Pre-Market 17 August 2026: Key Triggers To Watch In Today's Trade

The Indian equity market heads into Monday after another weak session on Friday, with the Nifty ending below 24,400. The index has now lost 205 points over the week, while the Sensex has declined by around 500 points, keeping the focus on global cues, crude prices and the next set of domestic triggers.

How Did Indian Markets Close On Friday?

The Sensex fell 70.71 points to close at 78,009.25, while the Nifty 50 lost 29.85 points to settle at 24,366. Broader markets came under sharper pressure, with the Nifty Midcap 100 falling 0.53%.

Market breadth was also weak. Of the 3,461 stocks that traded on the NSE, 1,478 advanced, 1,854 declined and 129 remained unchanged.

Oil prices stayed around $87 a barrel during Friday’s session. Investors continued to track developments in the Middle East, while domestic market participants also remained focused on corporate earnings, movements in India's 10-year bond yield and the rupee.

What Happened In Global Markets?

US stocks ended lower on Friday after an early rise faded. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 107.58 points to 53,732.41, while the S&P 500 lost 13.23 points to 7,785.76. The Nasdaq Composite lost 73.86 points to end at 26,729.16.

The pullback came as investors reacted to weaker US retail sales and renewed concerns over developments in the Middle East. Oil added to the cautious tone. Brent crude settled at $88.52 a barrel, up 1.67%, as uncertainty around US-Iran talks continued and traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained severely curtailed.

European shares also ended lower on Friday, snapping a four-week winning run. Rising crude prices and renewed geopolitical concerns offset support from corporate earnings. FTSE 100 ended at 10,750.11, down by 0.21%, while CAC 40 finished at 8,636.80, down by 0.16%.

Asian markets were mixed in Friday's session. The Nikkei 225 rose 405.21 points to 68,713.80, while the Hang Seng fell 279.66 points to 25,116.85.

GIFT Nifty Update

On 17 August at 7:46 am, GIFT Nifty was trading at 24,396.50, down 34.50 points, indicating a possible negative opening for the Nifty 50 on Monday.

Technical View: Key Nifty 50 Levels

The Nifty 50 faces immediate resistance in the 24,500-24,550 zone. A sustained move above this area could take the index towards 24,700, followed by 24,850.

On the downside, support is seen at 24,230-24,200, which coincides with the 100-day EMA.

What To Watch In Monday's Session?

Oil prices, developments around the Strait of Hormuz and US-Iran tensions will remain in focus today. The GIFT Nifty, Q1 earnings and overseas market moves will also remain on traders’ radar on Monday’s session.

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