Gift Nifty Today: Sensex and Nifty Set for Weak Start Amid Global Tensions and Rising Oil Prices

The benchmark Indian equity indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are expected to open lower on Thursday, tracking weak global cues and heightened geopolitical concerns. 

Investor sentiment remains cautious after Iran accused the United States of breaching ceasefire terms, triggering volatility across global financial markets and pushing oil prices higher. 

In the previous session on April 8, 2026, domestic markets witnessed a sharp rally. The Nifty 50 surged 873 points, or 3.78%, to close at 23,997, while the Sensex jumped 2,946 points, or 3.95%, to settle at 77,562. 

Gift Nifty Signals Weak Opening 

Gift Nifty was trading at 23,943.5, down 155.5 points or 0.65% as of early morning trade, indicating a gap-down start for Indian indices. The index touched a high of 24,195.0 and a low of 23,897.5 during the session. 

Asian Markets Trade Mixed 

Asian markets opened on a mixed note on Thursday as geopolitical tensions resurfaced. Japan’s Nikkei 225 edged up 0.12%, while the Topix gained 0.26%. South Korea’s Kospi declined 0.6%, whereas the Kosdaq remained largely flat, reflecting cautious investor sentiment across the region. 

US Markets Rally on Temporary Easing of Tensions 

US markets ended sharply higher in the previous session after President Donald Trump announced a temporary pause in military action against Iran. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 1,325.46 points, or 2.85%, to close at 47,909.92. The S&P 500 advanced 2.51% to 6,782.81, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 2.80% to 22,635.00. 

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Oil Prices Surge Amid Supply Concerns 

Crude oil prices jumped significantly amid fears of supply disruption. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 2.78% to $97.04 per barrel, while Brent crude gained 2.53% to $97.14. Rising oil prices are likely to impact inflation expectations and market sentiment. 

FII and DII Activity 

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net sellers, offloading equities worth ₹2,053.92 crore. In contrast, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) provided support to the market, purchasing shares worth ₹3,578.37 crore. 

US Dollar and Rupee Movement 

The US Dollar Index (DXY) slipped 0.06% to 99.08, indicating slight weakness in the dollar against major global currencies. Meanwhile, the Indian rupee appreciated by 0.44% to close at 92.58 against the US dollar in the previous session. 

Conclusion 

With Gift Nifty signalling a weak start and global uncertainties intensifying due to geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices, domestic markets may witness volatility in early trade. Investors are likely to remain cautious while tracking further developments on the global front. 

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.