MARKET TODAY — WEDNESDAY, 18 MARCH 2026
₹5 Lakh Crore Added! Sensex Surges 633 Points, Nifty Closes at 23,778 — All Eyes on US Fed Rate Decision Tonight
Indian equity markets delivered a powerful third straight session of gains on Wednesday, as IT and auto sectors led the charge. Global markets rallied as oil prices eased slightly, though caution over the ongoing US-Iran war in the Middle East persisted.
📊 Key Market Numbers at Close
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SENSEX 76,704 +633 pts (+0.83%) |
NIFTY 50 23,778 +196 pts (+0.83%) |
INTRADAY HIGH 76,929 / 23,836 Sensex +858 pts peak |
BSE MKT CAP ₹438+ Lakh Cr +₹5 Lakh Cr added today |
🇮🇳 Market Summary
Sensex ended 633 points or 0.83% higher at 76,704 while Nifty 50 jumped 196 points or 0.83% to settle at 23,778. At the intraday high, Sensex soared 858 points (1.1%) to 76,929.30 while Nifty touched 23,836 during the session.
The rally on the BSE added approximately ₹5 lakh crore to total market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies, taking it to over ₹438 lakh crore.
📈 Broader Markets & Sectors
Broader markets outperformed benchmark indices — Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 rose between 1.5% to 2% each, a strong signal of widening market participation.
- Nifty IT — Top sector gainer 🏆
- Nifty Auto — Strong gains on price hike momentum
- Nifty Realty — Positive session
- Nifty Metal — Only major sector in the red (profit-booking after 2-day rally)
🏦 US Federal Reserve Rate Decision — Tonight
The US Federal Reserve began its two-day policy meeting on March 17, with the outcome due later tonight on March 18. Markets worldwide are watching closely amid heightened uncertainty from the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
The Middle East tensions — which began on February 28 — have disrupted global oil supplies and pushed prices higher, raising concerns over persistent inflation above the Fed's 2% target while also threatening economic growth. This places the central bank in a difficult balancing act between controlling inflation and supporting growth.
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What Markets Are Pricing In ✔ Interest rates widely expected to remain UNCHANGED at the March 2026 FOMC meeting ✔ Rate futures now signal just ONE 25-basis-point cut later this year — down from earlier expectations of two cuts (LSEG data) ✔ Jerome Powell set to be succeeded by Kevin Warsh — nominated by Donald Trump (Fed leadership transition ahead) 🕐 For Indian Investors: Fed announcement at 12:30 AM IST on March 19 (one hour later than usual due to US Daylight Saving Time). Powell press conference available live on federalreserve.gov |
🌍 Global Markets Today
Shares moved higher across Europe and Asia on Wednesday as oil prices eased slightly, even as Iran launched fresh attacks on Gulf neighbours. US futures climbed 0.5% following modest gains on Wall Street.
🇪🇺 Europe
- Germany DAX: +0.7% to 23,899.71
- France CAC 40: +0.9% to 8,045.19
- UK FTSE 100: +0.2% to 10,427.12
🌏 Asia
- Japan Nikkei 225: +2.9% to 55,239.40 — boosted by stronger-than-expected February export data
- South Korea KOSPI: +5% to 5,925.03 — oil price relief helped major importers
- Hong Kong Hang Seng: +0.6% to 26,025.42 — reversed early losses
- Shanghai Composite: +0.3% to 4,062.98
🛢️ Crude Oil — Some Relief, But No All-Clear
Oil prices declined on Wednesday after Iraq resumed crude exports through a pipeline to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, raising hopes of some supply relief amid ongoing Gulf disruptions.
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Brent Crude (May): $103.12/bbl (−0.3%) | Above $100 for 4 consecutive sessions WTI Crude (US): $94.65/bbl (−1.6%) | Fell $1.56 in the session |
With no signs of easing tensions in the Iran conflict, Brent has held above $100 per barrel for four straight sessions. Despite today's slight softening, the structural supply risk from the Middle East remains very much alive.
🥇 Gold & Silver — Volatile Ahead of Fed Decision
MCX Gold April futures declined 0.21% to ₹1,55,662 per 10 grams in early deals, while MCX Silver May futures fell 0.76% to ₹2,51,200 per kg.
Gold and silver prices have remained highly volatile lately, caught between the safe-haven demand from US-Iran war fears and pressure from a potential hawkish Fed stance arising from crude-driven inflation concerns. The FOMC is widely expected to hold rates unchanged today, which could provide some support to gold after the announcement.
⚡ Quick Market Snapshot — 18 March 2026
- Sensex: 76,704 (+633 pts, +0.83%)
- Nifty 50: 23,778 (+196 pts, +0.83%)
- Intraday High: Sensex 76,929 | Nifty 23,836
- BSE Market Cap: ₹438+ Lakh Crore (+₹5 lakh crore added today)
- Best Sector: Nifty IT (+3%+)
- Worst Sector: Nifty Metal (Negative)
- Midcap 100: +1.94% | Smallcap 100: +1.70% — Broader markets outperformed benchmarks
- Brent Crude: $103.12/bbl | WTI: $94.65/bbl
- MCX Gold: ₹1,55,662/10g (−0.21%) | MCX Silver: ₹2,51,200/kg (−0.76%)
- US Fed Decision: 12:30 AM IST, March 19 — Rates expected UNCHANGED
⚖️ Regulatory Disclaimer
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