Nifty Nears Record High as Index Rises

• Nifty up ~100 points this week despite ITC's losses; 26,200 a firm barrier.
• Nifty Bank above 59,500 despite ICICI Bank; supports at 26,000 and 25,800.
• Devyani/Sapphire merger, PSU Banks, TVS/Hero sales, HDB Financial lock-in eyed.

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The Nifty is still up by nearly 100 points this week. The start to the new year could have been better had it not been for the steep fall in shares of ITC, which solely contributed 100 points to the Nifty 50 losses. The period of thin trading volumes is most likely to either see its final day or end today as participants return from their respective holidays, particularly the foreign institutions.

The initial upmove on Thursday also confirmed that 26,200 continues to remain a firm barrier for the index, although the downsides do remain capped with supports now at 26,000 and then at 25,800, which is the lower end of this two-plus-month trading range.

Despite ICICI Bank's underperformance, the Nifty Bank sustained above the 59,500 mark, a positive sign for the bulls. Besides ITC, which has seen downgrades and target cuts, Devyani International and Sapphire Foods will take the spotlight after the merger announcement.

Smaller financial names, including PSU Banks like Indian Bank will be in focus, along with TVS Motor and Hero, who may react to their December sales numbers. Also watch for HDB Financial today as its lock-in period ends.

Watch this space for all the live updates.