GIFT Nifty is signalling a muted start for Sensex and Nifty50 on Wednesday. Analysts believe domestic equities could continue witnessing a gradual upward trend if crude oil prices remain contained and worries around global energy supply disruptions ease further. Analysts said the broader short-term trend remains constructive and a rebound in the coming sessions cannot be ruled out. However, market sentiment is expected to stay cautious as conflicting developments surrounding the ongoing US-Iran negotiations, along with recent American strikes on Iran, continue to keep geopolitical uncertainty elevated across global financial markets.
Asian Shares Rise
Asian markets advanced on Wednesday while oil prices stayed elevated as investors closely monitored whether the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran would hold. Brent crude hovered near the $100-per-barrel mark, while the US dollar retained gains from the previous session after Iran accused Washington of breaching the ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, the New Zealand dollar remained under pressure ahead of an expected pause in interest rates by the country's central bank.
Japan's Nikkei index climbed to a record high, tracking fresh all-time highs on Wall Street driven by optimism around artificial intelligence-led growth after US markets reopened following a holiday. However, investor sentiment remained sensitive as negotiations continued over a more durable resolution to the three-month-long conflict that has disrupted global energy markets. Traders are also closely watching comments from central bankers for clues on how the crisis may influence inflation trends and interest rate expectations.
“The markets are now waiting for concrete developments regarding a US-Iran agreement,” said Kyle Rodda. He noted that a significant amount of optimism has already been priced into markets, leaving room for disappointment if a broader agreement fails to materialise. MSCI's broad Asia-Pacific index outside Japan rose 1.2%, while Japan's Nikkei surged 1.8%. The dollar index, which tracks the US currency against a basket of major peers, remained largely unchanged at 99.09 after gaining 0.15% in the previous session. The euro edged up 0.09% to $1.1638, while the Japanese yen strengthened 0.05% to 159.19 per dollar.
Sensex Today Live: Markets Continue to Remain Resilient
A gradual up-move in domestic markets could continue if crude oil prices remain soft and concerns surrounding global energy supplies continue to ease. However, investor sentiment is likely to remain cautious as mixed signals emerging from the ongoing US-Iran negotiations, along with recent US strikes on Iran, continue to keep geopolitical risks elevated across global financial markets. Concerns over prolonged supply disruptions and delays in normalising shipping flows through the Strait of Hormuz are keeping energy markets highly sensitive to every geopolitical development.
On Tuesday, the Nifty remained volatile throughout the session and slipped below the 24,000 mark to close at 23,913 (-0.5%) amid monthly F&O expiry, profit booking at higher levels and mixed global cues. However, weakness in the benchmark index was partially cushioned by strength in metal and auto stocks. Notably, FIIs turned net buyers on Monday after sustained selling in recent sessions, providing some support to overall market sentiment. Broader markets continued to outperform, with the Midcap100 and Smallcap100 indices gaining 0.6% and 0.4%, respectively. Despite volatility in frontline indices, the Nifty Midcap100 index surged to a fresh all-time high of 62,365, supported by growth-oriented stocks such as Adani Total Gas, Exide Industries, Naukri, KPIT and JSW Energy. The resilience in broader markets despite prevailing global uncertainties reflects sustained domestic liquidity participation. Sectorally, Nifty metals outperformed during the session, while Consumer Durables and Private Banks emerged among the top laggards.
Meanwhile, elevated crude oil prices over the past two weeks have led to multiple hikes in petrol, diesel and CNG prices, with petrol and diesel prices cumulatively increasing by nearly Rs 8–10/litre in several cities, while CNG prices in Delhi have risen to around Rs 83/kg after successive Rs 2/kg hikes. The sustained rise in fuel prices has increased transportation and operating costs across industries and intensified concerns around imported inflation. Fuel-intensive sectors such as aviation, paints, chemicals, logistics and cement are expected to remain under pressure due to rising input costs, while oil marketing companies may continue to face margin pressure if crude oil prices remain elevated. Overall, markets continue to remain resilient despite elevated global uncertainty, supported by strong domestic liquidity and selective buying in broader markets. However, persistent geopolitical tensions in West Asia, inflationary concerns and mixed signals from the ongoing US-Iran negotiations are likely to keep investor sentiment cautious and market volatility elevated in the near term, says Siddhartha Khemka - Head of Research, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd.
Stock Market Live Today: Sensex Round-up from Tuesday
On 26th May 2026, the BSE Sensex closed at 76,009.70, declining by -479.26 points (-0.63%), as profit booking emerged after the recent sharp upside rally. The index opened lower by around 265 points at 76,224.14 and initially witnessed upside momentum, touching an intraday high of 76,627.04 during early trade. However, the market failed to sustain at higher levels, and selling pressure gradually intensified through the session. The Sensex slipped lower to make an intraday low of 75,909.68 and finally settled near the day's low at 76,009.70, indicating cautious sentiment and profit booking at higher levels.
Sector-wise, Capital Goods, Metal, Utilities, Power, Commodities, Telecommunication, and Focused IT witnessed selective buying interest and managed to outperform during the session. On the other hand, Consumer Durables, Top 10 Banks, Financial Services, Hospitals, Realty, PSU Banks, and Private Banks witnessed weakness and profit booking. Banking indices traded under pressure, while FMCG, Auto, and IT sectors remained relatively range-bound with limited directional movement.
Technically, Sensex faced resistance near the 76,600–76,700 zone and witnessed profit booking from higher levels, indicating that traders remain cautious near resistance areas. The index closed near the day's low, reflecting weak short-term sentiment and lack of follow-up buying at higher levels. Immediate support is now placed around 75,400–75,700, while resistance is seen near 76,700–77,000. Sustaining above the support zone may keep the broader structure stable, whereas a decisive breakout above resistance could revive fresh bullish momentum in the coming sessions.
The overall market bias remains cautiously positive as the index continues to hold above important support levels despite profit booking at higher zones. However, closing near the day's low suggests that traders may remain selective and cautious in the near term. As long as Sensex sustains above the 75,400–75,700 support range, the broader undertone may remain stable with stock-specific trading opportunities, says Hitesh Tailor, Technical Research Analyst at Choice Equity Broking Private Limited.
Nifty Today Live: Bajaj Broking Nifty Outlook
Index in the daily chart formed a bearish candlestick pattern signaling lack of follow through buying to previous sessions strong up move, as the index gave up some of its Monday's gains and closed below the 50 days EMA. Nifty on Monday's session has generated a breakout above the last 9 sessions trading range of 23,200-23,850. Index is currently seen testing the upper band of the breakout area. Going ahead, index sustaining above the Monday's gap area (23,835-23,922) will keep the bias positive and will open further upside towards 24,200-24,300 levels in the coming sessions being the trendline resistance joining the highs of April & May 2026. Index has immediate support at 23,600 levels, failure to hold above 23,600 will signal extension of the consolidation. While major short term support is placed at 23,200-23,000 being the confluence of the lower band of the 8th April bullish gap area and the 61.8% retracement of the previous pullback (22,182-24,601).
Stock Market Live Updates Today: Some experts say that on the upside, 24,200 is expected to act as an immediate hurdle for Nifty, and a sustained move above that level could trigger stronger upward momentum. On the downside, support is placed around 23,900, while a decisive breach below that mark may drag the index towards 23,825. Asian equities climbed to fresh record levels, supported by renewed strength in technology stocks and easing geopolitical concerns. Meanwhile, oil prices held near $100 per barrel. The S&P 500 closed at a record high on Tuesday, while the Nasdaq extended gains further as optimism surrounding artificial intelligence-led growth outweighed concerns related to Middle East peace negotiations and recent US strikes on Iran. The domestic currency continues to be under pressure despite optimism around a possible US-Iran peace agreement.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India.)
