The benchmark Indian equity indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are expected to open on a negative and volatile note on Thursday, tracking weak early signals from Gift Nifty and shifting global sentiment.
Investor sentiment remains cautious amid geopolitical developments involving the United States and Iran, alongside fluctuations in crude oil prices and mixed global market cues.
As of 07:15 AM on April 2, 2026, Gift Nifty was trading at 22,429.5, down 421.5 points or 1.84%. The sharp decline indicates a likely gap-down opening for domestic indices, reflecting heightened uncertainty in early trade.
In the previous trading session on April 1, 2026, the domestic markets ended on a strong note. The Nifty 50 surged 348 points, or 1.56%, to close at 22,679, while the Sensex rallied 1,186.77 points, or 1.65%, to settle at 73,134.
Market sentiment turned cautious after comments from US President Donald Trump regarding progress in the Iran conflict. His remarks triggered volatility across Asian markets, which had earlier been trading in positive territory.
The uncertainty surrounding geopolitical developments continues to influence investor behaviour, leading to sharp swings in global indices.
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Crude oil prices witnessed a decline after recent spikes. West Texas Intermediate crude fell to around $97.97 per barrel, while Brent crude slipped below the $100 mark to approximately $99.69.
The easing of crude prices offers some relief to markets, although volatility remains due to ongoing geopolitical developments.
Asian equities opened on a positive note, supported by overnight gains on Wall Street and optimism surrounding a potential easing of geopolitical tensions.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 and Topix indices posted gains, while South Korea’s Kospi and Kosdaq also traded higher. Hong Kong futures indicated a marginally positive start.
US markets closed in positive territory in the previous session, driven by hopes of de-escalation in geopolitical tensions.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 224.23 points to close at 46,565.74. The S&P 500 gained 0.72% to settle at 6,575.32, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.16% to end at 21,840.95.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net sellers, offloading equities worth Rs 8,072.18 crore. Meanwhile, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) provided support by purchasing shares worth Rs 7,019.07 crore.
The US Dollar Index edged slightly lower to 99.51, indicating mild weakness in the dollar against a basket of major currencies. The Indian rupee appreciated marginally, closing at 94.77 against the US dollar.
With Gift Nifty indicating a sharp decline and geopolitical developments driving uncertainty, Indian markets are likely to witness a volatile session. Investors will closely monitor global cues, crude oil price movements and institutional flows 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 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 2, 2026, 8:00 AM IST
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