Mumbai, December 15, 2025 – Wrapping a volatile week, Indian equities ended on a buoyant note with the Nifty 50 advancing 0.57% to 26,046.95 and Sensex rising 0.53% to 85,267.66, fueled by DII inflows of ₹5,500 Cr offsetting FII sales (₹7,800 Cr monthly). Metals and autos led the charge amid infra tailwinds, with Tata Steel surging 3.38% on a massive capex greenlight and Hindalco climbing 3.26% on global copper acquisition buzz, while FMCG lagged as Hindustan Unilever slipped 1.8% post its ice cream demerger ex-date. This broad-based lift—midcaps +1.14%, smallcaps +0.65%—highlights rotational strength in cyclicals for growth chasers, dip opportunities in defensives for value hunters, and caution on consumer slowdowns as RBI eyes 25bps cut in Feb.
Key Movers: Metals & Autos Shine, Staples Stumble
NSE volumes hit 21.6 Cr shares (₹19,484 Cr value), with metals up 2.5%. Top gainers/laggards with catalysts:
| Symbol | LTP (₹) | % Change | Volume (Lakhs) | Value (₹ Cr) | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TATASTEEL | 172.00 | +3.38% | 411.31 | 702.06 | Capex catalyst; board approves ₹17,600 Cr for 50% capacity boost to 40 Mtpa by FY30, eyeing raw security—14% YTD. |
| HINDALCO | 851.20 | +3.26% | 81.79 | 691.25 | Copper consolidation; Adani JV for Peru mines amid EV demand surge (India to 5 Mt by 2035)—27% yearly gainer. |
| ULTRACEMCO | 11,730.00 | +2.25% | 3.89 | 453.80 | Infra infra; ₹11L Cr FY26 spends lift cement peers, countering -1.47% annual drag. |
| LT | 4,072.80 | +1.72% | 22.08 | 900.66 | Order avalanche; ₹3L Cr Q3 hydro/urban wins drive 4% monthly rally. |
| HINDUNILVR | 2,264.00 | -1.80% | 320.31 | 724.83 | Demerger downside; ice cream biz (₹4,000 Cr rev) spins off, ex-date adjustment hits—down 5.86% yearly. |
Data from NSE Dec 14 closes (indicative for Dec 15). 52W H/L: Nifty 26,326/21,744. 30D/365D: +1.37%/+5.70%.
Why the Spotlight: Capex & Deals Drive Metals, Demerger Dents Staples
Tata Steel's Growth Gearshift: The +3.38% pop—top Nifty gainer—follows Dec 12's ₹17,600 Cr nod for Kalinganagar/TSL expansions, targeting western markets and self-reliance in coking coal. Steel prices +₹1,500/tonne eyed; Anand Rathi ups target to ₹200 (P/E 18x), a infra play amid 8.2% GDP.
Hindalco's Mining Momentum: 3.26% to ₹851.20 (43% YTD) rides Adani's Peru copper pursuit, chasing 5 Mt India demand by 2035 for EVs/ACs. CEO flags 27% yearly edge over Nifty's 9.7%; sectoral +2.5% amplifies.
HUL's Portfolio Prune: -1.8% to ₹2,264 caps demerger ex-date for Kwality Wall's (1:1 share ratio), freeing Unilever for high-growth bets. Rural 6.5% inflation weighs; -6% monthly signals staples rotation.
Broader Wrap & Playbook
Nifty holds 26,000 support, targeting 26,200 breakout—1,400 advancers, VIX 13.8 steady. Rupee ₹83.85/USD aids metals; Brent $63.20 eases costs. FII selling ebbs, DIIs anchor.
Retail: Tata Steel for 10% slice—trail 5% on capex. Institutions: Hindalco's Peru for 20% EPS. Traders: HUL shorts to ₹2,200—2% scales.
