The benchmark Indian equity indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are expected to open on a slightly positive note on Friday, supported by gains in GIFT Nifty and mixed global cues.
Investor sentiment, however, remains cautious as markets continue to monitor escalating tensions in West Asia, fluctuations in crude oil prices and global economic signals.
In the previous session on March 19, 2026, domestic markets witnessed a sharp sell-off, with both indices posting their steepest single-day decline since June 2024. The Sensex plunged 2,497 points to close at 74,207 down by 3.26%, while the Nifty 50 dropped 775 points to settle near 23,002 down by 3.26%.
GIFT Nifty was trading around the 23,200 level in early trade, up by approximately 0.4%, indicating a potential gap-up start for the domestic indices.
The index moved within a range of 22,929 to 23,272, reflecting mild optimism among investors at the start of the trading session.
Asian equities showed a mixed trend on Friday. South Korea’s Kospi rose around 1%, while the Kosdaq gained approximately 0.94%. However, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged lower by about 0.27%.
Japanese markets remained closed due to a public holiday, leading to relatively subdued regional activity.
Geopolitical tensions in West Asia have intensified significantly, with the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran entering a critical phase.
Recent developments include missile and drone attacks by Iran targeting US bases and key locations across the Gulf region, alongside Israeli strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure such as the South Pars gas field.
The prolonged conflict has heightened concerns over global energy supply disruptions and broader market stability.
Read More: Gift Nifty Today: Sensex and Nifty Set for Sharp Decline Amid Global Selloff!
Energy markets remain volatile amid the escalating conflict. Iran’s reported attack on a major gas facility in Qatar has disrupted nearly 17% of the country’s liquefied natural gas export capacity, raising concerns about long-term supply constraints.
Meanwhile, crude oil prices eased slightly, with US WTI crude trading near US$94 per barrel and Brent crude hovering around US$108 per barrel.
US markets closed lower in the previous session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.44% to 46,021.43, while the S&P 500 slipped 0.27% to 6,606.49. The Nasdaq Composite also fell 0.28% to settle at 22,090.69.
The US Dollar Index remained firm, trading slightly higher at 99.29, reflecting strength in the greenback against major global currencies.
On the domestic front, the Indian rupee appreciated 0.27% to close at 92.63 against the US dollar.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued to remain net sellers, offloading equities worth ₹7,558 crore on March 19. In contrast, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) provided support by purchasing shares worth ₹3,864 crore.
While GIFT Nifty indicates a positive start for Indian markets, underlying sentiment remains fragile due to geopolitical tensions and global market uncertainty. Investors are likely to remain cautious, closely tracking developments in West Asia, energy markets and institutional flows for further direction.
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: Mar 20, 2026, 9:08 AM IST
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