Pre-Market 18 August 2026: Nifty Ends Lower; Key Triggers For Today
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Sensex lost 281 points to end at 77,728, while Nifty closed 78 points lower at 24,288 on Monday amid elevated oil prices and geopolitical developments. GIFT Nifty and overseas markets will be watched ahead of Tuesday’s trade.
Indian markets are set to begin Tuesday’s session after ending lower on Monday, with the Nifty 50 slipping below 24,300. The decline came as oil prices stayed elevated and uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz continued.
Market Recap
The Sensex fell 281.09 points to 77,728.16, while the Nifty 50 slipped 78.35 points to 24,287.65. The Nifty Bank edged up to 57,497.80, and the Nifty Midcap 100 index added 34.85 points to 63,817.
IT stocks remained a drag on the Nifty 50 index. However, metal stocks moved in the opposite direction as Hindalco Industries and Tata Steel gained during the session.
The rupee also remained under pressure. It closed at ₹95.61 against the US dollar, amid higher oil prices and changes to the RBI's foreign-exchange swap facility weighing on the currency.
Global Markets
US stocks ended lower on Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 272.63 points to close at 53,459.78, while the S&P 500 fell 40.70 points to close at 7,745.06. The Nasdaq Composite closed at 26,644.91, down by 84.25 points.
The moves came as investors tracked fresh developments between the US and Iran. According to senior Iranian officials, Tehran could escalate tensions around the Strait of Hormuz if diplomacy fails.
Oil prices also remained linked to the geopolitical developments. Brent crude was trading around $88.5 a barrel, as stalled US-Iran talks and slower shipping through the Strait of Hormuz kept supply concerns in focus.
European markets ended lower on Monday. The FTSE 100 fell 0.28% to 10,720.30, while France's CAC 40 declined 0.66% to 8,579.60.
Asian markets closed mixed in Monday's session. The Nikkei 225 gained 0.74% to 69,220.25, while the Hang Seng rose 1.34% to 25,453.23.
GIFT Nifty Today
On 18 August 2026 at 7:52 am, GIFT Nifty was trading at 24,298.50, down by 76.50 points, pointing to a cautious start for Tuesday’s session.
Technical View: Key Nifty 50 Levels
The 24,200 mark is the immediate support for the Nifty 50. A break below this level could bring the 24,050-24,000 zone into focus.
On the upside, the 24,400-24,500 area is expected to act as resistance, according to market experts.
What To Watch In Tuesday's Session?
Oil prices, developments around the Strait of Hormuz and US-Iran talks will remain on the radar. The rupee and foreign fund flows will also be watched after the latest decline in the domestic currency.
Traders will also track GIFT Nifty, Asian market moves and the ongoing weakness in IT stocks before Tuesday's session.
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Vishwa is a content and SEO strategist with 10+ years of experience across fintech and FMCG. She has a knack for connecting dots others miss, spotting trends early, and finding angles on topics most miss to question.
At Kotak Neo, she drives content strategy for neoshorts, Kotak News Desk, and Investing Guide.
Outside work, she's drawn to art, painting and architecture, and enjoys travelling to explore them firsthand.
