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Indian equity markets are likely to make a cautious start on Friday, following a holiday on Thursday for Maharashtra Day. Traders may likely to take cautious approach amid intensified geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. However, as the day progresses, markets sentiments likely to turn positive, supported by positive global cues and sustained foreign investor interest. 

Some of the key factors to be watched:

GST collections hit record high in April: The Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection reached an all-time high of Rs 2.37 lakh crore during April, reflecting a 12 per cent Increase.

India's total exports jump to record $825 billion in FY25: The commerce ministry's data showed that India's exports of goods and services hit an all-time high of $825 billion in 2024-25, driven by a record surge in the shipments of services that reached $386.5 billion in the last fiscal despite global trade headwinds.

RBI rate cuts to impact key profitability indicator of banks: Crisil Ratings estimates banks' return on assets to decline in fiscal year 2026, due to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) rate cuts. 

India's coal production grows 3.63% in April: India's overall coal production during April 2025 reached 81.57 million tonnes, marking an increase over the 78.71 MT produced in the corresponding period of the previous year, the Coal Ministry said in a release.

Sugar stocks will be in focus: The government official said that India, the world's leading sugar producing country, may export up to 8 lakh tonnes of sugar, lower than the permitted quota of 10 lakh tonnes in the 2024-25 season ending September.

On the global front: The US markets ended in green on Thursday as traders digested some disappointing U.S. economic data, including a Labor Department report showing first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits rose by much more than expected in the week ended April 26.  Asian markets are trading in green on Friday following the broadly positive cues from Wall Street overnight.

Back home, Indian equity benchmarks ended flat in a highly volatile trade on Wednesday amid growing concern over geopolitical tensions and selling in PSU, Industrials and Basic Materials stocks. Finally, the BSE Sensex fell 46.14 points or 0.06% to 80,242.24, and the CNX Nifty was down by 1.75 points or 0.01% to 24,334.20.                     

Some of the important factors in trade:

Tariff war to put MSMEs under greater stress: India Ratings and Research has said the escalation of the tariff war in April will aggravate stress for MSMEs particularly entities in the sectors where the impact of the tariff war is negative. 

Indian economy to grow despite global uncertainties: A finance ministry report has said that with the right strategies in place, continued domestic reforms, and a strong focus on infrastructure development and job creation, Indian economy can demonstrate resilient growth despite global uncertainties. 

India’s first trade deal with US: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that India is likely to be among the first countries to finalise a bilateral trade agreement with the US to avert reciprocal tariffs by President Donald Trump.  

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