Opening Bell : Markets likely to make cautious start on Friday
Indian equity markets are likely to make cautious start on Friday as traders may remain cautious ahead of Q3 earnings from some blue-chip companies. Sentiments may also remain subdued amid continued outflows by foreign institutional investors (FIIs), as FIIs net sold equities worth nearly Rs 2,549.80 crore on Thursday. Trading activity likely to remain subdued ahead of long weekend holiday.
Some of the key factors to be watched:
India-EU ties de-risk global economy: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that stronger relationship between India and the European Union can de-risk the world economy.
US tariffs unlikely to hurt India much: Union Minister of State (Mos) for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh has said that India is unlikely to suffer much even if the US imposes higher tariffs, as the strength of the Indian economy has now been realised globally, including by US President Donald Trump.
European Union suspends GSP export benefits, India says no impact on shipments: The European Union (EU) has suspended export benefits to sectors such as textiles and plastics under a preferential scheme for India and two other countries effective from January 1. The commerce ministry said the move will not have any impact on the country's exports to the 27-nation bloc, as from 2016, the EU has progressively suspended GSP tariff preferences for India across products.
India, Myanmar Discuss Trade & Pulses Agreement: Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare met Myanmar's deputy commerce minister U Minn Minn in Yangon and discussed the growing trade relations between the two nations. Agricultural produce, particularly pulses, has become central to bilateral cooperation under a five-year memorandum of understanding signed in 2021.
Gold-loan NBFCs' AUM to cross Rs 4 lakh crore by FY27: Crisil Ratings in its report said assets under management of non-banking financial companies specialising in gold loans are set to log a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 40 per cent between this fiscal and next, surpassing Rs 4 lakh crore by March 2027.
On the global front: The US markets ended in green on Thursday amid easing tensions over President Donald Trump's efforts to take control of Greenland. Asian markets are trading mostly in green on Friday after U.S. stocks advanced for a second consecutive session on easing geopolitical and trade tensions between the United States and Europe.
Back home, snapping 3-day losing streak, Indian equity benchmarks bounced back sharply and closed higher on Thursday tracking gains in global markets after US President Donald Trump struck a conciliatory tone on Greenland. However, gains remain capped as exchange data showed foreign institutional investors offloaded equities worth Rs 1,787.66 crore on Wednesday. Finally, the BSE Sensex rose 397.74 points or 0.49% to 82,307.37 and the CNX Nifty was up by 132.40 points or 0.53% to 25,289.90.
Some of the important factors in trade:
December sees slight increase in retail inflation for farm & rural workers: A labour ministry has said that the year-on-year inflation rate for Agricultural Labourers (AL) and Rural Labourers (RL) stood at 0.04% and 0.11%, respectively, in December 2025, mainly due to firming up of certain food items.
India to remain fastest growing major economy despite geopolitical risks: Citing the first advance estimates of real GDP growth for 2025-26, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) bulletin has said that India will remain the fastest growing major economy even with heighten geopolitical risks and policy uncertainty ahead.
NITI Aayog suggests setting up of national agency to implement green transition for MSMEs: NITI Aayog has recommended setting up a national project management agency to implement a programme for MSMEs' transition towards green energy, as India aims to reach net zero carbon emission goal by 2070.
