Top things you must know before the market opens!
The GIFT Nifty suggests a slightly negative opening for the Indian benchmark indices, indicating a loss of 20 points.
Pre-Market Update at 7:45 AM: The GIFT Nifty suggests a slightly negative opening for the Indian benchmark indices, indicating a loss of 20 points. GIFT Nifty futures trade at 22,120 points after hitting a low of 21,827 points, hinting at cautious sentiment ahead of market opening.
Global Markets & Trade War Developments
US stock futures climbed after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated a potential compromise on tariffs between the US, Canada, and Mexico. This follows Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods, alongside an additional 10 per cent duty on Chinese imports, which took effect on Tuesday. These measures have triggered retaliatory actions, intensifying concerns over a global trade war that could impact economic growth.
On Tuesday, US equity markets fell as trade tensions escalated. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.55 per cent to 42,521, while the S&P 500 dropped 1.22 per cent to 5,778.2. The Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.35 per cent to 20,352.51. Financials led the declines, whereas the technology sector managed to post marginal gains. Meanwhile, US Treasury yields were mixed, with the 10-year yield rising by 8.6 basis points to 4.245 per cent, while the two-year yield eased by 2.6 basis points to 3.984 per cent.
Asian Markets Mixed Amid Trade Tensions
Asian markets traded mixed on Wednesday, mirroring the overnight declines on Wall Street. Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.16 per cent, while the Topix index rose 0.11 per cent. South Korea’s Kospi advanced 0.41 per cent, with the Kosdaq rallying 1.22 per cent. In contrast, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index indicated a stronger opening, surging over 2 per cent.
China’s Economic Policy & Japan's Services PMI
China maintained its 2025 GDP growth target at 5 per cent, increasing fiscal support. The budget deficit is set at 4 per cent of GDP, up from 3 per cent in 2024. Beijing will issue EUR 1.3 trillion (USD 179 billion) in special treasury bonds, while local governments can issue EUR 4.4 trillion in special debt. Meanwhile, Japan’s services sector expanded at its fastest pace in six months, as the au Jibun Bank Services PMI rose to 53.7 in February from 53.0 in January, exceeding the flash estimate of 53.1.
Crude Oil Declines as OPEC+ Plans Production Increase
WTI crude oil closed at a three-month low as the US imposed tariffs on key trading partners and OPEC+ reaffirmed plans to return 2.2 million barrels per day of production to the market next month. Brent crude oil declined 0.15 per cent to USD 70.93 per barrel, while US WTI crude futures fell 0.66 per cent to USD 67.81 per barrel.
Currency & Institutional Flows
The Dollar Index in futures rose 0.12 per cent to 105.64, while the rupee remained near Rs 87.57 per dollar. On March 04, 2025, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold shares worth Rs 3,405.82 crore, whereas Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) absorbed the selling, buying shares worth Rs 4,851.43 crore.
F&O Ban List
For March 05, 2025, Manappuram Finance is the only stock banned for trading in the F&O segment.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.