Pre-Market Brief: Nifty 50 Dips to 24154.90; FIIs and DIIs Turn Net Buyers | 19 Aug 2026, 08:01 AM IST
By ThePip Desk
Indian equities saw declines on Tuesday, with Nifty 50 closing at 24154.90. Despite the dip, both FIIs and DIIs were net buyers, suggesting underlying support. Traders will watch for sustained institutional flows at the 9:15 AM open.
Good morning, traders. Based on 18 August 2026 closing prices, Indian benchmark indices closed lower on Tuesday, though institutional investors showed renewed buying interest. The Nifty 50 ended the session at 24154.90, marking a −0.55% decline, while the Nifty Bank also fell by −0.41% to 57262.40. The NIFTY Midcap 100 also registered a decline of −0.43%, closing at 63539.40. Despite the broader market dip, both Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) were net purchasers of Indian equities.
Index Snapshot
| Name | Close | Change% |
|---|---|---|
| Nifty 50 | 24154.90 | −0.55% |
| Nifty Bank | 57262.40 | −0.41% |
| NIFTY Midcap 100 | 63539.40 | −0.43% |
FII and DII Flows
Tuesday, 18 August 2026, saw a notable shift in institutional activity. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net buyers, injecting ₹1,651.53 crore into the market. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) also demonstrated strong buying, with net purchases totaling ₹2,579.31 crore. This combined institutional buying comes after a period where FIIs had shown more cautious sentiment. Over the last five trading sessions, FIIs have recorded net flows of +₹1,651.53 crore (Aug 18), -₹2,535.1 crore (Aug 17), +₹508.12 crore (Aug 14), -₹510.69 crore (Aug 13), and -₹1,002.5 crore (Aug 12). DIIs, on the other hand, have consistently been net buyers, with flows of +₹2,579.31 crore (Aug 18), +₹5,101.46 crore (Aug 17), +₹356.4 crore (Aug 14), +₹4,353.09 crore (Aug 13), and +₹5,841.66 crore (Aug 12).
Top Movers
Among the Nifty 50 constituents, Axis Bank Ltd. (AXISBANK) led the gainers, rising by +1.28% to ₹1243. Other prominent gainers included Max Healthcare Institute Ltd. (MAXHEALTH) at ₹1014.4, up +1.07%, and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) which advanced +0.92% to ₹3421.5. Grasim Industries Ltd. (GRASIM) and Power Grid Corporation Of India Ltd. (POWERGRID) also posted gains of +0.87% and +0.70% respectively.
On the downside, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. (TMPV) was the top loser, declining −2.24% to ₹322.8. Asian Paints Ltd. (ASIANPAINT) also saw a significant drop of −2.20%, closing at ₹2628.4. Technology stocks faced pressure, with Infosys Ltd. (INFY) down −2.18%, Wipro Ltd. (WIPRO) falling −2.11%, and HCL Technologies Ltd. (HCLTECH) losing −2.04%.
What to Watch at 9:15
The market’s performance on Tuesday, characterized by broad index declines despite positive institutional flows, suggests a nuanced sentiment. The sustained buying from DIIs, coupled with FIIs turning net buyers, indicates underlying support that could influence Wednesday’s trading. Traders should monitor the opening cues for any continuation of this institutional buying trend and its impact on key support and resistance levels.