The Indian stock market witnessed mixed movements on 21 May 2026, with the Nifty 50 inching up to 23,682.95, marking a 0.10% increase from its opening level of 23,830.05. Meanwhile, the Sensex experienced a slight decline, trading at 75,248.95, down 0.09% from its opening mark of 75,732.42. The overall sentiment in the market was varied, with some sectors showing strength while others lagged.
Index movements
The Nifty 50 opened at 23,830.05 and reached a high of 23,859.90 before dipping to a low of 23,596.60. As of 14:00 IST, it stood at 23,682.95, reflecting a modest gain of 0.10% from its opening. The Sensex, on the other hand, opened at 75,732.42, hit a high of 75,945.79, and a low of 74,996.78, before settling at 75,248.95, showing a decline of 0.09%. The Bank Nifty also faced downward pressure, trading at 53,390.05, down 0.32% from its opening of 53,963.10.
Sectoral performance
Among the sectoral indices, the Nifty Realty index emerged as the top performer, climbing to 776.90, a gain of 1.28% from its opening of 772.85. The Nifty Energy index also showed strength, rising to 40,423.95, up 0.67%. In contrast, the Nifty IT index faced declines, trading at 29,025.55, down 0.55% from its opening level of 29,277.95. The Nifty FMCG index also saw a decrease, standing at 50,322.25, down 0.39%.
Market breadth
The broader market indices reflected a mixed trend. The Nifty 100 and Nifty 500 indices showed slight gains, with the Nifty 100 at 24,634.35, up 0.18%, and the Nifty 500 at 22,637.30, up 0.26%. Midcap indices had a varied performance, with the Nifty Midcap 100 at 61,413.80, up 0.15%, while the Nifty Midcap 50 declined to 17,481.10, down 0.11%.
| Index | Open | High | Low | Current | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nifty 50 | 23,830.05 | 23,859.90 | 23,596.60 | 23,682.95 | +0.10% |
| Sensex | 75,732.42 | 75,945.79 | 74,996.78 | 75,248.95 | -0.09% |
| India VIX | 18.44 | 18.44 | 17.43 | 17.75 | -3.74% |
| Nifty Realty | 772.85 | 779.90 | 770.20 | 776.90 | +1.28% |
| Nifty Energy | 40,362.75 | 40,622.75 | 40,256.20 | 40,423.95 | +0.67% |
| Nifty IT | 29,277.95 | 29,328.35 | 28,964.95 | 29,025.55 | -0.55% |
| Nifty Auto | 26,147.70 | 26,235.20 | 25,901.00 | 26,022.10 | +0.42% |
| Nifty Metal | 13,312.05 | 13,348.40 | 13,181.50 | 13,239.25 | +0.40% |
| Nifty FMCG | 50,800.80 | 50,901.60 | 50,208.30 | 50,322.25 | -0.39% |
| Nifty PSU Bank | 8,051.45 | 8,079.30 | 7,967.00 | 8,000.90 | +0.38% |
| Bank Nifty | 53,963.10 | 54,109.15 | 53,156.15 | 53,390.05 | -0.32% |
| Nifty Pharma | 24,994.10 | 25,001.00 | 24,782.65 | 24,921.20 | +0.31% |
| Nifty 500 | 22,745.90 | 22,781.00 | 22,557.00 | 22,637.30 | +0.26% |
| Nifty 100 | 24,775.30 | 24,808.85 | 24,546.00 | 24,634.35 | +0.18% |
| Nifty Midcap 100 | 61,772.60 | 61,894.55 | 61,180.40 | 61,413.80 | +0.15% |
| Nifty Midcap 50 | 17,620.45 | 17,660.00 | 17,413.55 | 17,481.10 | -0.11% |
| Nifty Media | 1,412.45 | 1,417.60 | 1,392.30 | 1,399.30 | -0.05% |
Market outlook
As the trading session progresses, investors will likely keep a close watch on sectoral performances, especially in the Realty and Energy sectors, which have shown notable strength. Market participants will also be attentive to any developments that could influence the broader market trends. The mixed movements across indices suggest a cautious approach as the market seeks direction.
Data as on May 21, 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.