NIFTY50, SENSEX today: Wall Street cues, FII activity, key things to know before markets open on April 21

The Indian equity benchmarks are set to open higher on Tuesday, April 21, as indicated by GIFT NIFTY futures. NIFTY futures at GIFT City in Ahmedabad advanced 73 points to 24.405 amid positive cues from Asian markets despite volatile geopolitical situation in West Asia.

The Indian equity benchmarks ended on a flat note on Monday, April 20, as investor sentiment turned cautious after reports suggested that ceasefire between United States and Iran appeared in peril after the US said it had seized an Iranian cargo ship.

The SENSEX ended 27 points higher at 78,520 and NIFTY50 index advanced 11 points to close at 24,365.

Asian markets

Most of the Asian markets were trading higher despite uncertainty over talks between US and Iran to end the war as April 22 ceasefire deadline nears. Japan's Nikkei rose 1.3%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng advanced 0.6%, South Korea's KOSPI surged 2.23% and China's Shanghai Composite declined 0.2%.

Wall Street update

Overnight, US stocks came off record highs as oil prices surged above $95 per barrel in international markets. Dow Jones Industrial Average ended on a flat note, S&P 500 declined 0.24% and tech heavy Nasdaq declined 0.26%.

US-Iran talks update

FII/DII activity

Foreign institutional investors sold shares worth ₹1,060 crore on Monday while domestic institutional investors bought stocks worth ₹2,967 crore, as per NSE data.

Stocks to watch

A chartered and cost accountant by qualification, Narsimhan brings over 35 years of experience in the consumer goods industry, having held senior leadership roles across finance, risk management, strategy, and business transformation at leading global organisations.

"HCLTech, a leading global technology company, today announced the appointment of Kimsuka Narsimhan as an independent director with effect from April 20, 2026," according to a release.

In a filing to BSE, the company said that "the board of directors of the company at its meeting held on April 20, 2026, as part of the ongoing reorganisation process, has, inter alia, approved to make the scheme effective on May 1, 2026."

The company also added that in consultation with other entities involved, the board has fixed May 1 as the record date for determining the shareholders eligible to receive consideration pursuant to the scheme.

"The board … as part of the ongoing reorganisation process, has, inter alia, approved. In consultation with VAML, TSPL, MEL, and VISL, the Board has fixed May 1, 2026, as the record date for determining the shareholders eligible to receive consideration pursuant to the Scheme," it said.

Narsimhan has worked across multiple geographies, including Europe, the Middle East and Africa, India, and Southeast Asia.

The housing finance company promoted by the Punjab National Bank had earned a net profit of ₹550 crore in the same quarter a year earlier.

Total income during the fourth quarter of the previous fiscal year rose to ₹2,172 crore from ₹2,037 crore logged in the year-ago period, PNB Housing Finance said in a regulatory filing.

The lender's interest income in Q4FY26 was higher at ₹2,054 crore, as against ₹1,906 crore seen in the same period a year ago.

Net interest income grew 11% to ₹813 crore at the end of March 2026, as against ₹734 crore logged a year ago.

However, the net interest margin (NIM) declined to 3.69% from 3.75% in Q4 FY25.

Under this cover, if a customer's visa application (other than an immigrant or employment visa) is rejected, the company will indemnify the insured for non-recoverable advance payments toward accommodation and travel, including applicable official cancellation charges, Thomas Cook (India) said in a statement.

"In today's ever-evolving global travel environment, financial protection has become a critical element in travel planning. Visa decisions remain beyond a traveller's control, and a rejection can have significant financial implications.

Hindustan Copper aims to significantly ramp up production capacity and improve its operations. The successful execution of this plan is expected to deliver transformative outcomes across operational, financial, and strategic dimensions.

Under the agreement, Hyundai Motor will lead the design of and co-develop the electric three-wheeler (E3W) by leveraging its research and development expertise, advanced mobility technologies, and human-centric design approach, the two companies said in a joint statement.

On the other hand, TVS Motor will co-develop the product using its leading-edge electric platform, extensive three-wheeler engineering expertise, and deep local market knowledge, the statement said.

Leveraging its long legacy of trust and quality focus, TVS will also lead local sales, with its manufacturing operations in India catering to Indian market demand and future exports, it added.

The partnership has been formalised after the successful presentation of the E3W concept at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, the statement said.

The announcement was made at the India-Korea Business Forum in the national capital. India and Korea on Monday discussed revamping the existing free trade agreement, CEPA, to boost economic ties.

In the statement, JSW Steel said that the land for the project has already been secured, and once commissioned, the project will be capable of manufacturing high-grade flat steel products for automotive and other applications.

In 2005, POSCO signed a memorandum of understanding with the Odisha government to set up a $12 billion mega-steel project, but dropped the project more than a decade later due to land acquisition issues and other clearances.

JSW Steel said the agreement marks a significant step towards deepening strategic collaboration between the two steel companies.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was exchanged during the India-Korea Business Forum in the presence of Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his Korean counterpart, Yeo Han-koo.

A document showed that the partnership will focus on mutual cooperation in developing renewable energy projects in India and optimising related solutions (total project size: approximately KRW 80 billion; specific investment amount to be determined; around 300 direct and indirect jobs expected).

The GS E&C is engaged in engineering and construction.

The Korean firm has also exchanged an initial pact with Arie Energy LLP for business cooperation for India Wind Repowering.

The MoU was one among 16 agreements signed at the India-Korea Business Forum, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.

NAVER Corp. is a global ICT company behind South Korea's leading search portal 'NAVER' and has business portfolios encompassing commerce, fintech, content, community, and map services.

NAVER's sustained investment in research and development across proprietary AI, cloud computing, robotics, mobility, and other cutting-edge technologies is enabling the company to bring future innovations into everyday use.

The MoU with TCS involves mutual cooperation in map services.

The entry into Zambia is a strategic move to bolster its African footprint, and Zamoto Manufacturing will be responsible for sales, service, and the spare parts network across the country, TVS Motor Company said in a regulatory filing.

With a young, rapidly urbanising demographic, Zambia represents a high-potential market for efficient mobility. The company is introducing a diverse lineup of eight products, curated to meet the specific needs of Zambian commuters and businesses, it added.

Revenue for the quarter under review grew 18% at ₹898 crore from ₹771 crore in the March quarter of FY25, it said.

During the March quarter of FY26, the company said cargo vehicle volumes stood at 1,592, while passenger vehicle volumes were recorded at 3,705, growing 16% year-on-year, adding that market share in cargo vehicles was down 2% year-on-year at 3.3% while passenger vehicles' market share rose 1.7% year-on-year to 16% in the fourth quarter of the previous fiscal.

For the full 2025-26 fiscal, the profit was at ₹160 crore and revenue at ₹2,838 crore, the company said.

Its revenue in the March quarter was at ₹68 crore, up 13% year-on-year, the company informed in its quarterly updates.

This was the "highest ever Q4 & annual revenues", Calcom Vision said in statements and a regulatory filing to the bourses.

Besides, early traction from customers across new product ranges such as professional lighting, industrial lighting and solar lighting products also contributed to growth.

Trade setup

The index closed almost flat with an 11-point gain on Monday amid high volatility. On the daily charts, the index made a doji candlestick pattern, indicating indecision on the direction of the market. However, the index managed close above the 50 EMA level, suggesting that the broader sentiment remains bullish. On the daily charts, 24,200 now becomes a crucial support and 24,800 a near-term resistance for the NIFTY50.

Ahead of the weekly expiry, the 24,400 to 24,700 call strikes witnessed strong open intererst concentration, indicating a strong resistance above 24,400-24,500 levels for NIFTY50. On the flipside, 24,000 puts hold the highest open interest, indicating a strong support on the downside.