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Benchmarks likely to make cautious start on Friday
Sep-18-2026

Indian equity markets are likely to make a cautious start on Friday, amid continued selling by foreign institutional investors (FIIs), who offloaded equities worth Rs 3,208.76 crore on Thursday. However, traders likely to take some support from easing crude oil prices following reports that Saudi Arabia is expediting repair work on its damaged East-West pipeline, along with optimistic cues from global markets.

Some of the key factors to be watched:

India, New Zealand working together for early implementation of trade pact: India and New Zealand are working closely to complete their respective domestic processes to facilitate the early implementation of a trade agreement between the two countries.

India secures 2.8 million tonne EU steel quota: India has received a country-specific tariff-rate quota of 1.9 million tonne (MT) annually for steel exports to the European Union (EU), while the government expects exporters to secure another 0.9 MT through residual quotas, taking the total to 2.8 MT.

Govt to target 200 chip design startups, companies under Semicon 2.0: Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said the government will target at least 200 startups and companies designing chips in India under the next phase of the country’s semiconductor mission, Semicon 2.0

RBI absorbs Rs 2.40 lakh crore via VRRR auction amid huge surplus liquidity: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has absorbed Rs 2.40 lakh crore through variable rate reverse repo (VRRR) auctions from the banking sector amid huge surplus liquidity. The central bank received bids worth Rs 2,39,959 crore, which it accepted fully, at a cut-off and weighted average rate of 5.24 per cent.

Sebi extends common reporting platform to clearing members: Markets regulator Sebi has extended its technology-based common reporting mechanism, Samuhik Prativedan Manch, to members of clearing corporations, a move aimed at reducing duplication in compliance reporting and easing the cost of doing business for market intermediaries.

Global front: The US markets ended higher on Thursday after supply-related concerns eased amid Saudi Arabia's efforts to get its vital oil pipeline. Asian markets are trading mostly in green on Friday, following the broadly positive cues from Wall Street overnight.

Back home, Indian equity benchmarks ended mixed on Thursday after a range-bound session, with Sensex and Nifty witnessing divergent trends as caution prevailed after the US Federal Reserve increased its interest rates and indicated further tightening in monetary policy. Market participants continued to keep an eye on crude oil prices, which have moderated from last week’s levels but remained elevated. Finally, the BSE Sensex fell 21.86 points or 0.03% to 74,314.59 and the CNX Nifty was up by 53.00 points or 0.23% to 23,270.60.

Some of the important factors in trade: 

India remains key driver of global growth: Praising the resilience of the Indian economy, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke has said that India remains a key driver of global growth and continues to be the world’s fastest-growing major economy, supported by strong fundamentals and sound policy frameworks. 

India, Bhutan discuss development partnership, energy, trade and connectivity: India and Bhutan discussed key areas of bilateral cooperation, including development partnership, energy, trade and connectivity as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held talks with his Bhutanese counterpart D N Dhungyel in Bumthang on September 16, 2026. 

MDR charges on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 could drive small merchants back to cash: The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) has said that The Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 may push small merchants and cost-conscious consumers back to cash.  

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