The decline in equities came after crude oil prices climbed above the $90 per barrel level again, raising concerns over inflation and its potential impact on global economic growth. The Nifty 50’s advance-decline ratio stood at 27:23, indicating a cautious market mood as investors monitored global developments and commodity price movements.
NSE Nifty Today
The NIFTY 50 index is trading lower on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 24,174.05, down 160.25 points or 0.66%. The index has moved back into the 24,000–24,300 trading range after opening on a weak note amid cautious investor sentiment. The immediate support level for Nifty remains at 24,130. A sustained break below this level could trigger further selling pressure and drag the index towards 24,070 during the session. On the other hand, if the index manages to hold above 24,130 and rebounds beyond the 24,200 mark, it may regain strength and attempt a move towards the 24,300 level.
- Open Price: Started lower at 24,190.05.
- Day High: Reached 24,262.35 during morning trades.
- Day Low: Dropped to a session low of 24,149.90.
- Previous Close: Ended the last session at 24,334.30.
Nifty Today: Market Performance
| Index Name | Current Value | Absolute Change | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIFTY 50 | 24,144.05 | -190.25 | -0.78% |
| NIFTY Next 50 | 72,038.10 | +209.70 | +0.29% |
| NIFTY Bank | 57,582.25 | -175.60 | -0.30% |
| NIFTY 500 | 23,232.65 | -31.25 | -0.13% |
| NIFTY Midcap 100 | 62,686.75 | -256.45 | -0.41% |
| NIFTY Smallcap 100 | 19,336.25 | -19.10 | -0.10% |
| INDIA VIX (Volatility Index) | 12.88 | -0.39 | -2.92% |
Nifty Bank Today
The NIFTY Bank index fell over 1.5% in early trade, led by sharp declines in heavyweight lenders HDFC Bank and Axis Bank, which dropped more than 4% after their Q1 FY27 earnings announcements.
- HDFC Bank shares declined around 5% to ₹778.75 on the NSE despite reporting a 5% rise in standalone net profit to ₹19,060 crore for the June quarter. However, operating profit declined to ₹28,169 crore from ₹35,734 crore a year ago.
- Axis Bank fell nearly 5% to ₹1,261.90, even after posting a 22.23% jump in consolidated profit to ₹7,632.31 crore, supported by lower provisions and strong loan growth.
- ICICI Bank bucked the trend, trading 0.62% higher.
- Punjab National Bank (PNB) gained over 5% after reporting a more than three-fold rise in standalone net profit to ₹5,253 crore. The bank also improved asset quality, with gross NPAs declining to 2.78% from 3.78% a year earlier.
- Kotak Mahindra Bank shares declined around 3%.
Why Is NSE Nifty Down Today?
The NSE Nifty 50 is trading lower today, slipping below the 24,200 level, as investors remain cautious amid global uncertainties and domestic market pressures. The decline is mainly driven by three key factors: rising crude oil prices due to escalating US-Iran tensions, sharp losses in banking heavyweights such as HDFC Bank and Axis Bank after their June-quarter earnings, and weak cues from Asian markets.
Middle East Tensions Push Oil Prices Higher: Renewed geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran have lifted crude oil prices, raising concerns for India, one of the world’s largest crude oil importers. Higher oil prices could increase inflationary pressure and widen the fiscal deficit.
Banking Stocks Under Pressure: Financial stocks are among the biggest drags on the index, with HDFC Bank and Axis Bank witnessing sharp declines following their Q1 FY27 results. The weakness in major banking stocks has weighed heavily on the broader market sentiment.
Weak Global Market Sentiment: Negative trends across Asian equities and rising risk aversion among investors have added pressure on Indian markets. Traders are closely watching global developments for further direction.
Despite the broader decline, some sectors including metals, pharmaceuticals and oil producers such as ONGC are showing relative strength, supported by commodity trends and defensive buying.
Nifty Today: Market Key Drivers
- Corporate Earnings: Q1 FY27 results, profit margins, revenue growth and management outlook will drive stock-specific movements.
- RBI Policy & Interest Rates: Repo rate decisions, liquidity conditions and inflation outlook will influence banking, real estate and rate-sensitive sectors.
- Monsoon Progress: A favourable southwest monsoon could support farm output, reduce food inflation and boost rural demand.
- FII-DII Flows: Foreign investor activity and strong domestic institutional buying will impact market liquidity and direction.
- Global Cues: US markets, Asian equities, dollar movements and bond yields will guide investor sentiment.
- Crude Oil & Geopolitics: Rising oil prices due to West Asia tensions may increase inflation risks and pressure the rupee.
- Trade Developments: India-US trade talks, tariffs and global supply chain changes could impact export-oriented sectors.
- Sector Performance: Banking, IT, pharma, energy, metals and mid-small cap stocks will remain in focus based on market trends.
NIFTY 50 Top Gainers
| Company | Change | % Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Cipla | 45.70 | 3.22% |
| Trent | 62.10 | 2.18% |
| JSW Steel | 20.60 | 1.66% |
| ONGC | 3.68 | 1.49% |
| Bharti Airtel | 22.60 | 1.18% |
NIFTY 50 Top Losers
| Company | Change | % Loss |
|---|---|---|
| Axis Bank | -75.80 | -5.71% |
| HDFC Bank | -43.10 | -5.26% |
| Maruti Suzuki | -397.00 | -2.88% |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank | -10.15 | -2.60% |
| Jio Financial Services | -4.83 | -1.99% |
What Investors Should Watch Next in the India Stock Market
Investors in the Indian stock market should keep a close watch on large-cap stocks, which may see renewed interest amid improving foreign institutional investor (FII) flows. Market participants should also track banking and financial sector earnings, along with the impact of crude oil price movements on raw material costs and inflation trends. Additionally, the sustained performance of mid-cap and small-cap segments will remain an important factor influencing market sentiment.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The Sunday Guardian suggests that readers must consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment or money-related decisions. The stock market involves significant risk.
