Stock markets trade marginally higher amid elevated crude oil prices

Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty were trading marginally higher in early deals on Friday (August 21, 2026) as elevated crude oil prices due to geopolitical uncertainties and a sharp fall in U.S. markets made investors cautious.

After a positive beginning to the trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex turned flat and was down 25.97 points to 77,506.51 in early deals. The 50-share NSE Nifty also skidded 5.75 points to 24,223.10 after a positive start.

However, both the benchmark indices bounced back and were trading marginally higher. The BSE benchmark quoted 62.60 points higher at 77,595.14, and the Nifty was up 10.65 points to 24,244.80. Among the 30 Sensex firms, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Bharat Electronics, HDFC Bank, State Bank of India, Tata Steel and ICICI Bank were among the biggest winners.

InterGlobe Aviation, Titan, Hindustan Unilever and Trent were among the laggards.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹583.36 crore on Thursday (August 20, 2026), according to exchange data.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, traded 0.30% lower at $93.50 per barrel.

“Global cues have turned cautious, with the Dow falling 1.32%, the S&P 500 declining 0.87% and the Nasdaq losing 1%. Brent crude remains elevated near $93 a barrel amid renewed US-Iran tensions,” Rajesh Palviya, head of research at Axis Securities, said.

In Asian markets, South Korea’s Kospi, Shanghai’s SSE Composite index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index quoted higher, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 traded lower.

U.S. markets ended in negative territory on Thursday (August 20, 2026).

“The Treasury-driven relief that supported markets on Thursday proved short-lived, with U.S. equities falling sharply overnight as bond yields reversed their earlier decline. President Donald Trump’s comments on an ‘economic war’ against Iran have also revived concerns over oil-driven inflation and prolonged geopolitical uncertainty,” Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth-tech firm, said.

On Thursday (August 20, 2026), the Sensex jumped 628.04 points, or 0.82%, to settle at 77,537.72 after four days of decline. The Nifty also bounced back after seven days of losses. It ended at 24,231.85, up 153.55 points, or 0.64%.