Sensex, Nifty open higher on global cues; metal, realty lead gains
Synopsis
Indian markets opened Friday on the front foot — Sensex up 260 points and Nifty near 23,335 — but the rally has a split personality: metal and realty surging while IT slid over 1%, with FIIs still net sellers at ₹3,208 crore and the RSI flashing oversold at 29.95. The real test is whether Nifty can break through the 23,350–23,450 resistance zone.
Key Takeaways
Sensex opened 260 points higher at 74,575.24 on 18 September 2026 ; Nifty50 rose 64 points to 23,334.70 .
Nifty Metal led sectoral gains at 0.76% ; Nifty Realty added 0.74% .
Nifty IT fell more than 1% ; TCS , Infosys , Tech Mahindra , and HCL Technologies shed up to 3% .
FIIs net sold ₹3,208 crore on Thursday; DIIs net bought ₹3,617 crore .
Nifty RSI stands at 29.95 , signalling oversold conditions; support at 23,000–23,150 , resistance at 23,350–23,450 .
Brent crude eased 1% to $103.61 per barrel ; S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed 1.14% and 1.69% higher overnight.
BSE Sensex opened 260 points higher at 74,575.24 on Friday, 18 September, while the Nifty50 gained 64 points to touch 23,334.70, as domestic equity markets tracked a broadly positive global environment. Buying in metal, real estate, and cement stocks drove the early advance, even as IT shares bucked the trend and slipped.
Sectoral Snapshot
Nifty Metal led all sectoral indices with a gain of 0.76 per cent in early trade, followed closely by Nifty Realty at 0.74 per cent. Nifty Cement added 0.55 per cent and Nifty Media rose 0.47 per cent. Healthcare, auto, banking, pharma, energy, and FMCG indices were also trading in positive territory.
On the losing side, Nifty IT declined more than 1 per cent, while Nifty MidSmall IT and Telecom slipped 0.40 per cent. Among individual stocks, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, TCS, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, and HCL Technologies were the top losers from the Nifty basket, falling up to 3 per cent in morning trade.
What Is Driving the Rally
Analysts attributed the positive opening to resilience in US markets despite elevated bond yields and expectations of strong corporate earnings. 'The underlying strength of the economy is supporting the market which continues to be buoyant, and this strength of the mother market is supporting markets elsewhere,' analysts said.
On the domestic front, experts noted that the ongoing boom in the primary market has shifted investor focus toward IPOs and listing gains, leaving some large-cap stocks in the secondary market under pressure. 'For long-term investors, this is an opportunity. Leading banks, capital goods majors, select automobiles and pharmaceutical stocks provide buying opportunities,' according to analysts.
Technical Levels to Watch
Technically, the broader market structure remains weak, with the RSI at 29.95 signalling oversold momentum. Analysts have placed immediate support for the Nifty at 23,000–23,150, with resistance seen at 23,350–23,450. 'A decisive move beyond the resistance zone could signal a stronger recovery, while a break below support may keep the corrective trend intact,' they said.
FII and DII Activity
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net sellers on Thursday, offloading equities worth ₹3,208 crore, according to provisional exchange data. In contrast, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) continued to cushion the market, purchasing equities worth ₹3,617 crore on the same day.
Global and Commodity Cues
Overnight, US markets ended on a strong note — the S&P 500 climbed 1.14 per cent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq rose 1.69 per cent. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei gained nearly 2 per cent, Hong Kong's Hang Seng added about 1 per cent, and South Korea's KOSPI surged more than 2 per cent.
On the commodities front, international benchmark Brent crude slipped 1 per cent to $103.61 per barrel, while US WTI was around $101 a barrel, down 0.77 per cent. A softer crude print offers some relief to India's import bill. Whether the Nifty can sustain above the 23,350 resistance level through the session will be the key test for the broader recovery.
Point of View
While IT bleeds as US tech valuations face scrutiny and the strong dollar compresses offshore earnings. The more telling signal is the FII posture — net sellers for yet another session at ₹3,208 crore — suggesting institutional money is not yet convinced this is a durable recovery. With Nifty RSI at 29.95 and the index still shy of its 23,350 resistance, the 'oversold bounce' framing is the charitable read; a stall here would confirm that the corrective trend is still the dominant narrative.
NationPress
18 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Sensex and Nifty open higher on 18 September 2026?
Sensex and Nifty opened higher on 18 September 2026 primarily because of positive global cues — the S&P 500 and Nasdaq surged overnight, and Asian markets followed with broad gains. Buying in metal, realty, and cement sectors provided additional domestic support.
Which sectors gained and which fell at market open today?
Nifty Metal (up 0.76%), Nifty Realty (0.74%), Nifty Cement (0.55%), and Nifty Media (0.47%) led the gains. Nifty IT was the notable laggard, declining more than 1%, with TCS, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, and HCL Technologies falling up to 3%.
What are the key Nifty support and resistance levels to watch today?
Analysts have identified immediate support for the Nifty at 23,000–23,150 and resistance at 23,350–23,450. A decisive close above the resistance zone would signal a stronger recovery, while a slip below support could extend the corrective phase.
What did FIIs and DIIs do in the market on Thursday?
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers on Thursday, offloading equities worth ₹3,208 crore. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) provided a partial offset, buying equities worth ₹3,617 crore on the same day, according to provisional exchange data.
How are global markets and crude oil prices affecting Indian equities today?
Positive global markets — the S&P 500 up 1.14%, Nasdaq up 1.69%, Japan's Nikkei up nearly 2%, and South Korea's KOSPI up over 2% — lifted sentiment in India. Brent crude's 1% decline to $103.61 per barrel offers modest relief to India's import costs, adding to the positive opening tone.
