The benchmark Indian equity indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are expected to begin Friday’s session on a cautious yet steady note, tracking mixed global cues and stable early indicators.
Investor sentiment remains balanced as market participants monitor geopolitical developments in West Asia, along with trends in global equities, currencies and commodity prices.
In the previous trading session, domestic markets ended slightly lower. The Sensex declined 122.56 points, or 0.16%, to close at 77,988.68, while the Nifty 50 slipped 34.55 points, or 0.14%, to settle at 24,196.75.
Gift Nifty was trading near the 24,153 level on Friday morning, down marginally by 18 points or 0.07%. Early trends suggest that the Nifty 50 could open in the range of 24,100 to 24,200, indicating a largely flat start to the session.
Asia-Pacific markets opened on a weak note, reflecting cautious investor sentiment across the region. Japan’s Nikkei declined 0.7%, while the Topix slipped 0.6%.
South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.4% and the Kosdaq dropped 0.3%, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged lower by 0.3%, indicating broad-based softness in Asian equities.
Wall Street indices closed slightly higher in the previous session, offering limited support to global sentiment. The S&P 500 rose 0.26% to end at 7,041.28, while the Nasdaq gained 0.36% to close at 24,102.70.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average also advanced 115 points, or 0.24%, to finish at 48,578.72.
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Investors are closely watching developments in West Asia after reports of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Additionally, discussions around potential talks between the United States and Iran are back in focus.
Market participants are hopeful that easing tensions could reduce geopolitical risks, although uncertainty still lingers as negotiations remain ongoing.
Crude oil prices moved lower amid improving supply expectations. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declined around 1.4% to $93.27 per barrel, while Brent crude fell about 1% to $98.3 per barrel.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) was trading marginally higher at 98.21, reflecting slight strength in the US dollar against a basket of major currencies.
Meanwhile, the Indian rupee depreciated by 0.20% to close at 93.20 against the US dollar in the previous session.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers, purchasing equities worth ₹382 crore on April 16. In contrast, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) remained net sellers, offloading shares worth ₹3,428 crore.
Indian markets are poised for a flat opening, with global cues and geopolitical developments likely to dictate intraday direction. Investors are expected to remain cautious while tracking further updates from international markets and commodity price movements.
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 or 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.
Published on: Apr 17, 2026, 8:10 AM IST
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