**Market Brief: Week of January 27, 2026** **Shortened Trading Week Ahead** Indian equity markets remain closed on Monday, January 26, for Republic Day. Trading resumes Tuesday, January 27, kicking off a volatile four-day week dominated by global geopolitical cues, Q3 earnings, and pre-Budget positioning ahead of the Union Budget on February 1. **Key Drivers & Sentiment** * **Tariff Relief Hopes:** Sentiment may see an early boost following US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's hint at potentially removing the **25%** penal tariff on India. This comes after a sharp reduction in Indian imports of Russian oil, signaling a possible thaw in trade tensions. * **Institutional Flows:** Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remain net sellers, offloading approximately **₹2,550 crore** in the last session, continuing a trend of outflows. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) continue to cushion the fall, purchasing **₹4,223 crore** worth of equities. A sustained market rebound hinges critically on a reversal or pause in this foreign selling spree. * **Pre-Budget Caution:** Historical data indicates volatility often rises in the week preceding the Union Budget. Traders are expected to remain cautious, with profit-booking likely at higher levels until fiscal policy direction becomes clear. **Market Performance Snapshot (Friday Close)** * **Nifty 50:** Closed at **25,048.65** (Down **0.95%**) * **Sensex:** Closed at **81,537.70** (Down **0.94%**) * **Bank Nifty:** Closed at **58,473.10** (Down **1.23%**) * **Sectoral Lag:** Realty, Banking, and Financial Services faced the brunt of the selling pressure, while selective buying was seen in Pharma and FMCG. **Technical Outlook & Key Levels** The Nifty 50 has slipped below key short-term averages, with the RSI approaching oversold territory (near 30). This suggests a potential for a relief rally, though the broader trend remains weak unless resistance bands are reclaimed. * **Nifty 50 Support:** **24,710** / **24,500** * **Nifty 50 Resistance:** **25,400** / **25,610** * **Bank Nifty Support:** **57,995** / **57,700** * **Bank Nifty Resistance:** **58,950** / **59,250** **Strategy Focus** Market participants should watch for a "buy-on-dips" approach near the **24,700** support zone, keeping strict stop-losses. Upside momentum requires a decisive close above **25,400** to negate the current bearish grip. Volatility is expected to remain high; defensive sectors like FMCG and Pharma may offer relative safety amidst the pre-budget turbulence.