Indian Markets Eye Positive Start as Gift Nifty Gains and GST Collections Climb

Indian equity markets are poised for a constructive start this Friday, with the Sensex and Nifty 50 expected to open in positive territory. This optimism is fuelled by steady global signals and a 41-point gain in the Gift Nifty, which is currently trading around the 26,330 level. Supporting the domestic sentiment is the latest fiscal data showing that India’s GST collections rose 6.1 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1.75 lakh crore in December 2025, driven by robust imports and internal economic momentum. While Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) began the 2026 trading year as net sellers—offloading Rs 3,268.60 crore—Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) provided a cushion by purchasing Rs 1.525.89 crore in equities.

The market enters today's session following a relatively flat performance on New Year's Day. On Thursday, the Nifty 50 stayed nearly unchanged at 26,146.55, while the Sensex saw a minor dip to 85,188.60. Despite the narrow movement in the main indices, sectoral performance was largely positive, with nine out of eleven indices ending higher. The Auto, Realty, and IT sectors showed strength, whereas the FMCG sector faced its sharpest decline since early 2022. Notably, market volatility remained historically low, with the India VIX closing near 9.2, and Mid-Cap stocks continued to outperform their Large-Cap peers.

Internationally, the landscape is shaped by a weakening US Dollar and rising commodity prices. The US Dollar Index has slipped to 98.18, allowing the Indian rupee to strengthen slightly to 89.96 against the greenback. Investors are currently adopting a "wait-and-watch" approach regarding interest rate signals. Meanwhile, safe-haven assets are seeing a massive surge; gold has reached unprecedented highs near $4,346 per ounce, and silver has jumped over 2 per cent. In the energy sector, oil prices remain stable but cautious, with Brent crude hovering around $60.88 as traders balance supply concerns against a moderate global demand outlook.

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