Global Markets Today, August 11, 2026: Asian Stocks Muted, Wall Street Ends Lower, Europe Steady; Indian Markets Seen Opening Flat 

Mumbai, August 11: Indian equity benchmarks are likely to open on a muted note on Tuesday as elevated crude oil prices and uncertainty over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz weigh on global risk appetite. 

The cautious start comes as Brent crude climbed to $88 a barrel and U.S. crude rose to around $82.45 after oil prices jumped about 5% in the previous session amid fading hopes of an imminent U.S.-Iran agreement. 

The immediate concern for Indian equities remains the impact of higher crude prices. India is one of the world’s largest oil importers and consumers, making a sustained rise in energy costs a potential headwind for the country’s import bill, inflation and corporate profit margins. With negotiations between Washington and Tehran appearing to have reached an impasse, investors are likely to keep a close watch on developments around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor. 

Asian Markets 

Asian stocks were subdued on Tuesday as investors assessed the latest developments around the Middle East. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was last up 0.1%, while South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.8%. Japan’s Nikkei was up 2%. 

Japan’s markets remained in focus, with the yen weakening towards 159 per dollar and traders alert to the possibility of further intervention by authorities. The Reserve Bank of Australia was also due to announce its monetary policy decision, with markets expecting rates to remain unchanged. 

The rise in oil prices has also brought U.S. inflation back into focus. Investors are awaiting Wednesday’s U.S. consumer price report for clues on the Federal Reserve’s policy trajectory, with a stronger-than-expected reading potentially reviving bets of a rate hike. 

Wall Street 

On Wall Street, U.S. stocks ended lower on Monday as investors became less confident about a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The S&P 500 fell 0.06%, the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.32%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.11%. The declines followed a record close for the S&P 500 on Friday, with profit-taking in technology stocks adding to pressure. 

Nvidia fell 2.9%, while Intel declined 4.1% after announcing plans to raise $15 billion through a share sale. 

U.S. stock futures turned marginally positive in Asian trade, with Nasdaq futures up 0.28% and S&P 500 futures gaining 0.093%, offering a modestly supportive cue for global equities. 

European Markets 

European equities remained close to record highs on Monday but lacked direction as investors assessed Middle East risks and awaited a busy economic-data calendar. The pan-European STOXX 600 was little changed at 660.45 points, while the energy sector gained 1.3% as crude prices rose for a fourth straight session.  

European investors are looking ahead to euro zone employment data and U.S. inflation figures for clues on the interest-rate outlook. Strong corporate earnings have continued to underpin sentiment. 

For Indian markets, however, the somewhat positive backdrop may struggle to fully offset the pressure from crude. 

Overall, Indian benchmarks are likely to see a flat-to-cautious start, with oil prices, developments around the Strait of Hormuz, foreign flows and stock-specific earnings news expected to determine the direction through the session. 

Source

• Exchanges