Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened flat in trade on Friday. While Nifty50 was above 26,200, BSE Sensex was near 85,750. At 9:27 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 26,219.45, up 4 points or 0.015%. BSE Sensex was at 85,750.14, up 30 points or 0.035%.Technical analysts indicate 26,300 as crucial resistance and breakout point. A definitive close above this threshold could potentially lead to new peaks in the 26,350–26,450 range.Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited says, “The important takeaway from the new records set by Nifty and Sensex yesterday is that these are new records driven by a narrow rally in a limited number of performing largecaps. Despite the market at new highs, majority of retail investors, particularly the newbies who rushed into the market after the Covid crash in March 2020, are holding portfolios which show losses. This paradox is due to the retail investors’ obsession with smallcaps and their belief that smallcaps will outperform irrespective of their valuation. If retail investors have to participate in the rally expected in 2026, to be driven primarily by higher earnings growth, they will have to invest in largecaps and quality midcaps with growth potential. “Even though Sensex and Nifty touched new highs yesterday, the Nifty Smallcap Index is around 9 % below its peak. This huge underperformance is primarily due to the poor earnings growth and high valuations of this segment. Smallcaps, in general, are likely to continue underperforming, in the short- to medium-term.”Brent crude remained steady on Friday whilst market participants observed Russia-Ukraine peace talks developments and anticipated Sunday’s OPEC+ meeting results regarding future supply adjustments that have been affecting market conditions.Foreign portfolio investors sold shares worth Rs 1,255 crore net on Wednesday. Domestic institutional investors were net purchasers at Rs 3,941 crore.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)
