Stock Market Live Today: India underperformed hugely in 2025
“It is important to understand the principal reason behind sustained FII selling in India. India underperformed hugely in 2025 and this trend is continuing in 2026, too. S&P 500 set new records this year. Kospi is up 55% YTD and Taiex is up 35% YTD while Nifty is down 7.8% YTD. The principal reason behind this underperformance is the booming AI trade which began in 2025 and is continuing this year. A few AI stocks are driving this AI trade globally. Bulk of portfolio flows are hot money that chase momentum. So long as this market momentum continues, FIIs are likely to continue selling.
But dominant market trends are temporary. There are strong views that there is bubble in AI stocks. So there can be correction in this segment any time. That can be a trigger for resumption of portfolio flows into India. Investors should watch out for this trend. When that happens, fairly-valued largecaps will outperform. Till then, the mid and smallcaps which don’t have significant FII exposure may continue to outperform,” says VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited.
Sensex Today Live: Sensex, Nifty open in red
Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex opened in red on Tuesday on weak global cues and amid rising crude oil prices. While Nifty50 held above 24,050, BSE Sensex dropped over 100 points. At 9:16 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 24,073.55, down 19 points or 0.079%. BSE Sensex was at 77,189.99, down 114 points or 0.15%.
Stock Market Live Today: Crude oil prices continue to rise; head to $110
Oil prices continued to climb on Tuesday, while global equity markets remained subdued, as US President Donald Trump reviewed a fresh proposal from Iran that could potentially reopen the Strait of Hormuz and bring an end to the conflict that has now stretched into its eighth week.
Investors were also focused on a packed week featuring major central bank policy decisions and quarterly earnings from some of Wall Street’s largest companies.
According to reports, Tehran has sent written communications to Washington through Pakistan, outlining its key conditions for any peace agreement. These reportedly include its position on its nuclear programme as well as the future status of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
The White House confirmed that Trump met with senior officials on Monday to discuss the proposal. However, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declined to indicate whether the US president was inclined to accept the offer.
Under the proposed interim arrangement, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies normally pass, in return for the United States lifting its blockade on Iranian ports.
The proposal would also defer negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme to a later stage, an issue that remains one of the most contentious points in discussions with Washington.
Optimism about a possible agreement had been building ahead of the weekend. However, those expectations were tempered after Trump cancelled a planned visit to Islamabad by his envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, on Saturday.
Amid these developments, oil prices extended their rally, with Brent crude moving back toward the $110-a-barrel mark, while global stock markets traded cautiously.
Stock Market Live Today: Bank of Japan keeps interest rates unchanged
Japan’s central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Tuesday, while raising its inflation outlook after the conflict involving Iran triggered a sharp rise in global oil prices.
The Bank of Japan decided to maintain its key policy rate at 0.75 per cent. At the same time, it revised upward its inflation forecast for the current fiscal year to 2.8 per cent, up from its earlier estimate of 1.9 per cent.
Stock Market Live Today: REITs, InvITs beat equities
Over the past six years, alternative investment vehicles such as real estate investment trusts (REITs) and infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs) have generated stronger returns than many conventional asset classes, including equities and fixed-income instruments. Muted stock market performance and favourable tax treatment have played a key role in increasing investor interest in these products.
Data compiled by Alt Capital quoted in an ET report shows that the Nifty REIT-InvIT Index has delivered superior long-term returns relative to both equities and debt. From July 1, 2019, to March 2026, the index posted an annualised return of 12 per cent. In comparison, the Rifty 50 returned 11.1 per cent annually, while debt mutual funds generated 7.5 per cent and fixed deposits offered 6.5 per cent over the same period.
According to Vivek Rajaraman, Managing Director, Listed Investments at Waterfield Advisors, the largely range-bound nature of equity markets over the past 18 months has encouraged investors to explore alternative asset classes. He noted that REITs and InvITs typically have a low correlation with traditional investments such as equities and fixed income, making them useful for portfolio diversification.
These listed investment vehicles own income-producing assets, including office spaces, shopping centres, highways and power transmission networks. Like stocks, they are traded on exchanges. A key feature is their requirement to distribute at least 90 per cent of taxable income to unitholders, which helps provide relatively stable and regular cash flows, usually on a quarterly or semi-annual basis.
In India, REITs collectively manage assets worth about $27 billion, while InvITs oversee approximately $ 85 billion. Together, these listed entities command a market capitalisation of around $24 billion, offering investors a broad enough universe to create diversified exposure.
Nifty Today Live: Bajaj Broking’s Nifty Outlook
Index formed a bullish candlestick pattern which remained contained inside previous session price range signaling consolidation and buying demand emerging from near the 20 days EMA . Nifty on expected lines is witnessing consolidation in the broad range of 23,600-24,400 amid stock specific action as we progress through the quarterly earning session.
Within the consolidation a move above Friday’s high of 24,206 will open further upside towards the upper band of the range placed around 24,400 levels. On the lower side a breach below last week low of 23,813 will open downside towards the 23,600 levels. Short-term support is positioned around 23,600–23,500 range being the confluence of the recent major low and 38.2% retracement of the last 3 weeks pullback (22,183-24,601).
Nifty Today Live: Stock-Specific Action Likely on Expiry Day
According to Rajesh Bhosale, Technical Analyst, Angle One, Monday began on a positive note, with further traction seen during the initial hours. However, thereafter prices remained range-bound and eventually ended with gains of around 0.80%, closing tad below the 24100 mark.
On the daily chart, Nifty snapped its three-day losing streak, which augurs well for the bulls. Prices continue to hold above the key short-term moving average of the 20 DEMA and the 38.2% retracement of the recent rally from the lows near 22200, indicating underlying strength. Going ahead, the 23800 – 23700 zone remains an immediate support area, and as long as this holds, minor dips are likely to be bought into.
On the upside, the bearish gap from last week in the 24300 – 24400 zone, coinciding with the 50 EMA, is seen as immediate resistance. Beyond this, last week’s high near 24600, which aligns with the 61.8% retracement of the fall from 26000, remains a stiff hurdle. A decisive move above this level would be required for the uptrend to regain momentum.
Until then, prices are likely to consolidate within a range with a positive bias. On the monthly expiry day, heightened activity is expected in individual stocks due to rollovers and position adjustments for the next series. Traders are therefore advised to focus on a stock-specific approach, as selective opportunities are likely to outperform while the index remains range-bound.
Key levels to watch
NIFTY
Support: 23900 – 23800
Resistance: 24300 – 24400
BANKNIFTY
Support: 56000 – 55800
Resistance: 56900 – 57200
Stock Market Live Today: US stock market rally loses momentum
The record-setting rally in US equities lost some momentum on Monday as fresh uncertainty surrounding the conflict involving Iran weighed on investor sentiment over the weekend. At the same time, oil prices moved sharply higher.
The S&P 500 managed a modest gain of 0.1 per cent, closing at yet another all-time high. The advance was far more subdued than in recent weeks, when strong corporate earnings and optimism that the economy could avoid the worst fallout from the conflict had fuelled a powerful rally. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped by 62 points, or 0.1 per cent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.2 per cent to register a fresh record of its own.
The most significant market action was seen in the energy sector. Oil prices climbed more than 2.5 per cent as the Strait of Hormuz remained effectively inaccessible to commercial tanker traffic. This disruption has kept a substantial volume of crude trapped in the Middle East, limiting supplies to buyers around the world. Iranian oil exports, in particular, continue to face restrictions under the US naval blockade.
Iran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz if the United States agrees to lift its blockade. Under the proposal, broader negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme would be deferred to a later stage. However, US President Donald Trump appears unlikely to accept the offer, which was reportedly conveyed to Washington through Pakistan.
Over the weekend, Trump instructed US envoys not to travel to Pakistan, despite Islamabad’s active role in mediating between the two sides. By suggesting that Iran could contact Washington directly with any proposal, he signalled a willingness to maintain pressure on Tehran through the ongoing blockade.
In the oil market, Brent crude for June delivery rose 2.8 per cent to settle at $108.23 a barrel. The more actively traded July contract gained 2.6 per cent, ending at $101.69 per barrel.
Before the conflict began, Brent crude had been trading at roughly $70 per barrel. Since then, prices have surged and, at moments of heightened geopolitical tension, briefly approached the $120 mark.
Stock Market Live Today: Where are Sensex, Nifty headed?
Markets are expected to maintain their gradual up move, supported by hopes of a resolution, positive global cues and sector or stock-specific news flows driving broader market action. Renewable energy, metals and mining stocks are likely to remain in focus, while summer-related plays may continue to benefit from demand across air conditioners, fans, cold beverages, packaged water and power equipment.
Indian equities ended higher on Monday, with Nifty 50 rising 0.8%. The rally was broad-based, with all major sectors ending in the green. Nifty Midcap 100 gained 1.5%, while Nifty Smallcap 100 advanced 1.9%, reflecting strong participation from the broader market.
Among sectoral performers, Nifty Pharma led with gains of 2.6%, followed by Nifty Consumer Durables up 2.5% and Nifty IT higher by 2.2%, recovering after last week’s steep sell-off.In a positive macro development, India signed a Free Trade Agreement with New Zealand. The pact is expected to benefit Indian exporters, with all Indian exports to New Zealand receiving duty-free access.
New Zealand has also committed to invest $20 billion in India over the next 15 years. Investors will now track upcoming results from UltraTech Cement, Coal India, Varun Beverages, AU Small Finance Bank and Bajaj Housing Finance, along with economic data points including the Bank of Japan interest rate decision and CPI data,” says Siddhartha Khemka – Head of Research, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd.
Stock Market Live Today: Bajaj Broking’s Bank Nifty Outlook
Index formed a second consecutive high wave candlestick pattern with a higher high and a higher low signaling consolidation and buying demand emerging from near the 20 days EMA. Nifty on expected lines is witnessing consolidation in the broad range of 54,500-57,500 amid stock specific action as we progress through the quarterly earning session of the banking stocks. Within the consolidation a move above last two sessions almost identical high of 56,475 will open further upside towards the 57,000 and 57,500 levels in the coming sessions.
On the lower side a breach below last week low of 55,750 will open downside towards the 54,500 levels. From a short-term perspective, support is placed in the range of 54,500–54,000 zone, being the confluence of the recent low and 38.2% retracement of the last 3 weeks pullback (49,955-57,456).
Stock Market Live Updates: Foreign portfolio investors were net sellers on Monday, offloading equities worth Rs 1,151 crore. Domestic institutional investors, however, provided support by purchasing shares worth Rs 4,124 crore.
US markets ended Monday on a mixed but largely positive note. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq posted modest gains in quiet trading as investors paused ahead of a packed week featuring corporate earnings, key economic data, the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision, and ongoing developments in the Middle East.
Asian equities have hovered near their highest levels since late February as investors monitored geopolitical developments and awaited central bank decisions, along with earnings from major technology firms.
Crude oil prices continued to climb on Tuesday as hopes for an early resolution to the US-Iran conflict faded. With the Strait of Hormuz still largely disrupted, concerns over supply from the vital Middle East region remained elevated.
Gold prices were largely unchanged as investors awaited greater clarity on stalled diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran. Market attention is also firmly on this week’s major central bank meetings to assess whether geopolitical tensions could alter the outlook for interest rates.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)
