Nifty 50, Sensex Rise Marginally as U.S.-Iran Talks Support Sentiment

Market Update at 2:15 PM: The Nifty 50 and the Sensex traded marginally higher amid reports that the U.S. and Iran are working on a plan to end the war.

As of 2:00 PM, the Sensex rose 155.59 points, or 0.21 per cent, to 73,736.13, while the Nifty 50 gained 24.35 points, or 0.11 per cent, to 23,087.45.

Axis Bank, Asian Paints and HCL Technologies were the Top Gainers in the Nifty 50.

In the broader markets, the Nifty MidCap 100 and Nifty SmallCap 100 were trading 0.10 per cent and 0.21 per cent higher, respectively.

Among sectors, the Nifty Realty index rose the most, while the Nifty IT index declined the most.

Market Update at 11:30 PM: The Nifty 50 and Sensex traded marginally higher on Friday amid reports that the U.S. and Iran are working on a plan to end the ongoing war, supporting market sentiment.

As of 11:00 AM, the Sensex rose 57.58 points, or 0.08 per cent, to 73,638.12. The Nifty 50 was down 0.4 per cent, or broadly flat, at 23,062.70.

Bajaj Auto, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, and Power Grid Corporation of India were the top gainers in the Nifty 50 index.

In the broader markets, the Nifty MidCap 100 and Nifty SmallCap 100 were trading 0.1 per cent and 0.21 per cent higher, respectively.

Among sectors, the Nifty Realty index gained the most, while the Nifty IT index declined the most.

Market Update at 09:30 AM: The Nifty 50 and the Sensex opened marginally higher on Friday amid reports that the U.S. and Iran are working on a plan to end the war, supporting market sentiment.

As of 9:18 AM, the Sensex rose 139.55 points, or 0.19 per cent, to 73,720.09, while the Nifty 50 gained 26.10 points, or 0.11 per cent, to 23,089.20.

Bajaj Auto, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Power Grid Corporation of India were the top gainers in the Nifty 50 index.

In the broader market, the Nifty MidCap 100 and Nifty SmallCap 100 were trading 0.10 per cent and 0.21 per cent higher, respectively. Among sectors, the Nifty Realty index rose the most, while the Nifty IT index declined the most.

On the IPO front, the initial public offerings of Snapdeal, Orient Cables, German Green Steel and Runwal Enterprises are opening for subscription on Friday.

Additionally, the IPOs of Bench Mark, Shree TNB Polymers, Dudani Retail, Himalayan Solar and Sai Urja Indo are also opening for subscription.

Moneyview, A-One Steels, Green Asia Impex, Peshwa Wheat and Roopa Screen are entering the second day of subscription.

In the mainboard segment, Adroit Industries, Elevate Campuses, Swastika Infra and ArMee Infotech are opening for the third day of subscription.

In the SME segment, Unitec Fibres, S.K. Offset, Liqvd Digital, Pooja Logistics and Coreintegra Consulting are entering the final day of subscription.

Pre-Market Update at 7:40 AM: Indian equity markets are likely to see a positive start on Friday, September 25, after GIFT Nifty indicated early gains. However, elevated crude prices, rising global bond yields, geopolitical uncertainty and continued foreign institutional selling are expected to remain key factors influencing market sentiment.

GIFT Nifty was trading around 23,100 in early Asian hours, compared with the previous close of 23,097.50, indicating a marginal gain of around 2.5 points or 0.01 per cent. In a later NSE IX snapshot, GIFT Nifty was up 51.5 points, or 0.22 per cent, at 23,149, signalling a positive opening for Dalal Street.

The positive opening cue comes after heavy selling in the previous session. The Nifty 50 declined 383.70 points, or 1.64 per cent, to close at 23,063.10, while the Sensex fell 1,247.71 points, or 1.67 per cent, to 73,580.54. The Nifty 50 touched an Intraday high of 23,443.95 and a low of 23,025.65, while the Sensex moved between 74,887.91 and 73,462.92.

Indian equities to remain under pressure in the near term amid renewed uncertainty over a potential resolution of the U.S.-Iran conflict, elevated crude prices and rising global bond yields. Hopes of an immediate resolution remained subdued after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that a potential deal with Iran could come only after the November U.S. midterm elections. Renewed Houthi activity in the Red Sea and tensions involving Saudi Arabia have also heightened concerns around global energy supplies and inflation.

From a technical perspective, the Nifty 50's Relative Strength Index has turned bearish again, indicating further negative momentum. Immediate support is placed around 23,000, followed by 22,900 and 22,700. On the upside, resistance is seen around 23,200, with a broader resistance zone at 23,300-23,500.

India VIX, a measure of expected market volatility, rose 23 per cent to settle at 12.69 in the previous session, reflecting increased nervousness among market participants.

Global markets remained mixed. Asian equities opened under pressure after a global bond sell-off pushed the 30-year U.S. Treasury yield to its highest level since 2004. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield also rose eight basis points to 5.20 per cent during the New York session. S&P 500 futures declined 0.2 per cent, Hang Seng futures fell 0.3 per cent, Japan's Topix gained 0.6 per cent, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.6 per cent and Euro Stoxx 50 futures rose 0.4 per cent.

U.S. equities ended largely flat on Thursday. The S&P 500 declined marginally, with Microsoft falling while Meta Platforms gained. Markets remained sensitive to movements in oil prices and Treasury yields amid developments in the Middle East. The S&P 500 ended at around 7,704.13, down 0.02 per cent, while the Nasdaq closed at 26,939.37, up 0.01 per cent. The Dow Jones ended at 51,349.98, down 0.31 per cent.

Asian markets opened with mixed signals on Friday. The Hang Seng was trading around 24,761.13, down 1.30 per cent. Latest verified live levels for the Nikkei 225, Shanghai Composite and Kospi were not available before publication.

European markets also ended lower in the previous session. The FTSE 100 closed at 10,679.99, down 0.24 per cent, Germany's DAX ended at 25,266.53, down 0.57 per cent, while France's CAC 40 closed at 8,081.43, down 0.52 per cent.

Crude oil remains a key market trigger. Oil prices declined slightly on Friday as markets weighed the possibility of a U.S.-Iran truce against the bombing of Saudi Arabia by Houthi rebels. Brent crude recently traded around the USD 98-100 per barrel zone, while WTI crude remained sensitive to developments affecting Middle East supplies. Lower crude prices could provide relief to aviation, paint and oil marketing companies by reducing input costs, while a sharp rise could revive inflation concerns.

Gold prices also remained under pressure and were heading for a weekly decline as a stronger dollar and expectations of higher U.S. interest rates weighed on the precious metal. Spot gold was recently around USD 4,325 per ounce after declining 0.4 per cent, while silver was around USD 65.99 per ounce. Domestic MCX gold and silver levels for September 25 could not be independently verified before publication.

The U.S. dollar continued to strengthen amid strong U.S. economic data, a hawkish Federal Reserve stance and elevated Treasury yields. A stronger dollar can put pressure on emerging-market currencies and foreign portfolio flows. The USD/INR pair remained around the Rs 95.95 level, while the rupee weakened 23 paise to settle at Rs 95.96 against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, pressured by higher crude prices, a stronger greenback and geopolitical uncertainty.

Foreign institutional investors remained net sellers, offloading Rs 5,027.36 crore in the cash market on September 24. Domestic institutional investors, meanwhile, remained buyers, with net purchases reported at Rs 4,301.18 crore. The continued FII selling remains an important factor for market sentiment, while DII buying provided some support.

The elevated U.S. 10-year Treasury yield remains another important global trigger. Higher yields can reduce the relative attractiveness of emerging-market equities and influence foreign institutional flows. Markets will also continue to track U.S. monetary policy expectations, artificial intelligence-related technology momentum, corporate earnings and geopolitical developments.

Among domestic stocks, PB Fintech remains in focus amid regulatory developments related to insurance distribution. HDFC Life, SBI Life and ICICI Prudential Life are also being monitored following proposed changes to the insurance distribution and commission framework.

NSE-related counters will remain under observation amid continued focus on market-infrastructure developments. Oil marketing companies could remain sensitive to crude price movements, while technology stocks may continue to track global sentiment around artificial intelligence and technology spending.

In the futures and options segment, SAIL, Manappuram, Kaynes and LIC Housing Finance are in the F&O ban period. Securities enter the ban period when their market-wide position limit utilisation crosses 95 per cent.

The key domestic technical levels remain around 23,000 on the downside and 23,200 initially on the upside for the Nifty 50. Market participants will track crude oil prices, Treasury yields, the rupee, FII flows and developments in the Middle East for further directional cues.

Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.

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