Markets poised for a cautious start as GIFT Nifty ticks higher

Domestic markets extended their gains on Tuesday, with the Nifty closing at 23,989. Analysts say Indian equities are expected to maintain their gradual positive momentum, supported by improving geopolitical developments, a revival in foreign institutional participation and a further fall in crude oil prices. Progress towards a potential US-Iran peace agreement, reportedly scheduled for signing in Switzerland on Friday, along with expectations of the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, has significantly improved global sentiment.


STATE OF THE MARKETS
GIFT Nifty (Earlier SGX Nifty) signals a positive start
GIFT Nifty on the NSE IX traded higher by 32 points, or 0.13 per cent, at 24,025, signaling that Dalal Street was headed for a positive start on Wednesday.

• Tech View: The near-term sentiment continues to be positive; however, the upside may remain limited, with choppy price action likely to persist. On the higher side, immediate resistance is placed in the 24,070–24,200 zone, where the Nifty may encounter selling pressure. On the downside, immediate support is placed at 23,900, followed by 23,700.
• India VIX: India VIX, which is a measure of the fear in the markets, fell 6.9% to settle at 13.36 levels.

S&P 500 slips; Dow closes higher
The Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 finished lower on Tuesday under pressure from technology stocks, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average marked its second straight record close.

Asian stocks slip
Asian stocks slipped at the open, tracking declines on Wall Street as investors rotated out of technology shares and positioned for the first Federal Reserve policy decision under Chairman Kevin Warsh.

• S&P 500 futures rose 0.1% as of 9:19 a.m. Tokyo time
• Hang Seng futures rose 0.1%
• Japan’s Topix rose 0.2%
• Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was little changed
• Euro Stoxx 50 futures rose 0.3%

Dollar eases
The dollar eased on Wednesday ahead of the Federal Reserve's first policy decision under Chair Kevin Warsh, with lingering optimism over an interim U.S.-Iran peace deal underpinning risk appetite and dampening demand for the U.S. currency.

Oil gains
Oil prices edged higher in early trade on Wednesday, clawing back some of the previous session's losses, as investors assessed whether the Iran war will truly end and the Strait of Hormuz reopen.

Gold edges higher
Gold edged higher on Wednesday, extending gains for a fifth straight session, as optimism around the U.S.-Iran peace deal eased concerns over interest rate hikes, while investors awaited further details on the deal and the Federal Reserve's policy meeting.

Stocks in F&O ban today

1) Kaynes

Securities in the ban period under the F&O segment include companies in which the security has crossed 95% of the market-wide position limit.

FII/DII action
Foreign portfolio investors net sold shares worth Rs 749 crore on Tuesday. DIIs, meanwhile, were net buyers at Rs 6 lakh.

Rupee
The rupee appreciated for the third straight session on Tuesday to close 5 paise higher at 94.53 against the US dollar, supported by easing West Asia tensions and extended fall in crude oil prices.

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