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The Indian stock market clocked healthy gains on Friday, January 2, on strong buying in most sectors amid growing optimism about the upcoming Q3 earnings season. The Sensex closed 573 points, or 0.67%, higher at 85,762.01, while the Nifty 50 hit an all-time high of 26,340 during the session but pared some gains to settle at a record closing high of 26,328.55, rising 182 points, or 0.70%. The BSE Midcap index rose by 0.97%, while the Smallcap index climbed by 0.79%.

Investors got richer by more than ₹4 lakh crore in a single session as the overall market capitalisation of BSE-listed firms rose to over ₹481 lakh crore from nearly ₹477 lakh crore in the previous session.

The domestic market witnessed healthy across-segment buying on Friday, and the benchmark Nifty 50 extended gains to its third consecutive session as expectations of a healthy Q3 results season underpin sentiment. Positive global cues and strong automobile sales numbers for December were the immediate factors that drove the market higher.

"After the holidays, the global markets initiated 2026 on a positive note, while strong domestic automobile sales helped Indian equities to touch a fresh all-time high," Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments, noted.

After a challenging year 2025, investors expect the domestic market to deliver healthy returns in the new year, anticipating healthy earnings growth, an India-US trade deal, and the return of foreign institutional investors (FIIs) to the Indian stock market.

"Investor sentiment remains broadly constructive as attention turns to Q3 earnings, which are expected to guide near-term market direction. Supportive fiscal policies and gradual monetary easing are likely to shape the investment landscape in 2026," Nair said.

As many as 40 stocks ended higher in the Nifty 50 index, among which Coal India (up 7.15%), NTPC (up 4.56%), and Hindalco Industries (up 3.53%) ended as the top gainers.

ITC (down 3.78%), Kotak Mahindra Bank (down 1.26%), and Nestle India (down 1.13%) ended as the top losers in the index.

(This is a developing story. Please check back for fresh updates.)

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stories by Nishant Kumar

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