Nifty & Sensex Likely to See Muted Start Ahead of Powell’s Jackson Hole Speech
DSIJ Intelligence-2Categories: Mkt Commentary, Trending
At 7:12 AM, the GIFT Nifty was seen trading at 25,083, just 4 points higher than its previous close.
Pre-Market Update at 7:30 AM: On Thursday, August 21, the benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty 50 are expected to open on a muted note, tracking mixed signals from global markets. At 7:12 AM, the GIFT Nifty was seen trading at 25,083, just 4 points higher than its previous close. Asian markets displayed mixed trends, while the US stock market closed lower overnight after the release of the US Federal Reserve’s July meeting minutes.
The minutes of the Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting in August indicated that members flagged global trade disputes and tariff-related uncertainties as risks to growth, though the domestic economy remained stable with inflation expectations staying under control. On the institutional flows front, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers for the second session in a row, offloading equities worth Rs 1,100.09 crore on Wednesday, August 20. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs), however, maintained their buying streak for the 32nd consecutive session, purchasing shares worth Rs 1,806.34 crore.
Indian stock markets extended their winning run to the fifth straight session on Wednesday, led by strength in technology and consumer stocks. The Nifty 50 gained 0.28 per cent to close at 25,050.55, while the Sensex rose 0.26 per cent to 81,857.84. Over the last five sessions, the indices have advanced around 2.3 per cent and 2 per cent, respectively. The Nifty Midcap index added 0.5 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap index climbed 0.3 per cent. Technology stocks, with strong US revenue exposure, surged 2.7 per cent ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting scheduled from August 21–23.
Growth in India’s eight core infrastructure sectors slowed to 2 per cent in July 2025, compared with 6.3 per cent a year earlier. In June, the expansion was 2.2 per cent. For April–July of the current fiscal year, the sectors grew 1.6 per cent, significantly lower than the 6.3 per cent growth seen during the same period last year.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 16.04 points, or 0.04 per cent, finishing at 44,938.31. In contrast, the S&P 500 slipped 15.59 points, or 0.24 per cent, to settle at 6,395.78, while the Nasdaq Composite declined 142.09 points, or 0.67 per cent, closing at 21,172.86.
Japan’s manufacturing activity contracted for the second straight month, with the flash S&P Global Manufacturing PMI at 49.9 in August, up from July’s 48.9. Meanwhile, the US dollar weakened after President Donald Trump called for Fed Governor Lisa Cook’s resignation, with the dollar index slipping 0.13 per cent to 98.20.
Gold prices edged down 0.2 per cent to USD 3,343.43 per ounce in early Asian trade as investors waited for Powell’s remarks at Jackson Hole for rate cut cues. Crude oil extended its gains, with WTI futures rising to USD 62.8 per barrel and Brent crude nearing USD 67 per barrel, supported by a larger-than-expected decline in US inventories.
For today, Titagarh Rail System, PG Electroplast and RBL Bank remain on the F&O ban list.
Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.