Sensex tanks 493 points; Nifty falls for 6th day as crude oil jumps to $91/barrel
Indian stock markets experienced a decline as the Sensex and Nifty fell due to rising crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Investors are concerned about inflation and the impact of high interest rates on global technology spending.
Why it matters
Reflects how global macroeconomic factors and energy prices directly influence emerging market equity performance.
Market benchmark indices ended lower on Tuesday (August 18, 2026), with the Sensex falling 493 points and the Nifty dropping to 24,154.90 level, as elevated crude oil prices and fading hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough in West Asia weighed heavily on investors’ sentiment.
The 30-share BSE Sensex was down 492.70 points, or 0.63%, to settle at 77,235.46, registering its third day of decline. During the fag-end of trade, it tanked 493.8 points, or 0.63%, to 77,234.36.
The 50-share NSE Nifty declined for the sixth day, sliding 132.75 points, or 0.55%, to end at 24,154.90.
From the Sensex pack, Asian Paints, Infosys, HCL Tech, Bharti Airtel, Tata Consultancy Services, and Hindustan Unilever were among the major laggards.
Axis Bank, Power Grid, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Bajaj Finance were among the winners.
The BSE MidCap Select index declined 0.46%, while SmallCap Select index was up 0.24%.
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