BSE Sensex and Nifty each fell 0.5% on August 21, ending the week with a 0.5% decline.
GIFT Nifty opened above 24,337.50, while the mid‑cap index remained flat and the small‑cap index rose 0.7%.
Domestic institutional investors bought ₹2,124 crore of equities, whereas foreign investors sold ₹543 crore.
Market Overview The BSE Sensex closed at 77,540.83, up 3.11 points, while the Nifty finished at 24,252, up 20.15 points or 0.08%. However, for the week the two indices each shed 0.5%, reflecting a cautious stance from investors. The mid‑cap index ended flat and the small‑cap index gained 0.7%. In early trade, the GIFT Nifty was trading above 24,337.50, signalling a positive start for domestic equity markets.
Global Influences Oil prices slipped more than $1 a barrel on Monday as traders awaited U.S. sanctions on Iran, which could further disrupt Middle‑East supplies. The U.S. Treasury’s pledge to buy back more long bonds kept the 10‑year yield at 4.71% and the 2‑year at 4.22%. Asian currencies broadly rose against the dollar, with the Indonesian rupiah up 0.305% and the South Korean won up 0.216%. Meanwhile, gold edged toward a three‑month high as concerns over a weaker dollar pushed investors toward safe‑haven assets.
Investor Activity Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) extended their buying streak for the ninth consecutive session, purchasing equities worth ₹2,124 crore on August 21. In contrast, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net sellers for the second straight session, offloading equities worth ₹543 crore. These flows highlight a split in sentiment, with domestic players showing confidence while foreign investors remained cautious amid global uncertainties and rising commodity prices.
