The SGX Nifty April 2026 futures are presently down by 17.50 points, indicating a negative start for the benchmark index today.
Institutional Flows:
On 15 April 2026, provisional data indicated that foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) acquired shares valued at Rs 666.15 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors (DIIs) recorded net sales amounting to Rs 568.98 crore in the Indian equity market. The foreign institutional investors had divested shares amounting to Rs 40,289.66 crore in April (up to 15 April 2026). This follows their cash sales of Rs 122,540.41 crore in March, Rs 6,640.78 crore in February, and Rs 41,435.22 crore in January 2026.
Global Markets:
Asian markets experienced a significant rally on Thursday, highlighted by Japan’s Nikkei 225 reaching a record high. This movement followed the overnight gains observed on Wall Street, fueled by increasing optimism surrounding a potential U.S.-Iran deal. President Donald Trump stated in a media interview that aired on Wednesday that the Iran war is “very close to over,” reiterating claims that Tehran is eager to “make a deal very badly.” A White House official was quoted by the media on Tuesday, indicating that discussions are underway for a second round of negotiations between Washington and Iran.
Media reports indicate that no official schedule has been established regarding these discussions. In the first quarter, China’s economy showed signs of acceleration, bolstered by strong export growth that mitigated weak domestic demand. However, the growth outlook remains uncertain due to the energy shock driven by the Iran war, which poses a threat to global demand. Gross domestic product increased by 5% in the three months leading up to March, according to data released by the National Statistics Bureau on Thursday, marking an acceleration from the previous quarter’s growth of 4.5%.
Overnight on Wall Street, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite reached new all-time highs on Wednesday, continuing the week’s robust gains as investors maintained optimism regarding the potential conclusion of the Iran war. The broad market index experienced an increase of 0.80%, concluding at 7,022.95. The Nasdaq Composite increased by 1.59%, reaching 24,016.02, whereas the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 72.27 points, equivalent to 0.15%, finishing at 48,463.72. The Federal Reserve reported Wednesday that the U.S. economy expanded at a “slight to modest pace” over the last six weeks, as consumers faced rising prices, leading to an increase in the number of individuals seeking assistance.
The central bank’s periodic “Beige Book” report highlighted that the 12 Fed districts identified the Iran war as “a major source of uncertainty” for businesses. Price growth was characterized as “moderate” despite a significant increase in energy and fuel costs. The report indicates that consumers faced challenges in navigating the conditions over the previous six weeks.
Domestic Market:
The headline equity benchmarks experienced a significant increase on Wednesday, following strong signals from other Asian markets, fueled by renewed optimism regarding the resumption of US-Iran peace talks. Market sentiment improved as crude oil prices fell significantly below the $100 per barrel threshold, while the rupee gained value against the US dollar, bolstered by declining crude prices and a softer dollar.
The Nifty concluded the trading session solidly above the 24,200 mark, driven by robust purchasing activity in the consumer durables and IT sectors. The S&P BSE Sensex experienced a notable increase of 1,263.67 points, reflecting a rise of 1.64%, reaching a level of 78,111.24. The Nifty 50 index experienced an increase of 388.65 points, reflecting a rise of 1.63%, reaching a level of 24,231.30.