📈 DAILY MARKET UPDATE
📅 Date – 18 May 2026
1️⃣ VERY IMPORTANT NEWS
• Middle East tensions escalated after Iran drones targeted UAE, increasing global war fears.
• Brent Crude surged near $110/barrel after Russian oil sanction waiver expiry and Hormuz concerns.
• US bond yields jumped sharply after higher US inflation data, increasing fear of US rate hike.
🌍 GLOBAL MARKET
✔️ US Markets:
• S&P 500 fell 1.3%, Nasdaq dropped 1.5%, Dow Jones down more than 1%.
✔️ Asia Market Update:
• Asian markets opened weak amid geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices. Nikkei down 0.2%, ASX 200 down 0.76%.
✔️ Gift Nifty Signal:
• Indicating weak to gap-down opening around 150 points lower.
✔️ Crude Oil:
• Brent Crude near $110.5/barrel, WTI above $102/barrel.
✔️ Dollar Index:
• Dollar remained strong due to rising US bond yields and rate hike expectations.
✔️ Volatility Index (VIX US):
• US VIX jumped near 18.5, up around 7%.
🇮🇳 INDIAN MARKET OVERVIEW
✔️ Sector Trend:
• Weakness expected in Auto, Banking, Paints, Aviation and Oil-sensitive sectors.
• Semiconductor and Defense-related stocks may stay in focus after India-Netherlands agreements.
✔️ Market Sentiment / Trend:
• Overall sentiment remains cautious to bearish due to crude oil spike, weak rupee and geopolitical tensions.
✔️ Volatility (India VIX):
• India VIX rose near 18.8 indicating higher market volatility.
💰 FII & DII DATA
✔️ FIIs:
• FIIs were net buyers of around ₹1,350 Cr on Friday.
✔️ DIIs:
• DIIs were net sellers of around ₹2,000 Cr.
📊 COMMODITIES UPDATE
✔️ Crude:
• Crude prices surged sharply due to Middle East conflict fears.
✔️ Gold:
• Gold corrected sharply last week amid stronger US dollar and rate hike expectations.
✔️ Silver:
• Silver remained under pressure with weak global sentiment.
📊 OPTIONS DATA (OI BUILD-UP)
✔️ Call OI:
• Highest Call OI at 24,000 followed by 23,800 and 24,300.
✔️ Put OI:
• Highest Put OI at 23,000 followed by 23,500 and 23,400.
✔️ PCR:
• PCR dropped to 0.97 from 1.11 indicating weaker market sentiment.
📈 NIFTY LEVELS
✔️ Trend:
• Bearish to Rangebound Below 24,000
• Immediate Support:
• 23,500
• Major Support:
• 23,400 – 23,250
• Immediate Resistance:
• 23,800
• Strong Resistance:
• 24,000 – 24,300
📉 BANK NIFTY LEVELS
✔️ Trend:
• Bearish
• Immediate Support:
• 53,300 – 53,200
• Major Support:
• 53,000
• Immediate Resistance:
• 54,000
• Strong Resistance:
• 54,200 – 54,500
📊 STOCKS / SECTORS IN NEWS
• Tata Electronics & semiconductor-related stocks in focus after India-Netherlands agreements.
• IOC, Indraprastha Gas, JSW Cement, Ola Electric and Triveni Turbine due to earnings today.
• Oil & Gas stocks likely active due to sharp rise in crude oil prices.
📊 STOCK SETUPS TO WATCH
• Tata Elxsi / Semiconductor Theme Stocks
• ONGC / Oil & Gas Stocks
• Defense Stocks on global geopolitical tensions
🎯 EXPECTED TRADING RANGE TODAY
✔️ Nifty Range:
• 23,250 – 23,850
✔️ Bank Nifty Range:
• 53,000 – 54,200
📅 IMPORTANT DATA / EVENTS TODAY
• China Industrial Production & Unemployment Data
• Global updates regarding Iran-US geopolitical tensions
🎯 INTRADAY TRADING VIEW
👉 Market sentiment remains weak due to rising crude oil prices, weak rupee and geopolitical tensions. Traders should stay cautious and avoid aggressive long positions unless Nifty sustains above 23,800.
📌 QUICK SUMMARY
• Global sentiment negative due to Middle East tensions.
• Rising crude oil and weak rupee remain major concerns for Indian markets.
• Nifty below 24,000 keeps overall trend cautious to bearish.