Benchmark equity indices tumbled in early trade on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) due to elevated oil prices, weak global market trends and renewed fears of restart of military operations if Iran failed to reach a peace deal.

The 30-share Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Sensex tanked 517.11 points to 74,667.51 in early trade. The 50-share National Stock Exchange (NSE) Nifty dropped 152.45 points to 23,475.80.

From the 30-Sensex firms, Tata Steel, Bharat Electronics, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti, Eternal and UltraTech Cement were among the major laggards. Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Reliance Industries and Tech Mahindra were the winners.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, traded at $110.8 per barrel. In Asian markets, South Korea’s benchmark Kospi, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index, Shanghai’s SSE (Shanghai Stock Exchange) Composite index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index quoted lower.

U.S. markets ended lower on Tuesday (May 19, 2026). Broader Asian markets opened under pressure after renewed concerns emerged around the potential escalation in West Asia. Investor sentiment weakened following U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement that he was an hour away from authorising military action against Iran before eventually postponing the decision.

“The development has once again revived fears surrounding geopolitical instability, global energy supply disruptions, and volatility in crude oil markets,” Hariprasad K., Research Analyst and Founder, Livelong Wealth, said.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday (May 19, 2026) said he was an hour away from deciding to restart attacks on Iran, but put it off after receiving a call from interlocutors, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Tehran being “reasonable” in the peace talks.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹2,457.49 crore on Tuesday (May 19, 2026), according to exchange data.

U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance has said Iran having an atomic weapon would trigger a “nuclear arms race” worldwide and asserted that the U.S. was “locked and loaded” to restart military operations if Tehran failed to reach a peace deal.

“Sentiment across Indian markets is expected to remain fragile, with rising energy prices, currency weakness and uncertainty surrounding the West Asia conflict continuing to weigh on investor confidence,” Ponmudi R., Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth-tech firm, said.

On Tuesday (May 19, 2026), the Sensex declined 114.19 points, or 0.15%, to settle at 75,200.85. The Nifty dipped 31.95 points, or 0.14%, to end at 23,618.

Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty advanced for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday (October 7, 2025), helped by a rally in blue-chip bank stocks and buying by domestic institutional investors.

The 30-share BSE Sensex rose by 136.63 points or 0.17% to settle at 81,926.75 after a see-saw trade. During the day, it jumped 519.44 points or 0.63% to 82,309.56.

The 50-share NSE Nifty climbed 30.65 points or 0.12% to 25,108.30.

Among Sensex firms, Bharti Airtel, HCL Tech, UltraTech Cement, Power Grid, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance, Tata Steel and ICICI Bank were among the major gainers.

However, Axis Bank, Tata Motors, Trent and Infosys were among the laggards.

In Asian markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index settled in positive territory. Markets in China, South Korea were closed for a holiday.

Equity markets in Europe were trading on a mixed note. U.S. markets ended mostly higher.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude dipped 0.15% to $65.37 a barrel.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹313.77 crore on Monday (October 6, 2025), while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought stocks worth ₹5,036.39 crore, according to exchange data.

On Monday (October 6, 2025), the Sensex jumped 582.95 points or 0.72% to settle at 81,790.12, and the Nifty surged 183.40 points or 0.74% to 25,077.65.

Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rallied in early trade on Thursday (August 14, 2025) amid buying in blue-chip stocks such as HDFC Bank and TCS, along with a positive trend in the U.S. markets.

Extending its previous day’s rally, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 154.07 points to 80,693.98 in early trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty went up by 45 points to 24,664.35.

From the Sensex firms, Infosys, Sun Pharma, Asian Paints, HDFC Bank, Maruti and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) were among the major gainers.

However, Tata Steel, Bharat Electronics, NTPC and Adani Ports were among the laggards.

In Asian markets, Shanghai’s SSE Composite index traded in positive territory while South Korea’s Kospi, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng quoted lower.

The U.S. markets ended higher on Wednesday (August 13, 2025).

“The market will be in a wait-and-watch mode looking for clues from the Trump-Putin summit,” V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited, said.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude climbed 0.34% to $65.85 a barrel.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹3,644.43 crore on Wednesday (August 13, 2025), while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought stocks worth ₹5,623.79 crore, according to exchange data.

On Wednesday (August 13, 2025), the Sensex climbed 304.32 points or 0.38% to settle at 80,539.91. The Nifty edged up by 131.95 points or 0.54% to 24,619.35.