The benchmark Indian equity indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are expected to open lower on Monday, tracking weak global cues and rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Investor sentiment remained cautious amid a sharp rise in crude oil prices and concerns surrounding global economic uncertainty. Market participants are also expected to closely monitor rupee movement, foreign investor activity and diplomatic developments in the Middle East.
For domestic markets, attention is likely to remain on sectors linked to energy, commodities and exports, while volatility in commodity and currency markets may continue to influence trading sentiment.
In the previous trading session on May 15, 2026, Indian markets ended lower after late selling pressure erased intraday gains. The Nifty 50 declined 46 points, or 0.19%, to close at 23,644, while the Sensex fell 160 points, or 0.21%, to settle at 75,238.
Gift Nifty traded more than 140 points lower in early trade, down around 0.6%, indicating a likely negative start for domestic benchmark indices.
Asian markets witnessed broad-based weakness on Monday amid concerns over geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices.
Japan’s Nikkei slipped 0.2%, while the broader Topix index edged marginally higher by 0.1%. South Korean equities saw sharper declines, with both the Kospi and Kosdaq indices falling more than 2%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 also declined 0.76% during early trade.
Fresh geopolitical tensions emerged after US President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran, increasing concerns about a possible escalation in the Middle East and potential disruption to global oil supplies.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump urged Iran to “get moving, Fast,” adding that “the Clock is Ticking.” He further warned that there “won’t be anything left” if action was not taken soon and stated that “Time is of the essence.”
Read More: Tata Steel Share Price in Focus on Q4FY26 Earnings Results; Recommends Dividend of ₹4 Per Share!
Crude oil prices moved higher in early trade, with both major global benchmarks gaining more than 1%.
Brent crude rose 1.34% to $110.72 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 1.75% to $107.26 per barrel. Rising oil prices are expected to remain a key concern for emerging markets, including India.
US equity markets ended significantly lower on Friday amid concerns over geopolitical developments and inflationary pressures linked to rising energy prices.
The S&P 500 declined 1.24% to close at 7,408.50, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.54% to settle at 26,225.14. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also fell 537.29 points, or 1.07%, to end at 49,526.17.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the dollar against a basket of six major currencies, traded at 99.37 on Monday morning.
The index tracks the strength of the US dollar against currencies including the British Pound, Euro, Swedish Krona, Japanese Yen and Swiss Franc.
On May 15, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) remained net buyers in the Indian equity market, purchasing shares worth ₹1,329 crore.
Meanwhile, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) turned net sellers and offloaded shares worth ₹1,958 crore during the trading session.
Indian markets are expected to remain under pressure amid weak global cues, rising crude oil prices and renewed geopolitical uncertainty. Investors are likely to closely monitor developments in West Asia, foreign fund flows and commodity market trends for further market direction.
Want to read stock market updates in Hindi? Angel One News gives comprehensive share market news in Hindi.
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 related documents carefully before investing.
Published on: May 18, 2026, 8:04 AM IST
Team Angel One
We're Live on WhatsApp! Join our channel for market insights & updates
Get the link to download the App
