Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed almost unchanged on Thursday (July 16, 2026), as profit-taking in blue-chip stocks such as HDFC Bank and Reliance Industries offset gains in IT shares amid geopolitical tensions.

The 30-share BSE Sensex edged up 1.44 points to settle at 77,186.87. During the day, it climbed 394.26 points, or 0.51%, to 77,579.69 but pared gains towards the end of the session. The 50-share NSE Nifty dipped 5.75 points, or 0.02%, to end at 24,072.75.

Among Sensex shares, InterGlobe Aviation, HCL Technologies, Bajaj Finance, Maruti, Mahindra & Mahindra and Tech Mahindra were the major winners. Eternal, Bharat Electronics, Bajaj Finserv, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank were among the laggards.

In Asian markets, South Korea's Kospi tanked 6.37%. Japan's Nikkei 225 index and Shanghai's SSE Composite index also settled lower, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index ended higher. Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, dipped 0.39% to $84.62 per barrel. Fluctuating oil prices and weak Asian market trends also weighed on domestic equities, according to an expert.

"Indian equities concluded largely subdued as investors remained cautious amid geopolitical uncertainties, fluctuating oil prices, and weak Asian market trends," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited. Meanwhile, cooling U.S. inflation eased rate concerns and offered downside support, he added.

Markets in Europe were trading lower. U.S. markets ended higher on Wednesday (July 15, 2026). Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹735.83 crore on Wednesday (July 15, 2026), according to exchange data.

On Wednesday (July 15, 2026), the Sensex climbed 130.49 points, or 0.17%, to settle at 77,185.43. The Nifty went up 26.45 points, or 0.11%, to end at 24,078.50.