Markets pare some losses in late trade

Indian equity markets have pared some losses but continued to trade below the unchanged lines in late afternoon session. Investors were sanguine about country’s economic resilience as Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) Business Confidence Index (BCI) climbed to a five-quarter high of 66.5 in Q3 FY26, driven by optimism around demand, profitability, and investment conditions. However, global geopolitical uncertainties surrounding tensions between US and European nations over control of Greenland have dampened the market sentiments. The US President Donald Trump has threatened to slap a 10% extra tariff on imports from eight European countries because they oppose having America take control of Greenland. Besides, traders are reacting to the third of earnings of heavy weights like Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank. 

On the global front, Asian equity markets were trading mixed as traders took note of more than expected decrease in Japan's industrial production for November and Chinese economy achieving its growth target in 2025. European equity markets were trading lower ahead of the December consumer inflation data for the eurozone.

The BSE Sensex is currently trading at 83326.61, down by 243.74 points or 0.29% after trading in a range of 82898.31 and 83539.93. There were 17 stocks advancing against 13 stocks declining on the index.

The broader indices were trading in red; the BSE Mid cap index declined 0.58%, while Small cap index was down by 1.23%.

The few gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were FMCG up by 0.61%, Auto up by 0.18% and Capital Goods up by 0.14%, while Realty down by 2.19%, Energy down by 1.63%, Oil & Gas down by 1.53%, Telecom down by 1.17% and Utilities down by 0.84% were the top losing indices on BSE.

The top gainers on the Sensex were Interglobe Aviation up by 4.27%, Tech Mahindra up by 3.56%, Hindustan Unilever up by 2.48%, Kotak Mahindra Bank up by 2.43% and Maruti Suzuki up by 2.13%. On the flip side, Reliance Industries down by 3.09%, Eternal down by 2.40%, ICICI Bank down by 2.05%, TCS down by 1.38% and Adani Ports & SEZ down by 1.34% were the top losers.

Meanwhile, the Textile Ministry has said that the exports of textiles and apparel from India have demonstrated resilience and steady growth in December 2025, despite a subdued global trade environment and the steep 50 per cent tariffs imposed by the US, the country's largest export market for textiles and apparel industry. 

The ministry noted that the sector recorded positive growth for the second consecutive month, with exports rising by 0.40% year-on-year to $3.27 billion in December 2025, following strong growth in November. The sustained uptick reflects the sector's adaptability, diversified market presence, and strength in value-added and labour-intensive segments. In December 2025, the key segments like handicrafts (7.2 per cent), ready-made garments (2.89 per cent), and MMF yarn, fabrics, and made-ups (3.99 per cent), have registered considerable growth. These trends underline India's competitive advantage in value-added manufacturing, traditional crafts, and employment-intensive production, even amid volatile global demand conditions.   

It further said on a calendar year-basis (January-December 2025), textile and apparel exports remained stable at $37.54 billion, with notable cumulative growth in handicrafts (17.5 per cent), ready-made garments (3.5 per cent), and jute products (3.5 per cent). Stability at this scale, despite geopolitical tensions and inflationary pressures in key markets, reflects the sector's structural strength and diversified export basket. 

The CNX Nifty is currently trading at 25604.35, down by 90.00 points or 0.35% after trading in a range of 25494.35 and 25653.30. There were 22 stocks advancing against 28 stocks declining on the index.

The top gainers on Nifty were Interglobe Aviation up by 4.08%, Tech Mahindra up by 3.58%, Hindustan Unilever up by 2.51%, Kotak Mahindra Bank up by 2.42% and Maruti Suzuki up by 2.14%. On the flip side, Wipro down by 8.06%, Reliance Industries down by 3.08%, Eternal down by 2.55%, Max Healthcare Inst down by 2.33% and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles down by 2.32% were the top losers.

Asian equity markets were trading mixed; Taiwan Weighted added 230.59 points or 0.73% to 31,639.29, KOSPI increased 63.92 points or 1.3% to 4,904.66, Shanghai Composite strengthened 12.09 points or 0.29% to 4,114.00 and Jakarta Composite gained 42.99 points or 0.47% to 9,118.40, while Nikkei 225 slipped 402.17 points or 0.75% to 53,534.00, Hang Seng declined 265.96 points or 1% to 26,579.00 and Straits Times fell 24.17 points or 0.5% to 4,824.93.

European equity markets were trading lower; UK’s FTSE 100 decreased 29.22 points or 0.29% to 10,206.07, France’s CAC fell 111.44 points or 1.35% to 8,147.50 and Germany’s DAX lost 218.53 points or 0.86% to 25,078.60.