Gift Nifty in Red; Sensex and Nifty 50 Likely to Open Lower on August 1

India’s benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are likely to open lower on Friday, tracking weak global cues triggered by steep tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on several countries.

Asian markets slipped, and Wall Street closed in the red overnight as investors reacted to the new tariffs and ongoing corporate earnings reports.

Gift Nifty Today

The Gift Nifty was trading near the 24,725 mark, reflecting a discount of around 146 points from the previous close of Nifty futures, suggesting a gap-down opening for Indian markets.

Asian Market Overview

Asian stocks declined on Friday after the US announced steep tariffs on several trading partners.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.4%, taking its total weekly loss to 1.5%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 0.71%, while the Topix index remained flat. South Korea’s Kospi plunged 3.45%, and the Kosdaq shed 2%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index futures pointed to a weaker start.

Wall Street Insights

US markets ended lower on Thursday, weighed down by fresh corporate earnings and economic data.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 330.30 points (0.74%) to 44,130.98, while the S&P 500 dropped 23.51 points (0.37%) to 6,339.39. The Nasdaq Composite dipped 7.23 points (0.03%) to close at 21,122.45. Despite the dip, the S&P 500 rose 2.17% for the month, the Nasdaq gained 3.7%, and the Dow added 0.08%.

Among key movers, Microsoft shares jumped 3.5% and Meta Platforms soared 11.3% to a record high. In contrast, Broadcom fell 2.9% and Nvidia slipped 0.78%. In after-hours trading, Apple shares rose 2.4%, while Amazon declined 2.6%.

Trump Tariffs

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday imposing reciprocal tariffs on imports from several countries. The new duties include 35% on Canadian goods, 50% on Brazilian products, 25% on Indian exports, 20% on imports from Taiwan, and 39% on goods from Switzerland, with overall rates ranging between 10% and 41%.

Domestic Market Recap

On Thursday, domestic markets ended in the negative territory amid heightened volatility, as investor sentiment weakened following US tariffs on Indian exports.

The Sensex fell by 296.28 points (0.36%) to close at 81,185.58, while the Nifty 50 declined 86.70 points (0.35%) to settle at 24,768.35.

Also Read: IDFC First Bank vs Yes Bank vs Axis Bank: Comparing Q1 FY26 Earnings Results!

Conclusion

Overall, the Indian markets are likely to see a cautious start amid global uncertainties triggered by new US tariffs. Weak sentiment across Asian markets and a negative close on Wall Street add to the pressure. Investors may also track domestic cues and earnings announcements for further direction. 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.