The Indian stock market is poised to resume trading today following a short hiatus. After a three-day pause that included two weekends and a holiday for Ambedkar Jayanti, early indicators suggest a robust opening. The Gift Nifty is showing positive momentum, trading around 23,300, reflecting a 1.2% increase. The last trading session on April 11 ended on a high note, with significant gains for key indices.
Strong Market Performance Before Break
In the previous session, the Sensex witnessed an impressive surge, climbing 1,310 points (or 1.77%) to reach 75,157.26. Similarly, the Nifty rose by 429 points (approximately 1.92%), closing at 22,828.55. As markets reopen today, investors are keenly observing global trends, particularly in light of ongoing tariff discussions and market reactions across Asia.
Insights from Asian Markets
Asian markets began the day with a positive outlook, reflecting the uplifting sentiment from a tech-driven rally on Wall Street. Notably:
- Japan’s Nikkei 225 soared by 1.04%.
- The Topix index advanced 1.14%.
- In South Korea, the Kospi slightly increased by 0.39, while the tech-centric Kosdaq dipped by 0.32%.
- Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 also registered a modest gain of 0.15%.
Wall Street’s Impact
The U.S. markets concluded Monday on a high, with all primary indices posting gains:
- Dow Jones jumped 312 points (or 0.78%), finishing at 40,524.79.
- The S&P 500 rose 0.79%, closing at 5,405.97.
- The Nasdaq Composite increased by 0.64%, ending at 16,831.48.
Investigations into Imports and Tariffs
In a significant development, the U.S. administration is currently investigating imports in the pharmaceutical and semiconductor sectors, raising concerns about potential tariffs. This inquiry stems from worries regarding the United States’ dependence on foreign-produced medicines and microchips, which could pose national security risks.
Currency and Commodity Updates
The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY), which reflects the dollar’s strength against a selection of six foreign currencies, rose by 0.23%, reaching 99.87 this morning. Meanwhile, the Indian rupee depreciated by 0.75%, closing at 86.05 against the dollar on April 11.
Crude Oil Trends
Crude oil prices saw an uptick this morning, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) trading at $61.87, marking a 0.53% rise. In contrast, Brent crude was priced at $65.17, up by 0.42%.
Foreign and Domestic Investments
Data from April 11 revealed that foreign institutional investors continued to withdraw from Indian markets, pulling out ₹2,519 crore for the ninth consecutive day. However, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) countered this trend, investing ₹3,759 crore to stabilize the market.
Gold Prices Today
Following a peak of $3,245.42 per ounce due to rising U.S.-China tensions, gold prices saw a slight decline as investor fears eased after President Trump’s temporary exclusion of certain electronics from tariffs. In India, gold prices remain steady, with 24-carat gold priced at ₹95,500 per 10 grams, 22-carat gold at ₹87,540, and 18-carat gold at ₹71,630.
Corporate Actions to Monitor
April 15 is a crucial date for investors to note as it marks significant corporate actions:
- Kapil Raj Finance will implement a 1:10 stock split.
- Onesource Industries and Ventures Ltd will observe its rights issue.
- Quess Corp will undergo a corporate restructuring, with the ex-date and record date set for today.
As trading resumes, investors are encouraged to stay informed and consider these developments in their strategies.
