Indian equities extended their losing streak on Thursday, April 23, 2026, as geopolitical tensions and higher crude oil prices weighed heavily on market sentiment. The NIFTY 50 closed lower at 24,173.05, down 205.05 points or 0.84%, reflecting broad-based risk aversion.
Early optimism over possible peace talks in the Middle East faded during the week, reversing gains seen earlier. Elevated energy prices and uncertainty around further negotiations with Iran continued to pressure equities across sectors.
The benchmark index opened under pressure and remained subdued for most of the session. Investors remained cautious amid rising crude oil prices, which renewed concerns over inflationary pressures and corporate margins.
Selling was most pronounced in select high-beta and financial stocks, dragging the index lower. However, strong gains in select pharmaceutical names helped limit the overall downside.
| Company Name | LTP | Change (₹) | % Change | Volume (Lakhs) | Value (₹ Crores) |
| Dr Reddy’s | 1,325.00 | 108.00 | 8.87 | 164.08 | 2,157.19 |
| Cipla | 1,307.00 | 70.70 | 5.72 | 52.74 | 679.52 |
| Jio Financial Services | 248.50 | 9.99 | 4.19 | 744.32 | 1,831.70 |
| Adani Enterprises | 2,301.00 | 40.20 | 1.78 | 29.48 | 673.43 |
| Coal India | 450.90 | 6.75 | 1.52 | 89.89 | 402.62 |
| Company Name | LTP | Change (₹) | % Change | Volume (Lakhs) | Value (₹ Crores) |
| Trent | 4,244.00 | -190.50 | -4.30 | 48.03 | 2,081.97 |
| Shriram Finance | 1,010.00 | -34.55 | -3.31 | 46.59 | 474.93 |
| Tech Mahindra | 1,416.90 | -45.70 | -3.12 | 41.02 | 587.24 |
| Bajaj Finserv | 1,786.40 | -56.50 | -3.07 | 9.10 | 164.37 |
| Infosys | 1,231.80 | -36.80 | -2.90 | 147.93 | 1,849.82 |
Pharmaceutical stocks outperformed during the session, driven by strong gains in Dr Reddy’s and Cipla as investors sought defensive plays. Energy-linked counters such as Coal India also provided limited support amid higher crude prices.
In contrast, technology and financial stocks faced sustained pressure, led by losses in Infosys, Tech Mahindra and Shriram Finance. Overall market breadth remained negative as uncertainty around geopolitics and commodity prices persisted.
Read More: Rupee Hits 3‑Week Low Past ₹94 as Oil Surge Weighs on Sentiment.
The NIFTY 50 closed lower on April 23, 2026, as rising crude oil prices and fading hopes of Middle East peace talks dampened investor sentiment. Dr Reddy’s and Cipla emerged as standout gainers, cushioning the index from steeper losses.
Trent and Shriram Finance were among the worst performers, reflecting weakness in retail and financial stocks. Overall, markets remained cautious as global uncertainties continued to dominate trading decisions.
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, 4:02 PM IST
Akshay Shivalkar
Akshay Shivalkar is a financial content specialist who strategises and creates SEO-optimised content on the stock market, mutual funds, and other investment products. With experience in fintech and mutual funds, he simplifies complex financial concepts to help investors make informed decisions through his writing.
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