Market Volatility Continues: Sensex Fluctuates, Nifty Steady Above 26,300

Sensex Slides, Nifty Holds Above 26,300; HCL Tech Drops, ONGC Gains.

Benchmark indices opened mixed on Wednesday, tracking positive global cues amid geopolitical tensions.

The BSE Sensex slipped 122 points to 85,640, while the Nifty50 inched up 5 points to 26,334. On the BSE, EL, SBI, and Reliance Industries led gains, while HCLTech, Infosys, and Tech Mahindra lagged. On the NSE, ONGC, Coal India, and BEL were top gainers, with HCLTech, Infosys, and Wipro dragging the index lower.

Broader markets were mixed: Nifty Smallcap 100 rose 0.19%, while Nifty Midcap 100 fell 0.55%. Sector-wise, PSU Banks gained 1.3%, Media +1.08%, and IT declined 0.75%.

The rupee opened flat at 90.20/$, while investors bought precious metals amid US–Venezuela tensions: MCX Gold +1%, MCX Silver +3%.

Global Markets:

Asia rallied after the US airstrike in Venezuela: Nikkei 225 +2.26%, Kospi +2.19%, S&P/ASX 200 flat.

Wall Street ended mixed on Jan 2: S&P 500 +0.19%, Dow Jones +0.66%, Nasdaq -0.03%.

Oil prices edged up: Brent $60.90/bbl, WTI $57.38/bbl.

Investors await UK consumer credit and mortgage data and US ISM manufacturing and employment figures.