• GIFT Nifty futures were at 24,399 points as of 7:24 a.m. IST, indicating a muted start for the benchmark Nifty 50 index, which closed at 24,366 on Friday Published August 17, 2026 Updated about an hour ago Indian shares were expected to start the week on a muted note on Monday, extending the cautious sentiment seen last week, as a lack of progress towards ending the Iran war kept crude oil prices elevated. GIFT Nifty futures were at 24,399 points as of 7:24 a.m. IST, indicating a muted start for the benchmark Nifty 50 index, which closed at 24,366 on Friday. Iran called on the U.S. to accept defeat on Saturday, while President Donald Trump called Tehran “very evil” and told ⁠Americans to prepare for continued high fuel prices as a result of the war. MSCI’s broader index for Asia-Pacific stocks outside Japan was little changed on Monday, while investors kept a wary…