Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Oil Jitters, Hormuz Tensions Weigh on Indian Markets
Stock markets are places where people buy and sell pieces of companies.
On Tuesday, two big Indian markets, called Sensex and Nifty, went down because investors were worried.
Oil got more expensive and there is a conflict in the Middle East.
The United States and Iran disagree, and Iran says it will keep a very important waterway, the Strait of Hormuz, closed.
Many ships carrying oil use that waterway, so oil prices went up.
When oil is expensive, it can make life and business harder.
In July, banks in Asia did really well because investors moved away from technology shares and bought calmer, safer bank shares instead.
Gold, a shiny metal people buy when they feel worried, went above $4,400 an ounce before coming down a little.
Investors are also waiting to see a report from America about how fast prices are rising.
More than 470 Indian companies will share their latest money reports on Wednesday, and America's stock market went down for a second day.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty 50 are expected to open flat on Wednesday, 12 August, after closing sharply lower on Tuesday.
The Sensex fell 388 points (0.49%) to 78,154.25, while the Nifty 50 dropped 112 points (0.46%) to 24,471.70 on 11 August.
Crude oil prices climbed on Wednesday, with Brent rising 0.81% to $89.63 a barrel and WTI up 0.85% to $83.91, as hopes of a US-Iran agreement faded.
US President Donald Trump demanded Iran compensate the US, while Iran's Mohsen Rezaei said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until Washington meets Tehran's conditions.
Asian banking stocks posted one of their strongest rallies in decades, with the MSCI Asia Pacific Financials Index jumping 8.6% in July.
- Who
- Investors in Indian, Asian and US markets, along with the United States, Iran and Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen over the Strait of Hormuz conflict.
- What
- Indian indices Sensex and Nifty 50 closed sharply lower on Tuesday, crude oil prices climbed toward $90 a barrel again, and investors awaited US inflation data.
- When
- Indian markets closed lower on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, with cues ahead of Wednesday, 12 August 2026.
- Where
- India, wider Asian markets, Wall Street, and the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Middle East.
- Why
- Rising crude oil prices, renewed geopolitical uncertainty over the US-Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz, and anticipation of US CPI data ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision.
US position
Iran's stance
Compensation and reparations in US-Iran negotiations
US position
US President Donald Trump demands that Iran compensate the United States for people killed in conflicts, saying the demands will be included firmly in any future negotiations.
Iran's stance
Iran reiterates that any agreement requires the US to lift its blockade, provide compensation for damages caused, and unfreeze Iranian assets.
Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
US position
Investors see signs of progress toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but remain cautious about whether a broader US-Iran agreement can be reached.
Iran's stance
Iran's top security official Mohsen Rezaei says the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until Washington agrees to Tehran's conditions for ending the war.
- Sensex close (11 Aug)
- 78,154.25 (-0.49%)
- Nifty 50 close (11 Aug)
- 24,471.70 (-0.46%)
- Sensex close (10 Aug)
- 78,542 (-0.06%, largely flat)
- Brent crude futures (12 Aug)
- $89.63 per barrel (+0.81%)
- WTI crude futures (12 Aug)
- $83.91 per barrel (+0.85%)
- Spot gold
- $4,367.56 per ounce (-0.1%)
- MSCI Asia Pacific Financials Index (July)
- +8.6%, record monthly outperformance over tech
- Companies reporting Q1 results on 12 Aug
- More than 470, including Hindustan Aeronautics, Tata Motors, Grasim Industries and IRCTC
