Indian equity benchmarks closed slightly lower on Monday, August 24, 2026, as investors adopted a cautious stance amid mixed global signals and selective profit-taking. The BSE Sensex declined by 171.72 points (-0.22%) to end at 77,369.11, while the NSE Nifty 50 slipped 32.95 points (-0.14%) to close at 24,219.05.
Sectoral trends remained mixed during the trading session. Heavyweight IT and FMCG stocks led the downside, with majors like Infosys, TCS, and HUL pulling the headline indices down. Conversely, Metals, Auto, and select PSU Banking counters witnessed buying interest, offering crucial support to limit deeper market losses.
On the macroeconomic front, Brent crude oil prices hovered near $78 per barrel, maintaining pressure on local inflation expectations. The Indian Rupee traded in a narrow range against the US Dollar. Institutional flow data highlighted continued selling pressure from Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) maintained their net buying streak to absorb secondary market volatility. Market participants now await key US Fed policy commentary for fresh directional cues.