Indian Markets Close Nearly Flat Amid Middle East Uncertainty
Sensex ends almost unchanged and Nifty holds above 24,250 as elevated oil prices and regional tensions limit gains in an otherwise positive session.
Mumbai1 min read
Last updated
Indian equities closed nearly unchanged on 21 August 2026. The Sensex rose just over three points to 77,541 while the Nifty gained 20 points to settle above 24,250. Middle East uncertainties and higher crude oil prices capped broader advances.
Power Grid led the gainers with a rise of around three percent after winning a large HVDC order. Bharat Electronics and Kotak Mahindra Bank also advanced more than one percent. Metal stocks outperformed as a sector. FMCG and auto shares slipped modestly.
Market breadth remained positive, with more advances than declines on the NSE. Broader indices performed better than the benchmarks, with the Nifty Smallcap 100 rising 0.6 percent. Trent and Maruti Suzuki were among the notable decliners, each falling more than 1.5 percent.
Global cues were mixed. Oil prices extended gains for a sixth session on simmering US-Iran tension. Investors weighed the risk of further disruption to energy supplies against domestic corporate results and policy developments.
Power Grid's order book is now reported near two lakh crore rupees after the latest contract. Banking and infrastructure names attracted buying interest while information technology and consumer stocks faced pressure.
Traders will watch oil price movements and any further developments in the Middle East for direction in the coming sessions. Domestic economic data and corporate earnings continue to provide the underlying support for selective buying.
