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Stock Market : The Indian equity market opened on a positive note on Friday, extending its upward momentum for the second consecutive trading session. Benchmark indices reflected cautious optimism as investors tracked encouraging global cues and stable developments in major international markets. Early trade indicated steady participation across segments, even as select sectors faced mild pressure.

Market Opening Highlights

In early morning trade around 9:30 am, the Sensex climbed by over 130 points to trade above the 82,400 mark, while the Nifty moved higher by more than 50 points, crossing the 25,340 level. The opening trend suggested that domestic investors remained confident despite persistent foreign fund outflows. Market breadth stayed supportive, signaling balanced buying interest across multiple stocks.

Broader Market Performance

The broader market indices largely mirrored the benchmarks. The mid-cap segment showed marginal strength, while small-cap stocks also registered modest gains. This indicated that risk appetite among investors remained intact, although buying was selective. Traders appeared to prefer fundamentally strong stocks rather than aggressive broad-based accumulation.

Sectoral Movement Overview

Most sectoral indices traded in positive territory during the early session. Metal stocks emerged as the top performers, supported by improved global demand outlook and firm commodity prices. On the other hand, media, public sector banking, real estate, and oil and gas stocks witnessed mild selling pressure. Weak sentiment in these sectors limited sharper gains in the overall market.

Technical Levels to Watch

From a technical perspective, market participants are closely monitoring key levels on the Nifty. Immediate support is seen in the 25,100 to 25,150 range, which could act as a cushion in case of intraday corrections. On the upside, resistance is expected near the 25,400 to 25,450 zone, where profit booking may emerge. These levels are likely to guide short-term trading strategies.

Global Market Cues Influence Sentiment

Asian markets traded higher during the morning session, following positive overnight cues from Wall Street. Investor confidence improved as geopolitical concerns eased and the Bank of Japan maintained its current interest rate stance. Major Asian indices, including those in China, Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea, posted gains, reinforcing a supportive global backdrop for Indian equities.

Wall Street Performance Boosts Confidence

US markets closed firmly in the green overnight, providing additional comfort to global investors. Technology stocks led gains, pushing the Nasdaq higher, while broader indices such as the S&P 500 and the Dow also ended with solid advances. This positive close helped set the tone for Asian markets and, in turn, Indian equities.

FII and DII Activity Trends

The contrasting pattern of foreign and domestic institutional investment continues to shape market dynamics in 2026. Foreign institutional investors have remained net sellers, while domestic institutional investors continue to absorb selling pressure through consistent buying. On January 22, FIIs sold equities worth over Rs 2,500 crore, whereas DIIs purchased shares exceeding Rs 4,200 crore in value.

Outlook Ahead of Budget 2026

Market experts believe that foreign investor sentiment toward India will largely depend on the trajectory of corporate earnings growth. With attractive valuation opportunities available in other global markets, FIIs may stay cautious until clearer signs of sustained earnings improvement emerge. Investors are keenly watching upcoming policy signals and Budget 2026 announcements for potential shifts in fund flow trends and broader market direction.