GIFT Nifty Today: Sensex and Nifty to Open Weak as West Asia Crisis Escalates

Indian equity markets are preparing for a cautious start as global developments continue to weigh on investor sentiment. Escalating tensions in West Asia have pushed crude oil prices higher and triggered weakness across global markets.  

Early signals from GIFT Nifty indicate that Indian benchmark indices may open on a softer note as traders assess the impact of geopolitical uncertainty and rising energy prices. 

GIFT Nifty Signals Weak Start for Sensex and Nifty 

The early indicator for the Indian market, GIFT Nifty, was trading lower on Friday morning. The index declined by more than 140 points, or 0.57%, to trade near the level of 24,655. 

A fall in GIFT Nifty generally reflects cautious global sentiment and suggests that benchmark indices such as Sensex and Nifty may open under pressure. Market participants are closely tracking global cues, especially developments in the West Asia region and movements in crude oil prices. 

West Asia Crisis Escalates and Crude Oil Prices Surge 

The current tension across West Asia intensified after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran last weekend. The attack reportedly resulted in the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

Iran responded by retaliating against Gulf nations, which has raised concerns about supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic waterway handles a significant share of global oil shipments. As a result, crude oil prices surged sharply and touched their highest level since June 2025. 

The rise in crude prices often creates pressure on emerging markets such as India because the country depends heavily on imported energy. 

Thursday Closing for Indian Markets 

Despite the negative global backdrop emerging later, Indian equity markets ended Thursday’s trading session on a strong note. 

The NSE Nifty 50 gained 285 points, or 1.17%, to close at 24,766. Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex advanced 899 points, or 1.14%, to settle at 80,015. 

The rally during the previous session was supported by buying across several heavyweight stocks.  

Asian Markets Trade Lower in Early Session 

Asian markets opened on a weak note on Friday morning as investors reacted to overnight losses on Wall Street and rising geopolitical uncertainty. 

South Korea’s Kospi declined 0.87%, extending recent losses. However, the small cap Kosdaq index moved higher and gained 2.45%. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 slipped 0.24%, while the broader Topix index declined 0.42%. 

US Markets Close Lower as Oil Prices Rise 

The US equity markets ended Thursday’s session in negative territory as the sharp rise in crude oil prices weighed on sentiment. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 784.67 points, or 1.61%, closing at 47,954.74. The S&P 500 dropped 0.56% to settle at 6,830.71, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.26% to finish at 22,748.99. 

Higher energy prices often raise concerns about inflation and economic growth, which can lead to cautious trading in global equities. 

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FII and DII Activity on March 5 

Institutional activity also reflected mixed sentiment in the Indian market. According to provisional data available on the NSE, foreign institutional investors were net sellers of equities worth ₹3,752.52 crore. 

On the other hand, domestic institutional investors provided support to the market as they purchased shares worth ₹5,153.37 crore during the session. 

Such counterbalancing activity between foreign and domestic investors often plays a role in stabilising market movements during periods of volatility. 

Conclusion 

Global cues remain fragile as the West Asia crisis continues to unfold and crude oil prices remain elevated. Weak signals from GIFT Nifty along with declines in Asian and US markets suggest that Sensex and Nifty may begin the session under pressure. Market participants are likely to remain attentive to geopolitical developments and movements in energy prices, which could influence sentiment in the near term. 

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