Top Highlights:
- Gift Nifty signals soft opening, trading 128 points below previous close
- Wall Street posts biggest single-day rally since April; Asia follows suit
- India-Pakistan ceasefire and Operation Sindoor fuel cautious optimism
- Gold flat, oil eases, and dollar holds firm amid US-China trade progress
Indian equities are set for a cautious open on Tuesday, with Gift Nifty trading around 24,915, signaling a potential dip at the market’s opening bell. This follows Monday’s massive surge, when the Sensex and Nifty 50 posted their strongest single-day gains in four years, buoyed by easing geopolitical tensions and positive global cues.
Wall Street closed sharply higher on Monday, with the Dow Jones rallying 2.81%, the S&P 500 jumping 3.26%, and the Nasdaq soaring 4.35%, as the U.S. and China agreed to temporarily cut tariffs—reigniting investor risk appetite. This upbeat sentiment trickled into Asian markets, where Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 2.17% and South Korea’s Kospi and Kosdaq indices posted modest gains. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng, however, signaled a flat to weaker start.
Back home, investor confidence received a boost from the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire, which brought relief after heightened tensions over the weekend. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a strong message, clarified that India has merely paused its military operations and warned of “stern retaliation” in the event of another terror attack. His remarks about rejecting “nuclear blackmail” have been viewed as part of India’s assertive new defense posture under Operation Sindoor.
In the commodities space, gold prices remained flat, reflecting improved global sentiment, while crude oil slipped slightly after hitting a two-week high. Brent crude was down 0.32% at $64.75 per barrel, and WTI crude edged lower to $61.76. Meanwhile, the US dollar stayed firm near a one-month high, buoyed by the trade deal news, while Treasury yields climbed, signaling market expectations of a more stable macroeconomic outlook.
As global and domestic developments continue to unfold, markets may remain volatile. Investors are advised to stay alert and consult financial experts before making investment decisions.
