Sensex Opens Higher, Nifty Holds Above 25,300; IndiGo Slips ~3%
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Summary: Markets open higher as global fears subside, but aviation stocks drag on trading.
Indian markets opened moderately higher on Friday, with key indexes in the green as investors reacted to lower global tensions and better risk sentiment.
The BSE Sensex edged up early in the session, while the Nifty 50 remained comfortably above the 25,300 mark, signalling that buyers were stepping in after a couple of choppy sessions on Dalal Street. This follow-through came as global equity markets turned more positive, largely due to easing geopolitical jitters.
Traders noted that recent comments from U.S. leaders helping dial down tariff fears — particularly tied to the Greenland situation — have lifted overall market mood and supported broader markets. Investors took this as an indicator that risk appetite was improving, and some safe-haven flows into gold and silver eased as a result.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Shares of IndiGo — the largest airline in India — fell about 3 per cent shortly after the market opened, dragging on broader sentiment within the services sector. The airline’s stock has been under pressure recently following operational disruptions and weaker profit numbers tied to mass flight cancellations and cost overruns in the December quarter, factors that continue to weigh on investor confidence in the stock.
Market breadth was mixed in early trade, with some heavyweight sectors like banking, energy and technology showing tentative gains, while travel and aviation names lagged. A few mid- and small-cap stocks rose somewhat, indicating selective buying as traders sought out pockets of bargain.
Despite the bullish start, markets are still dealing with persistent foreign investor outflows and uneven corporate profits, notably from big index contributors such as Reliance Industries and ICICI Bank, which have disappointed in recent reporting periods. That has left some investors cautious about pushing benchmarks too far too fast.
Analysts add that, while the Nifty's persistence above 25,300 is an encouraging sign given recent volatility, it remains an essential mark to watch in intraday trading. A sustained rising trend could attract new purchasers, but profit-booking and sector-specific issues may limit gains.
For the time being, the market's early gains reflect a delicate balance — optimism fueled by diminishing global fear, but tempered by pockets of weakness in particular equities and broader macroeconomic concerns. If favourable global indications continue and earnings data improve, traders expect markets to expand on today's gains.
