Indian markets are set for a cautious, range-bound start on Thursday, with Gift Nifty trading marginally in the red even as firm US and European closes offer some underlying support. Here’s everything you need to know about markets this morning.
📈 Indian Stock Market Today
The Sensex closed Wednesday’s session at 76,909.68, down 325.78 points (0.42%), while the Nifty 50 settled at 24,078.30, down 76.60 points (0.32%) — its seventh consecutive session of decline. Elevated crude oil prices, rising global bond yields, and broad-based selling kept investors on edge. Gift Nifty cues point to a flat-to-cautious open today, with persistent FII selling in the derivatives segment still a headwind, though steady DII buying continues to cushion the downside. IT stocks bucked the trend in Wednesday’s session even as weak global cues weighed on the broader market.
₿ Crypto Market Update
Bitcoin has broken above $69,000 for the first time since June, fueled by a reported $1.4 billion short squeeze and news that the US Treasury will more than double its buybacks of long-dated government bonds — a move that eased pressure on yields and boosted risk appetite. In INR terms, BTC is trading near ₹66 lakh. Ethereum has followed with a sharp move too, surging nearly 10% to trade above $2,000 (around ₹2 lakh), with reports of proposed SEC crypto regulation adding to the bullish mood. Altcoins including Solana and XRP have also caught a bid in the overnight rally.
💰 Today’s Key Rates at a Glance
| Asset | Price | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Nifty 50 | 24,078.30 | -0.32% |
| Sensex | 76,909.68 | -0.42% |
| Bitcoin (BTC) | ₹66,00,000 approx / $69,000+ | Sharp overnight rally |
| Ethereum (ETH) | ₹2,00,000 approx / $2,100+ | ~+10% |
| Gold (10g, 24K) | ₹1,54,970 | Near record levels |
| Silver (1kg) | ₹2,45,000 | Steady |
| USD/INR | ₹95.57 | Range: 95.55-95.85 |
| Crude Oil (Brent) | $91.86/bbl | +0.92% |
📰 Top 5 Financial News Stories This Morning
- Nifty logs seventh straight losing session as crude, bond yields weigh — The Nifty settled below the 24,100 mark on Wednesday, its longest losing streak in recent months, as rising Brent crude prices and hardening global bond yields kept sentiment cautious. Investors will watch whether today’s session breaks the trend.
- US Treasury doubles long-bond buybacks, easing global yield pressure — Washington’s announcement that it will significantly increase repurchases of 10-, 20- and 30-year debt helped US yields retreat from multi-year highs, driving a relief rally on Wall Street that could lend support to Indian markets today.
- Bitcoin and Ethereum surge on regulatory clarity and liquidity boost — Crypto markets staged a sharp overnight rally, with Bitcoin reclaiming $69,000 and Ethereum jumping close to 10%, as a proposed SEC regulatory framework and the Treasury’s bond buyback plan improved risk sentiment across digital assets.
- IPO frenzy continues: Lalithaa Jewellery Mart, Horizon Industrial Parks, Sunshine Pictures in focus — Lalithaa Jewellery Mart’s IPO wraps up its final bidding day with a strong 20% grey market premium and 3.07x Day 2 subscription, backed by its South India expansion story. Horizon Industrial Parks enters Day 3 while Sunshine Pictures continues to see robust retail demand on Day 2.
- Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders record date for ₹4.62/share dividend today — Shareholders of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders should note 20 August as the record date for the company’s final dividend of ₹4.62 per share for FY26, as DIIs continue to be strong net buyers (₹3,973.70 crore) even as FIIs stay net sellers in derivatives.
🔍 What to Watch Today
Keep an eye on Gift Nifty trends through the morning for direction cues, along with movement in Brent crude — now above $91/bbl — which could pressure oil-marketing and aviation stocks. FII/DII flow data released after market close will show whether domestic buying continues to offset foreign outflows. Listing-day action in recently closed IPOs and follow-through in Bitcoin and Ethereum after their overnight breakout are also worth tracking.
Data sourced from live market feeds. Last updated: 08:00 AM IST, 20 August 2026. This is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.
