Kumar Bahukhandi
The BSE building in Mumbai. Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty moved higher in early trade on Monday, August 24, 2026, supported by buying in blue-chip stocks even as elevated crude oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty kept investors cautious. (Photo: Representational)
Infosys, HDFC Bank and other large-cap stocks support early gains, but elevated crude prices and continuing US-Iran tensions keep investors cautious
Key Highlights
- Sensex gained 202.42 points in early trade to reach 77,744.15 on Monday.
- Nifty advanced 55.35 points to 24,309.
- Infosys, HCL Technologies, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, TCS and HDFC Bank were among the major Sensex gainers.
- Brent crude eased 1.32 per cent to $93.14 a barrel but remained at levels that continue to concern Indian markets.
- Foreign institutional investors sold equities worth ₹542.71 crore on Friday.
Mumbai: Indian equity benchmarks opened on a positive note on Monday August 24, 2026 , with the Sensex gaining more than 200 points and the Nifty moving above 24,300 as investors bought select technology, banking and other blue-chip shares.
The 30-share BSE Sensex rose 202.42 points to 77,744.15 in early trading, while the NSE Nifty gained 55.35 points to 24,309. Contemporary market reports confirm these early-trade levels.
Buying was visible in Infosys, HCL Technologies, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, Tata Consultancy Services and HDFC Bank, while Asian Paints, Titan, Power Grid and Bharat Electronics were among the stocks trading lower.
Oil and Geopolitics Remain Key Risks
The positive opening came despite continuing uncertainty over the Middle East and its potential impact on energy prices.
Brent crude was trading about 1.32 per cent lower at $93.14 per barrel. The decline provided some relief, but crude remains elevated enough to matter significantly for India, a major oil importer.
The continuing US-Iran confrontation is therefore likely to remain an important factor for domestic equities. Any renewed escalation affecting Gulf oil supplies could increase inflationary and currency pressures and alter investor sentiment.
Asian markets offered little additional support, with major indices in Japan, South Korea, mainland China and Hong Kong trading lower during the morning session. US markets, however, had closed higher on Friday.
Foreign institutional flows also remained a factor to watch. FIIs sold Indian equities worth ₹542.71 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.
Friday’s session had been largely flat: the Sensex closed at 77,540.83, up just 3.11 points, while the Nifty ended 20.15 points higher at 24,252.
Monday’s early rebound consequently indicates renewed buying interest in heavyweight shares, but whether the gains can be sustained will depend substantially on crude oil, global markets, foreign investor flows and developments surrounding the Middle East.
