Sensex Volatile, Nifty Near 24,600; Tata Investment +15%

The Indian stock market witnessed another volatile trading session on Thursday as monthly futures and options (F&O) contracts expired. Both the Sensex and the Nifty 50 swung sharply during the day, reflecting global cues, expiry adjustments, and stock-specific movements.

While the broader market remained cautious, one stock stood out — Tata Investment Corporation, which rallied 15% intraday to emerge as the day’s top performer.

📊 Market Highlights

• The Sensex opened on a flat note, moved up initially, but later slipped due to selling pressure.
• The Nifty 50 tested the 24,600 mark, but selling at higher levels kept it from sustaining above this zone.
• Traders faced sharp intraday swings because of expiry-day volatility.

📈 Big Story: Tata Investment Corporation

The highlight of the day was Tata Investment Corporation, which zoomed over 15% intraday.

• Investors poured into the stock amid strong demand in the financial services and investment themes.
• The surge was also linked to optimism about the Tata Group portfolio.
• Analysts said the stock may continue to attract momentum buyers if market sentiment holds steady.

This move made Tata Investment one of the top gainers not just on the Nifty Midcap and Smallcap indices, but also across the broader market.

🔍 Sector Performance

Different sectors showed mixed performances:

1. Banking and Financials
   • Private sector banks slipped as traders booked profits.
   • PSU banks, however, remained steady with selective buying.
2. IT Stocks
   • Tech companies like Infosys and TCS traded flat to weak.
   • Global demand worries and weak earnings outlook limited gains.
3. Oil & Energy
   • Oil and gas stocks saw selling pressure due to volatility in crude oil prices.
4. FMCG & Pharma
   • These defensive sectors witnessed selective buying.
   • Investors used them as safe bets amid high volatility.
5. Metals & Infrastructure
   • Positive cues from commodity markets boosted Tata Steel, Hindalco, and other metal counters.

🌍 Global Market Influence

Indian equities followed global trends closely:

• US markets closed mixed on Wednesday.
• Asian markets opened weak on Thursday after soft Chinese economic data.
• Global crude oil prices swung sharply, keeping energy stocks under pressure.

These international signals added to investor nervousness and influenced market direction.

💬 Expert Views

Market experts shared these observations:

• On Nifty levels: Resistance lies at 24,650–24,700; support at 24,400.
• On volatility: Expiry sessions always witness intraday swings, and Thursday was no different.
• On stock-specific action: Analysts expect midcap and smallcap stocks to drive movement in the coming weeks.
• On Tata Investment: Experts see growing interest in diversified holding companies as investors look for long-term value plays.

📅 Expiry Day Factor

The last Thursday of every month is important because it marks the expiry of futures and options contracts.

• Traders square off or roll over positions.
• This causes heavy trading volumes and sharp price moves.
• Expiry often sets the tone for the following month’s series.

Thursday’s session reflected this pattern with wide intraday swings.

📌 Key Levels to Watch

• Nifty
  • Resistance: 24,650–24,700
  • Support: 24,400
• Sensex
  • Resistance: 81,000
  • Support: 80,000

If indices break above resistance, further gains may follow. If they fall below support, selling pressure could increase.

📰 Other Active Stocks

1. Reliance Industries – Stayed range-bound after earlier gains.
2. HDFC Bank – Fell slightly due to profit-booking.
3. Infosys – Flat, reflecting weak global IT demand.
4. NTPC & PowerGrid – Gained as investors sought stability.
5. Tata Steel & Hindalco – Rose on strong demand outlook.

📉 Investor Sentiment

• Retail investors stayed cautious amid volatility.
• FIIs (Foreign Institutional Investors) continued to sell in recent sessions, keeping pressure on markets.
• DIIs (Domestic Institutional Investors) provided some support with selective buying.

Overall, the mood was cautious but not negative.

⚖️ Strategy for Traders

Experts suggest the following:

1. Be cautious near resistance levels.
2. Use stop-losses to manage risks.
3. Focus on stock-specific opportunities.
4. Prefer defensive sectors like FMCG and Pharma.
5. Keep track of global cues such as crude oil and US markets.

📊 Long-Term Outlook

Despite the volatility, analysts remain positive about India’s market over the long term:

• Domestic demand remains strong.
• Government spending on infrastructure is rising.
• Corporate earnings outlook is stable.
• Global investors are showing increasing interest in India.

These factors support a bullish medium- to long-term view for the Indian economy and equity markets.