Nifty Edges Down, Sensex Trades Higher At Pre-Open Pointing To Mixed Start

Mumbai, September 28: Indian shares remained mixed at pre open signalling a divergence at the start for benchmarks as oil prices spiked after heightened uncertainty surrounding Middle East.  

Nifty 50 declined 0.13% while Sensex advanced 0.2% at pre open. 

To be sure, the benchmarks posted their longest weekly losing streak since 2020. 

Foreign portfolio investors have added to the pressure, remaining heavy sellers of Indian equities. Provisional exchange data showed overseas investors sold shares worth Rs 3,694 crore ($385.54 million) on Friday alone. Their net outflows from Indian equities have reached $1.8 billion so far in September, taking their cumulative selling for 2026 to $25.86 billion.  

Precision engineering firm Aequs approved a preferential issue of warrants worth up to Rs 650 crore, including warrants proposed to be allotted to members of the promoter group. The company is evaluating multiple growth opportunities across its aerospace and consumer businesses.  

Augment India Holdings is likely to sell a 7.25% stake in Clean Max Enviro through a block deal, CNBC-TV18 reported. The transaction is expected to be priced at a 10% discount to the prevailing market price. 

Asian markets mixed 

Japan’s Nikkei 225 was largely flat, while South Korea’s Kospi declined 2.4%. The blue-chip CSI 300 index of Chinese stocks fell 1.9%, reflecting continued caution across regional markets. 

Investors were assessing the latest developments in the Middle East after US President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, although he said talks would continue this week. Uncertainty over the key shipping route has kept energy markets on edge, with investors concerned about the potential impact of prolonged disruptions on global oil supplies and inflation. 

Chinese markets were also under pressure as investors weighed higher energy costs alongside broader concerns over global trade and geopolitical tensions. 

Oil prices climb 

Crude oil remained a key source of pressure for global markets. Brent crude futures climbed 2% to $106.5 a barrel, taking their gains for September to nearly 18%, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 1.3% to $93.6 a barrel. 

The renewed rise in oil prices has heightened concerns over inflation and the possibility of interest rates remaining elevated for longer. For India, which imports a large share of its crude oil requirements, higher energy costs can put pressure on the trade deficit, inflation, corporate margins and the rupee. 

US, European futures 

US stock futures pointed to a weaker start on Wall Street. S&P 500 futures declined 0.4%, while Nasdaq futures fell 0.7%. 

Investors are also preparing for a data-heavy week in the US, with inflation and labour-market readings likely to influence expectations around the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate path. 

European futures, meanwhile, indicated a mixed opening. EURO STOXX 50 futures gained 0.4%, while DAX futures rose by the same extent. FTSE futures declined 0.12%. 

Source

•  Exchanges