20/08/26, Forget diamonds, sugar is turning out to be one of the most popular commodities being tracked now after the sharp price action recently.Particularly with the buzz about ethanol-blended petrol gaining traction and ex-factory realisations shooting up, sugar is gaining significant traction.

At a time when most sectors seem to be moving  at an unhurried pace, sugar stocks decided to throw a party of their own, and investors were more than happy to join in. What is usually seen as a slow, seasonal, unglamorous commodity space suddenly became the most talked-about corner of the market.

Sugar stocks extend rally

Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar was among the biggest movers, gaining around 9% in intraday trade. Dwarikesh Sugar Industries rose more than 6%.

Shares of Shree Renuka Sugars, Bannari Amman Sugars, DCM Shriram Industries and Dhampur Sugar Mills were trading 3-5% higher.

Triveni Engineering & Industries, Uttam Sugar Mills and Avadh Sugar & Energy also remained in demand, rising around 2-3% during the session.

Beyond sugar: The 36% margin “hidden gem” inside Triveni Engineering set for a 3:1 demerger

A quick look at the sugar sector stocks indicates that overall, many stocks have rallied as much as 20% or more in the last 1 month. This is after ex-factory sugar prices have risen to around Rs 5,300 per quintal, in Maharashtra. The price has reached around Rs 5,550-5,600 per quintal, if you add the current GST rates on them..

Why are sugar prices rising?

Financialexpress.com spoke to market experts to understand what is driving the sharp rally in sugar stocks, how higher sugar realisations could affect margins and which stocks investors should keep on their radar. 

According to Sunny Agrawal, Head of Fundamental Research at SBI Securities, the current rally is being driven by tighter demand and supply conditions. He noted, “Tightness in the demand-supply situation has led to firming up of sugar prices and this augurs well for all the sugar mills. Sugar millers will benefit on account of the recent surge in sugar prices as they are sitting on sugar stock at significantly lower cost (around Rs 37/Kg vs current ex-factory realisation of Rs 54-55/kg in UP & Rs 46/kg in Maharashtra).”

This is important for mills that are still holding inventory produced at lower costs.

If those stocks are sold at significantly higher prices, realisations can improve and provide a near-term boost to margins.

Sugar industry: Ethanol price impact 

There is another factor supporting sugar prices. Higher sugar exports and diversion of sugarcane towards ethanol production are expected to impact the demand -supply matrix. 

Sugar mills can use part of their sugarcane to produce ethanol instead of sugar. So, when cane is diverted towards ethanol, there are apprehensions about the actual sugar output .

Agrawal pointed to another benefit adding, “The surge in sugar prices will help them mitigate margin pressure in the ethanol division where there has been no price hike for the last 3 years.”

Ethanol is an important part of the sugar industry’s business. But stagnant ethanol prices have limited the ability of mills to offset rising costs.

The big sugar sector bets now

With the sector rallying, investors may naturally ask – which stocks stand out?

SBI’s Agrawal has three preferred names. He said, “Our preferred bets in the sugar segment will be Balrampur Chini, Trivenni and EID Parry.”

The analyst, however, also highlighted a key risk.

“The government has allowed limited duty-free import of 1 million tonnes of raw sugar to temper the rising sugar prices. Investors should note that any government intervention can lead to correction in sugar prices and hence pursuant correction in the stock prices of sugar cos. Hence, one should adhere to proper SL,” said Agrawal.

The concern, however, is whether we are seeing a structural change in the fundamentals of the sugar industry. Poonam Upadhyay, Director at Crisil Ratings, said the recent jump in sugar prices is largely linked to tightening inventories ahead of the next crushing season.

“The recent spike in sugar prices reflects tightening inventories ahead of the next crushing season rather than a structural shift in market fundamentals. While mills holding inventory stand to benefit from higher realisations in the near term, the gain is likely to be transient and confined to the period before fresh season supplies reach the market,” added Upadhyay.

Upadhyay further noted, “The current rally is expected to provide only a temporary lift to operating margins, with benefit likely to moderate as supply conditions ease.”

That makes the next crushing season crucial.

Government may allow duty-free sugar imports

According to sources cited in a Financial Express report, the government is considering limited duty-free sugar imports to prevent a sharp rise in prices ahead of the festive season, when demand typically increases between August and November. It is also looking at measures to limit stocks held by bulk traders and improve inventory checks.

 Higher imports could increase domestic availability and put pressure on sugar prices, which may limit the benefit mills are currently getting from higher realisations. The government has also imposed stock limits on sugar dealers until November 30 to curb hoarding and speculative trading.

Report by Olivia Kunjumoon

Source: Financial Express

20/08/26, INDEX LEVELS

 

20/08/26, Market Analysis information by Mr Sunil Sankar Matkar

Rakesh Patil: Indian benchmark indices are likely see a strong opening on August 20, tracking GIFT Nifty, which was trading higher at around 24,222 in early trade.

Indian benchmark indices extended their losing streak on August 19 as investors remained concerned over elevated crude oil prices, higher global bond yields and persistent global uncertainty.

The indices opened lower and extended their losses, with the Nifty and Sensex slipping below 24,050 and 77,000, respectively, amid broad-based selling, particularly in defence and energy stocks. However, Information Technology stocks outperformed, limiting the overall decline.

Considering that the index is trading below all key moving averages and momentum indicators are weakening, the market structure remains weak. However, in case the benchmark Nifty 50 rebounds after a seven-day fall, the sustainability of those gains will be key to watch. The 24,200 level is expected to act as immediate resistance, as only a sustained move above it could open the door for further upside. However, a sustained move below 24,200 could keep the market in a consolidative phase, with immediate support at 24,000 followed by 23,900-23,800 as next support. Meanwhile, the Bank Nifty may rebound towards 57,500, its 20-day EMA. A sustained move above this level could pave the way for a move towards 57,900-58,000. On the downside, support is placed at 57,000-56,900, followed by 56,600, according to experts.

On August 19, the Nifty 50 declined 77 points, or 0.32 percent, to 24,078, while the Bank Nifty slipped 23 points, or 0.04 percent, to 57,240. Bearish dominance was maintained in the market, with about 2,006 shares under pressure compared with 1,071 shares that advanced on the NSE.

Nifty Outlook and Strategy

Sudeep Shah, Head - Technical and Derivatives Research at SBI Securities

The Nifty has extended its gradual decline over the past few trading sessions. The index has largely been forming small-bodied candles and has remained range-bound during most trading sessions, reflecting a lack of directional conviction. A noteworthy observation is that over the last 12 trading sessions, the index has consistently failed to surpass the previous session's high, highlighting persistent selling pressure at higher levels.

From a technical perspective, the index continues to trade comfortably below its key short-term and long-term moving averages. Both the 20-day and 50-day EMAs have started to trend lower, reinforcing the weakening market structure. Additionally, the daily RSI is on the verge of slipping below the 40 mark and remains in a declining trajectory, indicating a pickup in bearish momentum.

Going forward, the 23,950-23,900 zone is likely to act as a critical support area, as an upward-sloping trendline is positioned in this region. A decisive breach below 23,900 could accelerate the downside move towards the next important support zone of 23,650-23,600, which coincides with the previous swing low.

On the upside, the 24,180-24,220 range is expected to serve as a significant resistance zone, as it represents the confluence of the 50-day and 100-day EMAs. A sustained move above this hurdle would be required to improve the near-term technical outlook.

Key Resistance: 24,180, 24,220

Key Support: 23,950, 23,900

Strategy: Buy Nifty Futures between 24,030-24,130, with a stop-loss of 23,850, and target of 24,250.

Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities

The Nifty found support near the lower band of the rising channel. Besides, the index has filled a gap on the daily timeframe. The 61.80 percent Fibonacci retracement level also coincided with this support zone, where the index made a low. Immediate support is placed at 24,000–24,050, and as long as this zone holds, the Nifty may witness a meaningful recovery.

However, a sustained move below 24,000 could increase bearish pressure and drag the index towards much lower levels. Therefore, long positions should be held with a strict stop-loss at 24,000.

Key Resistance: 24,200, 24,350

Key Support; 24,000, 23,800

Strategy: Buy Nifty 24,200CE of August 25 expiry above Rs 80, with a stop-loss of Rs 54, and target of Rs 115.

Vaishali Patel, Senior Manager - Research- Technical Department at Jainam

Nifty 50 remains under short-term pressure after facing resistance near the 24,800 zone and slipping below its 10-day and 20-day moving averages. The recent correction has weakened momentum, with RSI falling below the neutral 50 mark. However, the broader structure continues to show resilience as the index is still maintaining a higher-low formation and trading above its rising trendline support.

Notably, the RSI is developing a Positive Reversal, where price has formed a higher low while RSI has registered a lower low, a pattern often associated with trend continuation rather than trend reversal.

The immediate support is placed at 23,900-23,800, which remains a crucial level for the bulls. A sustained hold above this zone could trigger a rebound towards 24,300-24,400. On the upside, 24,800 remains the key hurdle for a revival of bullish momentum. A breach of 23,600, however, could accelerate selling pressure towards 23,300 and lower levels. Overall, the bias remains short-term corrective but medium-term cautiously bullish as long as 23,800-23600 holds.

Key Resistance: 24,400, 24,500

Key Support: 23,800, 23,600

Strategy: Buy Nifty Futures above 24,200, with a stop-loss of 24,040, targeting 24,370.

Bank Nifty - Outlook and Positioning

Sudeep Shah, Head - Technical and Derivatives Research at SBI Securities

The Bank Nifty has continued to outperform the broader benchmark indices on a relative basis. However, the index has been consolidating within a narrow range over the past few trading sessions, indicating a lack of strong directional momentum. Owing to this prolonged consolidation, most of the key moving averages have flattened out, reflecting the absence of a clear trend.

Similarly, momentum indicators and oscillators are also portraying a neutral to sideways bias. Notably, the daily RSI has remained range-bound for nearly the last 30 trading sessions, highlighting the ongoing equilibrium between bulls and bears.

Going forward, the 56,700-56,600 zone, which coincides with the 200-day EMA, is expected to act as a crucial support area for the index. As long as this level holds, the broader structure is likely to remain stable. On the upside, the 57,700-57,800 range is likely to act as a significant resistance zone and may cap immediate advances.

A decisive breakout above 57,800 or a breakdown below 56,600 is likely to provide the next directional trigger, paving the way for a meaningful trending move in the index. Until then, the index is expected to remain in a consolidation phase within the prevailing range.

Key Resistance: 57,700, 57,800

Key Support: 56,700, 56,600

Strategy: Buy Bank Nifty Futures between 57,200-57,400, with a stop-loss of 56,700, and target of 58,000.

Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities

Bank Nifty continues to witness downward consolidation as the big boys in the space attract selling pressure. Although the actual fall was limited, overall sluggishness prevailed. Generally, this type of downward consolidation tends to end with an upward breakout in most cases. However, a further fall from the current level cannot be ruled out. Support remains at 57,000, and a decisive break below this level might trigger further weakness. On the higher end, resistance is placed at 57,650. A breakout above this level might induce a strong uptrend.

Key Resistance: 57,650

Key Support: 57,000

Strategy: Buy Bank Nifty 57,500 CE of August expiry above Rs 300, with a stop-loss of Rs 239, and target of Rs 430.

Vaishali Patel, Senior Manager - Research- Technical Department at Jainam

Bank Nifty continues to trade in a consolidation phase after failing to sustain above the 58,300-58,600 resistance zone. The index closed near 57,240, slipping below its short-term moving averages and indicating a lack of immediate bullish momentum. Price action shows a series of lower highs over the past few weeks, suggesting supply is emerging at higher levels.

However, the broader trend remains constructive as the index continues to hold above the rising trendline drawn from the April lows. The 57,000-56,700 zone is a crucial support area, coinciding with the trendline and previous breakout levels.

The RSI has drifted below the 50 mark, reflecting short-term weakness, but there is no sign of a major breakdown yet. A sustained move above 58,000 could revive buying interest and lead to a retest of 58,500-58,600. On the downside, a breach of 56,800 may trigger profit booking towards 56,000-55,500. Overall, Bank Nifty remains range-bound with a mildly positive medium-term bias as long as the 56,800 support zone remains intact.

Key Resistance: 57,800, 58,300

Key Support: 57,000, 56,700

Strategy: Buy Bank Nifty futures above 57,500, with a stop-loss of 56,900, and target of 58,200.

Source: Network18 

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts are their own and not those of us. We advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions

20/08/26, Today's Market

 Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty are likely to open with strong gains on Thursday, with GIFT Nifty pointing to a positive start, after six sessions of continued losses for the domestic markets. A rebound across Asian equities and easing US bond yields are providing a more supportive global backdrop, although Brent crude hovering near $92 a barrel remains a key risk for Indian markets.

GIFT Nifty was trading at 24,230 around 7:50 am, up 140 points, or 0.58 percent. The positive indication comes after Indian equities remained under pressure on Wednesday amid elevated crude oil prices, higher global bond yields and persistent global uncertainty. The Sensex fell 325.78 points, or 0.42 percent, to 76,909.68, while the Nifty declined 76.60 points, or 0.32 percent, to 24,078.30.

Asian markets rebound, Wall Street snaps losing streak as bond yields ease

Asian equities rallied on Thursday, recovering from two sessions of losses as a decline in bond yields improved appetite for risk assets. The improvement in sentiment came as US plans to buy back longer-dated Treasuries helped ease borrowing costs. The dollar steadied after falling to a three-month low

19/08/26, India has replaced Indonesia as Asia's least-preferred stock market in a survey of fund managers by Bank of America Corp., signaling growing caution toward a market that's among the world's worst performers this year.

 The lack of a clear AI exposure remains the key concern for Indian equities, with weak growth emerging as the next most important risk, according to the survey, which showed 32% of the respondents were net underweight on the nation. Lack of reforms and high valuations also emerged as reasons for the bearish outlook on Asia's fourth-largest equity market.

In contrast, sentiment improved for Indonesia, with 27% of the fund managers saying they were net underweight on the market, compared with 32% in July. Taiwan and Japan remain investors' most preferred regions. A total of 98 panelists with $272 billion of assets responded to the survey's questions between Aug. 7 and Aug. 13.

The survey findings align with a decline in Indian stocks over the past two weeks despite an improving earnings outlook, suggesting investors remain wary of the market even as its fundamentals strengthen.

Global funds have purchased more than $4 billion in local stocks this quarter — the most among regional emerging markets — after record outflows in first half of the year, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Earnings for benchmark NSE Nifty 50 members jumped 18% from last year in the most recent three-month period, ahead of Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd.'s estimate of 10% growth.

Indian stocks were last termed the least preferred in the BofA poll in May, as the country faced pressure on growth from rising energy costs following the US-Iran war that triggered a rally in global crude oil prices. With no sign of progress toward resolving the conflict, energy prices are climbing again, weighing on investor sentiment.

While the Nifty 50 has jumped 8% from a recent low in March, it remains the second-worst performing major market in Asia this year, having lost 8%. It's on track to snap a historic run of 10 straight years of annual gains.

Meanwhile, the improvement in sentiment for Indonesia reflects the more than 20% rally in the benchmark Jakarta Composite Index from a June low, following the central bank's measures to stabilize the currency and fading fears of a downgrade to frontier-market status by MSCI Inc.

Report by Bloomberg 

19/08/26, supports for SENSEX index

 

19/08/26, In Dubai Caution first, then business as usual

The missiles are no longer in the news every day. But in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other parts of the UAE, the conflict is still a topic of discussion. In February 2026, when the United States and Israel launched military strikes on Iran, many people in the Gulf expected it to be a temporary crisis. They thought it would dominate the news for a few weeks before the two sides signed a ceasefire agreement. Almost six months later, that has not happened. The conflict has gone through periods of calm and tension. Now, with US President Donald Trump threatening what he has called a “major attack on Iran,” the region is again watching closely.

This has raised an important question for the Dubai property market: what is happening to property prices, and are Indians still investing there? Financial Express Digital spoke to real estate experts to understand the ground situation there.

Caution first, then business as usual

Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman of Danube Group, says buyers were careful when the conflict started. “There was definitely some caution in the beginning,” he told Financial Express (Digital). Indian buyers, like other investors, weighed in all the contingencies before putting their money into property. But six months later, Sajan says this caution has not led to a major fall in demand.

He points to Danube’s own projects as an example. The company is set to hand over 11 ready projects over the next 11 months, and new customers are still joining the tribe. Sajan believes Indians continue to see Dubai as a safe and well-connected market. It also offers good rental income and a tax system that is attractive compared with many other markets. He says these reasons have not changed because of the conflict.

Prince Dhariwal, Founder and Director of NavBharat Niwas, while acknowledging that buyers have become more careful, attributed the development to changing buyer behaviour rather than fear. Investors started spending more time checking the location, the developer, payment plans and possible rental income before buying.

He does not believe Indian demand has disappeared. “It has become more selective in place of completely inactive,” he says. An ANAROCK report cited in July 2026 showed that Dubai’s residential transactions in the first half of 2026 were around AED 225.7 billion, down 16% from the same period last year. However, average prices rose about 6% to around AED 1,900 per square foot. Indians made up 22% of Dubai’s foreign residential buyers in 2025, showing that they remain an important part of the market.

Porush Jhunjhunwala, CEO of Banke International Properties, says geopolitical conflicts usually prompt investors to take more time to study the market before making decisions. This was especially true for people buying property abroad for the first time. But he says taking a pause is not the same as leaving the market.

Dubai Land Department data showed that Dubai recorded 86,005 real estate transactions worth AED 286.43 billion in the first half of 2026. This included homes, buildings and land. Ready-to-move properties were the biggest part of this activity, with more than AED 146.7 billion across 27,200 transactions. Jhunjhunwala says this shows that institutional investors and wealthy buyers continued to invest because they still believe in the UAE economy.

Payment plans, not panic discounts

Financial Express also asked the three experts whether developers were cutting property prices to attract worried buyers. All three gave the same basic answer, no. However, developers are offering buyers more flexible payment options.

Sajan says Danube’s 1% monthly payment plan was introduced before the conflict and was not created because of the current situation. “Such offerings are part of a long-term strategy to enhance affordability rather than a response to recent geopolitical events,” he says.

Dhariwal says buyers can negotiate more in some parts of the market, but large discounts are still not common. The situation is “highly project-specific.” Developers are more likely to offer longer payment periods, payment plans after the property is handed over or fee waivers than cut the actual price.

The Central Bank of the UAE kept its base rate at 3.65% on July 29, 2026. Dhariwal says this means the conflict cannot be blamed for a general rise in borrowing costs. He says buyers should look at the complete cost of buying a property, including financing costs, expected rental income and how easily they may be able to sell it later. A “10% discount” does not always mean a property is a good deal.

Jhunjhunwala says the market is moving from sales based mainly on discounts to sales based on the overall value of a property. Developers such as Emaar, DAMAC, Nakheel, Sobha, Binghatti and Aldar continued to launch major projects in 2026. He sees this as a sign that developers remain confident about future demand.

He also says mortgage rates are mainly following global interest rate trends rather than the regional conflict. Insurance costs have increased slightly in some areas because of wider risk concerns, but he says this has had only a limited effect on people buying homes.

A safe haven, but not a blind one

Do Indians still consider the UAE a safe place to invest? The answer is not as simple as yes or no. Sajan says Dubai has a special place in the minds of many Indian families. For them, it is almost like a second home rather than just another foreign market. Years of stable rules, good infrastructure and attractive returns have built this confidence. Some investors may take longer to make a decision, he says, but serious investors continue to look at the basic strength of the market rather than only the latest headlines.

Dhariwal has a more cautious view. He says Indian investors are now looking at the UAE through a “risk-aware lens” instead of automatically considering it a safe market. Some investors are waiting to see what happens to oil prices, flights, tourism and the wider regional economy before investing.

However, the numbers show that confidence is returning. ANAROCK’s H1 2026 assessment said Dubai’s residential market remained strong despite regional tensions. Dubai Land Department data showed that real estate transactions in the first quarter of 2026 reached AED 252 billion, up 31% from a year earlier. Foreign investment was worth AED 148.35 billion, up 26%.

Dhariwal says no international property market is completely free of risk. For a buyer today, the more useful question is not “is Dubai safe” but “does this specific property still make sense if growth slows.”

Jhunjhunwala says Indian buyers are also looking beyond whether property prices will rise. They are considering rental income, taxes, the Golden Visa, diversifying their investments across different markets, currency stability and planning for their families.

He says the growth of the Golden Visa programme, better digital services through the Dubai Land Department, stronger escrow rules and continued infrastructure development have helped make the UAE attractive to investors.

Some buyers are still waiting before they invest. But experienced investors know that Dubai’s economy is now much more diverse than it was 10 years ago. It depends not only on oil but also on tourism, financial services, businesses and population growth.

Prices: up, down, or simply catching their breath

The biggest difference between the three experts comes when they talk about property prices. Have prices risen or fallen since the war began?

Sajan has the most positive view. He says this could actually be a good time to buy. He expects prices to continue rising because construction costs are increasing due to disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, rental income in Dubai remains higher than in many major cities worldwide. He believes buyer interest will continue to grow.

Dhariwal looks at the numbers differently. According to ANAROCK data reported in July, average Dubai residential prices rose about 6% year-on-year to around AED 1,900 per square foot in H1 2026.

However, the total value of transactions fell 16% to around AED 225.7 billion. This means that while fewer or smaller transactions may have taken place, property prices themselves did not fall in the same way.

Dubai Land Department data also showed AED 252 billion in total real estate transactions in Q1 2026, with investment worth AED 173 billion. Dhariwal says this shows that the market never completely stopped.

He believes buyers are still interested but are now much more careful. They are enquiring about rental income, the developer’s track record, new residential projects and whether they will be able to sell the property later. He sees this change as healthy for the market.

Jhunjhunwala has a view between the other two. Industry reports showed that residential prices fell by around 4–7% in some parts of the market between February and April 2026. Transaction volumes also fell from the very high levels seen in 2025.

But he says this does not mean the market is weak. Demand remains strong for projects by trusted developers in well-connected areas. Luxury waterfront properties and branded residences are still attracting buyers from Dubai and other countries.

Major developers also continued launching large projects during this period. Emaar launched new master communities, Aldar expanded in Abu Dhabi, DAMAC introduced luxury projects and Binghatti continued its branded partnerships. Jhunjhunwala says this shows that both developers and buyers still have confidence in the market.

“We believe that a minor hiccup cannot be termed as a market correction,” he says. He describes the current period as a move from a very fast growth phase towards a healthier and more sustainable market.

Indian buyers, who are among the biggest foreign investor groups in the UAE, are still positively exploring the market. They are simply being more careful before making a decision.

Whether this is a sign of strength or a change in the market depends on how it is viewed. However, Sajan, Dhariwal and Jhunjhunwala agree on one thing: Dubai’s property story is not being written by missiles alone.

Written by PV Anjana

Source: FinancialExpress

Disclaimer: Real estate investments are subject to market risks. The views and data presented in this article belong to external industry experts and official sources and do not constitute financial or investment advice from Financial Express

19/08/26, Market Today

The cues for Indian markets are negative this morning. The Asian markets are trading on a lower note, while the US Futures are flat. Crude prices continue to trade above $90. The GIFT Nifty is indicating a muted start for Indian markets. It is up 23 points or 0.09%. 

Earlier on Tuesday, the Nifty 50 closed the session 0.55% lower at 24,155, while the BSE Sensex closed 0.63% lower at 77,235. 

Key global and domestic cues for August 19, 2026

Asian Markets

Asia-Pacific markets traded on a lower note on the back of a global bond rout and higher crude oil prices. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.04% while the Topix declined 1.01%. South Korea’s Kospi dropped 5.89%, while the small-cap Kosdaq was 3.62% lower. Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 25,371, compared with the index’s last close of 25,471.15.

US markets on Tuesday

On Tuesday, the US stock market closed on a lower note. The Dow Jones shed 116 points, or 0.2%, while the S&P 500 slid 0.7%. The Nasdaq Composite, which dropped 1.3%, the biggest laggard of the three.

Crude oil

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures surged 0.79% to trade at $85.61 per barrel. On the other hand, Brent crude futures were trading 0.66% higher at $91.62, above the psychologically important level of $90. On COMEX, crude prices traded 0.78% higher at $85.60 a barrel.

Gold rate today

On COMEX, the precious metal was trading at $4,395.80 an ounce, down 0.56%.

The rate for 24-carat gold today is Rs 1,54,290 per 10 grams. The price of gold has fallen 1.05% from yesterday. The 24 kt gold rate today in Delhi is Rs 1,54,030 per 10 grams. The 18-carat gold price today in India is Rs 1,15,717.5. The 24-carat gold rate in Dubai today is Rs 1,49,590.

Silver rate today

On COMEX, Silver prices traded 1.43% lower at $63.12 per troy ounce.

In India, the silver rate fell 2.44% to Rs 2.32 lakh per kilogram.

Silver had surged to record highs in January amid geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, with heavy speculative buying pushing prices higher, but soon faced volatility.

FII, DII data

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers of shares worth Rs 1,651.53 crore. On the other hand, the Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers of shares worth Rs 2,579.31 crore on August 18, 2026, according to the provisional data available on the NSE.

US dollar

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the dollar’s value against a basket of six foreign currencies, was trading 0.01% higher at 99.68. The index evaluates the strength or weakness of the US dollar in comparison to major currencies. The basket contains currencies such as the British Pound, Euro, Swedish Krona, Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc, etc. The rupee appreciated 0.06% to close at 95.68 to the dollar on August 18.

Report by SparshBansal

Source: Financial Express

18/08/26, BSE share price today:BSE Ltd shares have come under pressure following back-to-back downgrades. A day after Jefferies downgraded BSE to 'Underperform' from 'Hold' and cut its target price to ₹2,940 from ₹3,520, Nuvama has now downgraded the stock to 'Hold' from 'Buy' and trimmed its target to ₹3,240 from ₹4,090.

Following Nuvama's downgrade, BSE shares fell as much as 3 per cent intraday on Tuesday to ₹3,235.

Today's decline marked the fifth straight session of losses for BSE, during which the stock has fallen 10 per cent.

 

As of 2:20 PM, BSE shares had recovered from the day's low but remained under pressure, trading at ₹2,307, down 0.75 per cent.

Notably, BSE shares have delivered a stellar rally over the past few years. According to NSE data, the stock has gained 26 per cent so far in 2026 and 33 per cent over the past year, compared with a 7.5 per cent and 2.8 per cent decline in the benchmark Nifty 50 index during the same period.

Report by Abhinav Ranjan

Source: BusinessStandard

18/08/26, Market After Noon

Indian benchmark indices remained under pressure by midday on August 18, with the Nifty 50 hovering around 24,195 and the Sensex near 77,348. Lenskart Solutions gained after incorporating a Chinese step-down subsidiary, while defence stocks moved higher after the Ministry of Defence announced a Rs 3,070 crore procurement opportunity. NMDC, however, declined further after its muted June quarter performance.

Here are the top movers and shakers at this hour:

Lenskart Solutions

Lenskart Solutions share price surged 3.4% by midday after the eyewear company incorporated Wenzhou Framekart Trade Co., Ltd as a step-down subsidiary in China. The entity will handle trading, imports, exports and procurement of spectacle frames and related products, with Baofeng Framekart Technology holding a 95% equity interest through a proposed RMB 1 million investment.

Hindustan Aeronautics

Hindustan Aeronautics share price gained by midday as defence stocks benefited from the Ministry of Defence identifying 405 strategically important items for procurement worth around Rs 3,070 crore. The opportunity covers defence platforms and systems, with the government stating that 389 items will be purchased by defence PSUs, potentially supporting order opportunities for domestic manufacturers.

Bharat Dynamics

Stock price of Bharat Dynamics moved higher by midday as the defence sector responded to the Ministry of Defence’s Rs 3,070 crore procurement opportunity covering 405 strategically important defence items. The announcement includes purchases for the Indian Coast Guard and other defence PSUs, keeping missile and defence equipment manufacturers in focus.

BEML

BEML share price gained by midday as the Nifty India Defence index rose 1.22% following the Ministry of Defence’s announcement of 405 strategically important items for procurement. The proposed purchases, estimated at Rs 3,070 crore, cover a wide range of defence platforms and systems and have increased buying interest across domestic defence manufacturers.

NMDC share price declined 2.3% by midday for a second consecutive session as muted Q1 earnings growth and higher costs continued to weigh on the stock. The selling came despite improving metal prices and broader commodity support, with concerns over cost pressure offsetting the benefit of higher volumes.

Written by Shivangini Gupta

Source:FinancialExpress

18/08/26, SunilSankarMatker of Network18 Report

The Nifty 50 recouped some of its losses in the second half of the session before closing 0.32 percent lower on August 17, extending its downtrend for the fifth consecutive session. With the index trading below its short-term moving averages and bearish momentum gradually strengthening, the market is expected to remain weak amid consolidation in the short term. According to experts, the key immediate support is placed at 24,200, as a decisive break below this level and sustained trading beneath it could trigger significant selling pressure and drive the index towards the 24,000 level. On the higher side, the 24,400-24,500 zone is likely to act as an immediate hurdle.

1) Key Levels For The Nifty 50 (24,288)

Resistance based on pivot points: 24,342, 24,374, and 24,425

Support based on pivot points: 24,241, 24,209, and 24,158

Special Formation: The Nifty 50 formed a bearish candle with a lower shadow on the daily timeframe, indicating weakness despite buying interest at lower levels. The index fell below its short-term moving averages and the midline of the Bollinger Bands; however, it still held above the 50-day and 100-day EMAs, which are the next support levels. The RSI drifted lower to 49.26, while the MACD's bearish crossover strengthened, with the histogram bar expanding for the third consecutive session. All this indicates that the near-term trend remains weak, with bearish momentum gradually strengthening.

2) Key Levels For The Bank Nifty (57,498)

Resistance based on pivot points: 57,702, 57,852, and 58,096

Support based on pivot points: 57,215, 57,064, and 56,821

Resistance based on Fibonacci retracement: 57,685, 58,137

Support based on Fibonacci retracement: 57,135, 56,870

Special Formation: The Bank Nifty recovered its losses in the second half of the session to close 7 points higher, forming a bullish candle with long upper and lower shadows on the daily chart, resembling a High Wave candlestick pattern and indicating indecision among buyers and sellers. The index slipped below its short-term moving averages, but continued to trade well above its medium- and long-term moving averages, indicating short-term caution, while the broader structure remains positive. The momentum indicators suggest a range-bound market environment. The daily RSI has been oscillating within a narrow band, highlighting the absence of a strong directional bias.

3) Nifty Call Options Data

According to the weekly options data, the maximum Call open interest was seen at the 24,500 strike (with 1.25 crore contracts). This level can act as a key resistance level for the Nifty in the short term. It was followed by the 24,400 strike (1.04 crore contracts) and 24,600 strike (1.03 crore contracts).

Maximum Call writing was observed at the 24,350 strike, which saw an addition of 30.95 lakh contracts, followed by the 24,300 and 24,400 strikes, which added 30.22 lakh and 23.57 lakh contracts, respectively. The maximum Call unwinding was seen at the 24,800 strike, which shed 18.07 lakh contracts, followed by the 23,900 and 24,000 strikes, which shed 89,570 and 47,580 contracts, respectively.

4) Nifty Put Options Data

On the Put side, the 24,300 strike holds the maximum Put open interest (with 1.34 crore contracts), which can act as a key level for the Nifty in the short term. It was followed by the 24,000 strike (1.13 crore contracts) and the 24,200 strike (1.04 crore contracts).

The maximum Put writing was placed at the 24,250 strike, which saw an addition of 43.51 lakh contracts, followed by the 24,300 and 24,200 strikes, which added 32.85 lakh and 31.6 lakh contracts, respectively. The maximum Put unwinding was seen at the 24,400 strike, which shed 24.67 lakh contracts, followed by the 24,500 and 24,350 strikes, which shed 10.77 lakh and 10.27 lakh contracts, respectively.

5) Bank Nifty Call Options Data

According to the monthly options data, the maximum Call open interest was seen at the 58,000 strike, with 21.3 lakh contracts. This can act as a key level for the index in the short term. It was followed by the 58,500 strike (10.99 lakh contracts) and the 57,500 strike (7.15 lakh contracts).

Maximum Call writing was observed at the 58,500 strike (with the addition of 89,460 contracts), followed by the 58,200 strike (51,720 contracts) and 57,800 strike (44,430 contracts). The maximum Call unwinding was seen at the 57,500 strike, which shed 50,100 contracts, followed by the 58,000 and 57,200 strikes, which shed 32,370 and 15,780 contracts, respectively.

6) Bank Nifty Put Options Data

On the Put side, the 58,000 strike holds the maximum Put open interest (with 13.97 lakh contracts), which can act as a key level for the index in the short term. This was followed by the 57,000 strike (10.44 lakh contracts) and the 57,500 strike (7.22 lakh contracts).

The maximum Put writing was placed at the 58,000 strike (which added 1.64 lakh contracts), followed by the 57,500 strike (1.01 lakh contracts) and 57,000 strike (94,560 contracts). The maximum Put unwinding was seen at the 58,500 strike, which shed 21,210 contracts, followed by the 58,800 and 58,300 strikes, which shed 12,870 and 3,270 contracts, respectively.

Report by SunilSankarMatkar, 

Source:Network18

17/08/26, Levels

17/08/26, Trading Strategy by Sunil Sankar

The market is largely expected to remain in a consolidation phase, given the lack of strong momentum in either direction. The Nifty 50 needs to defend the previous week's low of 24,265 for some stability. A break below this level could see the index find immediate support at 24,200, followed by the crucial support level of 24,000. However, in the event of a rebound, 24,500 and then 24,600 are the levels to watch. Meanwhile, the Bank Nifty is expected to trade within the previous week's range of 57,150–58,000. A move above this range could see 58,250 act as an immediate hurdle, followed by the 58,500–58,700 zone. However, a fall below the range could open the door to the 56,600–56,400 support zone, followed by 56,000, according to experts.

On August 14, the Nifty 50 slipped 30 points, or 0.12 percent, to 24,366, while the Bank Nifty dropped 144 points, or 0.25 percent, to 57,491. Market breadth favoured the bears, with about 1,778 shares under pressure compared with 1,260 advancing shares on the National Stock Exchange.

Nifty Outlook and Strategy

Jatin Gedia, VP - Technical Research at Teji Mandi Investment Technologies

The Nifty 50 broke below the 24,450–24,650 range and traded with a negative bias last week. We believe the Nifty is currently retracing the 23,606–24,774 rally. It dipped towards the 24,350 anchored VWAP level (from 23,606) and formed a Doji candlestick pattern on the daily charts.

An important observation here is that the Nifty has failed to surpass the previous day's high for the past six trading sessions, indicating weakness. For the current week, a break below 24,290 (Friday's session low) would suggest further weakness towards 24,190–24,052, which are the 50 percent and 61.8 percent Fibonacci retracement levels, respectively, of the 23,606–24,774 rally.

On the upside, if the Nifty manages to surpass the 24,540 anchored VWAP level (from 24,774) and sustain above it, this would suggest a potential resumption of the primary uptrend.

From the derivatives perspective, the maximum Put open interest is at the 24,000 strike, followed by the 24,300 strike, while the maximum Call open interest is at the 25,000 strike, followed by the 24,500 strike. The Put-Call ratio (PCR) improved from 0.77 to 0.88 due to added open interest at the 24,350 PE and 24,300 PE, implying a support base in the 24,350–24,300 zone. Thus, below 24,290, expect a continuation of the correction, while above 24,540, expect a resumption of the uptrend.

Key Resistance: 24,450, 24,540

Key Support: 24,190, 24,052

Strategy: Buy Nifty August Futures above 24,540, with a stop-loss of 24,370 and a target of 24,750–24,900.

Rajesh Palviya, Senior Vice President Research (Head of Research) at Axis Securities

The Nifty remained under selling pressure amid concerns over the US-Iran conflict and Brent crude's surge towards $90 per barrel. The index ended the week with a loss of 205 points. On the weekly chart, it formed a bearish candle with a lower-high–lower-low pattern, indicating profit booking. However, the index remains above its 20-day SMA and continues to trade within a shallow falling channel that has been in place since August 3.

Technically, a decisive breakout above the upper band of the falling channel near 24,500 would signal a resumption of bullish momentum and could pave the way for an advance towards the 200-day SMA at 24,730, followed by the 25,000 psychological mark. On the downside, the 24,200 and 24,000 levels remain crucial support zones, and a breach of these levels could trigger further weakness.

The weekly RSI remains flat above its reference line, indicating a lack of strong momentum in either direction as the index continues to consolidate. Going forward, a decisive close above the 200-day SMA is needed to confirm a trend reversal, while the 24,000–23,800 zone remains a crucial support area for maintaining the broader recovery structure.

Key Resistance: 24,400, 24,550

Key Support: 24,200, 24,100

Strategy: Sell Nifty Futures around 24,450, with a stop-loss at 24,550 and a target of 24,300–24,200.

Osho Krishan, Chief Manager - Technical & Derivative Research at Angel One

Following the Doji formation in the previous week, a sense of hesitation became evident, while the persistent sell-off gradually turned the market undertone cautious and sceptical. On the daily chart, the benchmark index has been hovering around its 20-day DEMA over the past few sessions, reflecting indecisiveness among market participants.

Technically, the index has retraced 38.20 percent of its recent rally, which also coincides with the breakout neckline of the sloping trendline, suggesting that the current decline remains a healthy retracement. However, a sustained move below the weekly low of 24,265 could weaken the technical structure and shift the outlook from cautious to bearish. Such a breakdown may expose the index to key support zones of 24,200–24,150, aligned with the 50 percent Fibonacci retracement level, as well as the 50- and 100-day DEMA for the current week.

Conversely, a decisive and sustained move above 24,500 is likely to reinforce the underlying structure, potentially triggering a bullish reversal and resumption of the primary uptrend, with the 200-day DSMA at 24,730 as the next level to watch.

Key Resistance: 24,500, 24,730

Key Support: 24,265, 24,150

Strategy: Buy Nifty Futures on dips around 24,250, with a stop-loss of 24,100 and book profits near 24,500–24,600.

Bank Nifty - Outlook and Positioning

Jatin Gedia, VP - Technical Research at Teji Mandi Investment Technologies

Bank Nifty continued to consolidate between 57,200–57,900 for most of last week. A lack of participation from key heavyweights and divergence between private- and public-sector banks is leading to subdued price action in Bank Nifty. We expect Bank Nifty to test the rising support trendline at 57,200–57,100 and then resume its uptrend.

We observe a positive divergence developing on HDFC Bank, suggesting an exhaustion of selling pressure and potentially leading to value buying, which could help Bank Nifty recover and resume its uptrend. The highest Call and Put open interest remains at the 58,000 strike, indicating range-bound price action. The 58,000 straddle is trading at 940 points, suggesting a range of 57,000–59,000 for the next two weeks, which implies continued range-bound price action.

Key Resistance: 57,900, 58,100

Key Support: 57,200, 57,000

Strategy: Buy Bank Nifty August Futures on a dip to 57,100, with a stop-loss of 56,800 and a target of 58,000–58,100.

Rajesh Palviya, Senior Vice President Research (Head of Research) at Axis Securities

Bank Nifty ended the week with a loss of 255 points. On the weekly chart, the index formed a small bearish candle with shadows on both sides, reflecting indecision among market participants. The index continues to consolidate within the 58,600–56,500 range, and a decisive breakout on either side is likely to determine the next directional move.

The technical setup suggests that a sustained move above 58,000 could attract fresh buying interest, paving the way for an advance towards 58,600–59,000. Conversely, a break below 57,150 may trigger selling pressure, dragging the index towards the 57,000–56,500 support zone. Until a breakout occurs, the index is expected to remain range-bound with a mixed bias.

The weekly RSI and Stochastic Oscillator remain flat, indicating a lack of strong momentum and confirming the ongoing consolidation phase. For the week ahead, Bank Nifty is expected to trade within the 59,000–56,500 range.

Key Resistance: 57,600, 57,750

Key Support: 57,300, 57,000

Strategy: Sell Bank Nifty Futures around 57,700, with a stop-loss of 57,850 and a target of 57,500–57,350.

Osho Krishan, Chief Manager - Technical & Derivative Research at Angel One

Bank Nifty witnessed subdued price action during the last week. The index formed a lower-high/lower-low structure, indicating continued profit booking at higher levels. However, the decline remains controlled, as Bank Nifty managed to close around the 57,500 zone, which is an important short-term 200-day DSMA and is likely to act as a support area. The weekly momentum remains neutral, with RSI around the 50 zone, suggesting that the index needs a decisive breakout for a fresh directional move.

Going forward, the 57,300–57,250 zone is the key support area. Holding this zone could keep the index in consolidation and allow a recovery towards 58,000–58,250 initially. The major resistance remains around 58,700, which is also marked by the falling trendline and a repeated rejection zone on the 4-hour chart.

A sustained breakout above 58,700–59,000 would improve the structure and open the way towards 59,500–60,000. Conversely, a decisive break below 57,250 could aggravate selling pressure towards 56,800–56,500 in the upcoming week.

Key Resistance: 58,000, 58,250

Key Support: 57,250, 56,500

Strategy: Buy Bank Nifty Futures on dips around 57,000, with a stop-loss of 56,500 and a potential target of 58,250.

Report by Sunil Sankar Matkar 

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on are their own and not of us or our analysts . We advise traders  to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.