Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Indian Markets Face Conflicting Signals As Crude Stays Above $90
Indian stock markets received different signals on two mornings.
On August 24, GIFT Nifty suggested that Indian shares might open higher.
On August 25, it suggested that shares might open lower.
Asian markets were mostly falling in both reports.
US futures were mostly flat, although some contracts moved slightly up or down.
Oil prices fell a little but stayed above $90 per barrel.
The Nifty and Sensex fell on Monday after being mostly steady or slightly higher on Friday.
Foreign investors sold shares on August 21 but bought shares on August 24.
Domestic institutions bought shares on both days.
GIFT Nifty indicated a positive opening of 47 points, or 0.19%, for August 24, but a negative opening of 45 points, or 0.18%, for August 25.
The Nifty 50 rose 0.08% to 24,252 on Friday, then fell 0.14% to 24,219 on Monday; the Sensex moved from 77,541 to 77,369.
Asian markets were mostly lower, while US futures were broadly flat to slightly positive or negative across the two reports.
Brent crude traded near $93.06 on August 24 and $91.79 on August 25, remaining above $90 despite daily declines.
Foreign investors shifted from selling Rs 542.71 crore on August 21 to buying Rs 1,181.66 crore on August 24, while domestic institutions remained net buyers.
- Who
- Indian equity investors, foreign institutional investors, domestic institutional investors, and global market participants.
- What
- Indian markets faced mixed and changing opening cues, with GIFT Nifty signaling opposite directions on August 24 and August 25.
- When
- The reports covered market cues for August 24 and August 25, 2026, using Indian trading data from August 21 and August 24.
- Where
- Indian, Asian, United States, and global financial and commodity markets.
- Why
- The cues reflected weaker Asian markets, movements in US Treasury yields, US sanctions plans involving Iran, elevated crude prices, and changing investor flows.
Positive Opening Signals
Negative Opening Signals
GIFT Nifty direction
Positive Opening Signals
The August 24 report said GIFT Nifty rose 47 points, or 0.19%, suggesting a positive Indian market opening.
Negative Opening Signals
The August 25 report said GIFT Nifty fell 45 points, or 0.18%, suggesting a negative opening.
Global market backdrop
Positive Opening Signals
US futures were slightly higher in the August 25 report, with S&P 500 futures up 0.04% and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.06%.
Negative Opening Signals
Asian markets were mostly lower in both reports, while the August 24 report linked weakness to rebounding US Treasury yields and the August 25 report cited planned US sanctions focused on Iran.
Investor participation
Positive Opening Signals
Domestic institutions bought more shares than foreign investors sold on August 21, and both foreign and domestic institutions were net buyers on August 24.
Negative Opening Signals
Foreign investors were net sellers on August 21, and Indian benchmark indexes declined in Monday's trading session.
- GIFT Nifty, August 24
- Up 47 points, or 0.19%, indicating a potentially positive opening.
- GIFT Nifty, August 25
- Down 45 points, or 0.18%, indicating a potentially negative opening.
- Indian market closes
- The Nifty 50 closed at 24,252 on Friday and 24,219 on Monday; the Sensex closed at 77,541 and 77,369, respectively.
- Brent crude
- Traded around $93.06 on August 24 and $91.79 on August 25, remaining above $90 per barrel.
- Foreign investor flows
- FIIs sold shares worth Rs 542.71 crore on August 21 and bought shares worth Rs 1,181.66 crore on August 24.
- Domestic investor flows
- DIIs bought shares worth Rs 2,124.14 crore on August 21 and Rs 2,493.41 crore on August 24.
- Gold and silver
- Indian 24-carat gold was priced at Rs 1,62,520 per 10 grams on August 24 and Rs 1,63,190 on August 25; Indian silver was Rs 2.47 lakh and Rs 2.44 lakh per kilogram, respectively.
