Indian markets are set for a weak start today, with GIFT Nifty signaling a gap-down opening. Futures are trading around the 22,515–22,567 range, indicating a decline of nearly 250 points.
The negative sentiment follows global market weakness, driven by ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, which have raised concerns about slowing economic growth and rising inflation.
In the previous session (March 27), benchmark indices fell nearly 2%, as broad-based selling pressure, rupee depreciation, and continued geopolitical uncertainty weighed heavily on investor sentiment.
On Friday, the 30-share benchmark index ended at 73583.22 down by -1690.23 points or by -2.25 % and then NSE Nifty was at 22819.6 down by -486.85 points or by -2.09 %.
On the global front, Asian markets decline, with the Kospi declining the most as the conflict involving the US, Iran, and Israel entered its fourth week. South Korea's Kospi fell as much as 5.3%
Japan's Nikkei 225 and China's CSI 300 were trading 4.36 per cent and 1.2 per cent down, respectively.
US stocks tumbled on Friday, with each of the three major U.S. indexes closing at their lowest levels in over seven months and the Dow confirming it was in correction territory as the month-long Middle East war continued to suppress risk appetite.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 793.47 points, or 1.73%, to 45,166.64, the S&P 500 lost 108.31 points, or 1.67%, to 6,368.85 and the Nasdaq Composite lost 459.72 points, or 2.15%, to 20,948.36.
Back home, Top traded Volumes on NSE Nifty – HDFC Bank Ltd. 65485199.00, Oil And Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. 60048871.00, Eternal Ltd. 38767229.00, Tata Steel Ltd. 36938046.00, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. 28928069.00,
On NSE, total number of shares traded was 665.83 Crore and total turnover stood at Rs. 157107.82 Crore.
On NSE Future and Options, total number of contracts traded in index futures was 442990 with a total turnover of Rs. 67030.27 Crore. Along with this total number of contracts traded in stock futures were 5698327 with a total turnover of Rs. 343331.71 Crore. Total numbers of contracts for index options were 91865683 with a total turnover of Rs. 13886725.44 Crore. and total numbers of contracts for stock options were 10105469 with a total turnover of Rs. 633137.54 Crore.
The FIIs on 27/03/2026 stood as net buyer in equity and debt. Gross equity purchased stood at Rs. 15282.19 Crore and gross debt purchased stood at Rs. 1381.55 Crore, while the gross equity sold stood at Rs. 16847.82 Crore and gross debt sold stood at Rs. 1237.91 Crore. Therefore, the net investment of equity and debt reported were Rs. -1565.63 Crore and Rs. 143.64.