Stocks to Watch / Sensex Expiry Day Sees Key Shares in Focus Amidst Market Volatility

Domestic markets are poised for a green start today, indicated by Gift Nifty, but sharp fluctuations are expected due to Sensex weekly expiry. Canara Bank, NBCC, NCC, and Ola Electric are in focus, alongside Jindal Poly Films' Q2 results and significant bulk deals in Privi Speciality Chemicals and Ceigall India.

Today marks the weekly expiry of the Sensex, and domestic markets are showing indications of a green start, as suggested by Gift Nifty trends. However, mixed trends in Asian markets suggest that sharp fluctuations and volatility could be observed in the market throughout the day. This situation highlights the need for investors to exercise caution and formulate solid strategies for intra-day trading. On the previous trading day, Wednesday, December 31, the Sensex closed at 26,129. 60, and the Nifty 50 closed at 85,220. 60. Today, several individual stocks are expected to witness significant activity due to their specific corporate developments, drawing particular attention from investors and potentially influencing overall market direction.

Market Opening Trends and Volatility

According to signals from Gift Nifty, the Indian stock market is anticipated to open on a positive note today. A 'green start' implies that the market will open higher than its previous closing levels, which could boost investor sentiment during the initial trading hours. However, the mixed trends observed in Asian markets also indicate that global economic factors and regional activities will influence Indian markets, potentially limiting the scope for a sustained upward rally. With today being the weekly expiry of the Sensex, the likelihood of sharp fluctuations in the market increases Notably. On expiry days, derivative contracts are settled, often leading to increased trading volumes and heightened volatility. Traders and investors are advised to be particularly vigilant during this period, as the market can exhibit unpredictable movements, requiring agile decision-making and risk management.

Jindal Poly Films Q2 Performance

Jindal Poly Films' financial results for the September quarter have raised concerns among investors. The company has reported a net loss of ₹12. 8 crore, a significant reversal from a net profit of ₹116. 6 crore on a year-on-year basis. This substantial shift indicates a downturn in the company's operational performance. Concurrently, the company's revenue plummeted by 63. 8% to ₹410. 4 crore, reflecting a drastic reduction in sales, while Also, income from other sources also saw a sharp decline, falling by 79. 5% to ₹53. 5 crore, which negatively impacted the company's overall earnings. These figures suggest that the company faced considerable financial headwinds during the quarter, which could exert downward pressure on its share price. Investors will need to closely monitor the company's future outlook and management strategies to understand how it plans to address these challenges and restore profitability.

Canara Bank Leadership Transition

In a significant corporate announcement for Canara Bank, the central government has assigned Hardeep Singh Ahluwalia the additional charge of MD and CEO for three months, effective January 1. He currently serves as an Executive Director at the bank. This appointment ensures continuity in the bank's leadership, especially at a time when public sector banks navigate various regulatory and economic challenges, while the term 'additional charge' implies that he will assume the duties of MD and CEO alongside his existing responsibilities. This move provides a smooth transition period for the bank and ensures that there are no disruptions in critical decision-making processes. Investors will be keen to observe the bank's strategic direction and performance under this interim leadership,. As stability at the top is crucial for a financial institution's market perception and operational efficiency.

NBCC (India) Secures New Orders

NBCC (India) has recently secured three new orders totaling ₹220. 31 crore, a positive development for the company's order book. These orders have been awarded by esteemed institutions such as Canara Bank and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, underscoring confidence in NBCC's construction capabilities. The most prominent among these orders is the construction of Canara Bank's Head Office Annex Building in Rachnahalli Village, Bengaluru, valued at ₹163. 12 crore. This project represents a substantial contract for NBCC, which will bolster its revenue pipeline and showcase its expertise in large-scale infrastructure development. Securing orders from government and semi-government entities provides stability and growth opportunities for NBCC, potentially boosting investor confidence, while these orders are expected to contribute Notably to the company's future earnings and growth prospects, reinforcing its position in the construction sector.

Privi Speciality Chemicals Sees Major Transactions

NCC has received four new orders in December 2025, amounting to a total value of ₹1,237. 24 crore, indicating a strong inflow of contracts for the company, while these orders are distributed across two primary divisions: the Building Division and the Transportation Division. The Building Division secured orders worth ₹704. 67 crore, which could pertain to the construction of residential, commercial, or institutional buildings. Meanwhile, the Transportation Division received orders valued at ₹532, while 57 crore, likely involving the construction of roads, bridges, or other transportation-related infrastructure projects. These new contracts highlight NCC's diverse construction capabilities and its strong presence across various sectors.

Orders of such significant value are crucial for the company's revenue growth and Profitability, and they're expected to further solidify its competitive position in the market. Investors will be closely watching the execution of these projects and their timely completion. Privi Speciality Chemicals has recently witnessed several significant bulk deals, signaling considerable activity in its shares. SBI Mutual Fund acquired an additional 22. 4 lakh shares, representing 5. 73% of the equity capital, for ₹634. 8 crore at a price of ₹2,833. 96 per share.

This purchase further strengthens the fund house's existing position, which already held a 3. 64% stake in the company through its Multi Asset Allocation Fund as of September 2025. Also, Bhaumikbhai Kiritbhai Doshi also bought 1. 88 lakh shares for ₹53. 39 crore at ₹2,836. 91 per share. Conversely, promoter entity Vivira Investment and Trading sold 36, while 28 lakh shares, equivalent to a 9. 28% stake, for ₹1,029. 8 crore at ₹2,838 per share. This mix of buying and selling activity indicates diverse strategies at. Institutional and promoter levels, which could introduce volatility into the stock.

Ceigall India Witnesses Fund Activity

Ceigall India has also experienced notable fund activity through bulk deals. HDFC Mutual Fund, via its HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund (HDFCGR), purchased 13. 13 lakh shares, representing a 0, while 75% stake, for ₹34. 28 crore at a price of ₹261 per share. This acquisition by a prominent domestic institutional investor reflects confidence in the company's prospects, while on the other hand, Pine Oak Global Fund sold 14 lakh shares, or a 0. 8% stake, for ₹36. 5 crore at a price of ₹261. 04 per share, while the sale by a global fund and the purchase by a domestic fund could lead to fluctuations in the stock's volume and price. These transactions provide market participants with varying perspectives on the company's valuation and future potential, thereby influencing the share price.

Investors should analyze the underlying reasons behind these fund movements to make informed decisions. Today is set to be a crucial day for the Indian stock market, particularly due to the Sensex's weekly expiry. Investors should closely monitor market opening trends, corporate activities of key stocks, and bulk deals. The combination of all these factors will determine the market's direction and the performance of individual shares. Intra-day traders, in particular, should remain vigilant and adjust their strategies in line with market volatility to navigate the trading session effectively.