Sensex Today, Nifty 50 | Stock Market Highlights, 21st August 2026: Indian equities ended largely flat on Friday, with the Nifty 50 edging up 0.08% to 24,252 and the BSE Sensex closing flat at 77,540.83. Both benchmarks recorded weekly losses of 0.5% and 0.6%, respectively, amid elevated crude oil prices and rising global bond yields.
Higher oil prices, driven by the escalating Middle East conflict, intensified inflation concerns, while rising yields increased borrowing costs and potentially reduced foreign investor appetite for emerging-market equities.
Twelve of 16 major sectors declined over the week. IT stocks fell 2.6% as concerns over US inflation weighed on the sector, while private banks gained 1.3%, supported by positive earnings outlooks and expectations of healthy credit growth. Small-caps rose 1.2%, while mid-caps slipped 0.1%. Tata Motors PV fell 5% during the week after reporting weaker quarterly profit.
On Friday, Welspun Corp surged 15.3% after securing a record $1.8-billion supply order.
* Weekly performance: Nifty declined 0.5%, while Sensex fell 0.6%.
* Key market concerns: Elevated crude oil prices and rising global bond yields kept investors cautious.
* West Asia impact: Escalating conflict pushed crude prices higher, reinforcing inflation concerns.
* Global cues: Other Asian markets also recorded weekly losses.
* Sectoral trend: 12 of 16 major sectors ended the week lower.
* Private banks: Gained 1.3%; Kotak Mahindra Bank rose 3% and Axis Bank 2.3%.
* IT stocks: Fell 2.6%, pressured by concerns over US inflation.
* Tata Motors PV: Fell 5% and was the biggest weekly decliner on the Nifty 50; it has lost 9.1% over six sessions.
* Welspun Corp: Jumped 15.3% on Friday after securing a record $1.8-billion supply order.
* Investor sentiment: Options activity indicated stronger demand for downside protection as investors remained wary of further escalation in the Middle East conflict.
RBI Central Board, chaired by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, reviewed economic conditions, global and domestic challenges and risks to the outlook in Chennai.
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