The SGX Nifty April 2026 futures are presently up by 20.50 points, indicating a favorable start for the benchmark index today.

Institutional Flows:

On 24 April 2026, provisional data indicated that foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) divested shares amounting to Rs 8,827.87 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors (DIIs) recorded net purchases totaling Rs 4,700.71 crore in the Indian equity market. The foreign institutional investors divested shares amounting to Rs 56,363.96 crore in April (up to 24 April 2026). The cash sales recorded were 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 predominantly upward trend on Monday as investors chose to overlook diplomatic challenges between the U.S. and Iran, despite rising tensions in the Middle East contributing to sustained high oil prices. Market sentiment remained resilient even after U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday the cancellation of plans to dispatch U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad, Pakistan for discussions with Iran. The situation in the Strait of Hormuz continues to be tense following reports of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard boarding two cargo vessels in the crucial maritime corridor.

In March, profits for China’s industrial firms experienced their most rapid growth in six months, despite the disruptions in global oil markets caused by the conflict in the Middle East, which led to a surge in raw material costs. In March, industrial profits experienced a notable increase of 15.8% compared to the same month last year, marking the most significant growth since September of the previous year, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday. This growth rate has accelerated from the 15.2% rise observed in the first two months of the current year. During the initial quarter of this year, corporate earnings increased by 15.5%, marking the most rapid beginning to a year since 2017, excluding the pandemic-induced surge in 2021.

Last week, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite reached record highs on Friday, following optimistic indications that peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are expected to commence soon in Pakistan. The broad market index concluded with an increase of 0.8%, reaching 7,165.08, whereas the tech-focused Nasdaq experienced a rise of 1.63%, closing at 24,836.60. Both indexes achieved new all-time intraday highs. Nonetheless, the Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by 79.61 points, representing a decline of 0.16%, concluding the session at 49,230.71.

Domestic Market:

Domestic equity benchmarks closed significantly lower on Friday, marking a third consecutive session of losses as global uncertainty continued to weigh on investor sentiment. Market sentiment continues to show signs of fragility due to the impasse in US-Iran negotiations and ongoing worries regarding the Strait of Hormuz. This situation has led to crude oil prices surpassing the $107-per-barrel threshold, thereby exerting pressure on the rupee and institutional flows. The S&P BSE Sensex experienced a significant decline of 999.79 points, representing a drop of 1.29%, closing at 76,664.21. Meanwhile, the Nifty 50 decreased by 275.10 points, or 1.14%, finishing at 23,897.95, falling beneath the important 23,900 threshold. In the past three consecutive sessions, the Sensex has experienced a decline of 3.29%, while the Nifty has fallen by 2.76%.

Throughout the trading day, the Nifty exhibited a distinct downward trend, commencing at 24,100.55 and momentarily reaching a peak of 24,206 before declining to an intraday low of 23,813.65, as selling pressure remained prevalent for the majority of the session. The downturn was primarily driven by significant selling pressure in IT stocks, with all sectoral indices on the NSE closing lower, indicating a widespread risk-averse sentiment rather than a particular domestic catalyst. Market participants are currently monitoring Q4 earnings for directional insights, while global factors related to crude oil and geopolitical events remain influential in shaping short-term market trends.