Key gauges trade mixed in morning deals

Indian equity benchmarks traded mixed in morning deals, as elevated crude oil prices and fresh US-Iran tensions weighed on investors' sentiment. Growing expectations that the US Federal Reserve could keep monetary policy tighter for longer also weighed on risk appetite across emerging markets. Traders remained cautious as HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) survey released showed India's manufacturing activity expanded at its weakest pace in five years in August as growth in output and new orders slowed amid softer demand conditions. The seasonally adjusted index fell to 52.8 in August from 53.5 in July, marking its third consecutive monthly decline. The latest reading was also below the long-run average of 54.2. 

The BSE Sensex managed to keep its heads above water led by gains in TECK, Oil & Gas and Energy stocks. In contrast, the Nifty 50 was trading with minor cuts amid foreign fund outflows. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued their selling spree on August 31, 2026, offloading equities worth Rs 7,985.88 crore. On the global front, Asian markets were trading mixed following the broadly negative cues from Wall Street overnight, as concerns about a re-escalation of the military conflict in the Middle East and the related spike in crude oil prices added to worries about global inflation and interest rates.

The BSE Sensex is currently trading at 77023.52, up by 66.25 points or 0.09% after trading in a range of 76764.26 and 77083.49. There were 12 stocks advancing against 18 stocks declining on the index. 

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were TECK up by 0.91%, Oil & Gas up by 0.88%, Energy up by 0.86%, IT up by 0.69% and Auto up by 0.35%, while Realty down by 1.29%, Consumer Durables down by 0.87%, Capital Goods down by 0.63%, Healthcare down by 0.58% and Industrials down by 0.36% were the top losing indices on BSE.

The top gainers on the Sensex were ITC up by 2.24%, HCL Technologies up by 2.00%, Bharti Airtel up by 1.53%, Infosys up by 1.27% and Reliance Industries up by 1.21%. On the flip side, Bajaj Finserv down by 2.67%, Interglobe Aviation down by 2.38%, State Bank of India down by 1.55%, Titan Company down by 1.48% and Axis Bank down by 1.25% were the top losers.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the reforms undertaken by the government, along with agile economic management, are bearing results, with real GDP growth coming in at 7.8 per cent in the April-June quarter of current financial year (Q1FY27). India's economic growth in the first quarter surpassed the Reserve Bank of India's 7 per cent GDP growth forecast for the period.

She stated ‘The credit for this strong performance goes to the people of India and their hard work. Reforms undertaken by the Government, together with an agile management of the economy, are bearing results.’

She said the government remains focused to further expanding economic opportunities for all citizens. As per GDP data released by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, nominal GDP in Q1 of FY27 is estimated to have grown by 10.3 per cent, while real GVA (gross value added) recorded 8.2 per cent growth.

The CNX Nifty is currently trading at 24061.05, down by 19.35 points or 0.08% after trading in a range of 24009.50 and 24082.60. There were 22 stocks advancing against 28 stocks declining on the index.

The top gainers on Nifty were Adani Ports &SEZ up by 3.65%, ITC up by 3.09%, Bharti Airtel up by 2.70%, Bajaj Auto up by 2.40% and HCL Technologies up by 2.02%. On the flip side, Shriram Finance down by 3.46%, Max Healthcare Inst. down by 3.22%, Interglobe Aviation down by 3.19%, Nestle India down by 2.93% and Asian Paints down by 2.64% were the top losers.

Asian markets are trading mixed; Nikkei 225 slipped 102.93 points or 0.16% to 66,209.00, KOSPI dropped 5.01 points or 0.07% to 6,815.01, Hang Seng declined 279.99 points or 1.11% to 25,287.00 and Straits Times fell 45.38 points or 0.79% to 5,709.98.

On the flip side, Taiwan Weighted added 762.35 points or 1.65% to 46,890.82, Jakarta Composite gained 37.09 points or 0.57% to 6,562.57 and Shanghai Composite strengthened 6.13 points or 0.15% to 3,992.43.