Global Markets Today, August 26, 2026: Asia Cautiously Higher, Wall Street Gains, Oil Slips on Hormuz Hopes: India Seen Opening Higher

Mumbai, August 26: Indian equity benchmarks are likely to start Wednesday’s session on a positive note, supported by gains on Wall Street, softer crude oil prices and easing US Treasury yields. However, slightly cautious Asian trading ahead of Nvidia’s earnings and key US inflation data could temper the optimism. 

Asian Markets Gain Ahead Of Nvidia Results 

Asian equities traded cautiously higher ahead of Nvidia’s quarterly results, which are being closely watched for clues on the sustainability of the global artificial intelligence investment boom. 

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.96%, while Japan’s Nikkei gained 0.56% and South Korea’s KOSPI gained 1.77%. Nasdaq futures were down 0.19%, suggesting some caution despite Wall Street’s gains. 

Nvidia’s results are expected to be a key test for technology stocks globally. Investors are looking beyond whether the chipmaker beats estimates, with the focus likely to be on the strength of its outlook and whether AI-related spending can continue to support earnings growth and elevated valuations. 

Wall Street Rebounds As Technology Stocks Recover 

US equities closed higher on Tuesday, recovering from the previous session’s technology-led decline. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.30%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.32%. The Nasdaq Composite outperformed, rising 0.66%. 

Technology stocks led the rebound ahead of Nvidia’s results. Nvidia gained 2.2%, Meta rose nearly 2% and Micron advanced 2.5%, while the broader semiconductor index climbed 1.4%. AMD jumped 4.9% following an analyst upgrade. 

Oil Prices Fall On Strait Of Hormuz Hopes 

Crude oil prices provided another positive signal for markets. Brent crude fell for a third straight session, sliding more than 2% to around $86.3 a barrel, after Iran said it had resumed talks with Oman on managing the Strait of Hormuz. 

Iran and Oman discussed a temporary navigational corridor through the strategic waterway and agreed to clear mines, raising hopes of a gradual easing in supply disruption risks. The Strait of Hormuz normally handles around a fifth of the world’s traded oil, making developments around the waterway particularly important for global energy markets. 

For India, lower crude prices are particularly favourable. A sustained decline in oil could reduce pressure on the country’s import bill, inflation and corporate input costs, while potentially easing pressure on the rupee. 

Lower Yields Add To Positive Global Cues 

Falling oil prices have also helped ease concerns about inflation and bond yields. The US 10-year Treasury yield fell to 4.634% after dropping 6.5 basis points on Tuesday. 

The decline in yields could support equity valuations globally, particularly in growth-oriented sectors such as technology. Investors, however, remain focused on upcoming US inflation data and Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s speech at the Jackson Hole symposium for clues on the future path of monetary policy. 

Indian Markets Likely To Open Higher 

The combination of lower crude prices, easing US yields and a rebound in global technology stocks points to a positive start for Indian equities. 

Investors are likely to track oil-sensitive stocks, IT shares and heavyweight index constituents in early trade.  

Still, the upside may remain measured as global investors await Nvidia’s earnings and US inflation data. For Indian markets, therefore, the immediate setup is constructive, with crude prices and global technology stocks likely to remain the key drivers of sentiment through the session. 

Source

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