With Brent crude near six-week highs above $93 a barrel and escalating US-Iran tensions rattling global risk sentiment, Nifty 50 is holding near 23,956 while Bitcoin hovers around ₹63.2 lakh in a choppy afternoon session. Here’s your 2 PM markets update from earnfree.in.
📈 Afternoon Session: Market Snapshot
Benchmark indices remained under pressure through the afternoon session on Thursday. The Nifty 50 was trading around 23,956, down roughly 0.17% from the previous close, moving in a range of 23,876 to 23,970 for the day. The BSE Sensex was near 76,618, down about 136 points or 0.18%, after opening at 76,515 and swinging between 76,344 and 76,662. Momentum has been broadly bearish since the morning open, with investors grappling with surging crude oil prices, persistent FII selling, and geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Sector-wise, PSU bank stocks extended losses for a third straight session, pharma names slipped for a second day, while auto stocks bucked the trend to advance for a third consecutive session. With the Q1 FY27 earnings season gathering pace, stock-specific action is dominating over broader index moves today.
₿ Crypto at 2 PM — Live Prices
Bitcoin was trading near $65,400–65,550 (about ₹63.2 lakh), down close to 0.74% over 24 hours. Ethereum held around $1,914 (roughly ₹1.85 lakh), down about 0.72%. Sentiment across crypto markets stayed fragile this afternoon amid reports of over $1 billion in BTC, ETH, and XRP liquidations as traders position ahead of the upcoming US PCE inflation print. In exchange news, Korbit — South Korea’s oldest crypto exchange — has formally joined the Mirae Asset Group, marking the first time a traditional Korean financial major has taken a controlling stake in a domestic crypto exchange.
💰 Live Rates — 2 PM IST
| Asset | Price | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Nifty 50 | 23,956 | -0.17% |
| Sensex | 76,618 | -0.18% |
| Bitcoin (BTC) | ₹63.2L / $65,400 | -0.74% (24h) |
| Ethereum (ETH) | ₹1.85L / $1,914 | -0.72% (24h) |
| Gold (10g, MCX) | ₹1,45,230 | -0.31% |
| Silver (1kg, MCX) | ₹2,26,453 | +0.24% |
| USD/INR | ₹96.58 | Near record low |
| Crude Oil (Brent) | $93.50 | +2.75% |
📰 Top 5 Financial News Stories of the Day
- US-Iran tensions send Brent crude toward 6-week highs. Brent futures touched $94.4 before easing to around $93.50-94 as markets assessed the risk of a Middle East supply blockade. Elevated crude directly pressures India’s import bill and inflation outlook, making it the single biggest overhang on equities today.
- FIIs extend their selling streak. Foreign institutional investors were net sellers of roughly ₹819 crore in the cash market in the most recent confirmed session, continuing a pattern of outflows that has weighed on the Sensex and Nifty this week. DIIs also turned net sellers, removing a key cushion for the market.
- Rupee slides toward record lows. The Indian Rupee traded near ₹96.58 to the US dollar, pressured by rising energy import costs tied to the crude oil spike. A weaker rupee raises costs for oil marketing companies and import-heavy sectors.
- Sector rotation intensifies. PSU banks extended losses for a third straight session and pharma stocks slipped for a second day, while auto stocks advanced for a third consecutive session — a sign investors are rotating away from rate-sensitive and defensive names into cyclicals.
- Crypto liquidations spike ahead of US PCE data. Over $1 billion in BTC, ETH, and XRP positions were reportedly liquidated as traders de-risked ahead of the inflation print. Separately, the Senate’s July recess has put a vote on the CLARITY Act — a key crypto regulatory bill — at risk, adding to near-term uncertainty for digital assets.
🌐 Global Markets & Tomorrow’s Outlook
Global cues remain dominated by the West Asia conflict and its effect on energy prices, with Brent crude near six-week highs keeping risk appetite in check worldwide. Traders are watching the upcoming US PCE inflation data closely, as it could shape Fed rate expectations and further influence crypto and equity flows. Back home, with Q1 FY27 earnings season in full swing, Indian investors should expect stock-specific volatility to continue tomorrow, alongside close tracking of crude oil prices, the rupee, and FII flow data for cues on near-term direction.
Data sourced from live market feeds and financial news reports. Last updated: 2:00 PM IST, 23 July 2026. This is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.
