The SGX Nifty April 2026 futures are presently up by 79.50 points, indicating a positive start for the benchmark index today.
Institutional Flows:
On 21 April 2026, provisional data indicated that foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) divested shares amounting to Rs 1,918.99 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors (DIIs) recorded net purchases totaling Rs 2,221.27 crore in the Indian equity market. In April, as of the 21st, foreign institutional investors had divested shares amounting to Rs 42,203.02 crore. 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 Wednesday, despite President Donald Trump’s decision to extend a U.S. ceasefire with Iran. In light of the significant divisions within the Government of Iran, which were anticipated, and following the request from Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, we have been advised to postpone our actions against Iran until their leaders and representatives can present a cohesive proposal,” Trump reportedly stated in a social media post. He stated that the ceasefire would be prolonged until Tehran presented a proposal or discussions reached a conclusion, and emphasized that the U.S. military would maintain its blockade of Iranian ports.
Nonetheless, the timeline continues to be ambiguous. Negotiators from Tehran have stated they will not participate in the discussions with the U.S., labeling them as a “waste of time,” according to reports from Iranian state media on Wednesday. Reports indicate that the uncertainty has also postponed Vice President JD Vance’s trip to participate in peace talks. Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei 225 reached a new high of 59,691 after the publication of its most recent trade data. The country’s exports increased for the seventh consecutive month, achieving a trade surplus of 667 billion yen ($4.18 billion) in March, in contrast to the widely anticipated surplus of 1.1 trillion yen.
Overnight on Wall Street, stocks experienced a decline on Tuesday as investors expressed concerns regarding the likelihood of a peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran being reached before the ceasefire is set to expire on Wednesday. The S&P 500 ended the day down 0.63% at 7,064.01, and the Nasdaq Composite finished 0.59% lower at 24,259.96. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 293.18 points, representing a decrease of 0.59%, closing at 49,149.38.
Domestic Market:
Domestic benchmark indices advanced for a third consecutive session on Tuesday, supported by widespread buying and stronger global signals. Sentiment surged significantly following reports of renewed US-Iran discussions, reigniting optimism for a reduction in geopolitical tensions, while declining crude oil prices further supported the upward momentum. The Nifty advanced beyond the 24,550 level, propelled by strong performances in FMCG and private banking sectors. Banking stocks saw an uptick following the RBI’s easing of forex restrictions. Small-cap stocks have demonstrated superior performance compared to the broader market.
Investors are currently focusing on Q4 earnings, while paying close attention to the US-Iran conflict, fluctuations in crude oil prices, and currency trends for immediate insights. The S&P BSE Sensex surged by 753.03 points, reflecting a 0.96% increase, reaching a level of 79,273.33. The Nifty 50 index increased by 211.75 points, reflecting a rise of 0.87%, reaching a level of 24,576.60. Over the past three trading sessions, the Sensex and Nifty experienced increases of 1.65% and 1.57%, respectively.