Pre-Market 24 April 2026: What To Expect After Sensex Drops 852 Points; GIFT Nifty Up, Global Cues Weak

Indian equity markets enter Friday’s session after two consecutive days of losses.

The Sensex fell 852 points to close at 77,664, while the Nifty 50 dropped 205 points to settle at 24,173 on 23 April 2026.

What Happened In Thursday’s Session?

Markets remained weak through the day, with a risk-off mood visible across segments.

The rupee extended its decline for a fourth straight session. It slipped past the 94 mark again, trading around 94.12 against the US dollar.

During the session, the Sensex fell as much as 942 points to an intraday low of 77,574. The Nifty dropped 243 points to 24,134 before recovering slightly.

Most sectors ended in the red. Nifty Realty, Nifty Auto, and Bank Nifty saw selling.

Pharma shares and healthcare stocks showed some resilience. Dr Reddy’s, Cipla and Jio Financial Services shares were among the gainers. On the losing side, Trent, Shriram Finance and Tech Mahindra shares were among the key laggards.

Global Cues After Market Hours

Global markets were under pressure after Indian trading hours.

In the US, indices edged lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 179.71 points, or 0.36%, to 49,310.32. The S&P 500 slipped 0.41% to 7,108.40, while the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.89% to 24,438.50.

Investors remained cautious. The US–Iran situation is still evolving. There are also concerns around the Strait of Hormuz, with tighter controls being reported.

Asian markets were weak, with Japan’s Nikkei falling by 0.75%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined by 0.95%.

European markets were mixed. The FTSE 100 slipped 0.19%, while the CAC 40 rose 0.87%.

GIFT Nifty Update

GIFT Nifty was around 24,247.50, up 90 points (0.37%) as of 23 April 2026. The uptick is small. It points to a steady to slightly positive start. The index continues to trade near the 24,200–24,300 zone.

Technical Levels To Watch

Markets are near key levels after the recent decline.

• Immediate support is seen around the 24,000-23,900 zone

• A break below 24,150 could drag the index towards 23,900.

• On the upside, resistance is placed at 24,400.

The index faced resistance near key averages, indicating some weakness at higher levels.

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What Should Investors Expect Today?

The session may start on a flat to slightly positive note, in line with mixed global cues. Developments in West Asia are being tracked closely.

After the recent fall, markets may remain in a range. The key will be whether the index holds near support levels.

Sources:

Mint

Reuters

CNBC TV18