Indian Markets Eye Choppy Start as Traders Weigh Mixed Signals

Sensex and Nifty may open uneven as global markets, commodities, and volatility indicators shape early sentiment.

Written by: Supriya Kadu

Edited by: Rajan Mhatre

Last Updated: January 13, 2026

Summary: Sensex and Nifty are likely to open unevenly amid global cues and commodity swings.

After a wild start to the week, both the Sensex and Nifty 50 are expected to have a rough start, with investors weighing encouraging cues from late rallies against caution based on broader economic uncertainties.

On Monday, sentiment swung from dour to cautiously optimistic. Early weakness — where indices dipped sharply — gave way to a late rally that saw the Sensex and Nifty claw their way back into positive territory. This bounce helped snap a string of losses that had built up over recent sessions and brought a bit of relief to investors who’d been feeling stretched after a volatile run.

Changes in commodity prices and signs from the global market are at the heart of this indecision. Precious metals like gold and silver have been on uneven footing, which often nudges investors to rethink risk appetite and reshuffle portfolios accordingly. At the same time, trade talks between India and the U.S. and other countries seem to be causing some people to feel hopeful, but only sometimes.

Looking at early indicators, Gift Nifty — a forward signal for the market — has been trading with a modest uptick ahead of the bell. That points to a possible good start, but nothing that feels like a decision yet. Some analysts point to broader patterns in Asian markets and recent firm U.S. indices as supportive, but caution that volatility (as flagged by India VIX) remains elevated.

There’s also a narrative building around sector-specific moves. Heavyweights and cyclical stocks are likely to stay in focus as earnings season picks up, giving traders fresh catalysts to chew on. Mid-cap and small-cap segments, meanwhile, are drawing attention from those seeking value after recent gyrations.

So, while the charts don’t point to a runaway rally right out of the blocks, there’s enough mixed energy to keep traders engaged. For many, today could be about watching how early direction unfolds, then seeing whether the market can sustain any momentum once the broader economic cues — from global equities to commodity prices — become clearer.