Indian Benchmark Indices Set for a Strong Start as Gift Nifty Gains and Global Markets Rally
On March 17, 2025, foreign institutional investors (FII) sold shares worth Rs 4,488.45 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DII) bought shares worth Rs 6,000.60 crore.
Pre-Market Update at 7:40 AM: Sensex and Nifty 50 are expected to open higher on Tuesday, continuing their rally in line with strong global cues. Asian markets witnessed a sharp uptrend, while Wall Street closed on a positive note, with the Dow Jones surging 1,000 points over two sessions. Investors are now awaiting the US Federal Reserve’s policy decision on Wednesday for insights into the economic outlook amid ongoing trade and tariff concerns.
Gift Nifty was hovering near 22,740, reflecting a premium of approximately 132 points over the previous close of Nifty futures, signalling a potential gap-up opening for Indian equity indices.
Wall Street continued its upward momentum on Monday, marking a second consecutive session of gains following the release of fresh economic data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 353.44 points, or 0.85 per cent, to close at 41,841.63, while the S&P 500 advanced 36.18 points, or 0.64 per cent, to settle at 5,675.12. The Nasdaq Composite also ended in positive territory, gaining 54.58 points, or 0.31 per cent, to finish at 17,808.66.
US retail sales saw a modest recovery in February, rising by 0.2 per cent following a revised 1.2 per cent decline in January. A Reuters poll of economists had projected a 0.6 per cent increase after an initially reported 0.9 per cent drop in the previous month. Retail sales, primarily driven by goods and unadjusted for inflation, showed a slower-than-expected rebound.
Asian markets traded higher tracking overnight gains on Wall Street. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rallied 1.17 per cent, while the Topix index gained 1.59 per cent. South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.49 per cent and the Kosdaq remained flat. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index futures indicated a stronger open.
Brent crude futures increased by 0.22 per cent to USD 71.23 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures advanced 0.19 per cent to USD 67.71 per barrel.
The US dollar hovered close to a five-month low against its major peers. The dollar index was almost flat at 103.11, while USD/INR was trading at 86.64.
On March 17, 2025, foreign institutional investors (FII) sold shares worth Rs 4,488.45 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DII) bought shares worth Rs 6,000.60 crore.
Stocks that are banned for trading in the F&O segment on March 18, 2025, are BSE, IndusInd Bank, Hindustan Copper, Manappuram Finance, SAIL, etc.
Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.