Home / Business and Economy / Indian Markets Open Flat in 2026 Amid Low Trading
Indian Markets Open Flat in 2026 Amid Low Trading
2 Jan
Summary
- Indian equities began 2026 with flat benchmarks and thin trading volumes.
- ITC shares plunged 9.7% due to new excise duties on tobacco products.
- Foreign portfolio investors were net sellers, offloading ₹3,268.6 crore.
Indian equity markets commenced 2026 with a muted performance on Thursday, as benchmark indices closed flat amidst very low trading volumes. The NSE Nifty finished with a slight gain, while the BSE Sensex experienced a minor decline. Overseas markets were largely closed for the New Year, contributing to the subdued domestic trading activity. Stock-specific movements were prominent, with analysts expecting this trend to persist as third-quarter results begin next week.
The FMCG sector faced a significant downturn, with the Nifty FMCG index falling over 3%. This decline was primarily driven by ITC, which plummeted 9.7%, and Godfrey Phillips India, down 17%, following the finance ministry's announcement of an early February effective date for additional excise duties on tobacco products. Conversely, sectors like Auto, IT, Realty, and Metal saw modest gains.
