15 August,2026 02:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Image. File pic.
After gaining for two consecutive weeks, the domestic equity benchmark indices declined this week as elevated crude oil prices near USD 90 per barrel and lingering global uncertainties continued to weigh on investor sentiment.
The market largely remained range-bound throughout the week and had edged up marginally on Monday. However the impasse between US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, and concerns of possible disruptions in oil supply made the investors cautious. The Nifty extended its losses for the fourth straight day o Friday to end at 24,366.
The 50-share NSE Nifty slipped 0.83 per cent during the week, while the 30-share BSE Sensex dipped 0.62 per cent to settle at 78,009.25.
Sectorally, media, realty and consumer durables outperformed during the week, while metals, FMCG, pharmaceuticals, and auto were among the key laggards.
"Markets remained range-bound through the week amid elevated crude and persistent global uncertainty. While softer-than-expected US labour market data initially supported expectations of a patient Fed (US Federal Reserve), the subsequent rebound in crude shifted focus back to inflation risks and evolving geopolitical developments," Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments said.
Domestically, better-than-expected corporate earnings, stability in the rupee, moderation in the domestic 10-year bond yield and a gradual improvement in FII participation provided support to the domestic macro environment despite external headwinds," he added.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net buyers of Rs 1,228.24 crore equities, opening with two sessions of buying, reversing into two of selling, and returning as buyers on the final day, according to Pabitro Mukherjee, Deputy Vice President Research, Bajaj Broking.
"Nifty started the week on a flat note, however profit booking at higher levels saw the index dragging lower...Bank Nifty also traded in a range and closed marginally lower by 0.4 per cent. Broader market relatively outperformed with Nifty Midcap 100 index hitting a fresh all time high and closing the week up by 0.5 per cent. While Nifty small cap 100 hovering around the all-time high and closing the week down by 0.7 per cent," Mukherjee added.
On Wednesday, following Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran's resignation, Tata Group stocks tumbled on the stock exchanges and the benchmark indices declined, apart from the sustained crude oil pressure.
In the coming week investors will closely track crude oil price movements and developments in the ongoing US-Iran geopolitical tensions, according to analysts. The global oil benchmark Brent Crude was at USD 88.52 per barrel on Friday.
"Indian equities are likely to remain range-bound next week as global cues and macro developments assume greater importance following the conclusion of the Q1FY27 earnings season. Going forward, stock-specific action is likely to become more selective as investors assess the sustainability of the earnings recovery and broader domestic fundamentals. Developments in West Asia, crude oil prices and global sentiment will remain the key near-term drivers," Siddhartha Khemka Head of Research, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services said.
He added that the market will also track US Federal Reserve's July meeting minutes and US crude inventory data, along with India's infrastructure output and August flash Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) readings later in the week.
