GIFT Nifty signals a sharply negative opening for the Nifty50, tracking weakness in global equities as a surge in oil prices has dampened investor risk appetite. The futures were trading at 23,324, down 453 points.
On Wednesday, the 30-share benchmark index ended at 76704.13 up by 633.29 points or by 0.83 % and then NSE Nifty was at 23777.8 up by 196.65 points or by 0.83 %.
On the global front, markets across Asia-Pacific fell in early trade on Thursday, mirroring overnight moves in Wall Street. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s Kospi were trading 2.74 per cent and 2.50 per cent down, respectively. Market participants await the Bank of Japan’s rate decision.
Overnight, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 1.36 per cent and 1.63 per cent down, respectively. The Nasdaq Composite ended 1.46 per cent down.
The US Federal Reserve kept its key policy rate steady at 3.5–3.75 per cent at the end of the two-day policy meeting on Wednesday. Chair Jerome Powell said that the Iran conflict has made the inflation outlook further uncertain, making it harder to gauge the rate trajectory.
Back home, Top traded Volumes on NSE Nifty – Eternal Ltd. 74981953.00, Tata Steel Ltd. 26353743.00, Wipro Ltd. 24529164.00, HDFC Bank Ltd. 23507063.00, Jio Financial Services Ltd. 19579987.00,
On NSE, total number of shares traded was 496.97 Crore and total turnover stood at Rs. 107541.69 Crore.
On NSE Future and Options, total number of contracts traded in index futures was 181774 with a total turnover of Rs. 28670.64 Crore. Along with this total number of contracts traded in stock futures were 1392063 with a total turnover of Rs. 87183.49 Crore. Total numbers of contracts for index options were 56101216 with a total turnover of Rs. 8758448.67 Crore. and total numbers of contracts for stock options were 7840841 with a total turnover of Rs. 502912.18 Crore.
The FIIs on 18/03/2026 stood as net buyer in equity and debt. Gross equity purchased stood at Rs. 12212.27 Crore and gross debt purchased stood at Rs. 1179.29 Crore, while the gross equity sold stood at Rs. 16488.29 Crore and gross debt sold stood at Rs. 946.00 Crore. Therefore, the net investment of equity and debt reported were Rs. -4276.02 Crore and Rs. 233.29