Indian Market Sees Volatile Start to 2026, Ends Flat After Early Gains

• Indian equity indices started 2026 positively but ended flat due to midday profit booking.
• Sensex closed down 0.04% at 85,188.60; Nifty up 0.06% at 26,146.55, trading in a narrow range.
• FMCG and Pharma sectors declined; Auto, IT, Metal, Power, Telecom, PSU Bank sectors gained.
• ITC and Godfrey Phillips fell due to new excise duty; Blue Dart, Vodafone Idea, Escorts Kubota, SML Mahindra, Steel Strips Wheels rose.
• Over 130 stocks, including Reliance Industries and Titan Company, hit a 52-week high.

Why It Matters: Indian market saw a volatile start to 2026, ending flat despite early gains and sectoral shifts.