SGX Nifty September 2026 futures increased by 40.50 points, suggesting a favourable opening for the Nifty 50.

Institutional Flows:

Foreign portfolio investors acquired shares valued at Rs 599.54 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors recorded net purchases amounting to Rs 1,019.69 crore in the Indian equity market on 18 September 2026, as per provisional data. Foreign Portfolio Investors divested shares amounting to Rs 23,676.65 crore in September up to 18 September 2026. This follows net cash purchases of Rs 17,366 crore in August 2026, while they were net buyers of Rs 6,731.97 crore in July 2026.

Global Markets:

Dow Jones futures increased by 131 points on Monday, as investors evaluated developments in anticipation of US President Donald Trump’s upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington later this week. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vise Premier He Lifeng engaged in preparatory discussions in New York over the weekend, addressing topics such as trade, tariffs, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence. The discussions encompassed a proposed mechanism for notifying one another regarding AI incidents that may have implications for national security. Investor sentiment was bolstered by declining crude oil prices and indications of potential diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran. Trump expressed his willingness to engage in a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the United Nations General Assembly taking place in New York this week.

However, tensions persisted at a heightened level following the exchange of threats between Iran and the US over the weekend. Concurrently, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis initiated missile and drone assaults on Saudi Arabia, targeting locations in Riyadh and the nation’s oil infrastructure. Most Asian indices experienced gains on Monday, driven by technology and semiconductor stocks, as robust demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure bolstered chipmakers. Easing oil prices also provided some relief to markets, although crude remained above $100 a barrel and geopolitical risks continued to weigh on the outlook. The Japanese market is currently closed due to a holiday. Brent crude declined to below $104 a barrel as investors concentrated on indications of a rebound in Saudi oil shipments.

Reports indicated that Saudi Arabia was endeavouring to restore flows through its East-West pipeline following damage incurred from recent attacks. Saudi crude exports have rebounded to over 4 million barrels per day in September, up from 2.4 million barrels per day in August, as indicated by provisional Kpler data. However, the persistent Houthi attacks and interruptions to regional shipping routes continue to pose a risk to global oil supplies. Wall Street concluded the trading session on Friday with a mixed performance. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 0.18%, in contrast to the S&P 500, which experienced an increase of 0.17%, and the Nasdaq Composite, which rose by 0.40%. Semiconductor stocks bolstered the Nasdaq and S&P 500, whereas broader market weakness exerted pressure on the Dow.

US Treasury yields surpassed 5% during the session, heightening apprehensions regarding inflation and the future trajectory of interest rates. The forthcoming summit between Trump and Xi continues to be a significant point of interest for international markets. Trade tariffs are anticipated to become a significant concern, as the current US-China trade truce is set to conclude in November. Discussions are anticipated to encompass critical minerals and AI, both of which have gained prominence in the technology supply chain. The latest preparatory discussions culminated in an agreement to initiate an AI dialogue and implement a previously deliberated Board of Trade mechanism.

Domestic Market:

The key equity benchmarks concluded the trading session on Friday with mixed results, as a decline in crude oil prices and softer global bond yields bolstered investor sentiment. Market sentiment received a boost from Moody’s upward revision of India’s FY27 GDP growth forecast to 7% from 6%. This adjustment reflects stronger-than-anticipated domestic activity and the economy’s resilience in the context of the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Moody’s has identified elevated energy prices and food price pressures associated with El Niño as significant risks to inflation, consumption, and growth. The S&P BSE Sensex declined by 19.63 points, representing a decrease of 0.03%, settling at 74,294.96. In contrast, the Nifty 50 index experienced an increase of 75.80 points, or 0.33%, reaching 23,346.40.