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Indian equity markets are likely to make negative start on Friday, tracking subdued global cues. Traders are likely to remain cautious amid renewed escalation in the U.S.-Iran conflict and uncertainty surrounding potential peace talks. Further, traders may remain cautious as Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net sellers, pulling out Rs 340.89 crore from equities on May 7, 2026.

Some of the key factors to be watched: 

India remains fastest-growing major economy: Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said that India’s 6.6% GDP growth cements its status as the world’s fastest-growing large economy, despite an extraordinary global backdrop marked by active warfare, disrupted supply chains, and rising protectionism.

India will always be reliable partner to Suriname: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that India will always be a reliable partner to Suriname in its journey towards progress and prosperity, underscoring New Delhi’s human-centric cooperation with the Caribbean nation and the Global South.

Ambassador Kwatra meets Indian delegation to SelectUSA Investment Summit: The report said that India’s Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra has lauded an Indian business delegation for their role in achieving goal of 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047 through greater investment in tech and manufacturing space.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri meets UAE's minister: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UAE's Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy in Abu Dhabi on Thursday and discussed bilateral ties as well as the ongoing regional situation and global issues of mutual interest.

Govt extends subsidy scheme for companies flagging merchant ships until FY31: The shipping ministry extended the scheme for providing subsidies to Indian companies flagging merchant ships in India for five years until the financial year 20230-31.

Global front: The US markets ended lower on Thursday as investors watched for Iran’s response to a US peace proposal and combed through labor updates and fresh earnings reports. Asian markets are trading in red on Friday, tracking weak cues from Wall Street overnight.

Back home, Indian equity benchmarks ended with minor cuts in a choppy trade on Thursday, as investors turned cautious amid unabated foreign fund outflows. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 5,834.90 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data. Investors also awaited Iran's response to the US peace proposal. Finally, the BSE Sensex fell 114.00 points or 0.15% to 77,844.52 and the CNX Nifty was down by 4.30 points or 0.02% to 24,326.65.

Some of the important factors in trade:

S&P Global lowers India's FY27 GDP growth estimates to 6.6%: S&P Global in its latest ‘India Forward’ report, jointly done with Crisil, has lowered India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth estimates for the current financial year (FY27) to 6.6 per cent from 7.1 per cent projected earlier. 

Positive growth sentiment persists in India’s Manufacturing Sector in Q4FY26: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (FICCI) latest survey for January-March FY26 has said that growth sentiment in India's manufacturing sector stays optimistic in Q4FY26, even in the face of rising input costs and geopolitical uncertainties. 

India, South Korea likely to hold FTA review talks on May 25: The report said that India and South Korea are expected to hold negotiations on May 25 regarding the review of the comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), which was implemented in January 2010.