Why does the Indices Heatmap show different colours and percentages for different time durations?

Why does the Indices Heatmap show different colours and percentages for different time durations?

The Indices Heatmap helps you quickly understand how different market indices are performing over a selected timeframe. Since the heatmap recalculates performance based on the duration you choose, the same index can display different percentage values and colours across different time periods.

This tool helps you visualise market trends, momentum, and overall market sentiment at a glance.

The heatmap includes different types of indices, such as:

  1. Broad indices represent the overall performance of the market by tracking a wide range of stocks across sectors. Examples include NIFTY 50 and NIFTY Midcap.
  2. Thematic indices track stocks that belong to a specific sector, industry, or investment theme. Examples include Nifty India Digital, Nifty Commodities, and Nifty CPSE.
  3. Global indices represent the performance of major international markets and help track global market trends. Examples include the S&P 500, Nasdaq, Nikkei 225, and Hang Seng.

Understanding why the colours and percentages change

The heatmap calculates performance based on the selected duration filter.

Available duration filters include: 5 mins, 15 mins, 30 mins, 60 mins, 1 Day, 1 Week, 1 Month, 3 Months, 6 Months, and 1 Year change %. When you switch between these durations, the comparison period changes.

To read the heatmap, look at both the colour and the percentage displayed on each tile. The percentage shows how much the index has gained or lost during the selected timeframe, while the colour indicates the direction and strength of that move. Green shades represent positive performance and red shades represent negative performance, with darker colours indicating stronger moves.


For example, if NIFTY 50 appears dark green with a value of +1.20% in the 1 Day view, it means the index has gained 1.20% compared to its previous day's closing value and is among the stronger-performing indices for that period. If another index appears light green with +0.20%, it has also gained but by a smaller margin. Similarly, if an index appears dark red with -1.50%, it indicates a larger decline than an index shown in light red with -0.30%. By comparing the colours and percentages across tiles, you can quickly identify which indices are leading, lagging, or showing relative strength within the selected timeframe.

You can also use the heatmap to compare performance across different sectors and themes. For instance, if Nifty India Digital is dark green while Nifty Commodities is light red in the same timeframe, it suggests that digital-related stocks are outperforming commodity-linked stocks during that period.

Analyzing the Indices Heatmap

The heatmap helps you compare the performance of different indices at a glance and identify where strength or weakness exists in the market.

To analyze the heatmap:

  • Compare indices to identify the strongest and weakest performers for the selected timeframe.
  • Switch between different durations to see whether an index is showing short-term momentum or a sustained trend.
  • Track thematic indices to identify sectors or investment themes attracting buying or selling interest.
  • Use broad indices such as NIFTY 50 and NIFTY Midcap to understand overall market direction.
  • Monitor global indices to assess how major international markets are performing relative to domestic markets.

Clicking on an index opens a detailed view of that index. This allows you to analyse additional information such as its constituents, stock performance, contribution of constituent stocks, and other related analytics. For example, after identifying the strongest-performing or weakest-performing index for a selected timeframe, you can click on the index to understand which constituents are driving the index's movement.

What If...

ScenarioWhat you should know
Two indices have the same colour but different percentagesThe heatmap uses colour intensity to group indices into performance ranges. As a result, two indices may appear in the same colour even though their percentage changes are not identical. Always refer to the percentage displayed on each index for the exact change.
The percentage change when I switch between durationsEach duration compares the index's performance over a different period. When you switch timeframes, the heatmap recalculates the percentage change using the selected duration, which may result in different percentage values and colours.
An index appear neutral or show very little colourAn index may appear neutral when its price movement is minimal during the selected timeframe. This indicates that the index has neither gained nor lost significantly relative to the comparison period.
I want to compare percentages across different durations directlyPercentages shown for different durations are calculated using different starting points. For example, a 1 Day change and a 1 Month change measure performance over different periods, so they should be interpreted within their respective timeframes.

Last updated: 03 Jun 2026