Opening Bell : Markets likely to make flat-to-positive start amid strong global cues
Indian equity markets are likely to make flat-to-positive start on Friday, amid strong global cues. Traders are likely to adopt a wait-and-watch approach ahead of the release of key corporate Q3 earnings, including results from heavyweights such as Reliance Industries, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra. However, sentiments may remain subdued due to persistent outflows by foreign institutional investors (FIIs), as FIIs were net sellers to the tune of Rs 4,781.24 crore on Wednesday.
Some of the key factors to be watched:
World Bank raises India's GDP growth projection to 7.2% for FY26: The World Bank has raised India's GDP growth forecast to 7.2 per cent for the current fiscal, up by 0.9 percentage points from its June projections, on the back of robust domestic demand and tax reforms.
Exports rise 1.87% in December: The government data showed that the country’s exports grew 1.87 per cent to $38.5 billion in December last year due to global economic uncertainties, while an increase in imports led to a marginal widening of the trade deficit to $25 billion.
India, EU very close on FTA: Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrwal said that India and the EU are very close to concluding negotiations on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA), with discussions underway to resolve remaining issues so that the deal is ready for announcement during the visit of top leadership later this month.
Unemployment rate rises marginally to 4.8% in December: The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) showed that unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above rose marginally to 4.8 per cent in December 2025 compared to 4.7 per cent in the preceding month.
Banking stocks will be in focus: India Ratings and Research said deposit accretion has become a structural concern for Indian banks, and the ensuing high credit deposit (CD) ratio may also constrain loan growth in the near future.
On the global front: The US markets ended in green on Thursday after Labor Department report showing that first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits unexpectedly dipped in the week ended January 10, 2026. Asian markets were trading mostly in green on Friday, tracking positive cues from Wall Street overnight.
Back home, extending their previous day's losses, Indian equity benchmarks ended lower on Wednesday due to weakness in Realty, IT and Consumer Durables stocks amid escalating geopolitical tensions. Besides, persistent foreign fund outflows and fresh tariff-related uncertainties also unnerved investors. Finally, the BSE Sensex fell 244.98 points or 0.29% to 83,382.71 and the CNX Nifty was down by 66.70 points or 0.26% to 25,665.60.
Some of the important factors in trade:
MSME sector to play pivotal role in India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat by 2047: Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje has said that Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector will play a pivotal role in India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat by 2047, as it is second-largest employer in India after agriculture.
GST Reforms, festive demand push passenger vehicle dispatches to record high in 2025: The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has said that passenger vehicle dispatches from companies to dealers raced to the highest ever sales mark in a calendar year in 2025, driven by strong festive-season demand as goods and services tax (GST) reforms led to lower prices.
Trump's 25% duty plan for Iran's trade partners unlikely to impact India: Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) said that US President Donald Trump's announcement to impose 25 per cent duty on countries doing business with Iran will almost have no impact on India.
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