Market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty drifted lower on Wednesday (August 26, 2026), giving up intraday gains, dragged by Reliance Industries and IT stocks.

The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 183.15 points, or 0.24%, to settle at 77,472.94. During the day, it touched a high of 77,986.84 and a low of 77,472.94, gyrating 513.9 points.

The 50-share NSE Nifty was down 126.80 points, or 0.52%, to end at 24,207.75.

Among the 30 Sensex firms, Infosys, Bharti Airtel, Larsen & Toubro, Power Grid, Tech Mahindra, NTPC, Mahindra & Mahindra and Reliance Industries were the major laggards.

Kotak Mahindra Bank, UltraTech Cement, Axis Bank and Tata Steel were among the winners.

“Indian equity markets ended marginally lower on Wednesday (August 26, 2026) as early gains gave way to profit-taking, with weakness in IT, FMCG, auto and consumer-durable stocks offsetting support from lower crude oil prices and a broadly constructive global backdrop,” Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth tech firm, said.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, dropped 2.96% to $85.96 per barrel.

“The Indian equity market saw a volatile performance in today’s trading session, where the Nifty remained below the 24,300 level along with the Sensex shedding its early gains. The fall in crude oil prices, owing to expectations of reduced tensions in the Strait of Hormuz region, helped, whereas underperforming sectors such as IT, FMCG, and consumer durables weighed down the market,” Vikram Kasat – Chief Business Officer – Advisory and Dealing at PL Capital, said.

In Asian markets, South Korea’s Kospi, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index, Shanghai’s SSE Composite index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index ended higher.

Markets in Europe were trading mostly higher.

U.S. markets ended in positive territory on Tuesday (August 25, 2026).

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth ₹1,593.53 crore on Tuesday (August 25, 2026), according to exchange data.

In the last session, the Sensex bounced back during the fag-end of trading and was up 286.98 points, or 0.37%, to settle at 77,656.09. Similarly, the Nifty ended higher by 115.50 points, or 0.48%, at 24,334.55 on fag-end buying.

Market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty drifted lower in early trade on Monday (August 11, 2026) amid a spike in crude oil prices due to geopolitical uncertainties.

The 30-share BSE Sensex dipped 19.38 points to 78,479.79 in early deals. The 50-share NSE Nifty skidded 5.10 points to 24,567.45.

Later in the trade, the BSE benchmark declined 158.62 points to 78,340.55, and the Nifty edged lower by 45.20 points to 24,524.95.

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From the Sensex pack, Eternal, State Bank of India, InterGlobe Aviation, Power Grid, NTPC and Bharti Airtel were among the laggards.

Titan, Infosys, Tech Mahindra and HCL Tech were among the winners.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, traded 1.03% higher at $84.41 per barrel.

“Elevated crude prices remain a key risk. Brent crude has risen for the third consecutive session to around $84.4 a barrel after Iran indicated no immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, while weekend attacks on Gulf shipping have kept the geopolitical risk premium elevated,” Rajesh Palviya, Head of Research, Axis Direct, said.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth ₹480.24 crore on Friday (August 7, 2026), according to exchange data.

“The undertone of the market is mildly bullish. The principal bullish factor is the better-than-expected Q1 results. With the earnings season coming to an end this week, vast majority of companies have reported earnings growth that has beaten expectations,” V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited, said.

FIIs turning buyers in July and continuing their buying in most of the days in August, so far, is another positive factor, he added.

In Asian markets, South Korea’s KOSPI, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index, Shanghai’s SSE Composite index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index quoted higher.

U.S. markets ended in positive territory on Friday (August 7, 2026).

“Asian markets are trading higher in early trade, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s Kospi each advancing more than 1%, providing a constructive backdrop for regional equities,” Ponmudi. R, CEO of Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth-tech firm, said.

On Friday (August 7, 2026), the Sensex dropped 455.59 points, or 0.58%, to settle at 78,499.17. The Nifty dipped 65.35 points, or 0.27%, to end at 24,570.65.

Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty advanced on Thursday (June 25, 2026) as softening crude oil prices and a rally in global markets boosted investor sentiment.

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Rising for the second consecutive day, the 30-share BSE Sensex settled 109.25 points, or 0.14%, higher at 77,100.47 even as 19 of its constituents declined and 11 advanced. The index opened higher and surged further 811.96 points, or 1%, to hit the day’s high of 77,803.18. However, profit-taking in IT and metal shares erased gains in the second half.

The 50-share NSE Nifty rose by 34.35 points, or 0.14%, to end at 24,056. The index hit a high of 24,261.60 and a low of 24,039 during the day.

Among Sensex stocks, IndiGo-parent InterGlobe Aviation jumped the most by 4.82%. Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti, State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, and Hindustan Unilever were also among the gainers.

Power Grid, Bharat Electronics, Tech Mahindra, Infosys and Bharti Airtel were among the laggards.

“The domestic market concluded the day flat, as early intraday gains were offset by profit booking. While a sharp decline in crude oil prices supported the rupee and provided some cushion, it was insufficient to sustain upward momentum,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.

On the sectoral front, auto stocks outperformed, driven by softer metal prices, easing supply chain constraints, and improving retail demand during the month, Mr. Nair added.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, declined 1.26% to $72.81 per barrel.

In Asian markets, South Korea’s Kospi jumped 5.42%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index climbed 4.61%, while Shanghai’s SSE Composite index ended marginally higher. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index settled lower.

Markets in Europe were trading in positive territory. U.S. markets ended on a subdued note in the previous trade.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹1,843.40 crore on Wednesday (June 24, 2026), according to exchange data.

On Wednesday (June 24, 2026), the Sensex jumped 790.54 points, or 1.04%, to settle at 76,991.22. The Nifty climbed 197.55 points, or 0.83%, to end at 24,021.65.

Stock markets would remain closed on Friday (June 26, 2026) for Muharram.