LSE:CTEC 18 November 2025

March 11, 2026, 11:29 PM EDT. Indian stock markets are poised for a weak start Thursday, extending losses from the previous session. Rising global oil prices, spiked by attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and Iraqi waters, have rattled investors. Brent crude jumped over 7% to nearly $99 a barrel, fueling concerns over inflation and supply disruptions. The Nifty 50 futures indicate a lower opening, reflecting cautious investor sentiment. Foreign institutional investors have also been net sellers by substantial margins this month amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. Efforts to ease oil prices through record reserve releases, including 172 million barrels pledged by the U.S., have yet to calm markets. This volatility comes as global markets respond nervously to geopolitical risks, with the Sensex and Nifty down about 5% since the escalation of the conflict.