Indian Stock Market: 8 Key Updates Before Market Opens

Markets Expected to Open Lower Amid Mixed Global Cues

The Sensex and Nifty 50 are set for a negative start on Thursday, influenced by global market trends, US Fed policies, and geopolitical developments.

1. Asian Markets 📉

Asian markets traded lower as concerns over Trump’s tariff policies and US Fed’s cautious stance on interest rates impacted investor sentiment.

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Nikkei 225: -0.79%
Topix Index: -0.67%
Kospi: -0.18%
Kosdaq: +0.32%
Hang Seng Index Futures: Indicating a slight rise

2. Gift Nifty 📊

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Gift Nifty was trading around 22,914, reflecting a 50-point discount from the previous Nifty futures close, signaling a weak opening for Indian markets.

3. Wall Street Performance 📈

S&P 500 closed at an all-time high (+0.24%).
Dow Jones: +71.25 points (+0.16%).
Nasdaq Composite: +14.99 points (+0.07%).
Tesla (+1.82%) & Microsoft (+1.25%) saw gains.
Nikola fell 39.1% after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

4. US Fed Minutes & Interest Rate Outlook 🏦

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Fed officials held interest rates steady in January, awaiting further inflation progress before considering adjustments.
Rate cut expectations pushed back, impacting market sentiment.

5. RBI Bulletin: Positive Growth Outlook 🇮🇳

Rural demand recovery & tax relief expected to boost urban consumption.
Growth forecast for Q1 2025: 6.6%.
Repo rate cut by Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) expected to support demand.

6. China Lending Rates 🏦

China left loan prime rates unchanged, with:
- One-year LPR at 3.10%
- Five-year LPR at 3.60%
Market participants expected no changes, indicating a neutral impact on global markets.

7. US Housing Market Decline 🏡

Single-family home construction fell 8.4% in January.
Annual homebuilding rate now at 993,000 units, reflecting weaker demand.

8. Gold Prices Volatility 🏆

Spot gold fell 0.2% to $2,928.49 per ounce after touching a record high of $2,946.85.
US gold futures settled 0.4% lower at $2,936.10.

What to Expect for Indian Markets?

📌 Weak opening likely as Gift Nifty signals a decline.
📌 Market to remain range-bound, tracking global cues, Fed policies, and geopolitical risks.
📌 Stock-specific action expected in IT, banking, and metal sectors.

📢 Stay tuned for market updates and stock recommendations throughout the trading day!