Nifty & Sensex Likely to See A Cautious Start After Sharp Market Sell-Off Yesterday

Pre-Market Update at 7:48 AM: Following a sharp sell-off in the previous session, the Indian stock market is likely to open cautious on Friday, January 9, as mixed Asian signals and global macro uncertainties continue to weigh on sentiment. 

Early indications from Gift Nifty hinted at a mildly positive start, with Gift Nifty trading at 26,002.5, up 35 points or 0.13 per cent from Thursday’s Nifty futures close, suggesting a marginally positive domestic start.

On Thursday, benchmark indices witnessed steep, broad-based selling amid weak global cues. The Sensex declined 780 points or 0.92 per cent to close at 84,180.96 its sharpest single-day percentage fall since August 26, 2025. The Nifty 50 slipped below the 25,900 level as foreign selling and a weak rupee added to pressure. 

Asian markets opened mixed on Friday as investors awaited China’s inflation data. Japan’s Nikkei 225 advanced 0.54 per cent, Topix gained 0.46 per cent, while South Korea’s Kospi declined 0.41 per cent and Kosdaq slipped 0.21 per cent. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 hovered slightly below flat, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng futures indicated a higher open at 26,312 versus the previous close of 26,149.31.

Meanwhile, Wall Street ended mixed overnight as investors rotated out of technology stocks. The Dow Jones gained 270.03 points or 0.55 per cent to 49,266.11, the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.44 per cent to 23,480.02, while the S&P 500 inched up 0.01 per cent to 6,921.46. Information technology was the weakest S&P sector, declining over 1 per cent.

Geopolitical tensions in South America added to the cautious global sentiment as the U.S. Senate prepared to vote on restricting President Donald Trump from initiating further military action in Venezuela without congressional approval. This follows recent U.S. operations, including the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, which have elevated uncertainty around regional stability.

Crude oil prices surged more than 3 per cent on Thursday as supply disruption concerns intensified in light of developments in Venezuela and worries involving Russia, Iraq and Iran. Brent crude settled 3.4 per cent higher at USD 61.99 per barrel, while WTI rose 3.2 per cent to USD 57.76 per barrel, marking Brent’s highest close since December 24.

Gold prices were largely steady as traders awaited U.S. nonfarm payrolls data for clarity on the Federal Reserve’s interest rate trajectory. Spot gold stood at USD 4,452.64 per ounce while U.S. gold futures for February delivery settled at USD 4,460.70. Silver, however, dropped 3.2 per cent to USD 75.64 per ounce.

The U.S. dollar index continued strengthening, advancing 0.2 per cent to 98.883—its third straight session of gains, on expectations related to U.S. employment data and an upcoming Supreme Court ruling on emergency tariff authority.

With geopolitical tensions elevated, macro data incoming and trade-related uncertainties in focus, market volatility may remain high in the near term as investors position cautiously ahead of the earnings season.

For today, SAIL & Samaan Capitalwill remain on the F&O ban list.

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