Market Overview

On 26 August 2026, Indian equities closed lower. The Nifty 50 index slipped 0.52% to finish at its closing level, while the BSE Sensex 30 declined 0.24% at the close of trade. The downward pressure was driven primarily by weakness in the Technology, Information Technology and Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sectors.

Index Performance

  • Nifty 50: down 0.52% at close.
  • BSE Sensex 30: down 0.24% at close.

Sector Leaders and Laggards (Nifty 50)

Gainers

  • Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd (KTKM) rose 3.70%, adding 14.85 points to close at 416.45.
  • UltraTech Cement Ltd (ULTC) increased 2.04%, adding 235.00 points to end at 11,775.00.
  • Axis Bank Ltd (AXBK) gained 1.69%, adding 20.90 points to finish at 1,255.90.

Losers

  • Infosys Ltd (INFY) fell 1.84%, losing 21.10 points to close at 1,122.90.
  • Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGRD) declined 1.77%, down 4.80 points to end at 266.20.
  • Bharti Airtel Ltd (BRTI) dropped 1.70%, down 33.10 points to settle at 1,913.90.

Sector Leaders and Laggards (BSE Sensex 30)

Gainers

  • Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd (BO:KTKM) rose 3.53% to close at 416.20.
  • UltraTech Cement Ltd (BO:ULTC) added 1.87% to settle at 11,751.00.
  • Axis Bank Ltd (BO:AXBK) gained 1.33% to close at 1,254.00.

Losers

  • Infosys Ltd (BO:INFY) fell 1.94% to 1,120.80.
  • Bharti Airtel Ltd (BO:BRTI) declined 1.91% to 1,905.00.
  • Nestle India Ltd (BO:NEST) dropped 1.89% to 1,451.00.

Stock Count Summary

On the NSE, 1,438 stocks rose, 1,150 fell and 43 remained unchanged. On the BSE, 2,206 stocks advanced, 1,850 declined and 175 were unchanged.

Volatility and Commodities

The India VIX, which measures implied volatility of Nifty 50 options, fell 4.40% to 10.59, marking a six‑month low. In commodity markets, December gold futures slipped 0.51% (down 23.81 points) to $4,670.69 per troy ounce. October crude oil for delivery fell 2.57% (down $2.12) to $80.24 per barrel, while the November Brent contract declined 2.54% (down $2.22) to $85.05 per barrel.

Currency and Dollar Index

The USD/INR exchange rate decreased 0.19% to 95.23, and the EUR/INR rate fell 0.10% to 111.29. The US Dollar Index Futures rose 0.11% to settle at 98.95.