Indian benchmark indices ended marginally higher in the special Muhurat Trading session on Tuesday, marking a quiet yet positive start to Samvat 2082. The Nifty 50 closed just below the 25,900 mark.
While the Sensex and Nifty remained largely range-bound, broader markets outperformed. The BSE Midcap index rose 0.3%, and the Smallcap index gained 1%. At the close, the Nifty stood at 25,868.60, up 25.45 points or 0.10%, while the Sensex settled at 84,426.34, up 62.97 points or 0.07%.
Among the Nifty constituents, Cipla, Bajaj Finserv, Axis Bank, Infosys, and Mahindra & Mahindra were the top gainers. On the downside, Kotak Mahindra Bank, ICICI Bank, Bharti Airtel, Max Healthcare, and Asian Paints ended lower.
Barring Nifty PSU Bank and Realty, all sectoral indices closed in the green, with Media, Metal, and Pharma stocks leading the gains.
The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) were open for trading from 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM, symbolizing the start of the new Hindu financial year, Samvat 2082.
Experts told ANI that after a year marked by volatility and modest single-digit returns, markets appear poised to move out of consolidation and enter a phase of gradual but sustained growth.
Market expert Ajay Bagga said that the previous Samvat year was marred by external headwinds – including geopolitical tensions, tariff uncertainty, and aggressive Foreign Institutional Investor (FII) outflows amounting to nearly USD 15 billion year-to-date – alongside high valuations. However, he expects Samvat 2082 to deliver a stronger and more stable performance.
“The new Samvat year is poised for a gradual but sustained upside, driven primarily by domestic fundamentals. We project Nifty at 30,000 and Sensex around 95,000 by next Diwali,” Bagga said.
The Muhurat trading session encompasses all market segments, including equities, commodity and currency derivatives, equity futures and options (F&O), and securities lending and borrowing (SLB). Traditionally, investing during this auspicious hour is believed to bring prosperity and good fortune.
Trading volumes during the session are typically robust as investors place auspicious orders. Last year, benchmark indices recorded sharp gains, lifting investor sentiment.
Over the past year, domestic capital markets have witnessed heightened volatility, resulting in a largely flat performance, with the Nifty hovering near the psychological 25,000 mark for most of the period.
External challenges – such as geopolitical tensions, tariff wars, and leadership changes in key global economies – dampened sentiment. However, on the domestic front, macroeconomic fundamentals remained strong, supported by sub-3% inflation, a contained fiscal deficit, 7% GDP growth, and a 100-basis-point reduction in interest rates through 2025, alongside the RBI’s focus on maintaining liquidity.
Market performance was also tempered by corporate earnings consolidation on a high base. Nonetheless, FY26 earnings began steadily, with Q1FY26 growth at 6.6% YoY and full-year expectations of 8.2% YoY.
A key positive development was the rollout of GST 2.0 reforms, which analysts expect to boost corporate earnings from H2FY26 onward.
Looking ahead, experts view consumer demand growth during the festive season, aided by GST rate cuts and a potential US–India trade deal, as key near-term catalysts.
According to ICICI Direct, corporate earnings are projected to grow at a 12% CAGR over FY25–27E, with double-digit growth expected to resume from FY27E onwards.
“Our one-year forward Nifty target stands at 27,000 (22x PE on FY27E). Greater purchasing power from tax and GST cuts, coupled with policy reforms boosting manufacturing GDP, signal an improved long-term outlook,” the note added.
(ANI)
