Sub-Rs 100 Stocks Surge: Buyers Dominate Dozen Penny Shares
Overview
Indian equity markets saw major indices trade higher on January 12, 2026, with the Sensex and Nifty-50 posting gains. However, broader indices like the Mid-Cap and Small-Cap indexes dipped. The focus shifted to low-priced stocks, with over a dozen shares under Rs 100 locking in upper circuits, indicating strong buyer interest in speculative counters despite mixed market sentiment.
Stocks Mentioned
Indian Equities Trade Mixed; Low-Priced Stocks Rally
Indian stock markets presented a bifurcated picture on January 12, 2026. The benchmark BSE Sensex climbed 0.36% to 83,878, while the NSE Nifty-50 index rose 0.42% to 25,790. This upward movement in large-cap indices contrasted sharply with the broader market performance.
Broader Markets Under Pressure
The BSE Mid-Cap Index shed 0.41%, and the BSE Small-Cap Index saw a more significant decline of 0.68%. This suggests that while large-cap stocks garnered investor attention, mid and small-cap segments experienced selling pressure. Among specific mid-cap gainers were Premier Energies Ltd and Linde India Ltd.
Sectoral Snapshot
Sectoral performance was varied. The BSE Metals Index and BSE Commodities Index emerged as top gainers, reflecting strength in these areas. Conversely, the BSE Realty Index and BSE Capital Goods Index were among the notable laggards, indicating challenges in the property and manufacturing sectors.
Low-Priced Stocks Hit Upper Circuit
The most striking feature of the day was the rally in low-priced stocks. A significant number of companies trading below ₹100 per share locked in their upper circuit limits. These included Rukmani Devi Garg Agro Impex Ltd (97.80), JTL Industries Ltd (61.84), Amit Securities Ltd (40.19), Samtel (India) Ltd (6.02), and Risa International Ltd (0.67), among others. This surge highlights speculative interest in smaller, less-liquid counters.
Market Capitalization and Trends
As of January 12, 2026, the total market capitalization of companies listed on the BSE stood at approximately ₹470 lakh crore, equivalent to USD 5.20 trillion. On this date, 82 stocks reached new 52-week highs, while a concerning 532 stocks touched their 52-week lows, underscoring the divergence in market performance.
