The benchmark Indian equity indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are expected to open on a weaker note on Thursday, tracking negative signals from Gift Nifty and cautious global cues.
On April 22, 2026, domestic markets ended in the red, with the Nifty 50 declining 198.50 points, or 0.81%, to close at 24,378.10, while the Sensex dropped 756.84 points, or 0.95%, to settle at 78,516.49.
Gift Nifty was trading at 24,204.0, down 160 points or 0.66% as of early morning trade. The index recorded a high of 24,439.0 and a low of 24,201.0, indicating subdued sentiment and pointing towards a gap-down opening for Indian equities.
U.S. stock index futures edged lower in late trading after Wall Street indices touched fresh record highs in the previous session.
The S&P 500 rose 1.1% to close above the 7,130 mark, while the Nasdaq Composite surged 1.6%, led by gains in technology stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also advanced 0.7%.
However, futures markets indicated caution, with S&P 500 Futures slipping 0.3%, Nasdaq 100 Futures easing 0.1%, and Dow Jones Futures falling 0.5%.
Investor sentiment remained cautious despite U.S. President Donald Trump extending a ceasefire with Iran. While the move initially boosted optimism, uncertainty persists due to Iran’s stance and the continued U.S. naval presence near the Strait of Hormuz.
Tensions escalated after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized two container ships and reportedly fired on another vessel, citing violations of maritime rules. The development highlights the fragility of the ceasefire and raises concerns over global trade routes.
Crude oil prices extended gains, with Brent crude rising to $102.45 per barrel after a sharp overnight rally.
Prices have increased for a fourth consecutive session, driven by supply concerns linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.
Asian equities traded largely higher, following record-setting performances on Wall Street. Markets in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan surged to fresh highs, supported by strong earnings from technology companies.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan climbed 1% to a record level. Meanwhile, China’s blue-chip index edged up 0.3%, whereas Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index slipped 0.3%.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued to remain net sellers, offloading equities worth ₹2,078.36 crore. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) also turned net sellers, selling shares worth ₹1,048.17 crore, reflecting cautious market participation.
Indian markets are likely to open lower, weighed down by weak Gift Nifty signals and persistent geopolitical uncertainties. While strong global equity performance offers some support, rising oil prices and cautious institutional activity may keep volatility elevated in the near term.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation or investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.
Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.
Published on: Apr 23, 2026, 8:16 AM IST
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