Indian shares set to open lower as elevated oil, fragile Iran talks weigh
Indian shares are set to open lower on Tuesday, weighed down by elevated crude prices as talks to end the Iran war appeared fragile, keeping supply concerns alive and fuelling worries over the conflict's potential economic impact.
Investors will also assess domestic corporate earnings ahead of India's April retail inflation data, which could offer clues on how the Iran war has affected price pressures in the economy.
GIFT Nifty futures were trading at 23,677, as of 07:52 a.m. IST, indicating the Nifty 50 is likely to open below its Monday close of 23,815.85.
The Nifty 50 and Sensex slipped 1.5% and 1.7%, respectively, on Monday, while the rupee logged a record closing low of 95.31 per dollar.
Sentiment was also hit after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged fuel conservation and restraint on gold purchases in a bid to preserve foreign exchange reserves.
Foreign portfolio investors offloaded stocks worth 84.38 billion rupees ($885.32 million) on Monday, the highest since April 24, while domestic institutional investors purchased shares worth 59.4 billion rupees, according to NSE's provisional data.
Other Asian markets fell 0.8%, as oil prices rose to about $105 a barrel following U.S. President Donald Trump's comment that the ceasefire with Iran was "on life support" after dismissing Tehran's response to a U.S. peace proposal as "stupid". [MKTS/GLOB]
Higher crude prices are detrimental for the world's third-largest oil importer, as they exacerbate inflationary pressures and weigh on growth and corporate earnings. [O/R]
India's annual consumer inflation numbers, due later on Tuesday, likely edged closer to the central bank's 4% target in April from 3.4% in March, as higher fuel costs following the U.S.-Iran war began feeding into prices, a Reuters poll of economists showed.
STOCKS TO WATCH ** Indian Hotels Company posts about 15% year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit in the March quarter. ** Syrma SGS Technology reports about 55% jump in March-quarter profit. ** Afcons Infrastructure has been selected for a railway rehabilitation and construction project in Europe worth 677.07 million euros ($796.23 million). ** Bharat Forge secures a long-term contract with aerospace major Embraer for the manufacturing of landing gear forgings.
($1 = 95.3100 Indian rupees)
($1 = 0.8503 euros)
