The Indian stock market experienced a positive start to the new year, with both the Sensex and Nifty indices showing gains. The Sensex, the flagship index of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), rose by approximately 70 points in the opening session. The Nifty 50, the National Stock Exchange's (NSE) primary index, also edged higher, opening above the 26,150 mark.

At the close of the first trading session of 2026, the Sensex experienced a marginal dip of 32 points, or 0.04 percent, settling at 85,188.6. The Nifty, however, closed slightly higher, gaining 16.95 points, or 0.06 percent, to reach 26,146.55.

Several stocks were in the spotlight. Maruti Suzuki India, a leading automotive manufacturer, reported strong sales figures. BEL (Bharat Electronics Limited) also saw significant activity.

The auto sector generally outperformed the market, with the Nifty Auto index rising over 1% following positive sales reports from various manufacturers for December 2025. Other sectors, including IT, metal, banking, and realty, also closed in positive territory. In contrast, FMCG stocks faced selling pressure. The Nifty FMCG index experienced a notable decline, making it the worst-performing sector of the day, largely due to a fall in ITC shares following concerns regarding potential tax increases on tobacco products.

Broader market trends were mixed; the Nifty Midcap 100 index saw gains, while the NSE Smallcap 100 experienced a slight decrease. Stocks that supported the market and closed higher included NTPC, Eternal, Larsen & Toubro, Power Grid, and Mahindra & Mahindra.

Global cues were largely absent, leading investors to exercise caution. Domestic investors are also expected to shift their focus to the upcoming December quarter earnings reports.

In other news, Maruti Suzuki India reported record-breaking sales for 2025, driven by strong demand in the SUV market. The company's combined domestic and export sales for December exceeded 2.17 lakh units, a 32% increase year-on-year.