Mumbai, Jan 1 || The Indian stock markets welcomed 2026 with a positive opening on Thursday as overall sentiment remained cautiously constructive, supported by improving domestic technicals, despite mixed global cues and the absence of major domestic triggers.
While Nifty opened 0.17 per cent higher at 26,173.30, Sensex opened 0.04 per cent up at 85,255.55.
Among sectors, FMCG index was down 1 per cent, while telecom index was up 1 per cent in the early trade. On NSE, 10 out of 15 sectors were in the green. Nifty Media and Nifty Auto lead the advance, while Nifty FMCG and Nifty Pharma traded in red.
BSE midcap and smallcap indices were trading almost flat in the morning trade.
According to analysts, market participants are likely to closely monitor global equity trends, crude oil price movements, and institutional fund flows for incremental directional cues during the session.
On the institutional front, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued their selling streak for the fifth consecutive session on December 31, offloading equities worth Rs 3,597 crore.