Sensex Nifty Closing Today 18 August 2026: Sensex Falls 493 Points, Nifty Ends at 24,154.90
Sensex, Nifty Close Lower for Third Straight Session Amid Crude Oil Surge and West Asia Tensions
Mumbai | August 18, 2026
Indian benchmark indices extended their losing streak on Tuesday, with the Sensex and Nifty 50 both ending in the red as rising crude oil prices and escalating tensions in West Asia weighed on investor sentiment.
Sensex Closing Data
Previous Close: 77,728.16
Open: 77,418.97
Close: 77,235.46
Change: -492.70 points (-0.63%)
Nifty 50 Closing Data
Previous Close: 24,287.65
Open: 24,223.85
Close: 24,154.90
Change: -132.75 points (-0.55%)
Market Overview
This marked the third straight session of losses for the Sensex, while the Nifty 50 declined for the sixth consecutive session, reflecting persistent weakness in the market.
What drove the decline?
Crude oil prices rose sharply after the US-Iran ceasefire expired, with Brent crude climbing above $91 a barrel. Elevated geopolitical risk and inflation concerns weighed on investor sentiment throughout the session.
Broader Market Performance
Nifty Midcap 100: -0.43%
Nifty Smallcap 100: Flat
The broader market moved in line with the benchmark indices, though the smallcap segment managed to hold its ground.
Sector Performance
Outperformers: Nifty Healthcare, Nifty Auto
Underperformers: Nifty IT (worst hit), Nifty Realty
IT stocks bore the brunt of the selling pressure, while Healthcare and Auto stocks showed relative resilience.
Top Losers (Nifty Pack)
The following stocks fell more than 2% each:
1. Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles
2. Asian Paints
3. Wipro
4. HCL Tech
5. Infosys
The underperformance of IT majors reflects sector-wide selling pressure during the session.
Bottom Line
Today's session was clearly driven by geopolitical risk and rising crude oil prices. IT stocks remained under the most pressure, while Healthcare and Auto showed some relative strength.
Key takeaway for traders: Keep an eye on crude oil movement and the US-Iran situation, as these factors are likely to determine market direction over the next few sessions.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Stock market investments are subject to risk — please do your own research or consult a financial advisor.
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