SGX Nifty October 2026 futures declined by 58 points, suggesting a bearish start for the Nifty 50 in light of unfavourable global indicators.

Institutional Flows:

On 23 September 2026, foreign portfolio investors acquired shares valued at Rs 1,617.45 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors recorded net purchases amounting to Rs 2,341.46 crore in the Indian equity market, as per provisional data. Foreign Portfolio Investors divested shares amounting to Rs 22,769.80 crore in September up to the 23rd, 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:

US Dow Jones index futures declined by 113 points on Thursday, indicating a lower opening for US equities. Asian markets traded predominantly lower, reflecting the overnight declines observed on Wall Street, as a significant increase in US Treasury yields intensified worries regarding inflation and interest rates. The 10-year US Treasury yield increased to approximately 5.11%, marking its highest point since 2007 and the most significant one-day rise since the market upheaval instigated by US President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement in April 2025.

Stronger-than-anticipated economic data from the US, coupled with subdued demand at a $70 billion five-year Treasury auction, played a significant role in the increase in yields. The US private-sector output experienced its most rapid expansion in over five years during September, coinciding with a rise in price pressures. The S&P Global Flash US Composite PMI increased to 58.4 in September, up from 56.0 in August, reaching its highest point in over five years. The increase in Treasury yields heightened market anticipations of an additional interest-rate hike by the Federal Reserve and exerted pressure on global bond markets.

Oil prices sustained their elevated levels following a nearly 4% increase in Brent crude on Wednesday, which concluded at $103.08 a barrel, effectively breaking a five-day losing streak. The dollar remained near its strongest level since late July as investors evaluated the shifting interest-rate outlook and continued to observe developments in energy markets. Wall Street indexes experienced a decline on Wednesday, influenced by the increase in Treasury yields that negatively impacted equities. The Nasdaq Composite declined by 1.1% following consecutive record closes earlier in the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.7%, while the S&P 500 fell 0.8%.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington on Wednesday for a three-day state visit, where he was welcomed by US President Donald Trump. The two leaders are set to engage in discussions on Thursday, with trade and artificial intelligence as key topics of interest. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Chinese Vise Premier He Lifeng prior to the summit, announcing that Washington and Beijing had reached an agreement to extend their trade truce by two months, now set to last until 10 January 2027.

Domestic Market:

The domestic equity benchmarks experienced a rebound on Wednesday, buoyed by indications of diminishing tensions in the Middle East as a result of US-Iran discussions and a sustained decrease in oil prices. The Nifty concluded the trading session above the 23,400 mark, driven by advancements in the metal, FMCG, and PSU bank sectors. However, stocks in the IT and oil & gas sectors experienced a decline. The S&P BSE Sensex increased by 299.17 points, reflecting a rise of 0.40%, reaching a level of 74,828.25. The Nifty 50 index increased by 117.80 points, reflecting a rise of 0.50%, bringing the total to 23,446.80.