GIFT Nifty Signals Higher Start For Sensex, Nifty 50 On Thursday After U.S. Market Rally

Pre-Market Update at 7:54 AM: The Indian stock market benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are expected to open higher on Thursday, 26 February 2026, tracking a strong rally in global markets. Asian markets traded in the green, while the U.S. stock market ended higher overnight, led by continued momentum in technology stocks. 

As of 7:33 am, Gift Nifty was trading around the 25,682 level, up nearly 63 points from the Nifty futures’ previous close, indicating a positive start for domestic indices.

In global trade developments, the U.S. tariff rate for certain countries will increase to 15 per cent or more from the recently introduced 10 per cent baseline, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said. However, he did not specify which countries would be impacted. 

Meanwhile, the U.S. and Iran are holding another round of negotiations in Geneva on Thursday to address their long-standing nuclear dispute and prevent potential U.S. military action following heightened troop deployments. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to participate in the indirect talks with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

On 25 February, Foreign Institutional Investors were net buyers, purchasing equities worth Rs 2,991.64 crore, while Domestic Institutional Investors bought shares worth Rs 5,118.57 crore. FIIs have emerged as net buyers for February so far, with net inflows of Rs 4,361.57 crore.

On Wednesday, the Indian market gave up early gains but ended marginally higher. The Sensex rose 50.15 points, or 0.06 per cent, to close at 82,276.07, while the Nifty 50 gained 57.85 points, or 0.23 per cent, to settle at 25,482.50.

U.S. equities ended at their best levels in two weeks on Wednesday, supported by strength in technology stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 307.65 points, or 0.63 per cent, to 49,482.15. The S&P 500 rose 56.06 points, or 0.81 per cent, to 6,946.13, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 288.40 points, or 1.26 per cent, to 23,152.08. 

NVIDIA gained 1.44 per cent after reporting stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings. NVIDIA reported record fourth-quarter revenue of USD 68.1 billion, up 73 per cent year-on-year and above estimates. Net profit more than doubled to USD 42.96 billion. The company projected current-quarter revenue of around USD 78 billion, plus or minus 2 per cent, significantly above Wall Street expectations of roughly USD 72 billion.

According to the Energy Information Administration, U.S. crude stockpiles increased by 16 million barrels to 435.8 million barrels for the week ended 20 February, as refinery activity slowed and imports rose.

Gold held firm above USD 5,190 per ounce on Thursday, extending gains and hovering near a nearly four-week high amid geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainties. Spot silver rose 0.5 per cent to USD 89.66 per ounce after hitting a three-week high in the previous session. Oil prices hovered near seven-month highs as markets assessed whether U.S.-Iran talks could avert a military conflict that may disrupt supplies, though gains were capped by rising U.S. crude inventories. WTI futures rose 0.32 per cent, or 21 cents, to USD 65.56 per barrel.

For 26 February, Sammaan Capital remains on the F&O ban list.

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