Diwali Muhurat trading: Investors on Dalal Street will get a brief opportunity to trade as NSE announces its special Muhurat Trading session on October 21. The window will run from 1:45 pm to 2:45 pm, with trade modifications allowed until 2:55 pm. All transactions will carry settlement obligations, similar to regular hours, according to an ET report.Muhurat Trading marks the start of the new Samvat year in the Hindu calendar and is traditionally viewed as a symbol of prosperity. Both retail and seasoned investors participate in token purchases, reflecting positive sentiment despite lighter trading volumes. Historically, benchmark indices such as the Sensex and Nifty often close in the green during the session.This year, the session comes amid a period of market volatility. Indian markets have delivered a modest 1.9% return in dollar terms so far in 2025, lagging behind other global markets. Japan’s Nikkei has surged 22.5%, China’s Shanghai Composite has gained 21.4%, and Brazil’s Bovespa is up 38.5%.Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have remained net sellers, with Rs 1.4 lakh crore in outflows, driven by stronger returns in developed markets and currency concerns. Trade tensions with the US have also added policy uncertainty, prompting cautious portfolio shifts toward cheaper emerging markets.However, analysts see opportunities in the ongoing corrective phase. “On the upside, the index faces resistance at the 25,500–25,600 zone. A sustained breakout above this supply zone could trigger further upside in the coming weeks,” said Bajaj Broking.Despite broader challenges, Muhurat Trading continues to serve as a positive and symbolic start to the festive season, blending cultural tradition with investor participation on the stock market.
