Indian Stock Market Expected to Open on a Positive Note

The Indian stock market is anticipated to open on a strong positive note on March 24, 2026, tracking a rally in global markets amid indications of easing tensions in the US-Iran conflict. The Sensex is expected to open higher, with a sharp gap-up, supported by a meaningful improvement in global sentiment following the recent decline in crude oil prices.

Global Market Trends

Asian markets advanced, while US equities closed higher overnight after the US deferred planned strikes on Iranian power infrastructure. The easing in oil prices has been triggered by a temporary de-escalation in geopolitical tensions, after Donald Trump postponed the planned strikes on Iran's power infrastructure for five days. This signals ongoing diplomatic engagement and has reduced immediate fears of a full-scale escalation, bringing short-term relief to global markets.

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Domestic Market Performance

On Monday, however, the domestic market extended its losses, ending sharply lower due to heavy selling pressure driven by concerns over a prolonged US-Iran conflict. The Sensex plunged 1,836.57 points, or 2.46%, to settle at 72,696.39, while the Nifty 50 dropped 601.85 points, or 2.60%, to close at 22,512.65.

Stocks to Watch

The following stocks are likely to remain in focus on March 24, 2026:

Read also: US-Iran Tensions Spark Uptick in Oil Prices Amid Global Market Decline

• Coal India: The state-run company has given in-principle approval to divest up to 25% of its equity stake in South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL) via an offer for sale (OFS).
• Indian Railway Finance Corporation: The company has signed a major rupee term loan agreement with Hindustan Urvarak and Rasayan Ltd to refinance existing long-term debt of up to ₹12,842 crore.
• IndiGo: The airline has announced the appointment of Aloke Singh as chief strategy officer, as the airline gears up for a senior management reshuffle.
• HDFC Bank: The bank's chairman, Atanu Chakraborty, has resigned, and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has highlighted the need for robust institutional processes and transparency at the board level.
• GR Infraprojects: The company has secured a ₹2,440.87 crore order from the National Highways Authority of India for the construction of a greenfield stretch of NH-33 in Bihar.
• Wipro: The company has unveiled plans to expand its operations in South Korea with the launch of a new Innovation Lab under the Wipro Innovation Network (WIN).
• NBCC (India): The state-owned company has secured a work order valued at around ₹58.61 crore from Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University in Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Odisha.
• Sula Vineyards: The company's founder and CEO, Rajeev Samant, has raised his stake in the company by acquiring 1.78 lakh shares worth over ₹3 crore through open market purchases between February 12 and March 9.
• SEPC: The board has approved the acquisition of a 90% stake in Avenir International Engineers and Consultants LLC, Abu Dhabi, for ₹1,530 crore.
• Balkrishna Industries: The company has announced the issuance of 75,000 rated, listed, unsecured, redeemable non-convertible debentures (NCDs) with a face value of ₹1 lakh each, aggregating up to ₹750 crore, through a private placement.