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Markets trade higher in early deals amid crude price pullback
Sep-18-2026

Indian equity benchmarks made an optimistic start on Friday and were trading firm in early deals tracking broadly positive global cues. Sensex and Nifty were trading higher with marginal gains as crude oil prices extended losses for a third session offered some relief to investors amid persistent geopolitical concerns. Reports emerged of additional Saudi crude shipments through Oman, easing supply worries. However, upside remained capped amid selling pressure in IT and TECK stocks.

On the global front, Asian markets were trading mostly higher as a pullback in oil prices eased inflation concerns and a tech-led rebound on Wall Street lifted sentiment ahead of the Bank of Japan’s interest-rate decision. Meanwhile, Japan’s core consumer inflation slowed to 1.7% in August from 1.8% in July, its first decline in four months, with government subsidies helping contain utility costs.

The BSE Sensex is currently trading at 74436.59, up by 122.00 points or 0.16% after trading in a range of 74375.07 and 74593.82. There were 15 stocks advancing against 15 stocks declining on the index.

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were Realty up by 1.34%, Capital Goods up by 1.01%, Industrials up by 0.99%, Healthcare up by 0.84% and Basic Materials up by 0.75%, while IT down by 1.44%, TECK down by 0.60%, Consumer Durables down by 0.07% and FMCG down by 0.02% were the top losing indices on BSE.

The top gainers on the Sensex were Interglobe Aviation up by 1.40%, Eternal up by 1.16%, Bharti Airtel up by 1.12%, Larsen & Toubro up by 0.96% and HDFC Bank up by 0.79%. On the flip side, TCS down by 2.99%, Tech Mahindra down by 2.12%, Infosys down by 1.28%, HCL Technologies down by 0.88% and Titan Company down by 0.60% were the top losers.

Meanwhile, with an aim to fast-track the process of the bilateral trade agreement, the Commerce Ministry has said that India and New Zealand are working closely to complete their respective domestic processes to facilitate the early implementation of the pact. The two countries signed a free trade agreement (FTA) in April, which is likely to come into force in the third week of October.

The ministry said India has welcomed the passage of legislation by the New Zealand Parliament on September 16 to give effect to the India-New Zealand FTA. The passage of the legislation marks an important step towards implementing the agreement.

Under the pact, 100 per cent of Indian exports to New Zealand will receive duty-free access from the date of its entry into force. The agreement is likely to create new opportunities for Indian exporters across sectors, including textiles and apparel, leather and footwear, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and processed food products.

At the same time, the agreement provides enhanced and preferential access to the Indian market for New Zealand exports, including wood, wool, sheep meat and raw leather hides. It also facilitates $20 billion in investment into India and strengthens bilateral cooperation in areas such as agricultural productivity, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, traditional medicine and AYUSH, technology, and trade facilitation.

The CNX Nifty is currently trading at 23312.85, up by 42.25 points or 0.18% after trading in a range of 23286.60 and 23360.55. There were 31 stocks advancing against 19 stocks declining on the index.

The top gainers on Nifty were Dr. Reddy's Lab up by 2.23%, Eternal up by 1.68%, JSW Steel up by 1.64%, Shriram Finance up by 1.39% and Ultratech Cement up by 1.26%. On the flip side, TCS down by 2.74%, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles down by 2.37%, Tech Mahindra down by 2.18%, Infosys down by 1.53% and HCL Technologies down by 1.09% were the top losers.

Asian markets were trading mostly in green; Nikkei 225 surged 1162.75 points or 1.81% to 65,299.00, Taiwan Weighted soared 641.2 points or 1.39% to 46,929.20, KOSPI rose 176.31 points or 2.63% to 6,891.72, Hang Seng advanced 156.71 points or 0.63% to 24,761.00, Shanghai Composite strengthened 40.47 points or 1.04% to 3,916.07 and Straits Times was up by 7.39 points or 0.13% to 5,645.75, while Jakarta Composite was down by 17.36 points or 0.27% to 6,445.07.
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