
The Nifty 50 delivered nearly 10% returns over the past year, but the real story lies beneath the index. From Shriram Finance’s stunning 62% surge to sharp underperformance in IT, power and consumption-heavy stocks, market leadership was highly selective. Financials, autos and select industrials clearly outshone, while defensives and tech lagged amid global uncertainty and valuation pressures. Here’s a clear breakdown of the biggest winners, laggards, and what could shape market leadership as we head into 2026.