GIFT Nifty signals positive opening; Kospi rises by 6%; Brent crude exceeds $92

The decline in the stock market that had continued for the last five business days was halted on Thursday. The influence of positive signals received from abroad was directly reflected in the Sensex and Nifty indicators.

At the opening of the market, the BSE index, consisting of 30 stocks, Sensex traded at 77,494, exceeding 500 points. Simultaneously, the Nifty index of the National Stock Exchange also went above the 24,200 mark.

Analyzing the start of trading in the stock market, it is clear that the Sensex BSE opened at 77,468, showing growth compared to the previous closing level of 76,909. It then began to rise rapidly, surpassing the 77,500 mark with an increase of 593 points.

The Nifty index, which includes 50 NSE stocks, followed the example of the Sensex, opening at 24,225, which is a significant jump compared to the previous closing of 24,078.

GIFT Nifty, which serves as an early indicator of the Nifty index's performance, traded lower, reflecting negative global signals. According to data from Tuesday, August 18, 2026, GIFT Nifty signaled a likely continuation of losses for the Nifty50 index amid rising oil prices driven by concerns over Middle East tensions. Futures for this indicator were valued at 24,303.50, representing a decline of 90 points.

Asian-Pacific markets showed a mixed picture on Tuesday morning as traders analyzed the interaction between the US and Iran. Japan's Nikkei 225 index fell by 1.05 percent, while South Korea's Kospi index rose by 1.12 percent.

US stock futures fell overnight as traders assessed the inflation outlook following the surge in oil prices, which occurred against the backdrop of persistent geopolitical tension. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 closed down by 0.51 percent and 0.52 percent, respectively. The Nasdaq Composite finished trading down by 0.32 percent.

Oil prices rose sharply after the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran expired on Monday, with current negotiations remaining stalled. October futures traded 0.09 percent higher on the Intercontinental Exchange, reaching $91.13 per barrel. Gold and silver futures traded down by 0.21 percent and 0.85 percent, respectively.

IPO Information

On Tuesday, subscriptions opened for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) of Shankesh Jewellers and Sunshine Pictures. Horizon Industrial Parks and Lalithaa Jewellery Mart are in the second day of subscription. In the SME IPO segment, Technocrats Plasma Systems, ENS Enterprises, and Skytech Infinite Platform received IPOs on the final subscription day.

Live Market Updates: GIFT Nifty at 24,300

During the live broadcast, it was noted that GIFT Nifty was trading at 24,300, showing a drop of 93 points. It was also emphasized that oil prices rose due to the assessment of US-Iran relations, as the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran expired on Monday, and negotiations remain stalled.

Asian Markets Show Mixed Dynamics

Asia-Pacific markets showed mixed results on Tuesday morning as traders studied the dynamics between the US and Iran. As mentioned earlier, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell by 1.05%, while South Korea's Kospi rose by 1.12%.

GIFT Nifty signaled a possible negative opening for the Nifty50 index, while most Asian markets showed growth. This signal emerged against the backdrop of diminished hopes for an agreement between the US and Iran.

GIFT Nifty futures traded at 24,617.50 points, which is 43 points lower. The rise in Asian markets was driven by investors analyzing the situation in the Middle East and events that occurred on Wall Street overnight.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index increased by 0.42 percent, and in South Korea, the Kospi index rose by 0.32 percent. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 indices closed down by 0.11 percent and 0.06 percent, respectively. The Nasdaq Composite finished trading with a decline of 0.32 percent.

Oil prices rose due to concerns about future supply. U.S. oil reserves fell below 300 million barrels, the lowest level since 1983, occurring amidst signs of a stalemate between the US and Iran. August futures traded at $87.80 per barrel on the Intercontinental Exchange, showing a rise of 0.09 percent.

Gold and silver futures also showed gains: gold rose by 1.51 percent, and silver by 2.02 percent.

First Quarter Results Today

The list of companies reporting their first-quarter results includes Arkade Developers, Ashiana Housing, Ashoka Buildcon, Balrampur Chini Mills, Bata India, Borana Weaves, AvenuesAI, Confidence Petroleum India, DAM Capital Advisors, Delta Corp, EPL, Esab India, Finolex Cables, Flair Writing Industries, Gokaldas Exports, Gujarat Energy, Harsha Engineers International, Hind Rectifiers, IFCI, Innova Captab, Insecticides (India), ISGEC Heavy Engineering, Jash Engineering, JNK India, JSW Dulux, KPI Green Energy, Kalpataru Projects International, Landmark Cars, Lloyds Enterprises, Manappuram Finance, Man Industries (India), MRF, NBCC (India), PI Industries, Polyplex Corporation, Precision Camshafts, Repco Home Finance, RHI Magnesita India, Rail Vikas Nigam, Sandhar Technologies, Som Distilleries & Breweries, Senco Gold, Siemens, SKF India, Skipper, S.P. Apparels, Sunflag Iron & Steel Company, Surya Roshni, TARC, TCPL Packaging, TD Power Systems, Techno Electric & Engineering Company, Unichem Laboratories, Venky's (India), Viyash Scientific, and Zydus Lifesciences.

IPOs Today

The subscription for the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Milky Mist Dairy Food, valued at 1,553 crore rupees, is scheduled to begin on Tuesday. The second day of subscription will be open for Dhoot Transmission and Molbio Diagnostics, aiming to raise 3,066.89 crore and 939.70 crore rupees, respectively. The final subscription day is set for LEAP India and Technocraft Ventures, whose offerings are valued at 251.88 crore and 2,480 crore rupees. Additionally, Optimystix Entertainment is included in the final subscription day, aiming to raise 108.50 crore rupees from the primary market.

Asian Markets Show Growth

As mentioned, Asian markets were rising as investors assessed the Middle Eastern situation and events that took place on Wall Street overnight. The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong grew by 0.42 percent, and the Kospi in South Korea increased by 0.32 percent.

Regarding US stock futures, they traded mixed due to the low probability of a Strait of Hormuz deal between the US and Iran. S&P 500 futures rose by 0.09 percent, while Dow Jones futures traded 0.07 percent lower.

Summarizing the overnight trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 declined by 0.11 percent and 0.06 percent, respectively. The Nasdaq Composite closed with a drop of 0.32 percent.