As December approaches, Indian investors are preparing for the final trading month of 2024, with attention focused on year-end portfolio adjustments, global market cues, and corporate earnings performance. The good news for active traders is that December offers relatively uninterrupted trading sessions compared to other festive months.
December 2024 Trading Schedule
The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) will observe only one market holiday during December 2024. Markets will remain closed on Thursday, December 25 for Christmas celebrations. This closure affects all equity, derivatives, and securities lending and borrowing (SLB) segments.
However, trading in currency and interest rate derivatives will continue as usual even on Christmas Day, providing some opportunities for specialized traders. Regular trading activities will resume on Friday, December 26, as investors return to monitor global developments and finalize their year-end investment positioning.
November Closing Session Performance
The final trading session of November set the stage for December's activities. On November 28, which marked the last trading day before the weekend, markets ended relatively flat after a two-day rally.
The BSE Sensex experienced minor pressure, slipping 13.71 points or 0.02 percent to close at 85,706.67. During the session, the index swung through a 392.07-point range, touching an intra-day high of 85,969.89 and a low of 85,577.82.
Meanwhile, the NSE Nifty followed a similar pattern, declining 12.60 points or 0.05 percent to settle at 26,202.95. This movement halted the two-day rally that had characterized earlier November trading sessions.
Year-End Trading Strategy Considerations
With minimal market interruptions in December, investors have ample opportunity to execute year-end portfolio rebalancing strategies. The single holiday month provides continuity for those monitoring global economic indicators, corporate earnings reports, and domestic economic data.
December's streamlined holiday calendar contrasts sharply with other months that feature multiple festivals and market closures. This consistency allows for uninterrupted tracking of international market trends that often influence Indian stock performance during the final month of the calendar year.
Market participants should note that while equity markets close on December 25, other financial instruments remain available for trading, offering flexibility for different investment approaches during the holiday period.
