The markets traded with slight downward pressure during the mid-day session on Monday, reflecting a nuanced trading landscape characterized by selective sectoral movements. As of 12.35 PM, the Sensex was trading at 81,600.92, down 108.20 points or 0.13 per cent, while the Nifty 50 declined 41.40 points or 0.17 per cent to 24,636.40.

Market breadth remained positive, with advances outpacing declines. Out of 4,141 stocks traded on the BSE, 2,418 advanced, 1,556 declined, and 167 remained unchanged. The market’s underlying strength was evident from the fact that 268 stocks touched 52-week highs, compared to just 16 stocks at 52-week lows.

Sectoral performance showed mixed trends. The Nifty Bank index marginally gained 91.30 points (0.17 per cent), while the Nifty Financial Services index rose 103.00 points (0.42 per cent). The Nifty Midcap Select index demonstrated resilience, climbing 39.80 points (0.31 per cent).

Leading gainers on the NSE displayed robust performance. Larsen & Toubro emerged as the top performer, surging 2.00 per cent, followed by SBI Life at 1.76 per cent. HDFC Bank (+1.11 per cent), Kotak Bank (+0.98 per cent), and HDFC Life (+0.88 per cent) also contributed positively to market sentiment.

Conversely, consumer-focused stocks experienced significant selling pressure. Tata Consumer led the losers, tumbling 3.73 per cent, while Hindustan Unilever declined 3.45 per cent. Hindalco (-2.11 per cent), Nestlé India (-1.89 per cent), and Britannia (-1.54 per cent) also witnessed notable downward movements.

The morning’s context, marked by the Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy announcements—maintaining the repo rate at 6.5 per cent and reducing the Cash Reserve Ratio by 50 basis points—continues to influence market dynamics. The central bank’s move is expected to inject ₹1.16 lakh crore into the financial system, potentially supporting banking and infrastructure sectors.

With market hours still ongoing and the closing session yet to unfold, investors remain cautious, monitoring global cues and awaiting upcoming economic indicators like the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data and potential European Central Bank decisions.