Stock Market Update: Sensex Gains 500 Points, Nifty Rises 140—Where Investors Are Buying

On Friday, 22 May 2026, Indian stock markets opened on a positive note with strong buying momentum across key sectors. The Sensex rose by around 500 points (0.70%), trading near the 75,700 level, while the Nifty gained approximately 140 points (0.58%) to reach around 23,800. The overall sentiment in the domestic market remained upbeat, mainly supported by buying interest in banking and real estate stocks. The positive movement in Indian equities was also influenced by strong cues from global markets. Asian markets traded firmly in the green, reflecting improved investor confidence. Japan’s Nikkei index outperformed other regional markets with a sharp gain of around 1,410 points (2.29%), reaching approximately 63,095. The rally in Japanese equities was largely driven by buying in technology and automobile stocks. South Korea’s Kospi index also posted gains, rising around 23 points (0.49%) to near 7,840 levels. Similarly, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index advanced by about 204 points (0.88%), reaching close to 25,590. Overall, the strength in Asian markets contributed to a positive trading environment across global equities. In the United States, the previous trading session also ended on a positive note. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained around 276 points (0.55%), closing near 50,286. The Nasdaq saw a mild rise of about 23 points (0.09%) to close at approximately 26,293, while the S&P 500 index increased by 13 points (0.17%) to settle around 7,446. The gains in US markets were mainly supported by buying in IT and banking stocks, reflecting steady investor sentiment. Despite the positive global cues, foreign institutional investors (FII/FPI) continued to show selling pressure in Indian markets. On Wednesday alone, they sold equities worth around ₹1,891 crore. However, domestic institutional investors (DII) provided strong support by purchasing shares worth approximately ₹2,493 crore, helping to stabilize the market. A broader trend shows that domestic investors remain highly active and supportive. In the last seven trading sessions, DIIs have collectively bought shares worth around ₹10,945 crore, while FIIs have sold about ₹3,132 crore during the same period. Over the past 30 days, DIIs have invested nearly ₹68,089 crore in Indian equities, whereas FIIs have withdrawn approximately ₹53,642 crore. This consistent domestic buying has played a crucial role in balancing the impact of foreign outflows and maintaining stability in the Indian stock market. Overall, despite ongoing FII selling pressure, strong domestic participation and positive global cues continue to support the upward momentum in Indian equities.