SGX Nifty August 2026 futures increased by 35.50 points, suggesting a slightly optimistic opening for the Nifty 50.
Institutional Flows:
On 19 August 2026, foreign portfolio investors acquired shares valued at Rs 407.99 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors emerged as net buyers, accumulating Rs 3,973.72 crore in the Indian equity market, as indicated by provisional data. Foreign Portfolio Investors acquired shares valued at Rs 13,921.14 crore in August up to 19 August 2026. This follows net cash purchases of Rs 6,731.97 crore in July 2026, while they were net sellers of Rs 53,957.90 crore in June 2026.
Global Markets:
Most Asian stock indices experienced an uptick on Thursday, following a rebound on Wall Street, as a decline in US Treasury yields enhanced risk appetite. The recovery ensued after the US Treasury declared its intention to double the scale of its buyback operations for longer-dated government debt, thereby alleviating pressure in the bond market subsequent to the 30-year Treasury yields reaching their peak since 2007 earlier in the week. Global crude prices, however, remained elevated near $92 a barrel as hopes for a near-term resolution to the US-Iran conflict faded.
Stalled negotiations and ambiguity regarding crude transportation via the Strait of Hormuz persistently exacerbate apprehensions that increased energy prices may sustain elevated inflation levels. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 concluded a three-session losing streak on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite also experiencing gains of approximately 0.2%. The rebound was bolstered by the decrease in longer-dated Treasury yields, a consequence of the US Treasury’s liquidity-support measures. Investors also processed a hawkish set of minutes from the Federal Reserve’s July meeting.
The minutes indicated that three policymakers supported a 25-basis-point rate increase, while multiple officials suggested that additional tightening might be necessary if inflation continues to exceed the Fed’s 2% target. The Fed maintained its benchmark rate within the range of 3.50%-3.75% during the meeting held on July 28-29. Investors will now monitor US weekly jobless claims for new insights into the labour market and the implications for monetary policy.
Domestic Market:
Key benchmark indices continued their downward trend on Wednesday, influenced by elevated crude oil prices, rising global bond yields, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, which maintained a cautious stance among investors. The Nifty concluded its trading session beneath the 24,100 threshold. The broader market experienced continued pressure, as both midcap and smallcap indices concluded the trading session in the negative territory. Most sectoral indices ended the day lower, primarily driven by declines in defence and energy stocks. In contrast, IT shares defied the overall trend, experiencing gains due to bargain hunting activities.
Brent crude remained elevated near $92 a barrel as uncertainty surrounding the US-Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz continued to spotlight supply concerns. The S&P BSE Sensex experienced a decline of 325.78 points, reflecting a decrease of 0.42%, closing at 76,909.68. The Nifty 50 index experienced a decline of 76.60 points, representing a decrease of 0.32%, closing at 24,078.30. The Sensex experienced a decline of 1.49% over four consecutive trading sessions, whereas the Nifty recorded a decrease of 2.05% across seven consecutive trading sessions.
