Market Highlights: Nifty 50 Hovers Near 24240 Mark as Mid-Session Trading Sees Modest Gains | 21 Aug 2026, 02:00 PM IST
By ThePip Desk
Nifty 50 trades at 24239.50, up 0.03% intraday. Broader markets show minor positive movement, with Nifty Bank leading slight gains at +0.29%.
Welcome to ThePip.in’s Market Highlights, your real-time afternoon snapshot of Indian equities. As of Friday, 21 August 2026, intraday, key indices are largely holding steady, with minor positive movements across the board, reflecting a cautious yet stable trading environment.
Major Indices Show Marginal Gains
Indian benchmark indices are trading with marginal gains as the afternoon session progresses, indicating a day of consolidation. The Nifty 50 is currently hovering near the 24240 level, specifically at 24239.50, registering a modest increase of +8 points or +0.03%. The Nifty Bank index is displaying slightly stronger momentum compared to its broader counterpart, trading at 57660.25, up by +164 points, which translates to a +0.29% gain. Meanwhile, the NIFTY Midcap 100 index is also in positive territory, albeit with minimal movement, trading at 63674.95, a rise of +3 points or +0.01%, suggesting broad market stability.
|
Index |
Current Value |
Change |
% Change |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Nifty 50 |
24239.50 |
+8 pts |
+0.03% |
|
Nifty Bank |
57660.25 |
+164 pts |
+0.29% |
|
NIFTY Midcap 100 |
63674.95 |
+3 pts |
+0.01% |
Top Movers Drive Individual Stock Performance
Individual stocks are exhibiting varied performance, contributing to the overall market dynamics. Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (POWERGRID) is leading the pack among top gainers, showcasing robust performance. Conversely, Interglobe Aviation Ltd. (INDIGO) is experiencing a notable decline, impacting the broader market sentiment.
Top 5 Gainers
Among the Nifty 50 constituents, Power Grid Corporation Of India Ltd. (POWERGRID) stands out, trading at ₹272.3, marking a significant gain of +7.50 points or +2.83%. HDFC Life Insurance Company Ltd. (HDFCLIFE) is also performing well, currently at ₹550.2, up by +8.20 points or +1.51%. Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (KOTAKBANK) is contributing positively, trading at ₹403.05 with a +1.43% increase, adding +5.70 points. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) is up +1.13% at ₹312.2, gaining +3.50 points. Completing the top five gainers, Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) is trading at ₹414, reflecting a +1.12% rise, or +4.60 points.
|
Company |
Current Price |
Change |
% Change |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Power Grid Corporation Of India Ltd. (POWERGRID) |
₹272.3 |
+7.50 pts |
+2.83% |
|
HDFC Life Insurance Company Ltd. (HDFCLIFE) |
₹550.2 |
+8.20 pts |
+1.51% |
|
Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (KOTAKBANK) |
₹403.05 |
+5.70 pts |
+1.43% |
|
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) |
₹312.2 |
+3.50 pts |
+1.13% |
|
Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) |
₹414 |
+4.60 pts |
+1.12% |
Top 5 Losers
On the downside, Interglobe Aviation Ltd. (INDIGO) is currently the biggest laggard, trading at ₹5068.5, down by a significant −96.50 points or −1.87%. Trent Ltd. (TRENT) is also experiencing a decline, with its shares at ₹2921, down −49.00 points or −1.65%. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MARUTI) is trading lower at ₹13608, shedding −201.00 points, a −1.46% reduction. Cipla Ltd. (CIPLA) is also in the red, at ₹1419.4, down −18.60 points or −1.29%. Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (HEROMOTOCO) rounds out the top five losers, trading at ₹5687.5, down −53.00 points or −0.92%.
|
Company |
Current Price |
Change |
% Change |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Interglobe Aviation Ltd. (INDIGO) |
₹5068.5 |
−96.50 pts |
−1.87% |
|
Trent Ltd. (TRENT) |
₹2921 |
−49.00 pts |
−1.65% |
|
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MARUTI) |
₹13608 |
−201.00 pts |
−1.46% |
|
Cipla Ltd. (CIPLA) |
₹1419.4 |
−18.60 pts |
−1.29% |
|
Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (HEROMOTOCO) |
₹5687.5 |
−53.00 pts |
−0.92% |
FIIs Net Sellers, DIIs Provide Strong Support
Looking at the institutional activity from the previous trading day, Thursday, 20 August 2026, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued their selling trend, registering net outflows of −583.36 crore. This selling pressure from foreign investors was significantly counterbalanced by robust buying from Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs), who recorded substantial net purchases amounting to +3,537.71 crore. This strong domestic support is a key factor in maintaining market stability despite foreign selling.
Overall, the Indian equity market is experiencing a largely subdued but positive intraday session, with domestic institutional buying providing a significant cushion against foreign outflows and contributing to the overall stability observed across major indices.