Pre-Market 23 March 2026: What To Expect On Monday As Nifty Signals A Weak Start

Indian equity markets are heading into Monday, 23 March 2026, after a volatile week that ended slightly in the green. The headline indices moved higher on Friday, but the broader mood remained cautious.

The Sensex rose 325.72 points to settle at 74,532.96. The Nifty 50 added 112.35 points to close at 23,114.50. Both indices advanced in four out of five sessions during the week.

However, early signals are not encouraging. Nifty futures on the NSE International Exchange were down by 291 points, suggesting a weak start to the new week.

The week also saw sharp swings. In early trade on Friday, investor wealth dropped by nearly ₹6.53 lakh crore as market capitalisation fell sharply. On a weekly basis, BSE market capitalisation slipped by about ₹0.6 lakh crore.

So while the closing numbers look steady, the underlying trend remains fragile.

What Kept Markets Volatile Last Week?

The week started on a stable note, but the tone changed quickly.

Early gains did not last. A sharp fall on Thursday erased most of the progress. Friday’s session remained choppy, reflecting uncertainty rather than strength.

• Pressure intensified when the rupee dropped.

• Foreign investors continued to sell.

• Crude oil prices continued to rise.

Throughout the week, crude oil played a significant role. Prices fluctuated between $108 and $112; during intraday trading, they even reached a peak around $119 before declining.

There was some cooling in prices later, which helped limit further losses. But the uncertainty has not gone away.

How Are FIIs, DIIs And Global Markets Placed?

Institutional flows clearly show where the pressure is coming from.

Foreign institutional investors remained net sellers through the week. Outflows in the cash segment were close to ₹29,900 crore. So far in March, total outflows have crossed ₹86,700 crore.

Domestic institutional investors stepped in to absorb this pressure. Their net buying stood above ₹30,600 crore, helping the indices avoid a sharper fall.

Selling was visible in financial stocks as well. This was not due to weak fundamentals but because of their higher weight in foreign portfolios.

Global cues also turned negative:

• US markets fell sharply, with the S&P 500 hitting a six-month low

• Technology stocks saw steady selling

• Bond yields moved higher, reflecting inflation concerns

• European markets declined for a third straight week

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to influence global sentiment. Higher oil prices have also raised concerns around inflation and interest rates.

Also Read - Post Market, 20 March 2026

What Should Traders Watch Now?

The coming sessions may remain volatile. There is no clear directional signal yet. Volatility is still high, as seen by the India VIX closing at 22.81.

For the time being, it seems like the markets are responding to news flows rather than establishing a consistent trend. Movement will continue to be influenced by institutional activity, oil prices, and global cues.

As trading begins on Monday, the focus will be on whether indices can hold their support levels. A stable start may help sentiment. But any weakness could quickly bring sellers back into the market.

Sources:

Business Today

ET