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Sensex Comeback Raises Eyebrows: Trump Factor or Short Covering?

Sensex erased a 700-point loss in just one hour, leaving investors surprised. Was it a Trump-related global signal or short covering? Here’s what really happened
12 January 2026 by
Sensex Comeback Raises Eyebrows: Trump Factor or Short Covering?
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The Indian stock market surprised investors on Monday as the Sensex staged a sharp comeback, erasing nearly 700 points of losses within just one hour of trade. What began as a nervous, weak opening quickly turned into a strong recovery, leaving traders and investors asking one key question:

Was this sudden turnaround driven by a Trump-related global signal, or was it simply short covering?

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

📉 What Happened in the Morning?

Markets opened on a cautious note due to:

  • Weak global cues

  • Fresh concerns around US trade policy and tariffs

  • Nervous sentiment across Asian markets

Both the Sensex and Nifty slipped sharply in early trade as investors reacted to uncertainty around global politics and slowing international growth.

🔄 The Sudden Turnaround: 700 Points in an Hour

Around mid-session, the mood changed dramatically:

  • Heavy selling slowed down

  • Buying emerged in large-cap stocks

  • Banking, IT, and metal stocks led the rebound

Within an hour, the Sensex recovered nearly all its losses, stunning market participants.

🇺🇸 The Trump Factor: Did Global Signals Calm Markets?

One possible reason behind the rebound was fresh optimism coming from the US side.

Market participants reacted to reports suggesting:

  • A softer tone from the US on tariffs

  • Signals of diplomatic engagement rather than aggressive trade action

  • Reduced fear of immediate escalation in global trade tensions

For global markets, even a hint of stability from the US — especially involving Donald Trump-related trade rhetoric — is often enough to calm nerves. Indian markets, being closely linked to global flows, responded quickly.

🔁 Or Was It Just Short Covering?

Another strong explanation is short covering.

What is short covering?

  • Traders who bet on markets falling (short sellers) rush to buy shares when prices stop falling

  • This sudden buying pushes markets up sharply

Signs pointing to short covering:

  • Recovery happened very fast

  • No major domestic news triggered the rally

  • Volumes spiked during the rebound

In simple words, traders who expected more downside were forced to exit their positions, fueling the sharp upside move.

📊 Which Sectors Led the Recovery?

The rebound was broad-based, but key support came from:

  • Banking stocks – helped stabilize the index

  • IT stocks – benefited from easing global concerns

  • Metal stocks – bounced back after early selling

Mid-cap and small-cap stocks, however, remained more cautious, suggesting investors are still selective.

🧠 What This Move Really Tells Us

This sudden comeback highlights a few important realities of the current market:

  • Sentiment is fragile and headline-driven

  • Global cues matter more than local news in the short term

  • Volatility is likely to stay high

  • Quick intraday reversals are becoming common

Markets are not fully confident yet — they are reacting fast to every signal, positive or negative.

📌 What Should Investors Do Now?

For long-term investors:

  • Avoid reacting to hourly market moves

  • Focus on fundamentals, earnings, and valuations

  • Use volatility to accumulate quality stocks gradually

For traders:

  • Be cautious with aggressive positions

  • Keep strict stop-losses

  • Expect sharp swings in both directions

🔮 Final Takeaway

The Sensex’s 700-point recovery was likely driven by a mix of short covering and temporary relief from global signals, rather than a strong, lasting trigger.

Whether it was the Trump factor or trader positioning, one thing is clear:

👉 Markets are nervous, reactive, and extremely sensitive right now.

In such an environment, patience matters more than prediction.


Sensex Comeback Raises Eyebrows: Trump Factor or Short Covering?
balancedfigure 12 January 2026
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