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Markets likely to make positive start on Monday
Aug-24-2026

Indian equity markets are likely to make a positive start on Monday following the broadly positive cues from Wall Street on Friday. Traders will keep a close watch on developments in West Asia, crude oil prices and global markets. However, traders may remain cautious as Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net sellers for the second straight session on Friday, offloading Indian equities worth Rs 542.71 crore.

Some of the key factors to be watched: 

India’s forex reserves rise $9.9 billion to $716.91 billion: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said India’s forex reserves jumped $9.905 billion to $716.907 billion during the week ended August 14. In the previous reporting week ended August 7, the overall kitty had jumped $14.136 billion to $707.002 billion.

India eyes critical minerals, bigger markets in South America trade push: The report said India is enhancing its focus on South America as part of its trade diversification strategy, particularly Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, which present significant export opportunities and are expected to strengthen trade ties during Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal's visit from August 24 to 28.

Govt eases norms for exporters to get 'One Star Export House' status: The government has relaxed the 'One Star Export House' eligibility condition for exporters by revising the specific international trade and financial performance norms in three consecutive fiscal years.

Foreign trade policy changes to boost rupee internationalisation, add flexibility for exporters: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said the amendment in certain provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy to make it easier for exporters to invoice overseas sales and receive payments in Indian rupees will promote rupee internationalisation in trade settlement while providing exporters greater flexibility and certainty. 

Steel, bitumen, geopolitics could slow India’s construction boom: Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association (ICEMA) Vice President Shalabh Chaturvedi said rising prices of steel and bitumen, geopolitical uncertainty, and continuing challenges in execution of infrastructure projects could moderate India's construction equipment industry growth in the current financial year. 

Global front: U.S. markets settled higher on Friday as investors tried to find their footing following a steep sell-off driven by rising Treasury yields. Asian markets are trading mostly in red on Monday despite the broadly positive cues from Wall Street on Friday. 

Back home, Indian equity benchmarks ended flat on Friday, a day after registering a rebound, as elevated crude oil prices due to geopolitical uncertainties and a sharp fall in the US markets made investors cautious. Some concern also came as exchange data showed Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 583.36 crore on Thursday. Finally, the BSE Sensex rose 3.11 points to 77,540.83 and the CNX Nifty was up by 20.15 points or 0.08% to 24,252.00.

Some of the important factors in trade: 

India’s private sector activity improves in August: According to the data report, the HSBC Flash India PMI Composite Output Index - a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of India's manufacturing and service sectors - was up from a final reading of 54.3 in July to 54.6 in August. 

DGFT amends foreign trade policy to ease export, rupee settlement rules: In an encouraging move, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has amended the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) to make it easier for exporters to invoice overseas sales and receive payments in Indian rupees. 

Nine key infrastructure sectors’ output growth rises 5.4% in July: The Ministry of Commerce & Industry in its latest data has showed that nine key infrastructure sectors’ output growth rose to 5.4 per cent in July 2026 following an increase in output of coal, refinery products, cement, electricity and iron ore.

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