Nifty Reclaims 25,750 as Metals Rally; Expert Sets ₹3,400 Target for Asian Paints

Rahul Chaudhary
13 Min Read
Share Price News
Rate this post

The Indian stock market staged a strong comeback on Monday, with benchmark indices wiping out early losses to end in the green. The Nifty 50 reclaimed the crucial psychological level of 25,750, signaling a shift in short-term sentiment. This recovery was largely fueled by a sharp rally in metal stocks and positive developments on the trade front between India and the United States.

At the end of the trading session, the Sensex settled with a gain of 302 points at 83,878, while the Nifty advanced 107 points to close at 25,790. The session was marked by high volatility, but buyers stepped in during the second half to push the indices higher. For investors tracking the Nifty share price target today, the hold above the 100-day moving average is a positive technical sign, suggesting that the index may have found a short-term bottom.

Despite the index gains, the broader market sentiment remained weak. Declining stocks outnumbered advancers, and the midcap index failed to participate in the rally. This divergence indicates that the rally was driven primarily by a few heavyweight stocks. Market participants are now watching closely to see if this momentum can be sustained or if it is just a relief bounce.

Metals and Commodities Lead the Charge

The clear winner of the session was the metal sector. After a period of underperformance, metal stocks saw aggressive buying. Investors anticipated better demand and stable pricing, leading to a surge in share prices. Tata Steel, Hindustan Copper, and National Aluminium Company (Nalco) were standout performers, rallying between 3% and 5%.

Coal India also contributed significantly to the index’s rise, leading gains among frontline stocks. The buying pressure in these heavyweights provided the necessary support to lift the Nifty. For traders looking at Nifty market analysis, the strength in commodities suggests that key index players are attempting to defend lower levels.

What Sparked the Rebound?

The primary catalyst for Monday’s bounce was a comment from the United States Ambassador, Sergio Gor. He indicated that a trade deal between the two major economies is possible. Markets generally react positively to any hint of stability in global trade relations. This news triggered short covering, as traders who had bet on a market fall scrambled to exit their positions, adding fuel to the rally.

Additionally, the India VIX, which measures market volatility, stabilized after shooting up recently. This provided some relief to nervous investors. However, market experts caution that the reaction might be temporary until concrete details of a trade agreement emerge.

Banking Support vs. Midcap Weakness

While the Nifty 50 recovered well, the midcap segment struggled. The Nifty Midcap 100 index slipped slightly, and the market breadth remained negative. This suggests that while the largest companies are holding up, smaller stocks are still under pressure.

The Nifty Bank index, however, played a crucial supporting role, gaining 199 points to close at 59,451. Banking stocks, including ICICI Bank, showed resilience. Analysts believe that for the market to move higher towards the 26,000 level, the Bank Nifty must continue to hold its ground. If banks remain stable, it offers a safety net for the overall market.

Expert View: Is the Nifty Share Price Target Today Positive?

Market experts believe the bounce is a reaction to news, but it has improved the technical setup for the short term. Rahul Sharma from JM Financial Services noted that the market had become oversold after being extremely overbought weeks ago. He pointed out that the Nifty bounced from a panic low of 25,500.

According to his analysis, the immediate resistance for the Nifty is at 26,000. If the index manages to cross and sustain above this level, further upside is possible. He also highlighted that Reliance Industries, which had been a major dragger, is showing signs of forming a bottom, which is a positive development for the index.

Asian Paints: A Bullish Outlook for 2026

Amidst the broader market chatter, one specific stock has caught the attention of experts: Asian Paints. Independent market expert Ambareesh Baliga remains optimistic about the company’s prospects for 2026. He believes that fears regarding market share erosion have been exaggerated and that the company has managed to hold its ground against competition.

Baliga also pointed out that stable crude oil prices, a key raw material for paint manufacturers, will likely keep input costs in check. Based on this positive Asian Paints share price target, he has set a target of ₹3,400. This suggests a potential upside from current levels, making it a stock to watch for long-term investors.

Earnings and Economic Indicators

The market is currently in the midst of the earnings season for the December quarter. IT major TCS announced its results, posting a slight dip in net profit but managing marginal revenue growth that matched estimates. Investors are now waiting for results from other major companies like Infosys, Reliance Industries, and HDFC Bank to gauge the health of the corporate sector.

Sanjay Parekh from Sohum Asset Managers highlighted that the earnings growth for the current year looks weak, with Nifty profit growth expected to be around 3-4% for the quarter. The market is hoping for a recovery in the fourth quarter of the financial year 2025-26, driven by lower interest rates and festive demand.

Stocks in the Spotlight

Monday saw significant movement in individual stocks reacting to news and technical factors:

  • Shakti Pumps: The stock surged 5% after the company secured a massive ₹654 crore order from Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL).
  • IREDA: Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency shares rose 4% following a strong 38% year-on-year jump in third-quarter net profit.
  • Tejas Networks: This stock was the biggest loser on the Nifty, slumping nearly 10% after reporting a loss of ₹196 crore for the December quarter.
  • Manappuram Finance: The stock gained 3% after the company clarified reports regarding its deal with Bain Capital.
  • JTL Industries: The share price surged 20% (upper circuit) after the company bagged a new order from Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited.

Real Estate and Global Comparison

Not all sectors participated in the optimism. Real estate stocks were under significant pressure. Experts from Liases Foras noted that sales volumes have reduced, particularly in cities like Mumbai and the NCR region. While luxury housing is performing better, it is not enough to support the entire sector, and developers are beginning to cut prices on unsold inventory.

Despite the day’s gains, Indian markets remain among the worst performers globally in 2025. In dollar terms, India has delivered about 5% returns over the last year, while indices in the US, Europe, and Japan have gained between 15% to 35%.

Technical Outlook

From a technical perspective, the Nifty has recovered from its 100-day moving average, but the advance-decline ratio of 1:2 indicates underlying weakness in the market. The rally was led by a few heavy stocks, while the majority of the market remained under pressure.

Traders are watching the 26,000 level closely. If the Nifty sustains above 25,750, a move toward 26,000 is likely. However, failure to hold 25,700 could lead to a resumption of the correction. Rahul Sharma suggests buying ICICI Bank with a stop loss of ₹1,380 for a target of ₹1,500, and Tata Steel with a stop loss of ₹176 for a target of ₹190.

Currency and Commodities

The Indian Rupee ended almost flat at 90.15 against the US Dollar. The currency has been under pressure due to the strength of the dollar and foreign fund outflows, but it managed to hold its ground on Monday. In commodities, stable oil prices remain a key factor for India’s inflation and current account deficit. The situation in Venezuela and global demand concerns are being watched closely.

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Index Recovery: Nifty moved back above 25,750, signaling short-term strength.
  • Sector Leaders: Metals (Tata Steel, Nalco) and Commodities (Coal India) drove the gains.
  • Broad Market: Midcaps were weak, and market breadth was negative.
  • Drivers: Positive comments on US-India trade relations triggered short covering.
  • Stock Specific: Shakti Pumps and IREDA rose on strong news; Tejas Networks fell on weak earnings.
  • Expert Outlook: A bounce toward 26,000 is possible, but caution is advised.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the Nifty share price target for today?
A: Based on the closing at 25,790, the immediate resistance is at 26,000. The support level is now at 25,700. The trend has turned short-term positive, but traders should watch for a breakout above 26,000 for higher targets.

Q: Why did the market go up today?
A: The market rallied primarily due to positive comments from US Ambassador Sergio Gor regarding a potential trade deal between India and the US. This sparked short covering and buying in heavyweight stocks like Coal India and Tata Steel.

Q: Are metal stocks a good buy now?
A: Metal stocks led the rally today with gains of up to 5%. Analysts remain positive on the sector due to stable demand and pricing. However, buying on dips is generally safer than chasing a rally.

What is the target for Asian Paints?
A: Market expert Ambareesh Baliga expects Asian Paints to outperform in 2026. He has set a target price of ₹3,400 for the stock, citing stable input costs and strong market share retention.

Should I invest in real estate stocks?
A: Experts are advising caution in the real estate sector. Sales volumes are slowing down, and valuations were expensive. While luxury housing is doing okay, the broader sector faces structural issues.

When is the Union Budget 2026?
A: The Union Budget 2026 will be presented on February 1, 2026, at 11:00 AM by the Finance Minister.

Why are midcap stocks falling while Nifty is rising?
A: Today, the rally was driven by large-cap stocks like Reliance, Tata Steel, and Coal India. Midcap stocks did not participate in the rally and saw selling pressure. This indicates that while the index looks stable, money is moving to safer, large companies.

Read More article like this on sharepricenews.com


Share Market News Telegram Channel Join Now

Share This Article
Follow:
I’m Rahul Chaudhary, and I write about everything related to the Share Market. From Stock Trends and Share Prices to the Latest News and IPO Updates, my articles aim to provide you with valuable insights to help you navigate the world of investing. Stay tuned for expert tips and updates to keep you informed!
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *