Nifty above 24,350, Sensex ends flat amid US Iran ceasefire uncertainty

The domestic share market indices traded flat amid volatility on Monday, as uncertainty over the Iran–US ceasefire weighed on investor sentiment.At close, the Sensex was up 26.76 points or 0.03 percent at 78,520.30, and the Nifty was up 11.30 points or 0.05 percent at 24,364.85.
Trent, SBI, JSW Steel, Asian Paints, Grasim Industries were the top gainers on the Nifty, while losers included Jio Financial, Hindalco, HDFC Life, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Kotak Mahindra Bank.On the sectoral front,among sectors, IT, Telecom, Realty shed 0.5% each, while Auto, Oil & Gas, Media, Power, Energy, PSU Bank rose between 0.3-1%.Nifty Midcap index shed 0.2% and Smallcap index fell 0.4%.
Rupee Close:
On 20 Apr'26,the Indian rupee pared its initial gains and settled with a loss of 19 paise at 93.10  against the US dollar on Monday, after fresh tension in West Asia led to an increased demand for the American currency and kept crude prices steady.Forex traders said the local currency remained under pressure due to a fresh standoff between the US and Iran that led to a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global supply.
Trading Guide: 
Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments stated renewed disputes over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz injected volatility into global markets. Investors interpreted the recent disruptions in the Middle East as potential negotiation tactics rather than the onset of a full-scale conflict. With the ceasefire set to expire this week, market participants remain cautious, awaiting further developments.Oil prices surged but stayed below the $100 mark, while the rupee weakened, raising concerns about inflationary pressures. Despite these headwinds, investors are giving some weights to the progressing Q4 earnings season. This has led to selective accumulation in growth-oriented sectors such as power, capital goods, and consumer durables, which continue to attract attention for their long-term potential.
Market experts recommended five shares to buy on Monday-Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Enginers, Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries, HFCL, Shriram Finance, and Techno Electric & Engineering Company.

(Business Correspondent)