Indian Market Closing Summary
The Nifty 50 closed at 24,176.50 on July 21, 2026, declining 62 points or 0.26% from the previous close of 24,238.50. The Sensex ended at 77,447.90, shedding 261 points or 0.34% in a session marked by weakness in banking and IT heavyweights.
| Index | Close | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nifty 50 | 24,176.50 | -62.00 | -0.26% |
| Sensex | 77,447.90 | -261.00 | -0.34% |
Sectoral and Stock Action
Banking stocks led the decline, with HDFC Bank extending losses for a second consecutive session to emerge as the top Nifty loser. Axis Bank also dragged the index lower as the banking sector came under sustained pressure through the afternoon.
Sectoral performance showed divergence, with Water Distribution advancing 3.94% and Auto Retail gaining 2.80%. Power stocks added 1.62%, while Pharmaceuticals rose 1.33%. Plastic and Polymers climbed 1.67%, and Leather stocks gained 1.40%. The broader market saw select pockets of strength despite the benchmark indices closing in the red.
GIFT Nifty Session Snapshot
GIFT Nifty closed at 24,151, up 36.50 points or 0.15% from the previous close of 24,114.50. The contract opened at 24,132 and traded in a 153-point range between an intraday high of 24,260 and a low of 24,107.
| Metric | Level |
|---|---|
| Last Traded Price | 24,151.0 |
| Open | 24,132.0 |
| High | 24,260.0 |
| Low | 24,107.0 |
| Change | +36.5 (+0.15%) |
The derivatives contract showed significant intraday volatility, spiking to 24,259 during the mid-session before retreating. GIFT Nifty maintained a small premium to the cash market through most of the session, diverging from the spot index's negative close as offshore traders positioned ahead of the evening session.
Market Positioning
The cash market traded above both the Dealer Fair Value and Gamma Flip levels during the session, with dealers likely operating in positive gamma territory despite the modest closing decline. GIFT Nifty heads into Session II at 24,151, maintaining a slight premium to the spot close.