Barometers end flat ahead of Union Budget; NSE VIX jumps 4%

Domestic stocks ended almost flat today as investors remained cautious ahead of tomorrow's Union Budget, opting to wait and see before making any major moves. Despite early gains, the Nifty50 couldn't hold onto momentum and closed below 24,550. While some sectors like auto and healthcare saw a rise, others like oil & gas and realty declined. This cautious approach reflects the dual impact of the conservative economic growth projection and recent underwhelming corporate earnings reports. The budget is expected to be positive, but high valuations and potential downgrades in earnings growth keep investors on edge.