Nifty, Sensex, Stocks to Watch, IPOs and Key Market News

Indian Stock Market Today: Indian equities enter Tuesday’s session under pressure after the Nifty 50 ended at 24,287.65 and the Sensex at 77,728.16 on August 17, extending the recent losing streak. Rising crude oil prices, geopolitical uncertainty and profit booking in IT stocks remain major concerns for investors.

The broader market has shown relative resilience, while investors are now shifting attention from the Q1 FY27 earnings season toward global macroeconomic developments, crude prices, institutional flows and upcoming policy signals.

Indian Stock Market Today: Key Highlights

• Nifty 50: 24,287.65, down 78.35 points or 0.32%
• Sensex: 77,728.16, down 281.09 points or 0.36%
• Bank Nifty: 57,497.80, broadly flat
• Nifty support: 24,200
• Immediate resistance: 24,360
• Higher resistance: 24,500
• Crude oil: Around $89 per barrel amid geopolitical tensions
• IT stocks: Under pressure due to profit booking
• Midcaps: Continue to show relative strength
• India VIX: Around 11.36
• Key market risk: Higher crude prices and Middle East tensions

1. Nifty and Sensex Under Pressure

The domestic market remained weak on Monday as investors continued to assess elevated crude oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty.

The Nifty 50 declined 0.32% to 24,287.65, while the Sensex fell 0.36% to 77,728.16. The Nifty has now recorded its fifth consecutive session of losses, although buying at lower levels helped the indices recover significantly from their intraday lows.

The key question for Tuesday is whether Nifty can defend the 24,200 support zone.

Nifty levels to watch

• Immediate support: 24,200
• Next support: 24,050
• Major psychological support: 24,000
• Immediate resistance: 24,360
• Next resistance: 24,400
• Strong resistance: 24,500

A sustained move above 24,360 could improve sentiment, while a decisive break below 24,200 could increase selling pressure.

2. Crude Oil Becomes a Major Market Risk

Crude oil remains one of the biggest variables for Indian equities.

Brent crude was around $89 per barrel, with prices supported by continuing geopolitical tensions involving the US and Iran.

For India, higher crude prices can increase:

• Import costs
• Inflation pressure
• Corporate input costs
• Current-account pressure
• Pressure on the Indian rupee

Oil-sensitive sectors and companies with weak pricing power could therefore remain vulnerable if crude stays elevated.

3. IT Stocks Under Selling Pressure

IT stocks were among the major laggards in the recent session.

According to the supplied market news, IT stocks declined by as much as 2.5%, with TCS and Infosys among the key losers.

The selling appears linked to profit booking after the recent market run-up.

IT stocks to watch

• TCS
• Infosys
• Other large-cap technology stocks

Jefferies has a Neutral view on Infosys with a target of ₹1,650, while analysts have also suggested reducing exposure to IT stocks amid profit booking.

4. Midcaps Continue to Show Strength

While the headline indices remained weak, broader market performance was more balanced.

The supplied news indicates that midcaps extended their rally for a third consecutive week, highlighting continued investor interest outside the large-cap universe.

However, investors should remain selective because valuations in parts of the midcap and smallcap space are attracting warnings.

Analyst Ajay Srivastav has raised concerns about potentially elevated midcap valuations.

5. Stocks to Watch Today

Several stocks could remain in focus because of corporate developments, earnings, stake sales or sector-specific triggers.

Milky Mist Dairy Food

Milky Mist Dairy Food is among the stocks highlighted in the supplied Stocks to Watch Today list.

Paytm

Paytm remains in focus amid developments surrounding its business and payments ecosystem.

Netweb Technologies

Netweb Technologies reported 40% revenue growth in Q1, putting the company among the technology stocks worth watching.

Turtlemint

Turtlemint shares jumped 10% after Q1 revenue increased 40%, making the stock one of the notable corporate movers.

NMDC

NMDC shares recovered around 1% following broadly in-line June-quarter earnings.

Hindustan Copper

Hindustan Copper was among the strongest sectoral movers, rising about 8% as global copper prices rallied.

6. Brokerage Calls: Stocks in Focus

The supplied news includes several brokerage recommendations:

• Elgi Equipments: Accumulate; target ₹638 — Prabhudas Lilladher
• Tata Power: Buy; target ₹475.25 — Motilal Oswal
• Infosys: Neutral; target ₹1,650 — Jefferies

These brokerage views should be treated as research opinions rather than guaranteed price targets.

7. IPO Market Remains Busy

The primary market continues to attract investor attention.

Shankesh Jewellers IPO

The Shankesh Jewellers IPO opens on August 18, with anchor investors acquiring shares worth approximately ₹110 crore.

Sunshine Pictures

Film producer Vipul Shah’s Sunshine Pictures raised ₹85 crore through its anchor book ahead of its IPO.

Mopshop Distribution

The Mopshop Distribution SME IPO, valued at ₹27.26 crore, is scheduled to open on August 19.

Investors should examine valuations, profitability, cash flows and issue pricing rather than relying only on grey-market premiums.

8. SEBI Issues Important Market Warnings

Regulatory developments are also important for today’s market.

SEBI has warned investors against relying on live trading tips circulated through social media.

SEBI is also allowing PMS clients to pledge securities for personal loans, while reforms to the Securities Lending and Borrowing Mechanism are being considered.

The Supreme Court has also clarified that insider-trading liability can apply even when a person does not make a profit if unpublished price-sensitive information helped avoid a loss.

These developments reinforce the importance of disciplined and compliant investing.

9. India Current Account Deficit Widens

India’s current account deficit widened to $3.1 billion in Q1 FY27, according to the supplied news.

At the same time, India’s crude basket price increased to $91.16, while the rupee gained marginally to around ₹95.42 per US dollar.

The combination of higher oil prices and currency movements will remain important for the market, particularly for oil-importing companies and sectors sensitive to foreign-exchange movements.

10. India WPI Inflation Eases

India’s wholesale price inflation eased to 9.8% in July, although the supplied report warns that price pressures could remain elevated through FY27.

Investors will continue watching inflation because persistent price pressures can influence:

• Interest-rate expectations
• Bond yields
• Corporate borrowing costs
• Consumer demand
• Equity valuations

11. Infrastructure and Manufacturing in Focus

The government continues to push infrastructure and manufacturing investment.

According to the supplied news:

• 396 infrastructure projects worth ₹18.66 lakh crore have been recommended under PM GatiShakti.
• The government cleared 31 electronics-component applications worth ₹7,877 crore under ECMS 2.0.
• The government is seeking faster investment and production in industrial corridors.
• India is opening the nuclear sector to proven foreign technology under regulatory oversight.

These developments could support infrastructure, capital goods, electronics manufacturing and related industrial sectors over the longer term.

12. Corporate News: Key Developments

Several company-specific developments could influence individual stocks.

Hero MotoCorp

Hero MotoCorp’s consolidated net sales increased 34.94% year-on-year in the June 2026 quarter.

Tata Power Renewable Energy

Tata Power Renewable Energy commissioned a 200 MW solar project in Rajasthan.

Nvidia and Reliance Jio

Nvidia is partnering with Reliance Jio to expand AI cloud services in India, highlighting the growing importance of AI infrastructure.

ONGC

ONGC received a US licence to resume full Venezuela operations and is targeting operatorship.

DLF

DLF reported an 18% rise in net profit, supported by strong housing demand.

DMart

Avenue Supermarts expanded its footprint with 12 new stores in Q1.

13. Banking and Financial Sector

Bank of Maharashtra is reportedly considering raising around $500 million through offshore bonds.

Domestic lenders have also reached a record level of around $8 billion in dollar bond sales, according to the supplied news.

Private banking stocks showed resilience in the latest session, with Bank Nifty closing nearly flat. Axis Bank and HDFC Bank were among the relatively stronger names.

14. Global Market Cues

Global markets remain an important driver for Indian equities.

Investors are monitoring:

• US Federal Reserve rate expectations
• US bond yields
• Crude oil prices
• US-Iran tensions
• Asian market performance
• Dollar movement
• Global technology stocks

Gold has also remained strong as expectations of aggressive rate hikes have moderated. The supplied news says gold is holding a two-day gain amid reduced rate-hike expectations.

15. What Should Investors Watch Today?

For the August 18 trading session, investors should focus on five major factors:

1. Nifty 24,200 Support

This is the most important short-term technical level. A sustained break could increase downside pressure.

2. 24,360–24,500 Resistance Zone

A move above this region could indicate renewed buying interest.

3. Crude Oil

Any further rise in crude could increase pressure on Indian equities.

4. IT Selling

TCS and Infosys remain important index weights. Continued weakness could keep Nifty under pressure.

5. Midcap Momentum

The continued strength of midcaps will be closely watched, especially given concerns over valuations.

Indian Stock Market Outlook for August 18, 2026

The short-term market structure remains cautious and range-bound.

The Nifty’s ability to hold 24,200 is crucial. If buyers defend this level, the index could attempt a recovery toward 24,360 and 24,500. A decisive breakdown below 24,200, however, could expose the market to further weakness toward 24,050 and potentially 24,000.

The latest market setup also suggests that investors should avoid aggressive bets until a clearer directional move emerges. Private banks and selected infrastructure stocks are showing relative resilience, while IT stocks remain under profit-booking pressure.

Stocks and Sectors to Watch Today

Positive/Relative Strength:

• Hindustan Copper
• Tata Power
• Elgi Equipments
• Turtlemint
• NMDC
• DLF
• Hero MotoCorp
• Netweb Technologies

Under Pressure/Watch Carefully:

• TCS
• Infosys
• IT sector
• Oil-sensitive companies if crude rises further

IPO Focus:

• Shankesh Jewellers
• Sunshine Pictures
• Mopshop Distribution

Final Takeaway

The Indian stock market enters August 18 with a cautious tone after Nifty extended its losing streak and Sensex remained under pressure. Elevated crude oil prices, geopolitical uncertainty and selling in IT stocks are the immediate challenges.

At the same time, strong midcap performance, resilient private banks, infrastructure investment, selected corporate earnings and continued IPO activity provide pockets of opportunity.

For traders, 24,200 on Nifty is the key level to watch. Holding this support could allow a recovery toward 24,360–24,500, while a decisive breakdown could trigger another phase of selling.

Investors should focus on stock-specific developments, valuations, earnings quality and risk management rather than chasing short-term market moves.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Stock-market investments are subject to market risks. Investors should conduct their own research or consult a SEBI-registered investment professional before making investment decisions.