Indian equity markets opened higher on Wednesday, August 26, with the Sensex gaining more than 200 points to trade around 77,900, while the Nifty remained close to the 24,300 mark. Buying was led by banking and real estate stocks as investors tracked mixed signals from Asian markets.

The domestic market's positive opening followed gains in the previous session. On Tuesday, the Sensex climbed 287 points to close at 77,656, while the Nifty advanced 116 points to end at 24,335.

Banking, Realty Stocks Lead Gains

Banking and realty shares were among the sectors supporting the market's early gains on Wednesday. The movement comes as investors continue to assess domestic buying activity and global market trends.

The broader market sentiment was also supported by continued purchases from domestic institutional investors. According to the data provided, DIIs have invested ₹8,386 crore over the past seven trading days, taking their 30-day net investment to ₹40,152 crore.

Foreign institutional investors and foreign portfolio investors were also shown as net buyers, with purchases of ₹1,649 crore over the previous seven days and ₹12,928 crore over the past 30 days.

Asian Markets Trade Mixed

Asian markets were trading with a positive bias in the data available on Wednesday.

South Korea's KOSPI was at 6,860, up 99 points or 1.57%. Japan's Nikkei stood at 66,228, gaining 371 points or 0.56%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was at 25,712, up 201 points or 0.63%.

The mixed regional trend is being closely watched by Indian investors for cues on foreign fund flows and market sentiment.

US Markets End Higher

US markets also closed higher in the previous session on August 25, according to the figures provided.

The Dow Jones gained 160 points, or 0.30%, to 53,577. The Nasdaq advanced 171 points, or 0.66%, to 26,151, while the S&P 500 rose 24 points, or 0.32%, to 7,677.

The performance of Wall Street remains an important global cue for Indian markets, particularly for technology, financial and other globally linked stocks.

Sensex, Nifty Gained on Tuesday

Indian benchmarks finished Tuesday's session in positive territory.

The Sensex closed at 77,656, gaining 287 points or 0.37%, while the Nifty ended at 24,335, up 116 points or 0.48%.

Among the Nifty's notable gainers, Adani Enterprises rose ₹111.40, or 3.72%, to ₹3,110. Max Healthcare gained ₹25.50, or 2.57%, to ₹1,016, while Apollo Hospitals advanced ₹187, or 2.15%, to ₹8,889.

HDFC Life, SBI Life Among Losers

Not all stocks participated in Tuesday's rally. HDFC Life declined ₹6.25, or 1.13%, to ₹547. SBI Life fell ₹15.90, or 1.11%, to ₹1,422, while ONGC slipped ₹2.55, or 1.08%, to ₹234.

Investors will continue to track sector-specific movements and institutional flows during Wednesday's session as the benchmarks attempt to sustain their recent gains.

ESDS Software IPO Opens August 28

Meanwhile, investors will also be watching the upcoming ESDS Software Solution IPO, which is scheduled to open on August 28.

The company plans to raise ₹720 crore through the initial public offering. The price band has been fixed at ₹408–₹429 per share. The minimum bid is 34 shares, with one lot costing ₹14,586 at the upper end of the price band.

The issue is scheduled to close on September 1.

Indian benchmark indices opened lower on Tuesday as elevated crude prices and renewed US-Iran tensions weighed on investor sentiment, with Nifty slipping below the 24,200 mark.

Indian equity benchmark indices opened lower on Tuesday, August 25, as elevated crude oil prices and heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East weighed on investor sentiment. The Nifty 50 slipped below the 24,200 level, while the Sensex also traded in negative territory during the opening session.

The weakness came amid renewed concerns over the impact of the latest US sanctions against Iran and the possibility of disruptions to global energy supplies. Brent crude was trading around $92.5 a barrel, keeping oil prices at elevated levels and adding pressure to oil-importing economies such as India. 

At around 9:25 am, the Sensex was quoted at 77,309.84, down 0.077 per cent, while the Nifty remained below 24,200. The market had already been expected to begin on a cautious note, with GIFT Nifty pointing to a weaker opening before the domestic session began. 

Oil Prices Remain Key Risk

Crude oil has emerged as one of the major factors influencing Indian equities in recent sessions. Higher oil prices can increase India's import bill and put pressure on the country's external balances, while also raising concerns about inflation and corporate input costs.

India imports a large share of its crude oil requirements, making sustained increases in international oil prices particularly important for investors. Market participants are therefore closely tracking developments around Iran, the Strait of Hormuz and global oil supply. 

US-Iran Tensions Weigh

The latest market pressure follows Washington's expanded sanctions against Iran. The measures have increased uncertainty around international trade and energy markets, with investors assessing whether the sanctions could trigger further disruptions to oil supplies.

The geopolitical concerns have added to an already cautious environment for Indian equities after recent market weakness. Reuters reported that 14 of the 16 major sectors were trading lower during Tuesday's early session, while mid-cap and small-cap stocks remained subdued. 

Nifty Under Pressure

The Nifty 50 was down 0.32 per cent at 24,142.25 at around 9:58 am, while the Sensex fell 0.24 per cent to 77,184.66, according to Reuters. The market was also heading into the monthly expiry of Nifty 50 derivatives contracts, another factor likely to contribute to volatility during the session. 

Investors are also watching the implementation of the new closing auction session mechanism for stocks with futures and options as the monthly derivatives expiry approaches. The mechanism is being tested for the first time during a monthly expiry after previously being associated with volatility around weekly expiries. 

Rupee and Global Cues

Currency movements remain another area of focus. The Indian rupee closed at 95.7450 against the US dollar on Monday, with traders pointing to continued intervention by the Reserve Bank of India through state-run banks. 

Global markets have also remained cautious amid Middle East tensions and uncertainty over energy supplies. For Indian investors, the combination of crude prices, foreign fund flows, the rupee and geopolitical developments is likely to remain important for market direction.

For now, the focus remains on whether the domestic indices can recover from the early losses or whether elevated oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty continue to weigh on sentiment through the trading session.

Indian equity markets opened under pressure on Thursday, August 13, with both benchmark indices witnessing sharp declines amid selling in banking and information technology stocks.

The Sensex fell more than 250 points to around 77,700, while the Nifty 50 declined by over 100 points to trade near 24,300. Banking and IT stocks were among the major sectors facing selling pressure during the session.

The decline comes a day after domestic markets also ended lower, while mixed trends in Asian markets and gains in most major US indices provided limited support to Indian equities.

Banking, IT Stocks Under Pressure

Selling was particularly visible in banking and IT counters during Thursday's trading session. Weakness in these heavyweight sectors weighed on the broader benchmarks.

Investors are also tracking global market movements, foreign fund flows and developments in international markets for further direction.

Asian Markets Mixed

Asian markets were largely positive during the session, although gains varied significantly across major indices.

Despite the positive movement in several Asian markets, Indian equities remained under pressure, indicating that domestic factors and sector-specific selling were influencing sentiment.

US Markets End Mostly Higher

US markets had a mixed session on August 12, with the Dow Jones ending marginally lower while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 gained.

The performance of US markets remains an important external cue for Indian investors, particularly for technology and other globally exposed sectors.

Foreign Investors Buy ₹1,494 Crore

Foreign investor activity has remained mixed in the Indian market. According to the available data, foreign institutional investors and foreign portfolio investors bought shares worth around ₹1,494 crore over the past seven sessions, while their 30-day flow remained negative.

Domestic institutional investors, meanwhile, continued to provide support through buying.

The continued participation of domestic institutional investors has helped provide some cushion against foreign selling pressure.

Markets Fell on Wednesday

The decline on Thursday followed another weak session on Wednesday, August 12.

The Sensex closed 188 points lower at 77,966, while the Nifty declined 36 points to finish at 24,436.

The latest fall has brought both benchmarks further below their previous closing levels, with investors watching whether the indices can stabilise as the trading session progresses.

Global Cues in Focus

Market participants are likely to track global equity trends, institutional fund flows and sector-specific developments during the remainder of Thursday's session.

With banking and IT stocks facing selling pressure, the performance of heavyweight shares could remain crucial for the direction of the Sensex and Nifty in the near term.

Investors will also keep an eye on overseas markets and broader economic developments as they assess the next move in domestic equities.

 Indian equity markets opened lower on Monday, August 10, with the benchmark Sensex declining around 100 points to trade near 78,400, while the Nifty50 was down about 30 points at around 24,550. Selling pressure was visible across key sectors, particularly energy, banking and FMCG stocks.

The decline came despite positive signals from major Asian markets and gains recorded by US equities in the previous session. Investors are also tracking fresh initial public offerings (IPOs), foreign and domestic institutional flows, and broader global market trends for direction.

Sensex, Nifty Trade Lower

The Sensex was trading around 78,400, down nearly 100 points during the session. The Nifty50 was also under pressure, slipping approximately 30 points to around 24,550.

Energy and banking stocks were among the major areas witnessing selling activity, while FMCG shares also faced pressure. The movement suggests that investors remain cautious despite a relatively positive trend in overseas markets.

The domestic market had ended the previous week on a weaker note. On Friday, August 7, the Sensex declined 455 points to close at 78,499, while the Nifty fell 65 points to settle at 24,570.

Two IPOs Open for Subscription

Investor attention is also focused on the primary market, with the IPOs of Molbio Diagnostics and Dhoot Transmissionopening for subscription on Monday.

Molbio Diagnostics is looking to raise around ₹939.70 crore through its IPO, while Dhoot Transmission aims to raise approximately ₹3,066.89 crore.

Both issues will remain open for investors until August 12. The simultaneous opening of the two IPOs gives investors additional options in the primary market at a time when the secondary market is witnessing volatility.

Asian Markets Remain Positive

The weakness in Indian equities was not reflected across major Asian markets. Several key regional indices were trading higher on Monday.

South Korea's KOSPI was at 6,307, gaining 57 points or 0.77%. Japan's Nikkei climbed 1,325 points, or 2.02%, to 66,931. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index also advanced 153 points, or 0.59%, to 25,821.

The positive regional cues, however, have not been sufficient to push Indian benchmarks higher in early trading.

US Markets Ended Higher

Indian investors are also taking cues from the US market's performance on Friday, August 7.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 152 points, or 0.28%, to close at 54,037. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 342 points, or 1.30%, to 26,691, while the S&P 500 rose 48 points, or 0.62%, to finish at 7,758.

The gains in US equities provide a relatively supportive global backdrop, although domestic factors continue to influence Indian markets.

Institutional Flows Provide Support

Foreign investors have remained active in Indian equities over the past week. According to the available data, Foreign Institutional Investors (FII/FPI) bought shares worth around ₹1,966 crore over the last seven trading days.

Over the latest reported period, FII/FPI buying stood at approximately ₹480 crore. However, their 30-day net position remained negative at around ₹7,464 crore.

Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs), meanwhile, have provided stronger support. DII buying stood at around ₹6,196 crore over seven days and approximately ₹31,601 crore over the past 30 days.

Investors Await Fresh Triggers

The market is likely to remain sensitive to sector-specific movements, institutional flows, global cues and developments in the primary market. With the Sensex and Nifty beginning the week in negative territory despite gains in Asian and US markets, investors may continue to watch whether buying support emerges at lower levels.

The performance of banking, energy and FMCG stocks, along with subscription trends in the two IPOs, could remain among the key factors influencing market sentiment during Monday's trading session.

Indian benchmark equity indices opened lower on Friday, with the BSE Sensex declining more than 300 points and the NSE Nifty slipping below the 24,600 mark, tracking weakness in global markets and selling pressure in banking stocks.

During early trade, the Sensex was trading around 78,600, down nearly 300 points or 0.40 per cent, while the Nifty 50 fell around 50 points, or 0.20 per cent, to 24,580.

Banking Stocks Under Pressure

Banking shares emerged as the biggest laggards in early trading, dragging the broader market lower. Investors booked profits in several financial counters after recent gains.

In contrast, information technology (IT) stocks witnessed buying interest, helping limit losses in the broader indices despite the weak market sentiment.

Asian Markets Trade Mostly Lower

The cautious mood was also reflected across major Asian equity markets.

South Korea's Kospi declined around 1.15 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei slipped nearly 0.98 per cent in early trade. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index traded marginally higher, indicating mixed investor sentiment across the region.

Market participants continued to monitor global economic developments, bond yields and expectations surrounding major central bank policy decisions.

US Markets End Lower

Overnight, Wall Street closed in negative territory.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 464 points (0.85 per cent), while the Nasdaq Composite edged lower by 0.06 per cent. The S&P 500 also ended the session with a decline of 0.18 per cent, reflecting cautious investor sentiment.

The weak performance in US equities weighed on Asian markets at the opening.

Foreign Investors Remain Selective

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained nearly neutral in the latest trading session, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) continued to provide support to the market.

Over the past seven trading sessions, foreign investors have made net purchases of approximately ₹2,408 crore worth of Indian equities. However, on a rolling 30-day basis, FIIs continue to remain net sellers.

Domestic institutional investors have maintained steady buying, helping cushion volatility in the market.

Previous Session Ended Higher

Despite Friday's weak opening, Indian markets had ended the previous session on a positive note.

On Thursday, the Sensex gained 374 points, supported by buying in select heavyweight stocks and positive investor sentiment during the latter half of the trading session.

Market analysts expect investors to remain focused on global market cues, corporate earnings, foreign fund flows and sector-specific developments for further direction.

Indian benchmark indices moved in opposite directions during early trade on Tuesday, with the BSE Sensex gaining around 200 points to trade near 78,850, while the NSE Nifty slipped about 150 points to around 24,600. The unusual divergence between the two key indices prompted clarification from the National Stock Exchange (NSE), which said the movement was linked to the recently introduced Closing Auction Session (CAS) framework rather than any technical glitch.

New CAS Framework Behind Index Divergence

According to the NSE, the contrasting movement between the Sensex and Nifty is a result of the newly implemented Closing Auction Session mechanism for derivative-linked stocks.

The exchange explained that the revised framework has created temporary differences between spot and futures prices of certain securities, influencing index calculations differently. NSE stressed that the variation does not indicate any trading disruption or technical malfunction.

Global Cues Support Market Sentiment

Domestic equities also drew support from improving global factors, including softer crude oil prices, easing geopolitical tensions and continued foreign institutional investment into Indian financial assets.

Market participants said these developments helped sustain buying interest in select heavyweight stocks, supporting the Sensex despite weakness in parts of the broader market.

However, investor sentiment remained cautious as global markets continued to assess recent US Federal Reserve policy signals and corporate earnings, limiting broad-based gains.

Asian Markets Trade Lower

Major Asian markets traded in negative territory during the session.

South Korea's Kospi declined around 0.83%, Japan's Nikkei fell approximately 0.66%, while Hong Kong's Hang Sengslipped nearly 0.30%, reflecting cautious investor sentiment across the region.

Wall Street Ends Higher

Overnight, US equity markets closed firmly higher.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 693 points (1.32%), while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 2.13%. The S&P 500 also ended the session 1.48% higher, supported by strong technology stocks and positive corporate earnings.

Foreign Investors Continue Buying

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) maintained their buying momentum in Indian equities.

Over the past seven trading sessions, FIIs recorded net purchases of ₹7,805 crore, indicating renewed confidence in Indian markets despite global uncertainty. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) also remained net buyers, providing additional support to market sentiment.

Although FIIs continue to show buying interest in the short term, their net activity over the past month remains in negative territory, reflecting intermittent profit-booking.

Previous Session Closed Higher

Indian benchmark indices had ended Monday's session on a strong note.

The Sensex surged 544 points to settle at 78,639, while the Nifty climbed 390 points to close at 24,774, supported by broad-based buying across banking, financial and heavyweight stocks.

Analysts expect market participants to closely monitor corporate earnings, global economic indicators, foreign fund flows and commodity prices for further direction in the coming sessions.

Indian equity benchmark indices opened on a positive note on Friday, July 31, with buying interest visible in automobile, media, metal and pharmaceutical stocks amid supportive global market cues.

In early trade, the BSE Sensex was up around 50 points, trading near 78,050, while the NSE Nifty 50 gained about 30 points to trade around 24,350.

The broader market sentiment remained positive as investors tracked strong overnight gains on Wall Street and mixed-to-positive trends across Asian markets.

Sectoral Buying Supports Market

Early trading witnessed buying across several key sectors, including automobiles, metals, pharmaceuticals and media, helping benchmark indices remain in positive territory.

Market participants are also keeping a close watch on corporate earnings, global trade developments and foreign institutional investment trends for further direction.

Asian Markets Show Mixed Performance

Major Asian markets traded with mixed momentum on Friday.

Japan's Nikkei advanced sharply, while South Korea's Kospi also traded higher. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index slipped marginally during the session.

The positive sentiment across most Asian markets provided support to domestic equities despite cautious global cues.

Wall Street Ends Higher

US markets closed firmly in the green on July 30, boosting investor confidence globally.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 614 points (1.19%), while the Nasdaq Composite surged 679 points (2.78%). The S&P 500 also climbed 121 points (1.66%), supported by strength in technology stocks and improving investor sentiment.

Foreign Investors Return as Buyers

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net buyers in the Indian equity market.

Latest exchange data showed FIIs purchased shares worth approximately ₹3,624 crore during the previous trading session. Over the past seven trading days, foreign investors have made net purchases of around ₹5,673 crore.

Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs), however, were net sellers during the latest session, though they continue to remain significant net buyers over the past month.

Previous Session Ends in Green

On July 30, benchmark indices had also settled with gains.

The Sensex rose 274 points to close at 77,928, while the Nifty 50 advanced 67 points to end the session at 24,317, extending the market's positive momentum ahead of the final trading day of the month.

Investors Eye Global and Domestic Triggers

Market analysts expect volatility to continue as investors assess quarterly earnings, global economic developments, foreign fund flows and policy-related announcements. The movement of global equity markets and institutional investment activity is likely to remain the key driver for Indian equities in the near term.

Indian equity benchmark indices opened on a cautious note on Wednesday, July 30, with the market trading largely flat after the previous session's strong rally. The BSE Sensex hovered around 77,650, while the NSE Nifty 50 traded close to the 24,200 mark during early trade.

Buying interest was visible in automobile and information technology (IT) stocks, helping the benchmarks remain stable. However, weakness in banking and real estate shares limited broader market gains, keeping the indices range-bound.

Auto, IT Stocks Support Market

Sector-wise, investors showed renewed interest in auto and IT counters amid selective buying. On the other hand, profit booking in banking and realty stocks weighed on overall market sentiment.

Market participants are expected to remain focused on quarterly earnings, global cues, and upcoming macroeconomic data for further direction.

Two IPOs Open for Subscription

Primary market activity also remained in focus as MV Electrosystems Ltd. and Juniper Green Energy Ltd. opened their initial public offerings (IPOs) for subscription on July 30.

• MV Electrosystems aims to raise ₹290 crore through its public issue.

• Juniper Green Energy plans to mobilise around ₹1,800 crore.

Both IPOs will remain open for bidding until August 3.

Asian Markets Mixed

Asian equity markets presented a mixed picture during morning trade.

• Nikkei (Japan) rose 1.28% to 62,218.

• Kospi (South Korea) gained 0.41% to 5,687.

• Hang Seng (Hong Kong) slipped 0.39% to 25,759.

The mixed performance reflected cautious investor sentiment following weakness in the US markets.

US Markets End Lower

Wall Street closed sharply lower on July 29 as investors reacted to fresh economic concerns and profit booking.

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: 51,594 (-2.19%)

• Nasdaq Composite: 24,443 (-1.74%)

• S&P 500: 7,316 (-1.52%)

The weak US close influenced sentiment across global markets despite selective gains in Asia.

Foreign Investors Continue Selling

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net sellers over the past week, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) continued to provide support.

The sustained buying by domestic institutions has helped offset continued foreign outflows in recent sessions.

Previous Session

On July 29, Indian markets ended with strong gains. The Sensex surged 889 points to settle at 77,655, while the Nifty advanced 265 points to close at 24,250, driven by broad-based buying across key sectors.

With markets consolidating after Tuesday's rally, investors are likely to track corporate earnings, global market movements, foreign fund flows, and developments in the primary market for fresh trading cues.

Domestic equities rebound after previous session's decline; Asian markets trade mixed while foreign investors remain net sellers

Indian benchmark equity indices opened sharply higher on Tuesday, with the BSE Sensex gaining more than 600 points and the NSE Nifty advancing around 200 points, driven by strong buying in information technology and banking stocks.

During early trade, the Sensex was trading above 77,400, while the Nifty crossed the 24,200 mark, recovering from losses recorded in the previous session.

IT and banking stocks drive gains

The rally was led by buying interest in IT and banking counters, which emerged as the top-performing sectors in morning trade. The broad-based recovery helped lift overall market sentiment despite mixed global cues.

Market participants were also closely tracking foreign institutional investment trends and developments in international markets.

Asian markets show mixed trend

Major Asian indices traded on a mixed note during the session.

• Hang Seng (Hong Kong): Up 1.67%

• Nikkei (Japan): Down 1.08%

• Kospi (South Korea): Down 7.68%

The mixed performance reflected investor caution amid global economic and geopolitical developments.

Wall Street ends mixed

US markets closed mixed overnight.

• Dow Jones: Gained 537 points (+1.03%)

• S&P 500: Rose 16 points (+0.21%)

• Nasdaq Composite: Declined 55 points (-0.22%)

The positive finish in the Dow and S&P 500 offered some support to investor sentiment, although weakness in technology stocks weighed on the Nasdaq.

FIIs continue selling, DIIs provide support

Institutional investment data continued to show contrasting trends.

Over the past seven trading sessions:

• Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs/FPI): Net sellers of approximately ₹7,825 crore

• Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs): Net buyers of around ₹12,394 crore

On a 30-day basis, FIIs have remained net sellers, while domestic investors have continued to offset foreign outflows through sustained buying.

Market rebounds after Monday's decline

The gains come a day after domestic equities ended marginally lower.

On July 28, the:

• Sensex closed 69 points lower at 76,765

• Nifty slipped 10 points to settle at 23,985

Tuesday's recovery indicates renewed buying interest, particularly in heavyweight sectors, as investors await further domestic earnings announcements and global market cues.

Indian equity benchmark indices opened in positive territory on Tuesday, with the BSE Sensex rising more than 100 points to trade above 76,900, while the NSE Nifty climbed around 100 points to move past the 24,000 mark. Buying interest was primarily seen in information technology (IT) and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) stocks during early trade.

The upbeat start follows Monday's strong rally, although investors continued to monitor global market trends, crude oil prices and foreign institutional investment flows for further direction.

IT, FMCG Stocks Drive Market

In the opening session, IT and FMCG counters emerged as the top performers, helping benchmark indices maintain gains. Market participants remained selective, with investors favouring defensive and technology stocks amid mixed global cues.

Analysts said investors are closely tracking corporate earnings, global economic developments and institutional investment activity, which are expected to influence market sentiment in the coming sessions.

Brent Crude Falls to $87 Per Barrel

Global crude oil prices eased sharply, with Brent crude declining nearly 2% to around $87 per barrel.

The decline comes as geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran showed signs of easing, reducing concerns over possible supply disruptions. Lower crude prices are generally viewed as positive for India, as they can help reduce import costs and inflationary pressures.

Asian Markets Trade Mixed

Asian equity markets presented a mixed picture during Tuesday's trading session.

• Hang Seng (Hong Kong): Up 146 points (+0.74%)

• Nikkei (Japan): Down 2,885 points (-4.32%)

• Kospi (South Korea): Down 584 points (-8.32%)

The mixed performance reflected investor caution amid global economic uncertainties and profit-booking in select regional markets.

Wall Street Ends Mixed

US markets closed on a mixed note in the previous session.

• Dow Jones: Gained 263 points (+0.51%)

• Nasdaq Composite: Fell 44 points (-0.18%)

• S&P 500: Ended marginally higher by 1 point (+0.02%)

Investors remained focused on earnings announcements and expectations regarding future monetary policy.

Foreign Investors Continue Selling

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net sellers in the Indian market.

While domestic institutional investors (DIIs) continued to provide buying support, sustained foreign outflows remain a factor influencing overall market sentiment.

Previous Session Recap

On July 27, Indian markets ended with strong gains.

The Sensex surged 776 points to close at 76,836, while the Nifty advanced 229 points to settle at 23,996, supported by broad-based buying across sectors.

Market experts believe investor focus will now remain on quarterly earnings, crude oil prices, global market movements and foreign fund flows, which are expected to determine the near-term direction of domestic equities.

 Indian benchmark equity indices opened the week on a strong note, with the Sensex surging more than 600 points and the Nifty reclaiming the 24,000 mark during early trade on Monday. Broad-based buying in FMCG, information technology and media stocks lifted market sentiment, while easing crude oil prices also supported investor confidence.

At around midday, the BSE Sensex was trading above 76,700, up more than 600 points from its previous close, while the NSE Nifty gained nearly 200 points to trade around the 24,000 level.

FMCG and IT Stocks Drive Market Higher

The rally was led by buying in defensive sectors such as FMCG, alongside gains in IT and media shares. Market participants attributed the positive momentum to improving global cues, easing geopolitical concerns and expectations of lower input costs following the decline in crude oil prices.

Investors also remained focused on ongoing corporate earnings and global economic developments, which continue to influence market direction.

Brent Crude Falls Below $93 Per Barrel

International crude oil prices declined sharply, with Brent crude dropping nearly 4% to around $93 per barrel.

The fall comes amid signs of easing tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran, reducing concerns over possible supply disruptions in global energy markets.

However, market experts cautioned that any renewed escalation in the region could push crude prices back towards $120 per barrel, potentially impacting India's fuel import bill and domestic petrol and diesel prices.

Asian Markets Trade Mixed

Asian markets showed a mixed performance on Monday.

• Japan's Nikkei gained 153 points (0.24%).

• Hong Kong's Hang Seng advanced 178 points (0.81%).

• South Korea's Kospi declined 73 points (0.88%).

The mixed trend reflected cautious investor sentiment ahead of key global economic data and central bank decisions.

Wall Street Ends Mixed

US markets closed on a mixed note in the previous trading session.

• Dow Jones gained 236 points (0.46%).

• S&P 500 edged up 4 points (0.05%).

• Nasdaq Composite slipped 162 points (0.64%), weighed down by technology stocks.

The mixed performance in US equities provided limited direction to Asian markets.

Foreign Investors Continue Selling

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net sellers in Indian equities.

According to the latest market data:

• FIIs/FPI sold shares worth ₹3,893 crore during the latest session.

• Over the past seven trading days, foreign investors have sold equities worth ₹6,061 crore.

• During the last 30 days, net FII selling has reached ₹15,636 crore.

In contrast, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) continued to provide support by purchasing shares worth ₹5,454 crore in the latest session. Their cumulative purchases stood at ₹7,326 crore over the last seven days and ₹39,355 crore over the past month.

Markets Recover After Friday's Decline

Monday's gains come after a weak close in the previous session.

On July 24, the Sensex had fallen 331 points to settle at 76,059, while the Nifty declined 102 points to close at 23,767.

The recovery suggests investors are returning to equities amid improving global sentiment, although analysts expect market volatility to continue due to geopolitical developments, foreign fund flows and corporate earnings.

Indian equity markets remained under pressure on Friday, extending losses for the fifth consecutive trading session as investors turned cautious amid escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Concerns over the expanding US-Iran conflict, a sharp rise in crude oil prices, and continued foreign fund outflows triggered broad-based selling across sectors.

The BSE Sensex declined 331.62 points to close at 76,059.77, while the NSE Nifty 50 slipped 102.15 points to 23,767.45. Market sentiment remained fragile as investors assessed the potential economic fallout of rising global uncertainty.

Crude Oil Surge Raises Inflation Concerns

One of the biggest concerns for investors is the sharp increase in crude oil prices.

Brent crude crossed the $100 per barrel mark for the first time in months as fears of supply disruptions intensified due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Market analysts warn that if tensions escalate further, crude prices could rise towards $120 per barrel, increasing inflationary pressures worldwide.

For India, which imports nearly 85% of its crude oil requirement, higher oil prices could widen the trade deficit, increase import bills, and put pressure on government finances. Rising fuel costs may also affect transportation, manufacturing, and consumer prices in the coming months.

Foreign Investors Continue to Exit

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net sellers, reflecting cautious global sentiment.

According to market data, FIIs have sold equities worth ₹3,289 crore over the past seven trading sessions and ₹11,359 crore during the last month. On Friday alone, foreign investors sold shares worth nearly ₹2,999 crore.

Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs), however, continued to provide some support by purchasing equities worth ₹2,947 crore, helping limit deeper losses.

Realty Sector Leads the Decline

Selling pressure was visible across almost all major sectors.

The Nifty Realty Index emerged as the biggest loser, declining nearly 1.9%, while banking, financial services, IT, automobile, and metal stocks also traded in negative territory.

Defensive sectors such as pharmaceuticals and FMCG witnessed relatively lower volatility, although gains remained limited.

Market experts believe investors are shifting towards safer assets until geopolitical uncertainty subsides.

Global Markets Reflect Similar Weakness

The weakness was not limited to Indian equities.

Asian markets also traded sharply lower following growing concerns over the conflict.

• South Korea's KOSPI fell more than 5%.
• Japan's Nikkei declined nearly 3%.
• Hong Kong's Hang Seng also ended in negative territory.

US markets had already closed lower on Thursday, with the Dow Jones, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 all registering losses as investors reacted to rising geopolitical risks and fears of slower global economic growth.

Rupee Shows Resilience

Despite volatility in equity markets, the Indian rupee strengthened by 15 paise to 96.58 against the US dollar.

Currency analysts attribute the appreciation to improved central bank liquidity management and selective dollar selling, although sustained gains could remain challenging if crude oil prices continue rising.

What Should Investors Watch Next?

Market participants are closely monitoring developments in West Asia, particularly any escalation involving major oil-producing nations.

Investors will also track:

• Movement in crude oil prices.
• Foreign institutional investment flows.
• Global central bank commentary.
• Corporate earnings announcements.
• Inflation and economic growth indicators.

Analysts believe volatility could remain elevated until geopolitical tensions ease.

Market Outlook

While the current correction reflects short-term uncertainty, analysts suggest that long-term investors should avoid panic-driven decisions.

Historically, geopolitical events have triggered temporary market corrections, but fundamentals such as corporate earnings, domestic consumption, infrastructure spending, and economic reforms continue to support India's long-term growth story.

However, sustained high crude prices and continued foreign capital outflows could keep markets under pressure in the near term.

For now, investor sentiment remains cautious as financial markets across the world respond to one of the most uncertain geopolitical environments in recent years.