The Indian stock market opened higher on Monday, August 24, but the rise was limited as investors continued to track crude oil prices, US-Iran tensions, foreign investor flows and global bond yields.
At 9:15 am, the Nifty 50 opened 0.14% higher at 24,285.05, while the BSE Sensex gained 0.11% to 77,629.56. Thirteen of the 16 major sector indices were in positive territory at the opening. Mid-cap and small-cap indices were also up around 0.2%.
The opening follows two weeks of losses for the Indian market. On Friday, August 21, the Nifty 50 closed at 24,252.00, while the Sensex ended at 77,540.83. On a Friday-to-Friday basis, the Nifty lost around 0.47% last week and the Sensex fell around 0.60%.
Early trade also showed some buying in technology and banking shares. Around 9:30 am, the IT index was up about 0.88%, while banking shares were up about 0.17%. Infosys gained around 1.69% and Hindalco rose about 1.44% in early trade.
So, while the market has started Monday on a positive note, there is still no clear signal that the correction of the past two weeks has ended.
Also Read | Sensex Falls 481 Points, Nifty Ends Near 24,553; 7 Key Takeaways for Next Week
Stock Market Today: Why are Sensex and Nifty rising this morning?
There are four main reasons behind the positive opening.
1. Crude oil prices have eased
Oil prices fell on Monday morning after rising more than 5% in the previous week.
Brent crude was trading close to $93 a barrel, while US crude was around $85.6 a barrel.
Lower crude oil prices generally help India because the country imports most of the oil it consumes. When oil rises, India's import bill increases and there can be pressure on inflation, the rupee and company costs.
The market will therefore want to see whether Brent can move further away from the $90 to $95 range.
2. US markets closed higher on Friday
US equity markets recovered on Friday after a week of concern over bond yields. This provided some support to Asian markets and the opening in India.
However, global investors are still watching US bond yields and inflation data closely.
3. IT stocks are seeing some buying after last week's fall
Technology stocks were among the weak parts of the market last week as higher US bond yields and concerns over technology spending affected sentiment.
That fall has created buying interest in some IT stocks at the start of this week.
4. Domestic investors continue to support the market
Foreign investors have remained cautious, but domestic institutional investors have continued to put money into Indian equities.
The weekly market data compiled by m.Stock showed foreign investors as net sellers in the cash market while domestic institutions remained buyers.
This domestic buying has helped prevent a bigger fall in the headline indices.
Why Did the Stock Market Fall Last Week?
The market's weakness last week was not driven by one single event.
The main pressure came from a combination of high crude oil prices, rising US bond yields, foreign investor selling and geopolitical concerns around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.
The US 10-year Treasury yield moved close to 4.72%, while the 30-year yield went above 5.3% during the week. At the same time, Brent crude moved above $93 a barrel.
Higher US yields matter to India because global investors can earn better returns from US bonds without taking equity risk. This can reduce the amount of foreign money coming into markets such as India.
Oil created another problem.
If crude remains above $90 for a long period, investors start worrying about India's import bill, inflation, corporate costs and the rupee.
The rupee ended Friday at around ₹95.695 to the US dollar, according to Reuters.
Nifty Outlook This Week: Key Levels to Watch
For the week of August 24 to August 28, 24,350 to 24,400 is emerging as an important zone for the Nifty 50.
Market analysts say a sustained move above this area would improve the chances of a move towards 24,500 and beyond.
On the lower side, the first level to watch is around 24,200.
If Nifty slips below this level, 24,000 to 24,050 becomes the next area to watch. A sharper fall in global markets, another rise in oil or new geopolitical trouble could take the index towards the 23,800 area.
Stock Market This Week: What could push Nifty higher?
The market has room to recover if several things happen together.
- The first is lower crude oil. A sustained fall in Brent would reduce concerns over inflation, the rupee and India's import bill.
- The second is lower US bond yields. This could help IT stocks and improve the chances of foreign money returning to Indian equities.
- The third is stability in the rupee.
- The fourth is continued buying by domestic mutual funds, insurance companies and other local institutions.
Finally, investors will watch whether Nifty can move past the 24,350 to 24,400 area with participation from banks, IT and other large companies.
A rise driven by only a few stocks will be less convincing.
What could make the stock market fall this week?
The biggest risk remains the Iran situation.
The United States is expected to provide more details about new sanctions on Iran. Markets will watch whether the measures affect Iranian oil exports or shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Any disruption to oil supply could push crude back up.
Other risks include:
- Brent crude moving further above $95 a barrel.
- Another rise in US Treasury yields.
- More foreign investor selling.
- Further weakness in the Indian rupee.
- Weak global technology stocks.
- US inflation data coming in above expectations.
- Sudden escalation in West Asia.
Investors should therefore track the oil market almost as closely as the Nifty this week.
Sectors and Stocks to Watch This Week
1. IT stocks: Infosys, TCS, HCL Technologies and LTM
IT stocks started Monday with buying after a weak previous week.
The sector remains closely linked to the US economy, technology spending, the dollar and US bond yields.
Infosys, TCS, HCL Technologies and LTM will therefore remain in focus.
HCL Technologies fell 4.93% last week, while LTM lost 5.82%.
If US yields ease, the sector could see further recovery. If yields start rising again, IT stocks could come under pressure.
2. Banks: HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank
Banks will be important for the direction of Nifty.
Bank Nifty closed Friday at 57,761.95. It lagged during parts of last week but recovered towards the end.
HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank should be watched for signs of broader buying.
3. Metals: Hindalco, Tata Steel and NALCO
Metal stocks showed buying interest towards the end of last week, and Hindalco was among the early gainers on Monday.
The segment will react to the dollar, global commodity prices and developments in China.
NALCO is also in focus because it is trading ex-dividend today.
4. Gold finance companies: Muthoot Finance and Manappuram Finance
Gold loan companies were among the stronger pockets last week because the value of the gold used as collateral has risen.
Muthoot Finance was the top Nifty 100 weekly gainer in the m.Stock market recap, rising 5.09%.
Further movement in gold prices could keep Muthoot Finance and Manappuram Finance in focus.
5. Aviation: IndiGo
InterGlobe Aviation, which operates IndiGo, fell 4.84% last week.
Oil is a major cost for airlines. A fall in crude can help the sector, while another oil spike can hurt margins.
6. Defence stocks: HAL, BEL, Bharat Dynamics, BEML and Paras Defence
Defence companies remain in focus after the government's sixth Positive Indigenisation List covering 405 items, with an estimated domestic opportunity of around ₹3,070 crore.
The segment has already seen large price moves, so investors should separate company orders and earnings from general sector movement.
Top Gainers and Losers Last Week
For a more useful comparison than looking at thinly traded stocks across the entire market, the following table uses Nifty 100 weekly movers.
Top Nifty 100 gainers last week
| Stock | Weekly Change |
|---|---|
| Muthoot Finance | +5.09% |
| HDFC AMC | +4.42% |
| Eternal | +3.14% |
| HDFC Life Insurance | +3.11% |
| Bosch | +3.10% |
Top Nifty 100 losers last week
| Stock | Weekly Change |
|---|---|
| Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles | -9.07% |
| LTM | -5.82% |
| REC | -5.73% |
| HCL Technologies | -4.93% |
| InterGlobe Aviation | -4.84% |
The data is based on the weekly market recap for August 15 to August 21.
One point stands out from the list. Gold-linked financial companies did well, while technology, aviation and some power-finance names faced pressure.
Also Read | Best mutual fund categories for volatile markets
Upcoming Dividends This Week: August 24 to August 28, 2026
Corporate-action dates should always be checked with the latest exchange filing before placing a trade. NSE maintains its corporate filings and actions database, while BSE provides a corporate-actions calendar for listed companies.
Monday, August 24
Several stocks are trading ex-dividend today, including:
- Gillette India: ₹60 per share
- International Gemmological Institute: ₹2.55 per share
- NALCO: ₹1 per share
- India Pesticides: ₹0.75 per share
- Pudumjee Paper Products: ₹0.60 per share
- SJVN: ₹0.35 per share
- AMJ Land Holdings
- GK Energy
- Naturewings Holidays
- Senco Gold
Important: Since these shares are already trading ex-dividend on August 24, buying them today will generally not make a new buyer eligible for this payout.
Tuesday, August 25
Stocks scheduled to trade ex-dividend include:
- Deepak Fertilisers: ₹10 per share
- NR Agarwal Industries: ₹2 per share
- Premco Global: ₹2 per share
- Shivalik Bimetal Controls: ₹2 per share
- Aditya Vision
- Diffusion Engineers
- MAS Financial Services
- Mobavenue AI Tech
Friday, August 28
A larger group of companies is scheduled to trade ex-dividend on Friday.
Some of the names to watch include:
- MCX: ₹8 per share
- Vardhman Holdings: ₹5
- Vardhman Textiles: ₹5
- Whirlpool of India: ₹5
- Vardhman Special Steels: ₹3.50
- Poly Medicure: ₹3.50
- Honasa Consumer: ₹3
- Studds Accessories: ₹3
- Paras Defence: ₹1
- Black Box
- Cantabil Retail
- DAM Capital Advisors
- NBCC
- Protean eGov Technologies
- Salzer Electronics
- Sterling Tools
- Arvind SmartSpaces
- Gujarat Ambuja Exports
For an August 28 ex-date, August 27 would normally be the final buying day for dividend eligibility.
A dividend warning investors should know
Buying a stock only for the dividend does not create free money.
When a share turns ex-dividend, its price can adjust to reflect the payout. Dividends are also taxable in the hands of investors according to applicable tax rules.
The quality of the business, valuation and future earnings matter more than one dividend payment.
September 2026 Dividends You Can Still Track Before the Ex-Date
Several companies have announced record dates in September, which means they can still be researched before their ex-dividend dates.
These should be viewed as a dividend watchlist, not a stock recommendation.
| Company | Dividend | September Date |
|---|---|---|
| Danish Power | ₹2.00/share | Record date: Sept 1 |
| Carraro India | ₹6.75/share | Sept 3 |
| Coal India | ₹5.25/share | Sept 4 |
| Subros | ₹3.00/share | Sept 11 |
| Tamil Nadu Newsprint & Papers | ₹4.00/share | Record date: Sept 17 |
Danish Power's NSE filing shows a September 1 record date and a recommended final dividend of ₹2 per share.
Carraro India's upcoming final dividend is ₹6.75 per share with a September 3 date.
Coal India's board recommended a ₹5.25 final dividend per share for FY2025-26. Final dividends remain subject to shareholder approval where applicable.
Subros has a ₹3 per-share final dividend with September 11 on the dividend calendar.
Tamil Nadu Newsprint & Papers has recommended a ₹4 final dividend per share and fixed September 17, 2026 as the record date, subject to shareholder approval at its AGM.
IPOs This Week: Mainboard Issues Investors Should Track
The IPO market is also busy this week. NSE provides an official upcoming-issues page where investors can verify issue status and bidding details.
IPOs open or opening this week
| IPO | Open | Close | Price Band | Issue Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tempsens Instruments | Aug 20 | Aug 24 | ₹285 to ₹300 | ₹650 crore |
| Augmont Enterprises | Aug 21 | Aug 25 | ₹750 to ₹788 | ₹825 crore |
| Symbiotec Pharmalab | Aug 24 | Aug 27 | ₹938 to ₹988 | ₹1,757 crore |
| Skyways Air Services | Aug 24 | Aug 27 | ₹131 to ₹138 | ₹582.8 crore |
| Hy-Tech Engineers | Aug 24 | Aug 27 | ₹50 to ₹53 | ₹135.73 crore |
| Annu Projects | Aug 25 | Aug 28 | ₹94 to ₹99 | Check final offer document |
| Lumino Industries | Aug 27 | Aug 31 | ₹78 to ₹82 | ₹700 crore |
The IPO market also remains sensitive to valuation. Zepto's decision to defer its planned listing after a sharp reset in valuation is a recent example of why investors should look beyond IPO hype.
Gold and Silver Prices Last Week
Gold and silver were among the biggest market stories last week.
According to the India Bullion and Jewellers Association, India's benchmark bullion rates on August 21 were:
- Gold 999 AM rate: ₹159,499 per 10 grams
- Gold 999 PM rate: ₹160,620 per 10 grams
- Silver 999 AM rate: ₹244,389 per kg
- Silver 999 PM rate: ₹246,630 per kg
These rates exclude 3% GST and making charges. IBJA describes its gold prices as India's benchmark rates used for several financial and official purposes.
Using the IBJA benchmark from August 14 AM to August 21 AM, gold moved from around ₹151,490 to ₹159,499 per 10 grams.
That is a rise of approximately: ₹8,009 per 10 grams, or about 5.3% in one week.
Silver moved from around ₹231,920 to ₹244,389 per kg over the same comparison period.
MCX futures also recorded weekly gains, with gold and silver both moving sharply higher.
Stock Market Outlook: What Does the Week Look Like From Here?
The Indian market has opened the week with gains, but the numbers do not yet show a full change in direction.
For now, the market is caught between two forces.
On one side are domestic investor buying, lower oil prices on Monday morning, a recovery in IT stocks and the Nifty's ability to remain above 24,000.
On the other side are oil prices still above $90, US-Iran tensions, high US bond yields, a weak rupee and continued foreign investor caution.
That makes 24,350 to 24,400 on the Nifty the level to track first.
If the index crosses that area and oil continues to fall, the recovery can gain support.
If crude rises again or the geopolitical situation worsens, the market could return towards 24,200 and 24,000.
For investors, this is a week where sector selection may matter more than simply watching whether the Sensex is green or red.
Technology stocks are trying to recover. Banks need to support the index. Gold-linked finance companies remain connected to bullion prices. Airlines remain exposed to oil. Metals are reacting to global commodity moves. Defence shares have policy support but have already seen sharp price changes.
The first hour of Monday has started in green. The larger question for the week is whether lower oil and improving global conditions can keep it there.
Data cut-off: Market opening data for Monday, August 24, 2026. Live market prices can change throughout the trading session.
Disclaimer: This article is for news and information purposes only. Stocks, IPOs and dividend-paying companies mentioned here are not recommendations to buy or sell. Investors should check the latest NSE and BSE filings and assess their own financial situation before investing.