Indian equity markets extended their losing run to a fourth consecutive week in the week of August 22–28, 2026, with the Nifty 50 falling 76 points (−0.31% WoW) to 24,175 and the Sensex settling at 77,264. Mid-week optimism — built on Iran-Oman Hormuz corridor talks easing crude and Nvidia’s blowout earnings lifting global IT sentiment — was wiped out on Friday as US PCE inflation came in above expectations, denting the probability of a September Fed rate cut. Before the opening bell on Monday August 31, here’s the full breakdown and the Nifty prediction for August 31–September 4.
Weekly Market Review.

Market Summary: Sensex & Nifty 50 Performance

Monday August 24: Nifty +115 pts to 24,334; Sensex +287 pts to 77,656. Iran-Oman talks resuming on a temporary Hormuz corridor eased crude; ICICI Bank and UltraTech led. Tuesday August 25: Sensex +169 pts to 77,826; Nifty flat at 24,315 (–19 pts) as traders awaited Nvidia’s results; Kotak Bank and HDFC Life gained while TechM and Infosys dipped. Wednesday August 26: Nifty recovered above 24,400; Kotak Bank surged sharply after posting strong Q1 FY27 results (PAT +7% YoY); metals and IT bounced. Thursday August 27: Nvidia blowout results (Nasdaq +1.5%) lifted global IT/tech sentiment; Brent eased to $86.80 on Hormuz diplomatic progress; IT stocks rallied. Friday August 28: Sensex gained 330 pts (+0.43%) to 77,264; Nifty gained 84 pts (+0.35%) to 24,175 as US PCE came in above estimates, pushing the near-term rate cut outlook into uncertainty. Week-on-week: Nifty −76 pts (−0.31%).

Share Market Live News: The Big Macro Triggers This Week

1. Iran-Oman Hormuz Corridor Talks — Mid-Week Relief

Iran and Oman resumed talks on managing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz via a temporary corridor arrangement. Brent crude fell 2% to $86.80/bbl on Monday-Tuesday as the diplomatic progress eased the acute supply-risk premium built up since August 17’s ceasefire collapse. Indian markets responded positively: Sensex gained 287 pts on Monday and ICICI Bank, banking stocks led. The $86.80 Brent level is just above India’s comfort zone of $82–85 — diplomatic resolution remains the single most important catalyst for the market.

2. Kotak Bank Q1 FY27 Results Beat — Banking Sector Lifts Off

Kotak Mahindra Bank reported Q1 FY27 results mid-week with PAT up ~7% YoW, NIM stabilising and asset quality clean — a sharp contrast to HDFC Bank’s NIM shock of three weeks ago. The result triggered a +6.22% weekly gain in Kotak Bank and lifted the broader private banking sector. Goldman Sachs and Bernstein both named Kotak Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank as Outperform picks among large private banks, signalling that foreign brokerages are selectively rebuilding India banking exposure.

3. Nvidia Blowout Results — Global IT/Tech Sentiment Lifts

Nvidia’s quarterly results, reported after US market hours on Wednesday, beat expectations significantly and triggered a 1.5% Nasdaq surge on Thursday. Indian IT stocks (TechM, Infosys, HCLTech) rallied in sympathy on Thursday as AI-infrastructure spending optimism spilled over into Indian IT services. TechM’s +3.07% weekly gain was partly driven by this Nvidia-linked sentiment. The Nasdaq’s AI-driven strength provides a global tailwind for Indian IT’s recovery thesis through Q2 FY27.

4. US PCE Above Estimates — Friday’s Market Killer

Friday August 28: the US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index — the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge — came in slightly above expectations. The hotter-than-expected print reduced the probability of a September FOMC rate cut, pushed US bond yields higher, and sent global equity markets lower. The Sensex crashed 539 pts and Nifty lost 117 pts in a single session, erasing the entire week’s mid-week gains. The PCE data was the week’s decisive negative macro event.

5. Adani Enterprises Restructuring News — +5.79% WoW

Adani Enterprises gained +5.79% across the week on news of a major group restructuring plan and strong Q1 FY27 business updates from the airports and green energy segments. The group’s airport vertical reported record passenger throughput and EBITDA growth. The stock’s move was also supported by bottom-fishing after the group had underperformed significantly since February. Adani Ports also gained +2.53% last week on the Hormuz alternative-routing narrative.

Top Nifty Gainers & Losers Last Week

Top Gainers (1-Week Performance)

• KOTAKBANK: +6.22% | ₹423.70
  Q1 FY27 PAT grew 7% YoY; NIM stabilised and asset quality remained clean. The stock witnessed a sharp reversal of the earlier NIM-shock narrative, with Goldman Sachs and Bernstein maintaining an Outperform view.
• ADANIENT: +5.79% | ₹3,168.50
  Gained on the back of the group restructuring plan, strong airport business EBITDA growth, and bottom-fishing interest after months of underperformance.
• TECHM: +3.07% | ₹1,640.90
  Benefited from improved global IT sentiment after Nvidia’s strong results and the AI-driven Nasdaq rally. Ongoing restructuring efforts and a Q1 earnings beat supported the recovery.

Top Losers (1-Week Performance)

• SHRIRAMFIN: −4.66% | ₹1,086.90
  Declined due to profit-booking after last week’s 8.34% rally. The fall was largely driven by mean-reversion, with no major fundamental trigger impacting the stock.
• BHARTIARTL: −3.47% | ₹1,882.40
  Lost momentum amid broader market selling and sector rotation, giving back part of its previous week’s gains. Investors shifted from defensive telecom stocks towards recovery-oriented sectors.
• MARUTI: −3.14% | ₹13,376
  Auto stocks remained under pressure following the PCE-driven market selloff. While festive season demand outlook remains positive, elevated crude prices above $86/barrel raised near-term cost concerns.

Institutional Activity: FIIs vs. DIIs

Institutional flows remained positive during the week, with strong DII buying more than offsetting persistent FII selling pressure. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) recorded cumulative net outflows of approximately ₹2,060.24 crore. The highest FII selling was witnessed on Friday at ₹5,039.80 crore, followed by Thursday at ₹298.26 crore, while the strongest FII buying was recorded on Tuesday at ₹1,593.53 crore.

Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) continued their aggressive buying momentum, registering total net inflows of around ₹19,309.93 crore. The highest DII buying was recorded on Wednesday at ₹6,425.16 crore, followed by Friday at ₹5,183.93 crore and Thursday at ₹4,977.17 crore. DIIs remained net buyers throughout all five trading sessions.

Overall, combined institutional inflows stood at approximately ₹17,249.69 crore, reflecting robust domestic institutional participation during the week. While sharp FII selling, particularly on Friday, weighed on sentiment, sustained DII buying provided significant support and helped absorb the foreign outflows.

Market Outlook & Nifty Prediction for Aug 31 - Sep 4, 2026

Nifty enters August 31 at 24,175 — below the 200-DMA (24,750) and now approaching the 50-DMA (23,900) zone. RSI near 38–40 (technically oversold). Four consecutive losing weeks and a 200-DMA breakdown signal a short-term downtrend, but RSI at these levels has historically preceded sharp reversals when a macro positive arrives.

Expected range: 23,700 – 24,500. Support: 23,900–24,000 (50-DMA zone — key), 23,600–23,700 (worst-case). Resistance: 24,300–24,400 (immediate), 24,750 (200-DMA). Bank Nifty: 56,000 support, 57,200 resistance.

Key triggers: (1) Iran-Oman Hormuz corridor — any formal agreement sends Brent below $83 and Nifty toward 24,500 fast; (2) US Non-Farm Payrolls (Sep 5) — weak jobs data restores Fed cut probability; (3) India GDP Q1 FY27 data (Aug 29–30) — strong print supports domestic narrative; (4) Q1 FY27 results: Persistent Systems, OFSS, Bajaj Auto, Hindustan Zinc, Jindal Steel all reporting; (5) September FOMC meeting date (Sep 16–17) — market will begin pre-positioning from Sep 1 onwards.

Strategy: Hold quality names at 23,900–24,000 support (ICICI Bank, Kotak Bank, TechM, Hindzinc). Do not add aggressively until crude confirms below $85. Metals and IT are the two best sectors to accumulate on dips. Avoid auto until crude cost-pressure visibility improves.

Stocks to Watch & Investment Opportunities

Five stocks from Nifty Metal, IT and Auto with Q1 FY27 results and specific catalysts for the week ahead:

• PERSISTENT
  Q1 FY27 results are due. The mid-tier IT player continues to benefit from AI-led digital transformation demand, with Nvidia’s strong results indicating accelerating AI infrastructure spending and supporting a healthy deal pipeline.
• OFSS (Oracle Financial Services Software)
  Q1 FY27 results are due. A leading BFSI-focused IT services provider with consistent dividend payouts and strong cash generation. Its largely domestic revenue exposure provides insulation from global macro uncertainties.
• HINDZINC
  Q1 FY27 results are due. Global brokerages have maintained a Buy view, highlighting limited downside after recent weakness. Improving LME zinc prices, high dividend yield, and infrastructure demand make it a strong near-term metals play.
• BAJAJ_AUTO
  Q1 FY27 results are due. Premium two-wheeler demand remains resilient, while improving export economics after the India-US tariff agreement provides additional support. Festive season demand recovery from September and strong institutional interest remain key positives.
• JINDALSTEL (Jindal Steel & Power)
  Q1 FY27 results are due. Domestic steel safeguard measures are expected to support pricing, while infrastructure spending across roads, railways, and defence continues to drive volume growth. Any decline in Brent crude below $85 could further improve margins

💡 Pro-Tip: Want a real-time technical analysis for these stocks? Ask LiMo, our AI co-pilot, for an instant buy/sell rating.

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