the new competition, the Competition Commission of India is reviewing IndiGo’s market dominance.
IndiGo’s shares have fallen more than 9% in the past six months, and over 12% in the last month. Despite this, it has gained more than 2% over the last five days. Investors will likely keep an eye on how IndiGo navigates this competitive challenge moving forward.
Hindustan Copper: Strong copper prices fuel gains
Hindustan Copper shares soared by over 7%, hitting a 52-week high of ₹436.50, thanks to a rise in global copper prices. Copper prices have remained strong due to positive economic data from the U.S., where GDP grew at a 4.3% annual rate in the third quarter of 2025. This growth, supported by robust consumer spending and exports, has boosted demand for copper, a critical metal used in various industries, including electronics and construction.
Hindustan Copper, as a key copper producer, benefits directly from the price surge, with higher copper prices improving its revenue and margins. The company has gained for five consecutive sessions, as higher copper prices and tight supply conditions continue to drive the stock’s performance.
Castrol India: BP’s stake sale fuels optimism
Shares of Castrol India surged by 8% after news broke that BP had agreed to sell 65% of its stake in the company to investment firm Stonepeak for $6 billion. The deal, which values the business at $10.1 billion, will help BP reduce its net debt, a key part of its broader strategy to improve financial health.
The sale was seen positively by investors, with Castrol India shares rising to ₹201. The transaction is expected to strengthen BP’s balance sheet, as the oil giant is targeting a $20 billion divestment by the end of 2027.
This sale is a part of BP’s strategic overhaul, which includes focusing on its core oil and gas businesses and reducing its debt load. Castrol’s strong market presence, particularly in the automotive sector, makes it an attractive asset for investors, and the market responded well to the news.
Crude oil
Crude oil futures saw a slight uptick on Wednesday, with Brent crude trading at $62.47, up by 0.14%, and WTI crude at $58.50, rising by 0.21%. The positive momentum was attributed to the recent US GDP growth of 4.3% for Q3 2025, which suggested stronger economic activity and, by extension, a potential increase in oil demand.
However, the gains were tempered by a mixed outlook on global oil inventories. The American Petroleum Institute (API) reported a 2.4 million barrel increase in US crude inventories for the week ending December 19, a sign that supply may be outpacing demand in the short term.
Despite the growth in oil prices, concerns around global supply and demand imbalances remain, with geopolitical risks in key oil-producing regions continuing to pose a potential threat to market stability.
Conclusion
Wednesday’s market session was dominated by cautious sentiment, with the Sensex and Nifty both ending lower. However, individual stocks like Hindustan Copper, Castrol India, and IndiGo caught investors’ attention for various reasons, from global commodity trends to strategic corporate moves.
As the market heads into the Christmas holiday, expect trading volumes to remain thin, but stock-specific actions may continue to set the pace. With rising competition in aviation, strengthening copper prices, and strategic asset sales in the oil sector, there’s no shortage of developments for investors to monitor.
While the broader indices may have ended the day with modest losses, these stock-specific moves highlight the continued opportunity for savvy investors to make well-informed decisions even in a quieter market environment.
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