Indian equity markets remained closed on Thursday on account of Bakrid, while commodity (MCX) trading will resume later in the evening, market officials confirmed. The holiday came as Asian stock indices slid sharply and crude oil prices jumped amid renewed tensions in the Middle East, denting investor sentiment ahead of the weekend.

Markets closed for Bakrid

The BSE and NSE did not operate on Thursday because of the Bakrid public holiday, a routine annual closure. Commodity exchanges, including MCX, were inactive until late afternoon; trading is scheduled to restart at 5:00 pm IST, exchange notices showed. Stock broking desks said most overseas markets were open, leaving Indian investors to track global cues remotely.

Asian markets slide

Asian equities suffered notable declines on Thursday. South Korea’s KOSPI dropped about 3.1% in early trade, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell roughly 2.3% and Japan’s Nikkei eased around 1.2%, exchange feeds indicated. Market strategists linked the weakness to a sharp rise in crude oil and lingering geopolitical worries after fresh US-Iran tensions.

US markets firmed; mixed signals

Wall Street closed modestly higher on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones adding 0.36% and the Nasdaq nearly flat, data showed. But that limited uplift failed to translate into Asian gains overnight. “US markets were steady, but the spike in oil and heightened risk aversion in Asia outweighed the follow-through,” a Hong Kong-based strategist said on condition of anonymity.

FIIs net sellers

Data compiled by exchange sources showed continued foreign institutional investor (FII/FPI) outflows. Over the past 30 days, FIIs sold equities worth about ₹45,374 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) remained net buyers, purchasing roughly ₹71,654 crore over the same period. In the latest seven-day window, FIIs were net sellers to the tune of around ₹7,069 crore, compared with DII buys of ₹15,043 crore.

Domestic indices fell earlier

On Wednesday, when markets were open, the BSE Sensex closed down 142 points at 75,868 and the Nifty 50 slipped 7 points to finish at 23,907. Banking stocks underperformed, brokers said, reflecting profit-taking after a recent rally and sensitivity to macro and liquidity expectations.

Crude surge fuels concerns

A key immediate trigger was a near 4% rise in Brent crude to about $98 per barrel on Thursday, traders said, citing renewed US-Iran tensions. Higher oil directly affects inflation and input costs globally and is particularly sensitive for India, which imports an estimated 80–85% of its crude needs. “When oil spikes, the trade deficit and inflation outlook worsen, the rupee can weaken, and corporate margins—especially for fuel-intensive sectors—come under pressure,” an equity economist noted.

Why oil hits Indian markets

Analysts explained that rising crude increases import bills, pressuring the rupee and raising costs for manufacturers, transporters and airlines. That squeezes corporate profits and can erode equity valuations. Retail inflation risks could also prompt tighter monetary stance expectations, adding to investor caution.

Ground-level cues

On the trading floors and at brokerage firms in Mumbai’s Dalal Street, traders spent the holiday monitoring late-session commodity trades and global headlines. “We were more focused on oil and flows from FIIs. With markets closed, clients expect a quiet holiday but want updates before the close in the US,” said a Mumbai broker who declined to be named.

What to watch next

Market participants will watch MCX’s evening session for any volatility in energy contracts and refine positions ahead of Friday’s truncated session. The rupee’s movement versus the dollar, upcoming US economic data, and any further geopolitical developments will be key near-term drivers. Investors will also track central bank commentary and domestic macro prints that could influence DII behavior.

For now, the Bakrid holiday gave local investors a pause to reassess exposures while global factors—especially a resurgent crude oil price—kept risk sentiment subdued. If oil maintains elevated levels into next week, strategists warn, Indian markets may face renewed pressure once trading resumes fully.

Indian equity benchmarks staged a sharp rebound on Tuesday, with the Sensex surging over 1,372 points to reclaim the 74,000 mark and the Nifty climbing nearly 400 points, driven by positive global cues after US President Donald Trump announced a five-day pause on planned military strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure.

The BSE Sensex closed at 74,068, up 1,372 points or 1.89 per cent from Monday’s close. The NSE Nifty settled at 22,958, gaining 445 points or 1.98 per cent. Banking and auto stocks led the buying, reflecting renewed investor confidence amid easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Strong Buying in Key Sectors

Banking shares witnessed robust demand as the Nifty Bank index rose sharply. Auto majors also posted solid gains, contributing significantly to the broader market rally. Market participants noted broad-based buying across most sectors, with only a few pockets of selling.

Traders attributed the bounceback to Trump’s announcement late on Monday that he had instructed a postponement of strikes on Iranian power plants and energy facilities following what he described as productive talks with Tehran. The development reduced immediate fears of supply disruptions in the global oil market.

Oil Prices Volatile Amid Pause

Crude oil prices remained in focus. Brent crude rose about 4 per cent to trade above $104 per barrel during the session, while the Indian crude oil basket hovered near elevated levels around $150 per barrel. Earlier, prices had eased sharply when Trump first signalled the delay, dropping from highs near $113, but they regained some ground on Tuesday.

Analysts said the five-day window for diplomacy offered temporary relief to energy-sensitive sectors in India, though long-term concerns over the India-Middle East conflict persist. Domestic fuel prices, however, remained unchanged despite the volatility in global benchmarks.

Rupee Gains Ground

The Indian rupee opened stronger, rising 34 paise to 93.64 against the US dollar from Monday’s close of 93.98. Currency traders pointed to a weaker dollar and improved risk appetite in emerging markets as key factors supporting the local unit.

Global Markets Turn Positive

Asian markets advanced in Tuesday’s trade. Japan’s Nikkei rose 0.77 per cent, South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.74 per cent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng climbed 1.45 per cent, and China’s Shanghai Composite was up 0.95 per cent.

Overnight, US indices also closed higher. The Dow Jones added 631 points or 1.38 per cent, the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.38 per cent, and the S&P 500 gained 1.15 per cent, reflecting relief over the de-escalation signal from Washington.

Sharp Fall on Monday

The rally on Tuesday came after a bruising session on Monday, when the Sensex had tumbled 1,837 points or 2.46 per cent to close at 72,696, while the Nifty dropped 602 points or 2.60 per cent to 22,513. Banking, auto, metal and FMCG stocks bore the brunt of selling amid heightened worries over the US-Israel-Iran conflict and rising oil prices.

Impact on Indian Economy

The sharp recovery provided some breathing space to domestic investors, who had seen significant erosion in wealth in recent sessions. Lower volatility and a pause in escalation fears could support foreign institutional inflows in the near term. However, analysts cautioned that any breakdown in talks could quickly reverse the sentiment, given India’s heavy dependence on imported crude.

What Lies Ahead

Market watchers will closely track developments in the US-Iran dialogue over the next five days. Any concrete progress toward de-escalation could sustain the momentum in Indian equities. On the domestic front, participants await quarterly earnings from key companies and upcoming policy cues from the government and RBI.

Traders also remain wary of elevated oil prices and their potential pass-through effect on inflation and the current account. With global cues turning supportive for now, the coming sessions will test whether this rebound can hold or if Monday’s losses signal deeper concerns.

Indian stock markets cheered the landmark India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) today, with Sensex rises by 487 points in its second straight session of gains. On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, the BSE Sensex settled at 82,344.68, while the NSE Nifty closed at 25,342.75, up 167 points. This rally comes hot on the heels of the FTA signing at the 16th India-EU Summit, sparking optimism for trade and growth.

India-EU FTA: The Big Market Catalyst

After 18 years of talks, India and the 27-nation EU bloc sealed the deal on Tuesday. Union Minister Piyush Goyal called it a "strong and independent" pact between the world's fourth-largest economy (India) and the second-largest (EU). Together, they represent 25% of global GDP and one-third of world trade. Experts say this India-EU FTA could slash tariffs, boost exports in sectors like autos, pharma, and IT, and attract fresh investments—making it a game-changer amid global uncertainties.

"Why now? With US markets volatile and geopolitical tensions rising, this FTA positions India as a reliable trade hub," notes market analyst Rajesh Mishra. Investors are betting on easier EU access, driving today's bullish sentiment.

Mixed Global Cues, But Local Strength Shines

Asian markets showed a split picture: Korea's KOSPI up 1.05% at 5,138, Hong Kong's Hang Seng surging 2.21% to 27,725, and China's Shanghai Composite gaining 0.49% at 4,160. Japan's Nikkei dipped 0.58% to 53,024. In the US, January 27 saw Dow Jones fall 0.83% to 49,003, while Nasdaq rose 0.91% and S&P 500 gained 0.41%.

Domestically, Tuesday's session set the tone—Sensex up 319 points to 81,857, Nifty adding 126 to 25,175.

FII Selling Offset by DII Buying Spree

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold ₹3,068 crore worth of shares on January 27, continuing December 2025's net outflow of ₹34,350 crore. But Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) countered strongly, netting ₹8,999 crore that day and ₹79,620 crore for December. This DII support has kept Nifty today resilient.

• Key Gainers: Banking and IT stocks led, with HDFC Bank and Infosys shining.
  
  

• Practical Tip: Long-term investors should eye export-focused firms benefiting from India-EU FTA.
  
  

In conclusion, as Sensex rises amid FTA euphoria, markets signal confidence in India's global push. Watch for Q4 earnings and US Fed cues next. Stay tuned for Nifty today updates.

Indian stock markets staged a strong comeback on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, as the Sensex rebounds sharply from intra-day lows. Investors cheered buying in metal and banking sectors, pushing the BSE Sensex up 319 points to close at 81,857. The NSE Nifty also surged 126 points, topping Nifty 25,175 for the first time this session.

This recovery comes amid volatile global cues and follows Friday's sharp decline, highlighting the resilience of Indian equities.

Sharp Recovery from Day's Lows

Benchmarks opened weak but bounced back nearly 700 points from the day's low. Of the 30 Sensex stocks, 18 ended positive, led by heavyweights like Axis Bank, Adani Ports, and Tech Mahindra. Some banking and IT shares jumped up to 5%.

• Nifty Metal index rose up to 3%, spearheading the metal stocks rally.

• Banking stocks recovery added nearly 180 points, with PSU and private banks gaining over 1%.

• Laggards like Mahindra & Mahindra, Asian Paints, and Kotak Mahindra Bank fell up to 3%, capping bigger gains.

The broader market stayed buoyant, with Nifty hovering around 25,100 most of the day.

Positive Global Cues Boost Sentiment

Asian markets provided a tailwind. South Korea's KOSPI climbed 1.93% to 5,084, Japan's Nikkei added 0.41% to 39,333, Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 1.07% to 20,126, and China's Shanghai Composite edged up 0.18% to 3,139.

US indices also ended higher on January 26: Dow Jones up 0.64% at 49,412, Nasdaq +0.43%, S&P 500 +0.50%. These gains signaled optimism, aiding the domestic Indian stock market update.

Friday's Sell-Off in Recap

Markets had tumbled on January 23 due to profit-booking and global jitters:

Top Nifty gainers included Dr Reddy’s (+1.72%), ONGC (+0.86%), and Tech Mahindra (+0.79%). Losers were Adani Enterprises (-10.7%), Adani Ports (-7.02%), and Eternal (-5.74%).

Why This Matters for Investors Now

With Union Budget 2026 approaching, this Sensex rebounds signals stability in metal and banking amid economic recovery. Experts like Vinod Nair from Geojit Financial urge focusing on large-caps for safety.

Actionable Insights:

• Buy dips in metals like Tata Steel, given global demand.

• Monitor banking for rate-cut hopes.

• Diversify into IT amid US tech rally.

In a dramatic intraday reversal, Indian equity benchmarks clawed back from steep losses to close higher on Monday, January 12, 2026, powered solely by renewed optimism around crucial trade negotiations with the United States.

The Sensex, which had plunged over 700 points by midday, staged a remarkable recovery of 778 points from its day's low to trade in positive territory. Similarly, the Nifty 50 index reclaimed the 25,700 level. The sharp U-turn was triggered by comments from the newly arrived U.S. Ambassador-designate, Sergio Gor, who signaled a constructive path forward on a long-pending bilateral trade agreement.

A Diplomatic Hint Ignites Market Recovery

The market's sentiment shifted dramatically following Ambassador Sergio Gor's first public address in New Delhi. A close aide to President Donald Trump, Gor stated that the two nations are "actively engaged" on a trade deal and revealed that the next high-level call on trade is scheduled for Tuesday.

"Real friends can disagree, but always resolve their differences in the end," Gor remarked, striking a conciliatory tone aimed at resetting ties strained by U.S. tariffs on Indian goods. He acknowledged the challenge, noting, "it’s not an easy task to get this across the finish line, but we are determined to get there".

This diplomatic outreach provided immediate relief to markets worried about persistent trade tensions. In August, the Trump administration had imposed an additional 25% tariff on India, bringing total tariffs to 50%, as punishment for New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian crude oil.

Markets in the Green Amidst Mixed Global Cues

The domestic rebound contrasted with early broad-based selling and mixed global signals:

Sectoral Performance: Early weakness in realty, media, and auto stocks was offset by a resurgence in banking, financials, and metal sectors during the recovery.

Asian Markets: Key Asian indices like Hong Kong's Hang Seng and Korea's KOSPI traded higher, while Japan's Nikkei was closed.

Institutional Activity: The recovery comes despite ongoing foreign institutional investor (FII) selling. On January 8 alone, FIIs sold shares worth ₹3,769 crore, continuing a trend from recent months. However, this has been consistently offset by strong buying from domestic institutional investors (DIIs), who provided a ₹5,595 crore counterbalance the same day.

IPO Market Shows Unabated Appetite

Demonstrating robust domestic investor confidence, the Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) IPO entered its second day with overwhelming demand. The issue was subscribed over 28 times by the afternoon, with the Non-Institutional Investor (NII) quota booked a staggering 77.86 times.

Price Band: ₹21 to ₹23 per share.

Minimum Investment: ₹13,800 (for 600 shares at the upper band).

Expert View: Brokerages like Anand Rathi have given a "Subscribe" rating, primarily for listing gains, citing the company's dominant market position in coking coal.

What Investors Should Watch Next

The market's direction hinges on several immediate factors:

1.  The Tuesday Trade Call: Any positive cues or concrete progress from the scheduled India-U.S. trade discussion will be the primary market driver.

2.  Third Quarter Earnings: The results season picks up pace this week with IT majors like TCS and HCL Technologies announcing their scores, setting the tone for corporate performance.

3.  Institutional Flow Trend: Whether DIIs can continue to counterbalance FII selling remains critical for near-term stability.

A Cautious Path Forward

Monday's volatile session underscores how geopolitical and trade developments are now immediate market triggers. While the ambassador's comments have provided a temporary reprieve, analysts caution that volatility will persist until a concrete trade agreement is reached. The market's resilience, supported by strong domestic liquidity and upbeat participation in public offerings, however, provides a firm floor against external shocks.

For investors, the lesson is clear: in today's interconnected market, a headline from a diplomatic press conference can be as powerful as an earnings report.