India's Equity Benchmarks Open Flat, Mirroring Cautious Sentiment in Asian Markets

At 9:15 a.m. IST, the Nifty 50 was up 0.1 per cent at 25,268.95, while the BSE Sensex edged higher by 0.15 per cent to 82,882.92.

Market Update at 10:30 AM: Indian equity benchmarks began Thursday’s session on a flat note, mirroring the cautious sentiment seen across Asian markets, following a two-day rally driven by hopes of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

At 9:15 a.m. IST, the Nifty 50 was up 0.1 per cent at 25,268.95, while the BSE Sensex edged higher by 0.15 per cent to 82,882.92.

Most sectoral indices opened in the green, with 12 out of 13 posting mild gains. Meanwhile, broader indices showed slightly better momentum, with the Small-Cap and Mid-Cap indices gaining 0.4 per cent and 0.3 per cent, respectively.

This followed a near 1 per cent rise in both the Nifty and Sensex over the last two sessions, pushing them to levels not seen in nearly nine months, as easing geopolitical tensions triggered a global appetite for riskier assets.

Market participants will closely track the expiry of monthly F&O contracts, which could introduce some intraday volatility as positions are adjusted or rolled over.

Pre-Market Update at 8:00 AM: Indian equity markets are poised for a positive start on Thursday, June 26, with cues from global markets offering mixed yet slightly optimistic signals ahead of the June F&O expiry.

At 7:31 AM, the GIFT Nifty was trading around the 25,296 mark, indicating a 35-point rise from its previous close. This points to a likely higher opening for Indian benchmarks, supported by broader market sentiment.

While Asian markets showed a mixed performance, Wall Street closed mostly flat overnight. The Nasdaq edged up, whereas the Dow declined, reflecting caution among U.S. investors. Fed Chair Jerome Powell, addressing the Senate Banking Committee, emphasised a wait-and-watch approach toward rate cuts until the inflationary effects of proposed Trump-era tariffs are better understood.

On the institutional side, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) have consistently supported the market with net buying over the last three sessions.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) turned net sellers, offloading stocks worth Rs 2,427.74 crore. In contrast, DIIs were net buyers, investing Rs 2,372.96 crore in Indian equities.

In a notable geopolitical update, U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned upcoming talks with Iran, though he downplayed the necessity of a formal nuclear agreement, suggesting discussions might still proceed without a binding deal.

Indian stock markets extended their rally for a second day, boosted by easing tensions in the Middle East. The Nifty 50 jumped 200 points to settle at 25,244, while the Sensex gained 700 points to close at 82,755. The Bank Nifty also edged up by 159 points to end at 56,621.

Thursday’s early trade in Asia saw mixed trends. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.4 per cent, and the Topix gained 0.19 per cent. South Korean indices, including the Kospi and Kosdaq, traded flat with minimal movement.

Wall Street ended on a mixed note, halting a brief winning streak. While the Nasdaq closed 0.31 per cent higher, the Dow Jones fell by 0.25 per cent, and the S&P 500 remained virtually unchanged. Investors stayed cautious amid geopolitical developments and Powell’s congressional testimony.

Crude oil prices saw a modest uptick in early trade. Brent crude rose 0.26 per cent to USD 85.09 per barrel, while WTI inched up 0.13 per cent to USD 81.76 per barrel.

The U.S. Dollar Index slipped further, touching a low of 97.491, its weakest level since early 2022.

For today, Birlasoft, MCX and Titagarh Rail Systems remain on the F&O ban list.

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