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Key gauges end lower due to persistent geopolitical tensions
Aug-24-2026

Indian equity benchmarks ended lower on Monday as persistent geopolitical tensions and elevated crude oil prices hampered risk appetite. Markets remained cautious ahead of fresh US sanctions, with Washington promising an 'economic D-Day' against Iran and its trading partners, while Tehran threatened to halt Gulf oil exports in response, keeping investors wary of further escalation. 

Both the Sensex and Nifty erased initial gains and ended marginally lower as gains in Metal, Telecom and Basic Materials stocks were offset by selling in Consumer Durables, Banking and PSU stocks. Market sentiment was further weighed down by exchange data showing that Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net sellers for the second straight session on Friday, offloading Indian equities worth Rs 542.71 crore. 

Some of the important factors in trade:

India, Finland eye deeper business, technology ties in circular economy forum: With an aim of strengthening bilateral trade, India and Finland are eyeing to deepen business and technology partnerships in the circular economy, as companies from both countries explored opportunities for resource-efficient and sustainable growth at the India Circular Economy Forum (ICEF) 2026.

India, Brazil sign MoU to deepen bilateral cooperation in telecommunications, ICTs: India and Brazil have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen bilateral cooperation in telecommunications and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). 

Foreign trade policy changes to boost rupee internationalisation, add flexibility for exporters: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said the amendment in certain provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy to make it easier for exporters to invoice overseas sales and receive payments in Indian rupees will promote rupee internationalisation in trade settlement while providing exporters greater flexibility and certainty. 

India’s construction equipment industry likely to see moderated growth in FY27: Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association (ICEMA) Vice President Shalabh Chaturvedi said rising prices of steel and bitumen, geopolitical uncertainty, and continuing challenges in execution of infrastructure projects could moderate India's construction equipment industry growth in the current financial year. 

Global front: European markets were trading mostly in red, while Asian markets settled lower as investors awaited earnings from chip giant Nvidia along with the release of key U.S. inflation data and Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's Jackson Hole speech for direction. 

Finally, the BSE Sensex fell 171.72 points or 0.22% to 77,369.11 and the CNX Nifty was down by 32.95 points or 0.14% to 24,219.05. 

The BSE Sensex touched high and low of 77,789.40 and 77,201.66, respectively. There were 10 stocks advancing against 20 stocks declining on the index.  

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were Metal up by 1.38%, Telecom up by 1.05%, Basic Materials up by 0.55%, Realty up by 0.43% and Oil & Gas up by 0.34%, while Consumer Durables down by 0.41%, Bankex down by 0.35%, PSU down by 0.22%, Utilities down by 0.19% and Capital Goods down by 0.16% were the top losing indices on BSE.

The top gainers on the Sensex were Tata Steel up by 1.86%, HCL Technologies up by 1.30%, Infosys up by 0.89%, Hindustan Unilever up by 0.50% and Sun Pharma up by 0.47%. On the flip side, Adani Ports &SEZ down by 1.30%, Bharat Electronics down by 1.27%, Bajaj Finance down by 1.26%, Bajaj Finserv down by 1.22% and Trent down by 0.87% were the top losers.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has said the amendment in certain provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy to make it easier for exporters to invoice overseas sales and receive payments in Indian rupees. The move will promote rupee internationalisation in trade settlement while providing exporters greater flexibility and certainty. Sanjay Budhia, Chairman of the CII National Committee on EXIM, said Indian industry remains committed to working closely with the government to build on this momentum and further deepen India's global trade competitiveness. 

The notification by the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) has made it easier for exporters to invoice overseas transactions and receive payments in Indian rupees. He said that Indian industry supports the government's continued efforts to streamline and modernise India's foreign trade framework, further easing the ecosystem for exporters. 

He noted that rupee export proceeds, other than for Nepal and Bhutan, routed through approved banking channels will now qualify for FTP benefits and count toward fulfilment of Export Obligations, at par with foreign-currency realisations. He added ‘This marks a further step in the government's push for wider international use of the rupee. This move strengthens the push for rupee internationalisation in trade settlement while giving exporters greater flexibility and certainty.’

CNX Nifty touched high and low of 24,313.00 and 24,144.30, respectively. There were 23 stocks advancing against 26 stocks declining, while 1 stock remained unchanged on the index.

The top gainers on Nifty were JSW Steel up by 2.57%, Hindalco Industries up by 2.37%, Tata Steel up by 1.80%, HCL Technologies up by 1.50% and Dr. Reddy's Labs. up by 1.30%. On the flip side, SBI Life Insurance down by 1.73%, Bajaj Finance down by 1.64%, Adani Ports &SEZ down by 1.64%, Bajaj Finserv down by 1.52% and Bharat Electronics down by 1.21% were the top losers.  

European markets were trading mostly in red; France’s CAC fell 2.73 points or 0.03% to 8,481.70 and Germany’s DAX lost 2.16 points or 0.01% to 26,134.40, while UK’s FTSE 100 increased 16.25 points or 0.15% to 10,832.81.

Asian markets settled lower on Monday amid caution ahead of the release of key US inflation data and Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's Jackson Hole speech for clues on the path for interest rates, while investors also awaited details of what Washington has billed as its toughest-ever sanctions campaign against Iran and its trading partners. Chinese markets declined as market participants adopted a cautious stance ahead of the National People's Congress Standing Committee meeting on August 25-28, where they expect fresh policy support following a string of underwhelming economic data and recent pledges to bolster growth. South Korea’s Kospi fell as traders booked profits in chip stocks ahead of Nvidia's earnings report later this week.

Asian Indices

Last Trade            

Change in Points

Change in %      

Shanghai Composite

3,882.01

-23.20

-0.59

Hang Seng

25,517.33

-492.13

-1.89

Jakarta Composite

6,501.67

-24.02

-0.37

KLSE Composite

1,736.33

-0.15

-0.01

Nikkei 225

65,528.09

-488.27

-0.74

Straits Times

5,680.46

-8.50

-0.15

KOSPI Composite

6,696.96

-215.99

-3.12

Taiwan Weighted

44,762.32

-461.97

-1.02
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