Stock Market Update (24th Aug 26): Nifty up by 0.14% and Sensex by 0.11%

Indian markets are likely to be unstable today amid negative cues from Asian markets, foreign investors continued to stay as net sellers, a rise in rupee and a decline in crude oil prices. The previous session ended the week trading with positive sentiment after India's private sector activity rose at a slightly faster pace in August, with the HSBC Flash India Composite PMI Output index rose to 54.6 from 54.3 in July. 

Global cues

• Asian markets traded lower and U.S markets traded higher as U.S Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's scheduled press conference to outline sanctions targeting Iran and described the planned action as the biggest campaign of coordinated economic isolation ever undertaken.

Gift Nifty

• On 24th August 2026, the GIFT Nifty traded in the green amid positive cues from the U.S markets and a sharp decline in crude prices.

Asian Markets

• Asian markets traded lower as investors are closely monitoring the details of the sanctions package and its potential consequences on global crude supplies and broader market sentiment.

U.S & European Markets

• On Friday, the U.S markets ended trading higher after U.S business activity grew at its fastest pace in more than four years.

• The United Kingdom’s FTSE closed trading in the green led by gains in JD Sports Fashion up by 5.84%, Antofagasta by 5.37%, and Endeavour by 4.25%.
• The French index, CAC, traded in the green, led by gains in luxury stocks with LVMH up by 2%, Hermès by 1.1%, and Kering by 1%.
• The German index, the DAX, closed trading higher amid gains in Adidas up by 2.28%, BMW by 1.66%, and Hochtief by 1.55%.

Commodities

• Crude oil prices and Natural Gas traded lower on profit booking ahead of an expected announcement from Washington on additional sanctions against Iran.
• Precious metals, such as gold traded higher amid a decline in crude prices and silver traded in the red dragged by selling pressure.

Currency Movements

• The dollar index traded lower amid a sharp rise in Treasury yields raised concerns over the U.S government’s rising debt burden and weighed on the dollar’s appeal.
• The rupee rose against the other currencies amid falling crude prices.

Sectors to watch

• Banking Sector: According to ICICI Securities, Indian banks expect stronger net interest income and earnings growth in FY27 backed by robust foreign currency deposit mobilization and healthy credit demand.
• Oil & Gas Sector: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has approved three strategically important LPG pipeline projects across Telangana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Goa, with nearly 1,800 km of new LPG pipelines at an estimated investment of ₹7,000 crore, increasing India's common-carrier LPG pipeline network by almost a quarter.
• Realty Sector: Indian real estate firms experienced a 20% decline in sales bookings, primarily due to a reduction in housing project launches amid ongoing global economic challenges.
• Renewable Energy Sector: According to Nuvama Research, India aims for an addition of forty-five to fifty gigawatts each year, backed by a significant number of projects pending power purchase agreements.

Stocks to watch

• Zee Entertainment Enterprises: Zee Entertainment Enterprises issued 20.94 crore convertible warrants at ₹126 per warrant on a preferential basis to promoter-group entity Sunbright Mauritius, receiving ₹659.76 crore upfront.
• Shree Renuka Sugars: Shree Renuka Sugars 2.17% equity was sold by ICICI Bank in multiple tranches, reducing its shareholding from 8.96% to 6.79%.
• NTPC Green Energy: NTPC Green Energy’s subsidiary, NTPC Renewable Energy secured a contracted capacity of 500 MW at a discovered tariff of ₹6.00/kWh.
• Bank of Baroda: Bank of Baroda completed the issuance of an additional $400 million of senior unsecured Reg-S fixed-rate notes, with an all-in yield of 5.389% per annum, an original maturity of five years and an original coupon of 5.318% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears through its IFSC Banking Unit (IFSCBU), GIFT City, Gandhinagar branch, as of August 27, 2026, and will be listed on the Singapore Exchange, India INX GIFT City and NSE IX GIFT City.
• Lenskart Solutions: Lenskart Solutions 2.6% shares will be sold through a block deal by SoftBank Vision Fund (SVF) II Lightbulb Cayman at about $300 million and the floor price at ₹635 per equity share.

FII and DII Inflows - 21st August 2026

(The above numbers are in ₹ Cr.)

• On 21st August, net fund inflows were at ₹1,581.43 crore, with domestic institutional investors (DIIs) as net buyers, supporting markets and foreign institutional investors (FIIs) as net sellers losing interest for Indian markets.

Global Events & Updates

• On August 24, Canada will release the preliminary manufacturing sales data for July 2026.
• Singapore will release the monthly and yearly inflation data for July 2026 today.
• Mexico will release the monthly and yearly mid month inflation data for August 2026 and final GDP growth data for Q2 today.

Things to look out for

• The United Kingdom’s retail sales volumes rose by 1.6% YoY in July 2026, below market expectations of a 2.2% increase and easing from a downwardly revised 3.8% gain in June, markING the smallest growth since April 2026.
• The Eurozone’s Consumer confidence rose for a fourth straight month to -15.5 in August 2026 from -15.9 in July and compared to forecasts of -16.3, preliminary estimates, marking the strongest reading since February, even as the Middle East conflict continued to pose risks to inflation and the broader economic outlook.