Business

Markets Open Weak: Oil Near $89, Iran Tensions Push Sensex Down 300 Points

Published: 17 August 2026 · 1 min read

What Happened

Indian equities started the week on a weak note amid Middle East geopolitical tensions, elevated crude oil prices, and concerns around the US-Iran stand-off. Sensex opened: 77,892.92 (↓ 116 points) Nifty 50 opened: 24,343.45 (↓ 22 points) Gift Nifty had signaled a mildly negative start before the market opened. Selling pressure intensified as the session progressed. Currently, Sensex: Down about 300 points, trading below 77,800.

Key Takeaways

Indian markets are trading in the red today, led by weakness in IT and financial stocks. Geopolitical tensions and high oil prices remain the biggest near-term risks, keeping investors cautious despite improving domestic fundamentals.

Sources

ET Now