Indian equity benchmark -- Nifty ended flat with positive bias on Monday amid renewed geopolitical tensions. Index made a flat-to-positive start following positive cues from other Asian markets. Soon, index turned volatile but managed to gain some traction as traders took some support with foreign fund inflow. As exchange data, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) bought shares worth Rs 683.20 crore on April 17, 2026. Further, some support came as the Ministry of Commerce and Industry rolled out a set of reforms to improve the functioning of Norms Committees under the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), aiming to speed up Advance Authorisation approvals and simplify procedures for exporters. However, in second half of the session, index started trimming gain as renewed US-Iran worries weighted on market sentiments. The US Navy seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, which followed Iran firing at commercial vehicles passing through the Strait of Hormuz, renewing concerns over flow of shipping traffic through the Strait. In last leg of the session, index wiped out most of its gain and ended tad above in green terrain.
