Indian equities staged a dramatic late-session recovery on Monday, May 18, 2026, to end marginally in positive territory. The NIFTY 50 closed at 23,649.95, up 6.45 points or 0.02%, after recovering from earlier losses.
Strong buying in information technology stocks helped lift the index in the final hours of trade, while pharmaceutical shares also supported the rebound. However, persistent selling in financials, automobile and metal stocks kept overall gains subdued.
The benchmark index opened on a weaker note and traded under pressure for most of the session. Selling by overseas investors continued to weigh on domestic equities, contributing to volatility in the market.
The Indian rupee also remained under strain as foreign outflows persisted amid concerns about global economic growth. A sharp late-hour rally led by IT stocks helped the index recover losses and close marginally higher.
| Company Name | LTP | Change (₹) | % Change | Volume (Lakhs) | Value (₹ Crores) |
| Tech Mahindra | 1,437.00 | 66.50 | 4.85 | 62.05 | 867.36 |
| Infosys | 1,145.60 | 26.60 | 2.38 | 120.96 | 1,372.90 |
| Bharti Airtel | 1,937.10 | 31.70 | 1.66 | 138.89 | 2,684.93 |
| Sun Pharma | 1,904.00 | 25.80 | 1.37 | 34.56 | 654.86 |
| Wipro | 192.49 | 2.49 | 1.31 | 163.27 | 312.21 |
| Company Name | LTP | Change (₹) | % Change | Volume (Lakhs) | Value (₹ Crores) |
| Tata Steel | 210.01 | -6.83 | -3.15 | 737.96 | 1,541.75 |
| Power Grid | 296.90 | -8.95 | -2.93 | 160.36 | 471.70 |
| NTPC | 384.90 | -10.35 | -2.62 | 76.33 | 296.98 |
| State Bank of India | 938.80 | -24.40 | -2.53 | 165.55 | 1,555.93 |
| Bajaj Auto | 10,188.00 | -189.50 | -1.83 | 2.96 | 302.01 |
Information technology stocks were the key drivers of the late recovery, led by gains in Tech Mahindra, Infosys and Wipro. Pharmaceutical stocks also contributed positively, with Sun Pharma supporting the index.
In contrast, metal stocks saw significant selling pressure, as evidenced by declines in Tata Steel. Power and banking stocks also remained weak, with losses in NTPC, Power Grid and State Bank of India weighing on the index.
Read More: FPIs Withdraw ₹27,048 Crore in May as Global Risks Pressure Indian Equities.
The NIFTY 50 ended marginally higher on May 18, 2026, after a late-session rebound helped offset earlier losses. Tech Mahindra and Infosys led the gains, providing crucial support from the IT sector.
However, declines in Tata Steel, Power Grid and State Bank of India limited the upside. The session reflected a mixed market trend, with selective buying countering continued selling pressure from foreign investors.
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/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: May 18, 2026, 4:01 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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