Stock Market Open Today, August 31, 2026: Sensex, Nifty Fall In Early Trade as Surging Oil Prices Weigh

Mumbai, Aug 31: Indian equity benchmarks fell in early trade on Monday, tracking a weak set of global cues into the new week. Weak Asian markets, a soft Friday close on Wall Street and a fresh flare-up between the United States and Iran combined to sour sentiment
right from the opening bell. Adding to the pressure, oil prices jumped more than 2 per cent as the weekend clash between US and Iranian forces revived fears over shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first known American strikes on Iran since late July.

The Sensex and Nifty slipped at open and extended losses through the first hour, snapping the optimism from Friday’s IT-led rally. Selling was broad-based, with only a handful of counters and sectors staying in positive territory. With global risk sentiment fragile and crude prices climbing, traders are bracing for a volatile session as more Middle East headlines emerge through the day.

Sensex, Nifty 

The BSE Sensex was trading at 76,937.15, down 327.36 points, or 0.42 per cent, at 9:39 am. The NSE Nifty 50 stood at 24,048.55, down 127.10 points, or 0.53 per cent, as of 9:40 am. Both benchmarks gave up a chunk of Friday’s IT-led gains within the opening minutes. The declines came amid broad-based selling, with the Nifty slipping below the psychologically important 24,100 mark. 

Gainers and Losers 

Among individual stocks, HDFC Bank (HDFCBANK) led gainers, up 2.14 per cent to Rs 735.7 from Rs 720.3, followed by Coal India (COALINDIA), up 1.05 per cent to Rs 405.2 from Rs 401. Bajaj Auto (BAJAJ-AUTO) gained 0.7 per cent to Rs 11,993 from Rs 11,910, ONGC (ONGC) rose 0.68 per cent to Rs 233.82 from Rs 232.25, and Apollo Hospitals (APOLLOHOSP) added 0.2 per cent to Rs 8,856 from Rs 8,838.5. On the losing side, Infosys (INFY) fell 2.78 per cent to Rs 1,112.2 from Rs 1,144, Hindalco Industries (HINDALCO) dropped 2.69 per cent to Rs 1,009.5 from Rs 1,037.4, Tata Steel (TATASTEEL) declined 2.31 per cent to Rs 182.2 from Rs 186.5, Adani Enterprises (ADANIENT) slipped 2.28 per cent to Rs 3,096.3 from Rs 3,168.5, and JSW Steel (JSWSTEEL) fell 1.95 per cent to Rs 1,308.9 from Rs 1,334.9. 

Broad Market and Sectoral Indices 

Among broad market gauges, the Nifty Next 50 fell 1.02 per cent, the Nifty Smallcap 100 lost 0.91 per cent and the Nifty Midcap 100 declined 0.79 per cent, leaving little shelter across market capitalisations. Sectorally, the Nifty Media index led losses, down 2.36 per cent, followed by Nifty Metal, down 2.31 per cent, and Nifty IT, down 1.93 per cent. Nifty Private Bank was a rare bright spot, edging up 0.14 per cent even as most sectoral gauges traded deep in the red. 

Asian and US Markets 

Asian markets were broadly weaker on Monday morning, extending Friday’s risk-off mood on Wall Street. Japan’s Nikkei 225 tumbled 1.57 per cent while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1 per cent, leading losses across the region. 

US benchmarks closed lower on Friday, with the Nasdaq Composite down 0.52 per cent and the S&P 500 slipping 0.25 per cent. The declines came even after a strong AI-driven rally earlier in the week, as investors turned cautious heading into the weekend. 

Oil Prices 

Oil prices surged over the weekend developments in the Middle East, with WTI crude climbing 2.48 per cent to $85.47 a barrel and Brent crude gaining 2.77 per cent to $90.54. Murban crude rose the most, up 4.04 per cent to $95.75, reflecting its closer linkage to Gulf supply routes. Visible tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz reportedly fell to just five vessels a day over the weekend, keeping traders on edge over further supply disruptions. 

Middle East Conflict 

US forces struck two rocket launchers on Iran’s Larak Island on Sunday, the first known American strikes on Iran since late July. Iran retaliated with a missile attack on two US bases in Jordan, most of which were intercepted, according to reports. US Central Command said the strikes targeted Iranian minelaying forces posing an imminent threat in the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran vowed further retaliation. The escalation comes as Washington also ramps up economic sanctions, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signalling fresh weekly measures targeting banks. 

How Indian Markets Closed Friday 

Indian benchmarks had snapped a two-session losing streak on Friday, with the Nifty 50 settling above 24,100 at 24,175.65 and the Sensex advancing around 330 points to 77,264.51. The rally was powered by a 3.5 per cent surge in the Nifty IT index after Nvidia’s upbeat outlook lifted global tech shares. Monday’s weak opening has already erased much of that Friday gain.