Indian stock market indices traded in the red on Thursday, July 23, 2026, amid rising crude oil prices in global markets. According to NSE data, the benchmark NIFTY50 index lost 0.76% or 184 points to hit an intraday low of 23,811.85 points, compared to 23,996.25 points at the previous session close. The BSE SENSEX dropped 0.73% or around 564 points to 76,190.27 points, down from 76,755.05 points at the previous close. As of the afternoon trading session, NIFTY50 was trading 0.69% lower at 23,830 points while SENSEX was trading 0.54% lower at 76,342 points.
Despite the broader market decline, 10 prominent stocks achieved 52-week highs on Thursday, July 23. According to NSE data, Bajaj Auto reached a 52-week high of ₹11,331 with 3% intraday returns, 12% one-month returns, and 18% year-to-date returns. TVS Motor Co. hit a 52-week high of ₹3,974.70 with 1.7% intraday returns, 13% one-month returns, and 3% year-to-date returns. Bosch achieved a 52-week high of ₹42,985 with 3.4% intraday returns, 5.2% one-month returns, and 17% year-to-date returns. Other notable performers included Lenskart Solutions at ₹563 with 0.6% intraday returns, Manappuram Finance at ₹365.70 with 1.8% intraday returns, and Rubicon Research at ₹1,547.30 with 5.5% intraday returns.
Automobile and autoparts manufacturers such as Bajaj Auto, TVS Motor Co., and Bosch witnessed sustained momentum and buying interest from investors amid the overall healthy auto sector demand and positive Q1 earnings report for the fiscal year 2026-27. As reported by market sources, Chennai Petroleum Corp. Ltd shares surged to their year-high level right before the company's Q1 earnings announcement, after which shares declined over 8% as investors focused on sequential performance and rising input costs for the refining company against the backdrop of higher crude oil prices.
The key focus of investors remained on monitoring energy prices in global markets, which have increased over 9% so far this week above $96 per barrel. According to Investing.com data, Brent crude oil prices surged to this week's record high level of $96.46 per barrel on Thursday, July 23, compared to $94.07 at the previous commodity market close. The Indian rupee weakened 0.14% to 96.70 against the US dollar on Thursday, July 23, compared to 96.56 against the greenback at the previous currency market close. The VIX or volatility index acts as a 'fear gauge' for market investors, reflecting traders' sentiment that are outlining a path of rising uncertainty in the equity markets.
