Midday Market Update: Sensex Steady at 81,012.14; Nifty at 24,470.35 Amid Sectoral Volatility

As of 1:24 PM IST on December 4, the BSE Sensex was recorded at 81,012.14, reflecting a gain of 166.39 points or 0.21 per cent. Meanwhile, the Nifty index stood at 24,470.35, which indicates a minimal rise of 13.20 points or 0.054 per cent.

Even though there were initial gains earlier in the day, the market has displayed considerable volatility, particularly due to declining performances in the auto, metal, and FMCG sectors.

Sector Performance

The Nifty Auto index faced a downturn of 1 per cent, with notable stocks such as Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Auto, and M&M leading this decline. Similarly, the Metal index decreased by 0.8 per cent, affected by losses in Tata Steel, JSW Steel, and Hindalco. Other sectors such as FMCG, Pharma, and Healthcare also experienced modest declines.

Mid and Small-Cap Resilience

Despite the fluctuations in the larger market indices, mid and small-cap stocks displayed comparative strength. The mid-cap stocks gained 0.6 per cent, whereas small-caps rose by 0.5 per cent. This trend indicates ongoing interest from retail and high-net-worth individual investors continuing to focus on quality picks.

Stocks to Watch

• Wonderla Holidays saw a significant rise of 15 per cent following the launch of a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP).

• Suzlon Energy climbed 5 per cent after securing a substantial wind power project.

• Honasa Consumer's shares surged 9 per cent due to the CEO's increase in his stake in the company.

Market Outlook

The critical level for the Nifty index appears to be 24,406. A trading session above this level may trigger a rally, whereas a drop beneath this threshold could lead to profit-taking activities among investors.

Sensex, Nifty, Volatility