Extending losing streak for second straight session, Indian equity benchmark -- Nifty -- ended significantly lower on Monday amid exaggerated geopolitical tensions. Index began the session with cut of over one percent and remained under pressure till the end of the session as ongoing US-Iran conflict entered its fifth week, created uncertainty across global markets. Further, cautiousness prevailed after the Finance Ministry flagged an uncertain near-term outlook, citing external shocks - particularly the West Asia crisis - as key downside risks due to elevated input costs and possible supply disruptions. Besides, persistent foreign fund outflows dampened market sentiments. As per exchange data, foreign institutional investors offloaded equities worth Rs 4,367.30 on Friday. Meanwhile, rupee depreciation to all-time-low of 95.22 against U.S. Dollar, also impacted trading sentiments. Finally, Nifty ended below 22,350 mark.

All sectorial indices ended in red. The top gainers from the F&O segment were National Aluminium Company, Steel Authority of India and Avenue Supermarts. On the other hand, the top losers were Union Bank of India, Syngene International and Nuvama Wealth Management. In the index option segment, maximum OI continues to be seen in the 23900 - 24100 calls and 22900 - 231000 puts indicating this is the trading range expectation.

India Volatility Index (VIX), a gauge for market’s short-term expectation of volatility increased by 4.04% and reached 27.89. The 50 share Nifty down by 488.20 point or 2.14% to settle at 22,331.40.

Nifty April 2026 futures closed at 22454.60 (LTP) on Monday, at a premium of 123.20 points over spot closing of 22331.40, while Nifty May 2026 futures ended at 22605.00 (LTP), at a premium of 273.60 points over spot closing. Nifty April futures saw an addition of 1,11,774 units, taking the total open interest (Contracts) to 3,32,475 units. The near month derivatives contract will expire on April 28, 2026. (Provisional)

From the most active contracts, HDFC Bank April 2026 futures traded at a premium of 4.90 points at 739.90 (LTP) compared with spot closing of 735.00. The numbers of contracts traded were 1,61,814. (Provisional)

ICICI Bank April 2026 futures traded at a premium of 2.60 points at 1214.40 (LTP) compared with spot closing of 1211.80. The numbers of contracts traded were 56,447. (Provisional)

Reliance Industries April 2026 futures traded at a premium of 6.60 points at 1354.90 (LTP) compared with spot closing of 1348.30. The numbers of contracts traded were 53,373. (Provisional)

State Bank of India April 2026 futures traded at a premium of 4.90 points at 985.70 (LTP) compared with spot closing of 980.80. The numbers of contracts traded were 44,867. (Provisional)

Axis Bank April 2026 futures traded flat with spot closing of 1168.40. The numbers of contracts traded were 38,054. (Provisional)

The Nifty Put Call Ratio (PCR) finally stood at (0.99) for April month contract. The top five scrips with highest PCR on Torrent Pharmaceuticals (2.10), The Phoenix Mills (1.80), Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (1.64), Alkem Laboratories (1.60), and Grasim Industries (1.60).

Among most active underlying HDFC Bank witnessed an addition of 99,973 units of Open Interest in the April month futures, ICICI Bank witnessed an addition of 23,292 units of Open Interest in the April month future, Reliance Industries witnessed an addition of 19,100 units of Open Interest in the April month future, State Bank of India witnessed an addition of 21,828 units of Open Interest in the April month futures and Axis Bank witnessed an addition of 17,283 units of Open Interest in the April month futures. (Provisional).