The SGX Nifty May 2026 futures are presently down by 56.50 points, indicating a likely negative opening for the benchmark index today.
Institutional Flows:
On 18 May 2026, provisional data indicated that foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) acquired shares valued at Rs 2,813.69 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net purchasers amounting to Rs 2,682.12 crore in the Indian equity market. Foreign Institutional Investors have divested shares amounting to Rs 21,842.13 crore up to the 18th of May 2026. This follows their cash sales of Rs 70,135.46 crore in April, Rs 122,540.41 crore in March, and Rs 6,640.78 crore in February.
Global Markets:
Asian markets exhibited a mixed performance on Tuesday, as oil prices, although still high, experienced a slight decline following reports that President Donald Trump had decided to delay a planned military action against Iran. Trump stated in a social media post that U.S. military leaders were directed to cancel a “scheduled attack on Iran tomorrow” following requests from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. A deal is anticipated that will garner broad acceptance from the United States and all nations in the Middle East, extending its influence beyond the region. This deal will include, importantly, no nuclear weapons for Iran,” Trump added.
However, Trump cautioned that he has informed his military leaders “to be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached.” In light of the tenuous ceasefire established between the U.S. and Iran, the critical Strait of Hormuz remains obstructed by Tehran, as the U.S. persists in its blockade of Iranian ports. In terms of economic indicators, investors evaluated Japan’s first-quarter GDP data, revealing an annualized growth rate of 2.1% during the initial three months of the year. The growth significantly exceeded the commonly cited average estimate of 1.7%, contrasting with the 1.3% recorded in the preceding quarter. The presented figures fail to encompass the comprehensive ramifications of the Iran war, which commenced at the conclusion of February. A summit meeting between Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung later today will be of considerable interest.
Overnight on Wall Street, the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 experienced declines on Monday, weighed down by losses in the technology sector. Traders kept a close watch on oil prices and bond yields while anticipating further developments regarding the conflict in the Middle East. The broad market benchmark experienced a decline of 0.07%, concluding at 7,403.05, whereas the tech-centric Nasdaq fell by 0.51%, finishing at 26,090.73. Both indexes experienced declines for the second consecutive day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average concluded the trading session with an increase of 159.95 points, representing a rise of 0.32%, finishing at 49,686.12.
Domestic Market:
Key equity benchmarks experienced a notable intraday recovery on Monday, with the Sensex bouncing back nearly 1,130 points from its low of the day to finish slightly higher, bolstered by value buying, advancements in IT stocks, and a reduction in volatility. The Nifty concluded close to the 23,650 level, even amidst a backdrop of weakness in the broader markets, particularly within PSU bank stocks and consumer durables. IT shares experienced an uptick as a robust US dollar enhanced the earnings prospects for exporters.
Concurrently, pharmaceutical stocks bolstered market sentiment following Gland Pharma’s impressive quarterly earnings report. The recovery was supported by optimism regarding a potential de-escalation of US-Iran tensions; however, apprehensions surrounding high crude oil prices, increasing US bond yields, and ongoing geopolitical risks maintained a degree of caution among investors. The S&P BSE Sensex increased by 77.05 points, reflecting a rise of 0.10%, reaching a level of 75,315.04. The Nifty 50 index experienced an increase of 6.45 points, reflecting a change of 0.03%, reaching a level of 23,604.55.