Nifty ends flat with minor gains on first trading day of 2024

01 Jan 2024 Evaluate

Indian equity benchmark -- Nifty -- ended the first trading session of 2024 with marginal gains. Index made a slightly negative start, as traders were cautious after the output of eight key infrastructure industries - known as the core sector - slowed to a six-month low of 7.8 per cent in November on the back of a high base and festival holidays. Besides, data released by the Controller General of Accounts showed that the central government's fiscal deficit widened to Rs 9.07 lakh crore in April-November from Rs 8.04 lakh crore in April-October.

In afternoon session, index cut all of its losses and entered into green, as traders took encouragement with Finance Ministry’s statement that Indian economy's GDP growth rate in 2023-24 to ‘comfortably’ exceed its forecast of 6.5 percent despite the risks to growth and stability outlook that mainly emanate from outside the country. It added that despite declining in H1 of the current fiscal, FDI inflows to India are expected to rebound on account of strong macroeconomic fundamentals, favourable business environment and rising growth, in the coming months. However, in last leg of trade, index failed to hold its all-time high point and ended near neutral line with minor gains.

Traders were seen piling up positions in Media, Oil & Gas and PSU Bank stocks, while selling was witnessed in Bank, Auto and Financial Services. The top gainers from the F&O segment were Vodafone Idea, Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals and Gujarat Gas. On the other hand, the top losers were Eicher Motors, Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company and Birlasoft. In the index option segment, maximum OI continues to be seen in the 21900 - 22100 calls and 20900 - 21100 puts indicating this is the trading range expectation.

© 2026 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×