Nifty, Sensex Set to Open Higher; Global Cues Support Markets Despite Geopolitical Tensions
DSIJ Intelligence-2Categories: Mkt Commentary, Trending
Gift Nifty was trading higher by 76 points, or 0.29 per cent, at the 26,544 level, indicating a firm opening for domestic equities.
Pre-Market Update at 7:44 AM: Indian equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty 50 are likely to open on a positive note on Monday, January 5, marking a strong start to the first week of 2026. Positive global cues and steady institutional flows are supporting market sentiment. Gift Nifty was trading higher by 76 points, or 0.29 per cent, at the 26,544 level, indicating a firm opening for domestic equities.
Asian markets were trading higher in early trade, while US markets ended mixed but largely positive on Friday. The supportive global backdrop has helped sustain risk appetite despite rising geopolitical concerns.
Foreign Institutional Investors turned net buyers on Friday, January 2, purchasing equities worth Rs 289.80 crore and snapping a seven-session selling streak. Domestic Institutional Investors continued to provide strong support by buying equities worth Rs 677.38 crore, marking their 49th consecutive session of net inflows.
Indian markets ended higher on Friday, with the Nifty 50 touching a fresh record high of 26,340 before closing at 26,328.55, up 182 points or 0.70 per cent. The Sensex gained 573 points to settle at 85,762. Realty and metal stocks led the rally, while FMCG stocks lagged. Market volatility remained low, with India VIX closing at 9.45.
On the stock-specific front, Coal India surged over 7 per cent to emerge as the top gainer. Larsen and Toubro touched an all-time high after securing a major order from SAIL. Broader markets also performed well, with midcap and smallcap indices ending in the green and overall market breadth strongly favouring advancing stocks.
US markets kicked off 2026 on a positive note, ending Friday mixed but largely higher after snapping a four-day losing streak. The Dow Jones rose 319 points, or 0.66 per cent, while the S and P 500 gained 0.19 per cent. The Nasdaq edged lower by 0.03 per cent. Semiconductor stocks led the rally, with the Philadelphia SE Semiconductor Index jumping 4 per cent, supported by strong gains in Nvidia and Intel. Industrial stocks such as Boeing and Caterpillar also advanced, while losses in heavyweight tech stocks like Apple and Microsoft, along with weakness in Amazon and Tesla, capped gains. Tesla slipped 2.6 per cent after reporting a second consecutive year of declining annual sales.
Gold prices climbed more than 1 per cent on Monday to trade above USD 4,380 per ounce, extending Friday’s gains as investors moved towards safe-haven assets following escalating US–Venezuela tensions. Silver prices also jumped sharply, opening with an upside gap and touching an Intraday high of USD 75.968 per ounce, registering nearly a 6 per cent intraday gain.
As of writing, WTI crude prices are hovering around USD 57.41 per barrel, showing limited reaction despite potential risks to regional supply. Venezuela’s impact remains constrained, as the country produces under 1 million barrels of crude per day, contributing less than 1 per cent to global oil output.
For today, SAIL will remain on the F&O ban list.
Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.