In the afternoon trade session on 18th May 2026, the Indian stock market displayed mixed sentiments. The Nifty 50 index slightly declined by 0.02% from its opening, currently standing at 23,639.50. Meanwhile, the Sensex showed a modest gain of 0.06%, reaching 75,280.19. The market sentiment was further influenced by sectoral performances, with the Nifty PSU Bank index experiencing a significant drop of 2.08%.
Index movements
The Nifty 50 opened at 23,482.20 and experienced fluctuations throughout the session, reaching a high of 23,661.65 and a low of 23,317.10. The index trajectory showed a gradual recovery from its early session lows, peaking at 23,645.05 around 13:00 before settling at 23,639.50. The Sensex, on the other hand, opened at 74,807.97 and climbed to a high of 75,347.19, with a low of 74,180.26, reflecting a positive trend during the session.
Sectoral performance
The sectoral indices presented varied performances. The Nifty IT index emerged as a strong performer, gaining 2.05% to reach 28,284.15. Conversely, the Nifty PSU Bank index faced a downturn, dropping by 2.08% to 7,859.90. Other sectors such as Nifty Media and Nifty Auto also saw declines, with decreases of 1.97% and 1.74% respectively. The Nifty Pharma index, however, managed a modest gain of 0.55%, closing at 24,769.70.
Market breadth
Broader market indices indicated a mixed trend. The Nifty 100 and Nifty 500 indices recorded slight declines of 0.22% and 0.42% respectively. The Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Midcap 50 indices also showed minor decreases, with the former at 60,328.30 and the latter at 17,223.25, reflecting declines of 0.39% and 0.29% from their opening levels.
| Index | Open | High | Low | Current | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIFTY 50 | 23,482.20 | 23,661.65 | 23,317.10 | 23,639.50 | -0.02% |
| SENSEX | 74,807.97 | 75,347.19 | 74,180.26 | 75,280.19 | +0.06% |
| INDIA VIX | 18.79 | 20.05 | 17.72 | 19.57 | +4.15% |
| NIFTY PSU BANK | 7,949.90 | 7,957.40 | 7,809.15 | 7,859.90 | -2.08% |
| NIFTY IT | 27,689.60 | 28,358.85 | 27,663.80 | 28,284.15 | +2.05% |
| NIFTY MEDIA | 1,421.60 | 1,424.60 | 1,392.05 | 1,407.75 | -1.97% |
| NIFTY AUTO | 25,909.30 | 25,921.10 | 25,486.40 | 25,616.35 | -1.74% |
| NIFTY ENERGY | 39,607.65 | 39,607.65 | 39,144.05 | 39,391.15 | -1.07% |
| NIFTY REALTY | 746.40 | 749.80 | 734.90 | 749.30 | -0.93% |
| NIFTY METAL | 13,157.65 | 13,212.30 | 12,985.00 | 13,196.65 | -0.78% |
| NIFTY FMCG | 50,973.80 | 50,974.45 | 50,344.10 | 50,751.65 | -0.59% |
| NIFTY PHARMA | 24,617.00 | 24,788.95 | 24,436.25 | 24,769.70 | +0.55% |
| NIFTY 500 | 22,382.00 | 22,452.10 | 22,150.50 | 22,436.55 | -0.42% |
| NIFTY MIDCAP 100 | 60,183.90 | 60,372.45 | 59,457.65 | 60,328.30 | -0.39% |
| NIFTY MIDCAP 50 | 17,163.90 | 17,236.75 | 16,981.55 | 17,223.25 | -0.29% |
| BANK NIFTY | 53,282.15 | 53,613.05 | 52,783.45 | 53,559.50 | -0.28% |
| NIFTY 100 | 24,406.15 | 24,536.85 | 24,193.45 | 24,517.25 | -0.22% |
Market outlook
As the trading session progresses, market participants will be closely monitoring the movements in key indices and sectoral performances. The mixed trend observed in the broader market indices suggests a cautious sentiment among investors. Attention will likely remain on the IT and PSU Bank sectors, given their significant movements today. The market’s direction in the coming sessions will depend on various factors, including global cues and domestic economic developments.
Data as on May 18, 2026, 02:00 PM IST.
Disclaimer: This article is generated for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. The data and analysis presented are based on publicly available market information at the time of writing. Markets are subject to risk. Please consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment or trading decisions. Business Upturn does not accept responsibility for any losses arising from reliance on this content.