Closing Bell: Nifty 50 Closes Marginally Up, Nifty Bank Supports Amid Mixed Market Performance | 21 Aug 2026, 03:45 PM IST
By ThePip Desk
Indian equities concluded Friday’s session with the Nifty 50 posting a slight gain, closing at 24234.75. The Nifty Bank index provided key support, while midcap stocks saw minor declines.
Indian equity markets concluded the trading week with a largely subdued performance on Friday, 21 August 2026. The benchmark Nifty 50 index managed to settle marginally higher, driven primarily by strength in banking counters. In contrast, the broader market, particularly the NIFTY Midcap 100, experienced a slight pullback. These figures represent the final settled closing prices for Friday, 21 August 2026.
Index Performance
| Index | Close | Change | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nifty 50 | 24234.75 | +2.90 | +0.01% |
| Nifty Bank | 57647.65 | +151.75 | +0.26% |
| NIFTY Midcap 100 | 63645.95 | −25.60 | −0.04% |
Market Movers and Key Trends
The Nifty 50 finished the session with a modest gain of +2.90 points, or +0.01%, closing at 24234.75. This marginal uptick suggests a session characterized by cautious trading and sector-specific movements rather than broad-based enthusiasm. The Nifty Bank index, a significant component, showed stronger momentum, advancing by +151.75 points, or +0.26%, to settle at 57647.65, indicating resilience in the financial sector. Conversely, the NIFTY Midcap 100 index experienced a slight dip, closing −25.60 points, or −0.04%, lower at 63645.95, highlighting a divergence in performance between large-cap and mid-cap segments.
Among the top performers in the Nifty 50, Power Grid Corporation Of India Ltd. (POWERGRID) led the gains, rising +2.87%, closing at ₹272.4. This surge was notable given the broader market’s muted performance. HDFC Life Insurance Company Ltd. (HDFCLIFE) and Nestle India Ltd. (NESTLEIND) also posted significant advances, up +2.03% to ₹553 and +1.71% to ₹1483 respectively, demonstrating strength in select defensive and financial names. Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (KOTAKBANK) contributed significantly to the banking sector’s strength, climbing +1.42% to ₹403. Other notable gainers included Grasim Industries Ltd. (GRASIM) and Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL).
Conversely, Trent Ltd. (TRENT) was the session’s biggest laggard, declining −1.70% to ₹2919.4. This sharp fall impacted the retail sector. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MARUTI) and Interglobe Aviation Ltd. (INDIGO) also faced considerable selling pressure, falling −1.55% to ₹13595 and −1.51% to ₹5087, respectively, indicating weakness in the auto and aviation sectors. Technology majors Infosys Ltd. (INFY) and Tech Mahindra Ltd. (TECHM) were among the top losers, reflecting broader weakness in the IT space, with Infosys down −0.97% to ₹1119 and Tech Mahindra down −0.95% to ₹1577.
Top 10 Gainers
| Company | Close (₹) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Power Grid Corporation Of India Ltd. (POWERGRID) | 272.4 | +2.87% |
| HDFC Life Insurance Company Ltd. (HDFCLIFE) | 553 | +2.03% |
| Nestle India Ltd. (NESTLEIND) | 1483 | +1.71% |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (KOTAKBANK) | 403 | +1.42% |
| Grasim Industries Ltd. (GRASIM) | 3338 | +1.15% |
| Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) | 414 | +1.12% |
| Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) | 311.1 | +0.78% |
| Asian Paints Ltd. (ASIANPAINT) | 2643.9 | +0.71% |
| SBI Life Insurance Company Ltd. (SBILIFE) | 1792.8 | +0.61% |
| Hindalco Industries Ltd. (HINDALCO) | 1036 | +0.60% |
Top 10 Losers
| Company | Close (₹) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Trent Ltd. (TRENT) | 2919.4 | −1.70% |
| Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MARUTI) | 13595 | −1.55% |
| Interglobe Aviation Ltd. (INDIGO) | 5087 | −1.51% |
| Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. (APOLLOHOSP) | 8648 | −1.00% |
| Infosys Ltd. (INFY) | 1119 | −0.97% |
| Tech Mahindra Ltd. (TECHM) | 1577 | −0.95% |
| HCL Technologies Ltd. (HCLTECH) | 1306 | −0.94% |
| Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. (TMPV) | 317.3 | −0.92% |
| Cipla Ltd. (CIPLA) | 1426.5 | −0.80% |
| Bajaj Auto Ltd. (BAJAJ-AUTO) | 11700 | −0.79% |
Stock-Specific Highlights
Power Grid Corporation Of India Ltd. (POWERGRID) emerged as a top gainer, advancing +2.87% to ₹272.4. The company recently informed investors about its presentation, which detailed a marginal fall in its Q1 consolidated net profit. Despite the profit dip, the company reported a positive trend in its total consolidated income, which increased by 2.20% to ₹11,696.72 crore for Q1FY27.
Nestle India Ltd. (NESTLEIND) also saw significant upward movement, surging +1.71% to ₹1483. This positive reaction followed the outcome of its board meeting and the announcement of robust financial results. Nestle India reported a strong 48% rise in its Q1 consolidated net profit. Furthermore, the company’s total consolidated income for Q1FY27 increased substantially by 25.49% to ₹6,400.65 crore, underpinning investor confidence.
Outlook for the Week Ahead
As the Indian market heads into the weekend, investors will be closely monitoring global economic indicators and geopolitical developments. Domestically, any significant corporate announcements or policy updates could influence market sentiment. The performance of key sectors, particularly banking and IT, will be crucial in determining the market’s direction when trading resumes next week.