Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Sensex, Nifty Edge Higher Amid Crude, Global Market Caution
India’s main stock-market indexes moved slightly higher on Friday morning.
The Sensex and Nifty started positively but briefly fell.
They later recovered and posted small gains.
Investors were worried because oil prices remained high.
Tensions between the United States and Iran added to these concerns.
US stock markets had fallen sharply the night before.
Foreign investors also sold Indian shares on Thursday.
Some banks and other companies gained value, while several consumer and aviation companies declined.
The market had rebounded strongly on Thursday after several days of losses.
Sensex and Nifty recovered from brief early declines to trade marginally higher on Friday.
The Sensex stood at 77,595.14, up 62.60 points, while the Nifty gained 10.65 points to 24,244.80.
High crude prices, renewed US-Iran tensions and weak US markets kept investors cautious.
Foreign Institutional Investors sold equities worth Rs 583.36 crore on Thursday.
Kotak Mahindra Bank, Bharat Electronics and major banks gained, while InterGlobe Aviation, Titan, Hindustan Unilever and Trent declined.
- Who
- Indian investors, Foreign Institutional Investors, the Sensex and Nifty, and companies listed on Indian exchanges.
- What
- The Sensex and Nifty traded marginally higher after turning briefly negative in early Friday trading.
- When
- Friday morning in early trade; the reported foreign-investor sales occurred on Thursday.
- Where
- India’s Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India, amid global market influences.
- Why
- Investors remained cautious because crude prices were elevated, US markets had fallen and geopolitical uncertainty had increased.
Signs of Market Resilience
Reasons for Caution
Indian market direction
Signs of Market Resilience
The Sensex and Nifty recovered after brief early declines and traded marginally higher.
Reasons for Caution
The indices turned volatile after opening gains, showing that investors remained uncertain.
Global and geopolitical outlook
Signs of Market Resilience
The Indian market had rebounded on Thursday after several sessions of losses, indicating some resilience.
Reasons for Caution
Elevated crude prices, renewed US-Iran tensions and sharp US-market declines raised concerns about inflation and prolonged uncertainty.
Investor flows
Signs of Market Resilience
Some major banks and other Sensex companies were among the leading gainers in early trade.
Reasons for Caution
Foreign Institutional Investors sold equities worth Rs 583.36 crore on Thursday, indicating continued selling pressure.
- Sensex
- 77,595.14, up 62.60 points in early trade
- Nifty
- 24,244.80, up 10.65 points in early trade
- Brent crude
- USD 93.50 per barrel, down 0.30 per cent
- Foreign investor activity
- Foreign Institutional Investors sold equities worth Rs 583.36 crore on Thursday
- US market performance
- Dow Jones fell 1.32 per cent, S&P 500 declined 0.87 per cent and Nasdaq lost 1 per cent
- Previous session
- The Sensex rose 628.04 points and the Nifty gained 153.55 points on Thursday
