Indian equity benchmark -- Nifty ended higher on Friday amid optimism over US-Iran peace talks and Lebanon-Israel ceasefire. Index made a flat-to-negative start following weak cues from other Asian markets. But in a while, index wiped out all losses and entered into green terrain as foreign fund inflow lifted inventors’ sentiments. As per exchange data, foreign portfolio investors purchased Indian equities worth Rs 382.36 crore on April 16, 2026, marking the second consecutive session of buying. Further, traders took support with the report stating that India and New Zealand are set to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) on April 27. The pact is expected to grant tariff-free access to the island nation’s market for Indian exporters and could attract investments worth $20 billion over the next 15 years. In second half of the session, index added more gain and continued its firm trade till the end of the session. Finally Nifty ended above 24,350 mark.

India Volatility Index (VIX), a gauge for market’s short-term expectation of volatility decreased by 4.86% and reached 17.21. The 50 share Nifty up by 156.80 point or 0.65% to settle at 24,353.55.

Nifty April 2026 futures closed at 24394.00 (LTP) on Friday, at a premium of 40.45 points over spot closing of 24353.55, while Nifty May 2026 futures ended at 24511.00 (LTP), at a premium of 157.45 points over spot closing. Nifty April futures saw an addition of 1,596 units, taking the total open interest (Contracts) to 2,70,101 units. The near month derivatives contract will expire on April 28, 2026. (Provisional)

From the most active contracts, HDFC Bank April 2026 futures traded at a premium of 2.05 points at 802.05 (LTP) compared with spot closing of 800.00. The numbers of contracts traded were 47,930. (Provisional)

Wipro April 2026 futures traded at a discount of 1.95 points at 202.35 (LTP) compared with spot closing of 204.30. The numbers of contracts traded were 25,417. (Provisional)

Infosys April 2026 futures traded at a premium of 2.00 points at 1322.00 (LTP) compared with spot closing of 1320.00. The numbers of contracts traded were 24,194. (Provisional)

ICICI Bank April 2026 futures traded at a premium of 3.70 points at 1356.50 (LTP) compared with spot closing of 1352.80. The numbers of contracts traded were 22,161. (Provisional)

Reliance Industries April 2026 futures traded at a premium of 1.20 points at 1366.10 (LTP) compared with spot closing of 1364.90. The numbers of contracts traded were 21,506. (Provisional)

Among, Nifty calls, 25000 SP from the April month expiry was the most active call with an addition of 1,813 units open interests. Among Nifty puts, 24000 SP from the April month expiry was the most active put with an addition of 2,491 units open interests. The maximum OI outstanding for Calls was at 26000 SP (90,746 units) and that for Puts was at 21000 SP (85,996 units). The respective Support and Resistance levels of Nifty are: Resistance 24451.62 -- Pivot Point 24273.83 -- Support 24175.77.

The Nifty Put Call Ratio (PCR) finally stood at (1.16) for April month contract. The top five scrips with highest PCR on BSE (1.30), Angel One (1.26), 360 One Wam (1.25), Polycab India (1.23), and GAIL (India) (1.19).

Among most active underlying HDFC Bank witnessed an addition of 14,697 units of Open Interest in the April month futures, ICICI Bank witnessed an addition of 6,652 units of Open Interest in the April month future, Wipro witnessed an addition of 7,376 units of Open Interest in the April month future, BSE witnessed an addition of 1,015 units of Open Interest in the April month futures and Angel One witnessed an addition of 592 units of Open Interest in the April month futures. (Provisional).