Stock Market LIVE Updates: February 2, 2026 | Sensex Up, Nifty Trades Higher

Indian stock markets experienced fluctuating conditions on Monday, February 2, 2026, with initial gains giving way to a mixed close. While the BSE Sensex rose by 286.44 points to 81,009.38 and the NSE Nifty50 increased by 39.30 points to 24,864.75 by 12:00 PM, benchmarks later reversed gains, closing at 80,49 levels and 24,716 respectively by 11:00 AM. The Nifty SmallCap index experienced a decline of 1.5 percent.

Government Discussions and Potential IPOs

FDI in State-Run Banks

The Indian government is reportedly considering raising the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in state-run banks from the current 20 percent to 49 percent. This information was reported by Bloomberg, quoting Financial Services Secretary M. Nagaraju.

LIC and NSE IPOs

Discussions are also underway regarding a potential offer for sale from the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) in the coming year. Temasek Holdings Pte. And Life Insurance Corporation of India Ltd. Are anticipated to be key sellers in the potential $2.5 billion initial public offering (IPO) of the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. State Bank of India Ltd. And SBI Capital Markets Ltd. Are also expected to participate in the sale.

Company Performance and Market Trends

Latent View Analytics Rally

Shares of Latent View Analytics rallied 8 percent to ₹451.65 on the BSE, continuing an upward trend for the third consecutive day, with a total surge of 14 percent over that period. The company specializes in AI-driven analytics, data engineering, and consulting.

Maruti Suzuki Sales Increase

Maruti Suzuki India reported a 12 percent year-on-year increase in total sales for January, reaching 236,963 units compared to 212,251 units in the same month last year.

Lupin Launches New Tablets

Lupin launched Dasatinib Tablets in multiple dose sizes in the United States. These tablets had an estimated annual sale of $930 million in the US as of October 2025.

Did You Know? India HSBC Manufacturing PMI was at 55.4 in January compared to 55 in December, 2025.

Sectoral Performance

The Nifty Metal index experienced a significant decline, shedding 9 percent, with Hind Zinc falling by 20 percent over two days. Hindustan Copper also experienced a substantial drop, down 21 percent, while National Aluminium Company (Nalco), Vedanta, Hindalco Industries, and Tata Steel saw declines ranging from 8 to 17 percent. Equity markets saw broad-based selling, with the Nifty PSU Bank index as the top loser.

Expert Insight: The potential increase in FDI limits for state-run banks signals a continued effort by the Indian government to strengthen its financial sector and attract foreign investment, which could have broader implications for market stability, and growth.

Other Developments

Cipla appointed Arun Kakatkar as its Global Chief People Officer and Senior Personnel Management, effective March 17. Dr. Lal Path Labs share price fell over 4% after Nomura reduced its target price following a bonus share issuance and Q3FY26 earnings. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) share price gained 3 percent, erasing Sunday’s losses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current FDI limit in state-run banks?

The current foreign direct investment limit in state-run banks is 20 percent.

Which companies are likely to sell shares in the NSE IPO?

Temasek Holdings Pte. And Life Insurance Corporation of India Ltd. Are likely to be key sellers in the potential IPO of the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd.

How much did Maruti Suzuki India’s sales increase in January?

Maruti Suzuki India reported a 12 percent year-on-year increase in total sales in January.

Given the fluctuating market conditions and ongoing discussions regarding key economic policies, what strategies do you think investors should prioritize in the current environment?