Stock Market Today Highlights: The Indian stock market benchmark indices Sensex, Nifty 50 ended 0.8% each on Wednesday, March 18 following gains in global markets as oil prices fell. Meanwhile, investors now focussed on the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision due later today. However, caution over the ongoing US-Iran war in the Middle East remained.
Sensex ends 633 points or 0.83% higher at 76,704 while Nifty jumped 196 points or 0.83% to settle at 23,778. In intra-day deals, Sensex soared 858 points or 1.1% to day’s high of 76,929.30 while Nifty 50 jumped 255 points to day’s high of 23,836.
The rally in the BSE added around ₹5 lakh crore to the total market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies, taking it to more than ₹438 lakh crore from ₹443 earlier.
Broader markets ourperformed with Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 indices rising between 1.5-2% each. Among sectors, Nifty IT rose the most followed by Nifty Auto and Nifty Realty. However, Nifty Metal was in the red.
US Federal Reserve Policy Decision Tonight
The US Federal Reserve began its two-day policy meeting on March 17, with the outcome due later on March 18, amid heightened uncertainty from the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
The 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 has put the central bank in a difficult position as it balances inflation control with growth support.
Markets widely expect the Fed to keep interest rates 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, according to LSEG data.
The Fed is also preparing for a leadership change, with Jerome Powell set to be succeeded by Kevin Warsh, nominated by Donald Trump.
For investors in India, the announcement is scheduled for 12:30 a.m. IST on March 19—an hour later than usual due to Daylight Saving Time in the US. Investors can watch US Fed chairman Jerome Powell’s press conference address via the official live stream on the US Federal Reserve’s website: https://www.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 its Gulf neighbours.
US futures climbed 0.5% following modest gains on Wall Street ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision later in the day. In Europe, Germany’s DAX rose 0.7% to 23,899.71, while France’s CAC 40 gained 0.9% to 8,045.19. Britain’s FTSE 100 edged up 0.2% to 10,427.12.
In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 2.9% to 55,239.40 after stronger-than-expected export data for February. South Korea’s Kospi jumped 5% to 5,925.03. Lower oil prices provided relief to major importers such as Japan and South Korea. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng reversed early losses to rise 0.6% to 26,025.42, and the Shanghai Composite added 0.3% to 4,062.98.
Crude Oil Prices
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 disruptions from Gulf producers.
However, with no signs of easing tensions in the Iran conflict, benchmark Brent crude has remained above $100 per barrel for four consecutive sessions.
After gaining more than 3% in the previous session, Brent futures slipped 31 cents, or 0.3%, to $103.12 per barrel as of 0902 GMT. Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $1.56, or 1.6%, to $94.65.
Gold Rate Today
Gold rate declined on the MCX in early deals on Wednesday, March 18, ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision, while geopolitical risks and concerns over a spike in inflation capped losses for the yellow metal.
MCX gold April futures were 0.21% down at ₹1,55,662 per 10 grams around 9:15 am, while MCX silver May futures were 0.76% down at ₹2,51,200 per kg at that time.
Gold and silver prices have been volatile lately amid the US-Iran war and volatility in crude oil prices.
The US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is widely expected to keep benchmark interest rates unchanged on March 18, considering the increased risk of a spike in inflation due to a sharp jump in crude oil prices driven by the US-Iran war.
Stay tuned to this segment for the latest updates on stock market today.
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