The SGX Nifty April 2026 futures are presently down by 36.00 points, indicating a likely negative start for the benchmark index today.
Institutional Flows:
On 20 April 2026, provisional data indicated that foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) divested shares amounting to Rs 1,059.93 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors (DIIs) recorded net purchases totaling Rs 2,966.89 crore in the Indian equity market. Foreign Institutional Investors divested shares amounting to Rs 40,284.03 crore in April (up to 20 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 exhibited a mixed performance on Tuesday, buoyed by optimism surrounding a potential resolution to the ongoing Middle East conflict, despite the persistent tensions between Iran and the United States. “Trump, by imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table— in his own imagination— into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering,” Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reportedly stated in a social media post. “We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield,” stated Ghalibaf, Iran’s chief negotiator.
This follows President Donald Trump’s statement on Monday that “lots of bombs [will] start going off” if an agreement is not achieved before the precarious ceasefire with Tehran concludes Tuesday evening, thereby warning Iran of significant military action. The threats arise concurrently with a U.S. delegation’s preparations to revisit Pakistan for what could be a second round of peace negotiations.
Overnight on Wall Street, equities experienced a decline on Monday following an escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran over the weekend. The S&P 500 experienced a decrease of 0.24%, concluding at 7,109.14, whereas the Nasdaq Composite fell by 0.26%, ending at 24,404.39. The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a decline of 4.87 points, equivalent to 0.01%, concluding the session at 49,442.56. Conversely, the small-cap Russell 2000 experienced an increase of 0.58%, reaching a new closing record of 2,792.96. Traders find it challenging to accurately incorporate a worst-case scenario regarding the war, especially considering the recovery of stocks from near correction levels to all-time highs.
Domestic Market:
The principal equity indices advanced on Monday, marking a continuation of gains for a second successive session, although volatility remained evident due to the prevailing uncertainty related to the West Asia conflict and the Iran-US ceasefire. The Nifty concluded the trading session above the 24,350 threshold, buoyed by the performance of PSU banks and auto stocks, whereas IT and metal shares faced downward pressure. The session commenced with a somewhat optimistic tone, characterized by sporadic purchasing activity in the morning. Nonetheless, profit-taking in the afternoon diminished the majority of the intraday gains, resulting in a predominantly flat close. Renewed tensions surrounding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz have contributed to a fragile global sentiment.
Investors are currently monitoring the developments of the ongoing Q4 earnings season, as well as fluctuations in crude oil, gold, and the rupee for additional insights. The S&P BSE Sensex increased by 26.76 points, reflecting a change of 0.03%, reaching a level of 78,520.30. The Nifty 50 index experienced an increase of 11.30 points, reflecting a change of 0.05%, reaching a level of 24,364.85. Over the last two consecutive trading sessions, the Sensex and Nifty experienced increases of 0.68% and 0.70%, respectively.