Sensex slips 42 points after two-day rally; IT shares fall on profit-taking

Benchmark Stock Index (BSE) Sensex slipped by 42 points in a volatile trade on Tuesday (December 23, 2025) following profit-taking in IT and pharma shares and mixed global cues.

Snapping the two-day gaining streak, the 30-share BSE Sensex dipped 42.64 points or 0.05% to settle at 85,524.84. During the day, it hit a high of 85,704.93 and a low of 85,342.99.

The 50-share NSE Nifty closed marginally up by 4.75 points or 0.02% to 26,177.15. Among Sensex firms, Infosys, Bharti Airtel, Adani Ports, Sun Pharma, Tech Mahindra, Eternal, Axis Bank and Maruti were the major laggards.

However, ITC, UltraTech Cement, Tata Steel, and HDFC Bank were among the gainers. In Asian markets, South Korea’s Kospi, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index, and Shanghai’s SSE Composite index settled in positive territory, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index ended lower.

Markets in Europe were trading on a mixed note. U.S. markets ended higher on Monday (December 22). Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹457.34 crore on Monday (December 22), according to exchange data. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs), however, remained buyers as they bought equities worth ₹4,058.22 crore.

“Equity markets ended the session on a flat note, weighed down by broad-based profit-booking at higher levels in the absence of fresh positive triggers,” Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money,” an online trading and wealth tech firm, said.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, went up by 0.10% to $62.13 per barrel. “The domestic market traded in a narrow range and ended flat amid mixed global cues. Selling pressure persisted across most sectors, though financials and FMCG offered marginal support.

“Going forward, investors are positioning for the next earnings season and monitoring evolving Fed policy expectations, as rate cut probabilities are slowly inching up for the January meeting,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.

On Monday (December 22), the Sensex jumped 638.12 points or 0.75% to settle at 85,567.48. The Nifty climbed 206 points or 0.79% to close above the 26,000 mark at 26,172.40.