The SGX Nifty April 2026 futures are presently up by 26.50 points, indicating a slightly optimistic start for the benchmark index today.
Institutional Flows:
On 30 April 2026, provisional data indicated that foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) divested shares amounting to Rs 8,047.86 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors (DIIs) recorded net purchases totaling Rs 3,487.10 crore in the Indian equity market. In April, foreign institutional investors divested shares amounting to Rs 70,135.46 crore. 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:
On Monday, Asian markets exhibited a mixed performance as investors assessed the ongoing tensions between Iran and the U.S., alongside a U.S. initiative to resume shipping activities in the Strait of Hormuz. The markets in Japan and China are currently closed due to a public holiday. According to a social media post by U.S. President Trump on Sunday, the United States would seek to “free” stranded ships impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the onset of the Iran war. The initiative, referred to as “Project Freedom,” is scheduled to commence on Monday. Its primary objective is to facilitate the movement of civilian vessels registered in nations not involved in the conflict, allowing them to navigate the contested waterway and continue their operations without hindrance.
The U.S. Central Command stated, “U.S. military support to Project Freedom will include guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members,” shortly after Trump’s announcement. Oil prices experienced a decline after the announcement of “Project Freedom”. West Texas Intermediate futures for July delivery decreased by 0.26%, settling at $101.68 per barrel as of 10:08 p.m. International benchmark Brent crude futures experienced a decline of 0.13%, settling at $108.03 per barrel.
Last week, the S&P 500 achieved a new all-time intraday high on Friday, while oil prices experienced a decline as the new month of trading commenced. The broad market index increased by 0.29%, closing at 7,230.12. The Nasdaq Composite increased by 0.89%, achieving a record high and finishing at 25,114.44. Both indexes achieved record closings. The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by 152.87 points, representing a decline of 0.31%, closing at 49,499.27. On Friday, oil prices experienced a decline following reports that Iran conveyed its response via Pakistani intermediaries regarding the recent U.S. modifications to a draft agreement aimed at resolving the Middle East conflict. President Donald Trump expressed his dissatisfaction on Friday regarding a recent peace proposal from Iran, stating that while the country “wants to make a deal, I’m not satisfied with it.”
Domestic Market:
On Thursday, equity benchmark indices experienced a decline as rising crude oil prices, lackluster Asian market signals, and ongoing foreign fund outflows negatively impacted investor sentiment. The Nifty has fallen beneath the 24,000 threshold, impacted by the performance of banking stocks. Most sectoral indices closed lower, while the Nifty IT index stood out by moving against the trend. Brent crude has risen to approximately $120 per barrel, driven by increasing apprehensions regarding supply disruptions associated with possible restrictions on Iran’s ports, which in turn heightens inflation worries in India.
Global markets displayed minimal resilience, weighed down by high energy prices and ambiguity surrounding the Federal Reserve’s policy direction. Meanwhile, a significant decline in the rupee to an unprecedented low intensified the pressure on domestic equities. The S&P BSE Sensex declined by 582.86 points, representing a decrease of 0.75%, closing at 76,913.50. The Nifty 50 index experienced a decline of 180.10 points, representing a decrease of 0.74%, closing at 23,997.55.