Opening Bell : Markets to make gap-down opening amid US-Iran conflict
Indian equity markets are likely to make gap-down opening on Monday, following weak global cues amid the escalating US-Iran conflict and a spike in crude oil prices. Additionally, some cautiousness may come from foreign portfolio investors, who recorded net sales of equities worth Rs 7,536.36 crore on Friday.
Some of the key factors to be watched:
India's economy grows by 7.8% in Q3 FY26 under new series: According to the new series of national accounts with 2022-23 as the base year, India's economy grew by 7.8 per cent during the October-December quarter (Q3) of Fiscal Year 2025-26 (FY26), up from 7.4 per cent in the corresponding quarter of previous year.
GST collection grows 8.1% to over Rs 1.83 lakh crore in February: Gross GST collection increased by 8.1 per cent to over Rs 1.83 lakh crore in February, led by higher growth in revenues from imports and improved domestic sales.
India’s FDI up 18% in April-December of FY26: The government data has showed that foreign direct investments (FDI) in India rose 18 per cent to $47.87 billion during April-December of 2025-26. Investments from overseas during the nine-month period of the previous fiscal stood at $40.67 billion.
Modi, Carney to reset India-Canada ties: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney are set to roll out a broad framework on March 2 to deepen India-Canada ties in areas of trade, energy and critical technology in the face of increasing geopolitical upheavals.
Power stocks will be in watch: The government data showed power consumption in India grew marginally by 1.86 per cent to 132.99 BU in February from 130.56 BU a year ago, as the use of heating appliances like geysers and blowers slowed down due to higher-than usual temperature.
On the global front: The US markets ended in red on Friday following the release of a Labor Department report showing producer prices in the U.S. increased by more than expected in the month of January. Asian markets are trading in red on Monday following the broadly negative cues from Wall Street on Friday amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Back home, Indian equity benchmarks traded under pressure throughout the day and ended over a per cent lower on Friday, due subdued global trends amid rising geopolitical risks. The lack of progress in US-Iran nuclear talks has intensified concerns of further escalation of Middle East tensions. Investor sentiment also weakened due to the exchange data showing foreign institutional investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 3,465.99 crore on Thursday. Finally, the BSE Sensex fell 961.42 points or 1.17% to 81,287.19 and the CNX Nifty was down by 317.90 points or 1.25% to 25,178.65.
Some of the important factors in trade:
Goyal, Lutnick discuss US-India Trade & Partnership: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and his US counterpart Howard Lutnick on Thursday discussed ways to expand trade relationship between the two countries, days after the US Supreme Court struck down Donald Trump's tariffs.
Indian companies to sustain 8-10% Y-o-Y revenue growth in Q4 2025-26: With resilient rural demand and a gradual recovery in urban consumption, the rating agency ICRA has estimated that Indian companies to sustain favourable Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) revenue growth of 8-10% in Q4 2025-26 (vis-a-vis 10.6% YoY increase in Q3 2025-26).
India-Israel FTA talks gain momentum; next round of negotiations in May 2026: With an aim to fast-track free trade agreement (FTA) process, the commerce ministry has said that the India and Israel are likely to hold next round of in-person negotiations in May 2026 in Israel. The two sides concluded the first round of four-day talks.
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