Stock markets rebound in early trade after 3-day slump

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty bounced back on Monday (March 16, 2026) after a three-day slump amid value-buying in blue-chips HDFC Bank and State Bank of India.

In early trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex declined 179.31 points to 74,384.61. The 50-share NSE Nifty went down by 53.1 points to 23,098.

However, later both the benchmark indices rebounded. The BSE benchmark traded 342.02 points higher at 74,899.76, and the Nifty quoted 88.55 points up at 23,240.95.

From the 30-Sensex firms, UltraTech Cement, Tata Steel, InterGlobe Aviation, State Bank of India, HDFC Bank and ITC were among the biggest gainers.

In Asian markets, South Korea’s benchmark Kospi, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index and Shanghai’s SSE Composite index were trading lower, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index quoted higher.

The U.S. market ended lower on Friday (March 13).

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, jumped 1% to $104.2 per barrel.

“Market direction through the week is expected to remain heavily influenced by geopolitical developments in West Asia and movements in crude oil prices.”

“The ongoing tensions involving Iran, Israel and the U.S. have disrupted energy markets and raised concerns over shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, keeping crude prices elevated and risk sentiment fragile,” Hariprasad K, Research Analyst and Founder, Livelong Wealth, said.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹10,716.64 crore on Friday (March 13), according to exchange data. Domestic Institutional Investors (DII) however, bought stocks worth ₹9,977.42 crore.

On Friday (March 13), the Sensex settled at 74,563.92 down 1,470.50 points or 1.93%. The Nifty tanked 488.05 points or 2.06% to end at 23,151.10.