The Indian stock market welcomed the New Year 2026 with a positive start, as the key benchmark indices, the BSE Sensex and the Nifty50, opened trading on Wednesday in the green. The Nifty50 index climbed above the 26,150 mark, while the Sensex gained over 100 points in early trade, setting an optimistic tone for the first session of the year.
Opening Bell: A Green Start to the Year
At 9:16 AM, the market momentum was clearly positive. The Nifty50 was trading at 26,169.30, marking a gain of 40 points or 0.15%. Similarly, the BSE Sensex stood at 85,352.13, up by 132 points or 0.15%. This upward move followed a year of consolidation in 2025, with investors now looking ahead to the new year's prospects.
Expert Outlook for 2026: A Phase of Measured Growth
Market analysts and experts are projecting that Indian equities are poised for measured gains in 2026. This forecast is based on several strengthening fundamental pillars. Primary among them are expectations of improving corporate earnings and a gradual pickup in private capital expenditure (capex).
Furthermore, the market continues to draw confidence from government policy initiatives, both recent and anticipated. This structural support is seen as a key driver that could sustain the market's upward trajectory over the coming months, albeit in a more stable manner compared to volatile years.
Global Cues and Institutional Activity
While the domestic opening was strong, global market signals were mixed. On Wall Street, US equities closed lower in the final trading session of 2025. Despite this, the key American indices managed to post strong annual returns for 2025. The year was marked by significant swings, largely influenced by tariff-related uncertainty under President Donald Trump and soaring investor enthusiasm for stocks linked to artificial intelligence.
On the domestic institutional front, data from Wednesday revealed a divergent trend. Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) were net sellers, offloading Indian equities worth Rs 3,597 crore. However, their selling pressure was offset by robust support from Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs), who were net buyers to the tune of Rs 6,758 crore, providing crucial liquidity and stability to the market.
The contrasting actions of foreign and domestic institutions highlight the evolving dynamics of market support. As 2026 unfolds, investors will be closely monitoring corporate results, policy developments, and global economic cues to navigate their investment strategies.
