The SGX Nifty April 2026 futures are presently down by 78.50 points, indicating a negative opening for the benchmark index today.
Institutional Flows:
On 30 March 2026, provisional data indicated that foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) divested shares amounting to Rs 11,163.06 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors (DIIs) recorded net purchases totaling Rs 14,894.72 crore in the Indian equity market. In March, as of the 30th, foreign institutional investors have divested shares totaling Rs 122,540.41 crore. This comes after their cash sales of Rs 6,640.78 crore in February and Rs 41,435.22 crore in January 2026.
Global Markets:
Asia markets experienced a rebound on Wednesday following remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump, which sparked optimism regarding a potential resolution to the Iran conflict. On Tuesday, Trump indicated that the U.S. might exit Iran in “two or three weeks.” He further stated, “We depart because there’s no justification for us to continue this.” Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan’s Tankan survey for the first quarter of 2026, which measures business sentiment, indicated an increase in optimism among large Japanese manufacturers, rising to 17 from 15. The results exceeded the anticipated figure of 16, a detail that received extensive media coverage, marking the highest level since the fourth quarter of 2021. The business sentiment among large non-manufacturers remained steady at 36, consistent with the prior quarter and surpassing the widely reported media expectations of 33. Additionally, China’s RatingDog PMI registered at 50.8 in February, falling short of the widely anticipated forecast of 51.6 and declining from a peak of 52.1 reached in the previous month, marking a slowdown from a more than 5-year high.
On Wall Street, stocks experienced an uptick on Tuesday, buoyed by recent reports that sparked optimism among investors regarding a potential resolution to the Iran conflict. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 1,125.37 points, representing a rise of 2.49%, concluding the session at 46,341.51. The S&P 500 increased by 2.91%, closing at 6,528.52, while the Nasdaq Composite rose by 3.83%, finishing at 21,590.63. The fluctuations in the benchmark indices followed an unverified report indicating that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is receptive to concluding the conflict with certain assurances. A media article indicated that President Donald Trump communicated to aides his readiness to conclude military actions in the Middle East, even if the Strait of Hormuz continued to be predominantly closed. A subsequent report indicated that the president expressed his belief that the conflict in Iran is expected to conclude shortly, with other countries poised to take the initiative in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Domestic Market:
The domestic equity market experienced a significant decline, with both Sensex and Nifty decreasing by more than 2%, driven by a mix of global and domestic influences impacting investor sentiment. Rising tensions between the US and Iran have led to an increase in crude oil prices, heightening concerns about inflation. Additionally, weak global indicators and ongoing selling by foreign investors have further compounded the pressure. Banking stocks experienced a decline following the RBI’s imposition of limits on forex positions, raising concerns about potential mark-to-market losses.
The rupee’s descent to record lows, coupled with volatility associated with monthly F&O expiry, intensified the selloff, resulting in a widespread downturn across various sectors. The Nifty closed under the 22,350 level, impacted by the performance of banking shares. The S&P BSE Sensex declined by 1,635.67 points, representing a decrease of 2.22%, closing at 71,947.55. The Nifty 50 index experienced a decline of 488.20 points, representing a decrease of 2.14%, closing at 22,331.40. Over the course of two consecutive sessions, the Sensex experienced a decline of 4.41%, whereas the Nifty saw a decrease of 4.18%.