**Market Closing Brief – Friday, January 30, 2026** **Indices Snap Winning Streak** Indian equity benchmarks ended a three-day rally on Friday, weighed down by heavy profit-booking ahead of the Union Budget. The **Sensex** shed **297 points** (0.36%) to close at **82,270**, while the **Nifty 50** slipped **98 points** (0.39%) to settle at **25,321**. Caution prevailed as investors trimmed positions in high-flying sectors like Metals and IT. **Metals Meltdown** The Nifty Metal index was the biggest drag, crashing over **5%**—its sharpest single-day fall in months. **Hindustan Copper** plummeted nearly **10.5%** to **₹680**, reversing sharp gains from the previous session due to volatile global copper prices. **Vedanta** also faced intense selling pressure, dropping approximately **8%**. Despite reporting a stellar **60% YoY jump** in Q3 net profit to **₹7,807 crore**, sentiment was dampened by the broader sector sell-off and its recent stake sale in Hindustan Zinc. **Key Gainers & Strategic Movers** Defensive buying and strong earnings lifted select counters. **Nestle India** surged over **3%** to emerge as a top Nifty gainer, buoyed by a **45% YoY rise** in Q3 net profit to **₹998 crore** and robust volume growth. **Vodafone Idea** witnessed high investor interest, extending its rally with significant trading volumes. The stock gained ground following reports of narrowing losses and an improved Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) of **₹186**. **Garden Reach Shipbuilders (GRSE)** continued its upward momentum, jumping roughly **8%** to trade near **₹2,790**. The defense PSU reported a strong **74% surge** in Q3 profit to **₹171 crore** and maintained its debt-free status, reinforcing investor confidence. **Short-Term Outlook** Market breadth remained mixed with attention now squarely fixed on the upcoming Union Budget presentation. Volatility is expected to persist as the street awaits clarity on fiscal deficit targets and capital expenditure announcements.