. Market Performance – Closing Numbers Sensex and Nifty ended lower today: Sensex fell ~345–346 points and closed below key levels, reflecting weakness across the market. Moneycontrol +1 Nifty 50 closed below ~25,950–26,000 — breaking a psychological support zone again. Moneycontrol Most sector indices were in red, with only media outperforming mildly. Moneycontrol BSE midcap and smallcap stocks also saw modest declines. Moneycontrol Top losers today included IT heavyweights, logistics/ports stocks, and power/healthcare names. Selective gainers were seen in industrials and consumer staples, but they weren’t enough to lift the broader market. Equitymaster 📌 2. Key Reasons Behind the Fall Today 🟠 a. Weak Year-End Trading & Thin Volumes With the calendar year ending and holidays approaching, trading activity was thin, leading to lower liquidity and sharper price swings. Analysts often see this as year-end caution, where institutional traders reduce risk and profit-book ahead of the New Year. Moneycontrol 🔻 b. Persistent Foreign Fund Outflows Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have continued net selling in Indian equities, weighing heavily on sentiment. Outflows in 2025 have been among the highest on record, weakening momentum for markets. The Economic Times +1 🌍 c. Weak Global Cues Global markets showed subdued performance — Asian indices traded weak and US futures gave soft signals — impacting local investor confidence. Jagran 💱 d. Currency & Macro Drivers The Indian rupee weakened slightly against the USD due to routine corporate dollar demand and thin year-end flows, adding modest pressure to sentiment. Reuters 🛢️ e. Higher Crude Prices Rising global oil prices (Brent crude moving up) can increase India’s import bill and inflation concerns, which markets dislike. Jagran 📊 f. Sectoral Weakness IT and Autos saw selling pressure. Banking, Pharma & Realty lacked upside support, dragging indices. Leading stocks within these sectors underperformed compared to broader markets. Moneycontrol ⚠️ g. Technical Resistance & Market Indecision Technical analysis suggests the market is struggling around key resistance zones and lacks strong breakout triggers — contributing to indecision and range-bound action. The Economic Times 📍 3. Broader Context: Why 2025 Has Been Tough Record FPI outflows ($18B+) in 2025 limited overall gains despite strong domestic participation. Reuters Markets underperformed some global peers due to valuation concerns and macro uncertainties. Reuters This selling trend coincides with weak earnings visibility in some sectors and geopolitical worries globally. 📊 4. What Investors Are Watching Next 🔹 IIP (Industrial Production) & PMI data — could shift near-term sentiment. The Times of India 🔹 Corporate earnings (Q3 FY26 results) — upcoming results from big companies may provide direction. Moneycontrol Hindi 🔹 Global cues & US economic data — influence risk appetite across emerging markets. 📰 5. Other Market-Related News Today IPO market remains strong in 2025, despite secondary market weakness. The Federal Gold & silver prices saw volatility today, with metals slipping after highs. @mathrubhumi Some individual stocks (e.g., Bharti Airtel) underperformed the market on their own weakness. MarketWatch 📌 Summary — Indian Market Mood (29 Dec 2025) Factor Influence Foreign selling 🔻 Negative Liquidity & holiday effect 🔻 Negative Global cues 🔻 Negative Strong domestic inflows 🔸 Supportive Technical setup ⚠️ Uncertain Sector performance Mixed but mostly weak Overall Sentiment: Cautious to weak, with lack of strong positive triggers, concentrated selling in certain sectors, and year-end dynamics shaping today’s fall.