Indian Markets Likely to Open Lower; Eyes on Q4 Results and Global Cues

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net buyers with inflows worth Rs 8,831.05 crore, whereas Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) booked profits, selling stocks worth Rs 5,187.09 crore.

Pre-Market Update at 8:00 AM: Early signs from the Gift Nifty suggest a muted start for Indian equity markets on Monday, May 19, 2025. Around 07:18 am, the index hovered near 25,059, indicating a 30-point dip from its previous close.

Asian shares were in the red in early trade, even as Wall Street ended the past week on a positive note, aided by a temporary easing of trade tensions between the U.S. and China.

This week, market participants will keep a close watch on quarterly corporate earnings, economic indicators, global trade developments, and any geopolitical headlines, especially concerning India-Pakistan relations.

Stock-specific moves are expected to continue on Dalal Street, especially with several big companies set to report their Q4 numbers today. Among the key names scheduled to announce earnings are Power Grid Corporation, Bharat Electronics, DLF, PI Industries, Petronet LNG, NLC India, Gujarat Gas, and IRB Infrastructure Developers.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net buyers with inflows worth Rs 8,831.05 crore, whereas Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) booked profits, selling stocks worth Rs 5,187.09 crore.

Benchmark indices ended Friday marginally lower as investors locked in recent gains. The Sensex slipped 200.15 points (0.24 per cent) to close at 82,330.59, while the Nifty50 declined 42.30 points (0.17 per cent) to settle at 25,019.80.

Asian indices opened weak on Monday, weighed down by caution ahead of key economic updates. Meanwhile, U.S. markets ended the week strongly. The Dow climbed 331.99 points (0.78 per cent) to 42,654.74. The S&P 500 rose 41.45 points (0.70 per cent) to 5,958.38, and the Nasdaq gained 98.78 points (0.52 per cent) to finish at 19,211.10. For the week, the Nasdaq rallied 7.2 per cent, S&P 500 rose 5.3 per cent, and the Dow added 3.4 per cent.

Moody’s has lowered the U.S. sovereign credit rating from “Aaa” to “Aa1,” citing the ballooning national debt of USD 36 trillion. However, it upgraded the economic outlook from “negative” to “stable.”

The U.S. dollar index weakened, ending its four-week rally. It lost 0.3 per cent against the yen (145.22), 0.2 per cent versus the Swiss franc, while the euro climbed to USD 1.1185 and the pound edged higher to USD 1.3299.

Gold prices surged 1.4 per cent to USD 3,247.40 per ounce, boosted by a softer dollar and safe-haven demand amid fresh comments on tariffs from the U.S. Treasury Secretary.

Oil prices were relatively flat. Brent crude settled at USD 65.43 per barrel and U.S. crude edged up to USD 62.52, as traders awaited clarity on the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks and key data from China.

For today, Titagarh Rail Systems, Hindustan Copper and Mannapuram Finance continue to remain under the F&O ban list.

Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.