Nifty and Sensex edge up as crude tops $86 on US-Iran tensions
The Nifty rose 75 points, or 0.31%, to 24,160.85 at Wednesday’s open, while the Sensex added 230 points, or 0.30%, to 77,422.76.
Source: RSS · July 21, 2026 at 6:53 PM · AI-assisted report

WASHINGTON, 22 JULY 2026 —
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The Nifty rose 75 points, or 0.31%, to 24,160.85 at Wednesday’s open, while the Sensex added 230 points, or 0.30%, to 77,422.76.
Both gauges had fallen on Tuesday after Brent crude jumped more than 9% to near $86 a barrel when US forces struck Iranian targets and Washington reinstated its naval blockade of Iranian ports. The Indian rupee weakened to 96.17 per dollar from Tuesday’s 96.20 close, breaching the 96 mark for the first time since May, traders said.
Asian equities advanced after softer-than-expected US inflation data strengthened bets the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates. “Domestic equities came under renewed pressure as escalating West Asia tensions drove crude oil prices sharply higher, reviving fears that global energy supply will further delay a recovery in India's corporate earnings,” said Vinod Nair, head of research at Geojit Investments Ltd.
Forex traders warned that fresh US-Iran escalation could keep pressure on the rupee. India imports more than 85% of its crude oil needs. Market experts said they are closely monitoring geopolitical developments and energy prices for cues on the currency’s direction in the days ahead.
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