Sensex, Nifty Open Higher Despite FPI Outflows and Geopolitical Tensions

Indian equity benchmarks, Sensex and Nifty, opened in positive territory on Wednesday, demonstrating resilience against significant foreign portfolio investor outflows and ongoing geopolitical tensions stemming from the US-Israel-Iran conflict. Market experts highlight that domestic institutional investors have been countering the FPI selling, while the market's future trajectory remains heavily dependent on potential disruptions in oil and gas markets. Sectoral indices, particularly Auto and IT, posted strong gains, and broader midcap and smallcap indices outperformed. While uncertainty prevails, advisors recommend investors remain invested and continue systematic investment plans.

Key Points: Sensex, Nifty Gain Despite FPI Outflows, War Concerns

  • Markets open higher despite FPI outflows
  • Geopolitical war uncertainty persists
  • DIIs counter FPI selling
  • Sectoral indices show broad gains
  • Asian and US markets also trade positively
3 min read

Sensex, Nifty open in green despite FPI outflows and war concerns

Indian stock markets open in green showing resilience amid FPI outflows and US-Israel-Iran war uncertainty. Experts advise staying invested.

"The resilience of the Indian market recovery will depend on the scale and duration of the oil and gas market disruption. - Ajay Bagga"

Mumbai, March 18

The domestic share markets opened in the green on Wednesday, showing resilience despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty due to the US-Israel-Iran war and continued foreign outflows.

The Nifty 50 opened at 23,632.90, gaining 51.75 points or 0.22 per cent, while the BSE Sensex opened at 76,367.55, rising by 296.71 points or 0.39 per cent.

Market experts noted that Indian markets have shown resilience in recent sessions despite significant foreign portfolio investor (FPI) outflows.

Ajay Bagga, banking and market expert, told ANI, "Indian markets have been resilient over the last two days, bouncing from extreme pessimism and oversold levels. DIIs have countered outflows of over Rs 70,000 in March from FPIs in the cash equity segment. The resilience of the Indian market recovery will depend on the scale and duration of the oil and gas market disruption. That is a big known unknown, and markets are not fully pricing a longer disruption for now."

He further added, "The US Fed meeting is the biggest economic event of the week. The Fed is expected to be on 'hold' with markets factoring in one rate cut towards the end of 2026."

In the broader markets on the NSE, indices traded firmly in the green. The Nifty 100 rose by 0.65 per cent, Nifty Midcap 100 surged by 0.98 per cent, and Nifty Smallcap 100 gained 1 per cent.

Sectoral indices also showed strong performance across the board. Nifty Auto surged by 1.38 per cent, Nifty FMCG gained 0.48 per cent, Nifty IT rose by more than 2.3 per cent, Nifty Pharma increased by 0.42 per cent, Nifty PSU Bank advanced by 1 per cent, and Nifty Consumer Durable was up by 0.95 per cent.

VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, said, "With total uncertainty and confusion regarding the trend of the war continuing, this uncertainty is getting reflected in the market, too. Even seasoned experts lack the conviction to advise investors on the right strategy. All that can be said with conviction now is: remain invested and continue with SIPs."

Meanwhile, crude oil prices remained elevated, trading at USD 103 per barrel at the time of filing this report, adding to global concerns.

In the commodities segment, gold prices were on a downward trend, trading at Rs 155743 per 10 grams for 24 carat. Silver prices also declined and were at Rs 251301 per kg.

In other Asian markets, most major indices were trading in the green during Wednesday's opening session. Japan's Nikkei 225 surged by 2.21 per cent to 54887 levels, Singapore's Straits Times gained 0.94 per cent to 4982 levels, Taiwan's Weighted index rose by 1.56 per cent to 34356 levels, and South Korea's KOSPI rallied by 3.84 per cent to 5856 levels. However, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was marginally down by 0.16 per cent at 25826 levels.

In the US markets on Tuesday, major indices also closed higher. The Dow Jones gained 0.1 per cent to 46993 levels, the S&P 500 rose by 0.25 per cent to 6716 levels, and the Nasdaq increased by 0.47 per cent to 22479 levels.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As an NRI investor, I find this resilience encouraging. However, the expert's comment about the "big known unknown" regarding oil disruption is worrying. $103/barrel crude will eventually hit our import bill and inflation. The market might be a bit too optimistic right now.
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Ananya R
Good to see Midcap and Smallcap indices surging! Often the first to fall in panic, their recovery suggests retail investors are staying put. Vijayakumar's advice is solid for common people like us - just keep your SIPs running and don't try to time this volatile market.
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Vikram M
IT sector up 2.3% is the real surprise here. With US Fed holding rates and global uncertainty, I expected IT to be under pressure. Maybe the weak rupee is helping? Anyway, a green day is always welcome. Hope it holds.
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Karthik V
While the headline is positive, we must be cautious. The article mentions "extreme pessimism and oversold levels" - this bounce could just be a technical correction. The war situation can change any moment. Don't get carried away by one day's green.
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Priya S
Gold price coming down is interesting. Usually, during war times, people rush to gold. Maybe investors are seeing better opportunities in equities? Still, for long-term security, having some physical gold in the locker is a must for Indian families.

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