The SGX Nifty April 2026 futures are presently up by 113.0 points, indicating a favorable start for the benchmark index today.
Institutional Flows:
On 23 April 2026, provisional data indicated that foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) divested shares amounting to Rs 3,254.71 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors (DIIs) recorded net purchases totaling Rs 941.35 crore in the Indian equity market. The foreign institutional investors had divested shares amounting to Rs 47,536.09 crore in April (up to 23 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:
Asia markets exhibited a mixed performance as investors approached the situation with caution, even in light of a three-week extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, highlighting ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Israel and Lebanon have reached an agreement to prolong their ceasefire for an additional three weeks after discussions held at the White House with senior U.S. officials, as stated by President Donald Trump on Thursday. The temporary truce, initially scheduled to conclude after 10 days, will now extend to allow for further diplomatic initiatives, with Washington also committing to collaborate with Lebanon to bolster its defenses against Hezbollah. Japan’s core inflation experienced an uptick for the first time in five months, reaching 1.8% in March, driven by concerns over energy due to the conflict in Iran. Government data indicated that the inflation figure, excluding fresh food prices, aligned with the widely reported estimate of 1.8% and surpassed the 1.6% recorded in February.
Overnight in the U.S., stocks experienced a decline on Thursday, primarily driven by a decrease in software shares and rising oil prices, as investor uncertainty regarding the direction of the Iran war impacted market sentiment. The S&P 500 experienced a decline of 0.41%, concluding the session at 7,108.40, following a peak that marked a new all-time intraday high. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite experienced a decline of 0.89%, closing at 24,438.50. The session also marked a new all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 179.71 points, representing a decrease of 0.36%, closing at 49,310.32.
Domestic Market:
The equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced a decline on Thursday, marking a continuation of losses for the second consecutive session. Strong crude oil prices and persistent geopolitical tensions have unsettled market sentiment. Brent crude experienced a notable increase for the fourth straight day, reaching approximately $103 per barrel, driven by uncertainties surrounding US-Iran negotiations and renewed worries regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The decline was exacerbated by weak signals from Asia and ongoing outflows from foreign funds. The Nifty fell beneath the 24,200 level, influenced by declines in auto, PSU banks, and consumer durables stocks, whereas pharma and healthcare shares experienced selective buying activity.
Investors maintained a cautious stance, meticulously monitoring the current Q4 earnings season for additional catalysts. The S&P BSE Sensex experienced a decrease of 852.49 points, reflecting a decline of 1.09%, closing at 77,664. The Nifty 50 index experienced a decline of 205.05 points, representing a decrease of 0.84%, closing at 24,173.05. Over the past two trading sessions, the Sensex and Nifty experienced declines of 2.03% and 1.64%, respectively.