Sensex, Nifty edge higher on blue-chip buying amid crude oil, geopolitical worries
Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty advanced during early trade on Monday (August 24, 2026), supported by buying in blue-chip stocks such as HDFC Bank and Infosys, even as global cues remained mixed. Positive signals from U.S. markets on Friday helped lift sentiment, but persistent geopolitical tensions and elevated crude oil prices continued to temper risk appetite, market experts said.
The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 202.42 points to 77,744.15 in early trading. The 50-share NSE Nifty gained 55.35 points to reach 24,309. Among the Sensex constituents, Infosys, HCL Tech, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, Tata Consultancy Services and HDFC Bank emerged as the major winners.
On the losing side, Asian Paints, Titan, Power Grid and Bharat Electronics were among the prominent laggards. Meanwhile, Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, traded 1.32 per cent lower at $93.14 per barrel, suggesting that oil prices remain under pressure from supply concerns and geopolitical risk.
“West Asia tensions continue to shape the broader market mood. Iran has warned of retaliation against countries participating in the US 'economic war', reinforcing concerns that the confrontation could deepen rather than ease in the near term. For Indian investors, the prolonged U.S.-Iran standoff and its implications for energy prices remain a key source of uncertainty,” said Ponmudi R, Chief Executive Officer of Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth-tech firm.
In Asian markets, benchmarks across the region traded lower on Monday. South Korea’s Kospi, Japan’s Nikkei 225, Shanghai’s SSE Composite index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index all declined, reflecting cautious investor sentiment in the region.
On Friday (August 21), U.S. stock markets ended higher, providing a positive lead for Asian markets. However, domestic institutional activity showed that Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹542.71 crore on Friday, according to exchange data. FIIs are overseas investors who play a significant role in Indian markets, and their selling can indicate reduced risk appetite.
In the previous session on Friday, the Sensex closed almost unchanged from the previous close, up just 3.11 points at 77,540.83. The Nifty also ended flat, rising 20.15 points, or 0.08 per cent, to settle at 24,252. This subdued performance reflected the ongoing caution among market participants.
Market analysts suggest that while buying in heavyweight stocks provided initial support, sustained gains will depend on the resolution of geopolitical tensions and a stabilisation in crude oil prices. Elevated oil prices can impact India's import bill and inflation, affecting corporate margins and economic growth.
Investors are also keeping an eye on global central bank policies and economic data releases for further cues. The near-term outlook remains uncertain, with experts advising a balanced approach to portfolio management given the volatile external environment.
The stock market's resilience despite external headwinds indicates some underlying strength, but the persistence of global risks may keep the indices range-bound in the coming days. As always, retail investors are urged to consult financial advisors and avoid making impulsive decisions based on short-term market movements.
