Domestic equity benchmarks, the Sensex and Nifty 50, are poised to open lower on Friday, tracking subdued cues from global markets.
Asian indices slipped in early trade, while Wall Street delivered a mixed performance overnight. Despite the Nasdaq and S&P 500 closing at new record highs, the broader market mood remains cautious.
The Gift Nifty was hovering around 24,998 in early trade, trading at a premium of 0.10% to its previous futures close. This suggests a muted opening for Indian equities.
Asian markets opened on a weaker note, mirroring Wall Street’s mixed finish and uncertainty surrounding recent trade developments. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.41%, while the broader Topix index dropped 0.55%. South Korea’s Kospi eased 0.1%, and the Kosdaq lost 0.48%. Futures on Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index signaled a soft start.
US markets closed on a mixed note, with technology stocks once again leading the charge. The Nasdaq rose 0.18% to finish at 21,057.96, and the S&P 500 edged up 0.07% to 6,363.35 — both setting fresh all-time highs. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average underperformed, losing 0.70% to end at 44,693.91. Optimism around AI stocks, fueled by robust Q2 results from Alphabet, buoyed tech sentiment.
Back home, Indian markets saw a sharp decline on Thursday, dragged down by widespread selling pressure. The Nifty 50 tumbled below the 25,100, closing at 25,062.10 after shedding 157.80 points or 0.63%. The Sensex fell by 542.47 points, or 0.66%, ending the session at 82,184.17.
In a major policy development, India has signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement with the United Kingdom, aiming to bolster annual bilateral trade by nearly $34 billion. The deal will provide tariff-free access to 99% of Indian exports and reduce costs for British goods such as whisky, automobiles, medical devices, and cosmetics in the Indian market.
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The European Central Bank opted to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2%, pausing after eight consecutive rate cuts since June 2024. The ECB cited the need for greater clarity on Europe’s trade outlook, particularly its future economic relationship with the United States.
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Published on: Jul 25, 2025, 7:49 AM IST
Sachin Gupta
Sachin Gupta is a Content Writer with 6+ years of experience in the stock market, including global markets like the US, Canada, and Australia. At Angel One, Sachin specialises in creating financial content that simplifies complex market trends. Sachin holds a Master's in Commerce, specialising in Economics.
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