Post Market, 23 April 2026: Markets Weaken Further Amid Rising Global Tensions

Thursday was again a weak day for markets. The previous session's losses were carried forward. The tone stayed under pressure with selling seen throughout the day.

Rising global tensions continued to weigh on sentiment.

Closing Bell

Sensex fell by over 850 points to close at 77,664. Nifty 50 went down about 205 points to settle at 24,173.05.

Broader Markets

The pressure was broad-based across the market. The Nifty Midcap index slipped around 0.4%, while the Smallcap index declined about 0.6%.

It was a mixed session across sectors. Healthcare stocks stood out, rising around 1.6%, while media also ended higher by about 1%. Capital goods and energy also edged slightly higher.

On the other hand, auto and PSU bank stocks were among the major laggards, falling around 2% each. Consumer durables, IT, realty, metals and private banks also saw declines of about 1%.

What Moved The Markets Today?

On the geopolitical front, tensions escalated after Iran fired on multiple ships in the Strait of Hormuz and seized two of them. This came a day after the US extended the ceasefire while continuing its blockade of Iranian ports, adding to the uncertainty.

Global markets reflected this risk-off mood. Asian markets and US futures both traded lower, as rising tensions weighed on sentiment.

Back home, the rupee weakened further and moved past the ₹94 mark. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net sellers as well, with outflows of over ₹2,000 crore in the previous session.

Even so, volatility stayed in check. India VIX hovered in the 17–19 range, pointing to caution, not panic.

Commodities Watch: Gold And Silver

Gold and silver saw a weak session, tracking the rise in global uncertainty and higher crude prices.

Gold opened at ₹1,52,657 per 10 grams and moved lower through the day. By around 15:38 IST, it was trading at ₹1,51,791, down ₹866, or about 0.57%.

Silver saw a sharper decline. It opened at ₹2,48,364 per kg and slipped steadily during the session. By around 15:42 IST, it was at ₹2,41,601, down ₹6,763, or roughly 2.72%.

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What Should Investors Watch Next?

Till recently, domestic factors had been holding up well and offering some support, even as global cues remained uncertain. That was visible through last week. That support now seems to be fading. The pressure is becoming more visible across sectors, and markets are reacting more to the broader uncertainty.

From here, the focus stays on how the global situation evolves and whether domestic stability can come back.

Sources:

Livemint

Moneycontrol