SGX Nifty September 2026 futures increased by 5.50 points, suggesting a slightly optimistic start for the Nifty 50.

Institutional Flows:

Foreign portfolio investors acquired shares valued at Rs 502.63 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors were net purchasers amounting to Rs 6,425.16 crore in the Indian equity market on 26 August 2026, as per provisional data. Foreign Portfolio Investors acquired shares valued at Rs 15,491.48 crore in August up to 26 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:

US stock futures traded 178 points higher on Thursday, indicating a favourable opening for Wall Street. Asian stocks experienced an upward trajectory for the third consecutive session, driven primarily by gains in technology shares in the wake of Nvidia’s results. The Bank of Korea increased its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.00% on Thursday. It marked the second consecutive increase as the central bank aimed to manage ongoing inflationary pressures and tackle risks to financial stability. The BOK has revised its growth forecast for 2026 upward, increasing it to 3.3% from the previous estimate of 2.6%.

China’s industrial profits growth in July decelerated to its most subdued rate this year, registering an increase of 11.2% compared to the same month last year, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics on Thursday. In the initial seven months of this year, profits increased by 17.6% compared to the same period last year, indicating a deceleration from the 18.7% growth rate observed in the first half of the year. Wall Street concluded the day with a modest decline on Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 0.21%, while the S&P 500 eased by 0.02%, and the Nasdaq Composite slipped by 0.08%. Investors assessed the implications of higher-than-anticipated headline inflation in relation to Nvidia’s earnings, which were disclosed after the market’s closure.

US inflation continued to be high in July. The Personal Consumption Expenditures price index increased by 3.7% year-on-year, remaining consistent with June’s figures and surpassing the market expectation of 3.6%. On a monthly basis, the index experienced an increase of 0.2%. Core PCE inflation, excluding food and energy, increased by 3.3% on a year-over-year basis and by 0.2% on a month-over-month basis. Nvidia reported quarterly revenue of $96.22 billion, more than double the year-ago figure. Adjusted earnings were reported at $2.22 per share, surpassing market expectations. Data center revenue reached $89 billion, more than doubling from the previous year.

The company projected third-quarter revenue of $108 billion, with a margin of error of 2% in either direction. The outlook exceeded the average Wall Street estimate of approximately $104.2 billion. Nvidia also projected around 70% revenue growth for the fiscal year ending January 2028, reinforcing expectations of sustained demand for AI infrastructure. Nvidia shares experienced an increase of approximately 4.7% in after-hours trading subsequent to the release of the results. The robust outlook is anticipated to deliver a renewed impetus to semiconductor and technology equities across international markets.

Domestic Market:

Domestic equity indices concluded the day on a downward trajectory on Wednesday, as investors opted to realise profits at elevated levels while exercising caution in anticipation of the US July Personal Consumption Expenditures inflation data, which serves as the Federal Reserve’s favoured measure of inflation. The data is anticipated to yield new insights regarding the trajectory of US interest rates. Information technology stocks experienced the most significant declines among sectors in anticipation of Nvidia’s results, which are under scrutiny for indications regarding AI-related expenditures and the durability of the technology-driven market rally. Reliance Industries experienced a decline of 1.44%, contributing to the downward pressure on the benchmarks.

In contrast, financial stocks and private banks experienced gains, while cement and metal stocks also saw advancements. Declining crude oil prices offered a degree of support to market sentiment. Brent crude declined to below $86 a barrel, reflecting indications of advancements in enhancing shipping safety in the Strait of Hormuz. The Nifty 50 experienced a decline of 126.80 points, representing a decrease of 0.52%, settling at 24,207.75. Concurrently, the S&P BSE Sensex saw a reduction of 183.15 points, equivalent to a 0.24% drop, closing at 77,472.94. The Nifty reached an intraday peak of 24,378.60 before closing beneath the 24,250 threshold.