Indian equity benchmarks opened on a cautious note on Friday, tracking mixed global signals, though indices showed mild recovery in early trade.
The BSE Sensex opened at 77,947.66, down 41.02 points or 0.05 per cent at 9:17 am. Meanwhile, the Nifty 50 stood at 24,162.20, declining 34.55 points or 0.14 per cent.
In the commodities market, crude prices remained under pressure. Brent crude was trading at USD 98.12 per barrel, down 1.28 per cent, while WTI crude slipped to USD 93.41, marking a decline of 1.35 per cent. In contrast, gold prices continued their upward trend, trading at USD 4,795.95, up 0.16 per cent.
Global cues remained mixed. U.S. stock futures were largely steady after President Donald Trump confirmed a 10-day ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Futures linked to the S&P 500 edged up marginally, while Nasdaq 100 futures remained flat. Dow Jones futures gained around 98 points.
In the previous session, all three major U.S. indices ended higher. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite rose by 0.26 per cent and 0.36 per cent respectively, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.24 per cent.
Market experts attributed the cautious opening in domestic equities to ongoing geopolitical developments and technical resistance levels. Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, said that while global sentiment has shown signs of improvement, renewed tensions in the Middle East continue to weigh on investor confidence.
He noted that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global oil transit route — have reintroduced uncertainty in markets. Nearly 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply passes through this route, making it a key factor influencing crude prices.
As a major oil importer, India remains sensitive to fluctuations in crude prices, which could affect its trade balance and corporate profitability. Brent crude, currently in the USD 94–100 per barrel range, remains vulnerable to further escalation in geopolitical tensions.
On the domestic front, foreign institutional investor activity and the ongoing earnings season are expected to drive market direction. Recent sessions have shown signs of stabilisation in investor flows, offering some support to equities.
-ANI
