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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On Friday, Welspun Corp surged 15.3% after securing a record $1.8-billion supply order.<\/p>\n
* Weekly performance: Nifty declined 0.5%, while Sensex fell 0.6%.<\/p>\n
* Key market concerns: Elevated crude oil prices and rising global bond yields kept investors cautious.<\/p>\n
* West Asia impact: Escalating conflict pushed crude prices higher, reinforcing inflation concerns.<\/p>\n
* Global cues: Other Asian markets also recorded weekly losses.<\/p>\n
* Sectoral trend: 12 of 16 major sectors ended the week lower.<\/p>\n
* Private banks: Gained 1.3%; Kotak Mahindra Bank rose 3% and Axis Bank 2.3%.<\/p>\n
* IT stocks: Fell 2.6%, pressured by concerns over US inflation.<\/p>\n
* Tata Motors PV: Fell 5% and was the biggest weekly decliner on the Nifty 50; it has lost 9.1% over six sessions.<\/p>\n
* Welspun Corp: Jumped 15.3% on Friday after securing a record $1.8-billion supply order.<\/p>\n
* Investor sentiment: Options activity indicated stronger demand for downside protection as investors remained wary of further escalation in the Middle East conflict.<\/p>\n
RBI Central Board, chaired by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, reviewed economic conditions, global and domestic challenges and risks to the outlook in Chennai.<\/p>\n