Indian equity benchmarks, the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50, are expected to open on a mildly positive note on Friday, supported by gains in GIFT Nifty, which was trading around 23,156 in early indications.

However, sentiment remains cautious after a sharp sell-off in the previous session, where both indices declined over 3%, snapping a three-day winning streak. The fall was driven by rising crude oil prices and weak global cues, which weighed heavily on investor confidence.

On Thursday, the 30-share benchmark index ended at 74207.24 down by -2496.89 points or by -3.26 % and then NSE Nifty was at 23002.15 down by -775.65 points or by -3.26 %.

On the global front, Most markets in the Asia-Pacific region started to recoup losses as Brent crude prices softened as more nations pledged to assistance ensuring supply from the Middle-east. South Korea’s Kospi and mainland China's Kospi and CSI 300 were trading 0.5 per cent and 0.52 per cent higher, respectively. Overnight, the US stock indices declined as prolonged oil supply disruption spooked investors about the inflation and growth trajectory. The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.27 per cent and 0.44 per cent down, respectively.

Back home, Top traded Volumes on NSE Nifty – HDFC Bank Ltd. 171637393.00, Eternal Ltd. 72305788.00, Oil And Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. 28685305.00, Tata Steel Ltd. 24146344.00, ITC Ltd. 17851126.00,

On NSE, total number of shares traded was 551.21 Crore and total turnover stood at Rs. 112093.07 Crore. On NSE Future and Options, total number of contracts traded in index futures was 266632 with a total turnover of Rs. 41060.48 Crore. Along with this total number of contracts traded in stock futures were 1740939 with a total turnover of Rs. 105530.80 Crore. Total numbers of contracts for index options were 58164958 with a total turnover of Rs. 8949924.87 Crore. and total numbers of contracts for stock options were 8050421 with a total turnover of Rs. 510811.46 Crore.

The FIIs on 18/03/2026 stood as net buyer in equity and debt. Gross equity purchased stood at Rs. 12212.27 Crore and gross debt purchased stood at Rs. 1179.29 Crore, while the gross equity sold stood at Rs. 16488.29 Crore and gross debt sold stood at Rs. 946.00 Crore. Therefore, the net investment of equity and debt reported were Rs. -4276.02 Crore and Rs. 233.29