The excitement that surged through the markets on April 15 has given way to a more cautious atmosphere on Dalal Street as traders navigate the latest global cues. Following a remarkable rally where the Sensex surged over 1,500 points and the Nifty surpassed 23,300, the Gift Nifty suggests a subdued opening, currently trading down by 0.48%. As investors gear up for a new trading day, they are keenly observing how geopolitical shifts and tariff concerns will impact market dynamics.
Asian Markets: A Cautious Start
Asian stock exchanges opened on a lower note as they reacted to declines in Wall Street. Investors are currently analyzing quarterly earnings while remaining wary of ongoing tariff issues.
- Japan’s Nikkei 225 remained relatively stable.
- South Korea’s Kospi declined by 0.2%.
- Kosdaq fell by 0.18%.
- Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged down by 0.08%.
US Futures: Market Sentiment Dips
U.S. stock futures have pulled back as the market anticipates retail sales reports and a wave of first-quarter earnings announcements.
- Dow futures dropped 0.5%.
- The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.9% and 1.5%, respectively.
China’s Economic Outlook: Q1 GDP Growth
Today, China is set to unveil its first-quarter GDP figures, with Reuters analysts predicting a 5.1% year-on-year growth. This indicates a slight easing from the 5.4% growth recorded in the previous quarter, prompting global investors to pay close attention.
Political Tensions: Trump’s Trade Remarks
In a recent briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated Trump’s assertion that "the ball is in China’s court" regarding trade negotiations. Leavitt emphasized the need for China to reach a deal, stating, “We don’t have to make a deal with them.”
U.S. Markets Close Lower
On April 15, U.S. markets experienced a downturn, with all major indices ending lower:
- Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 155.83 points (0.38%), closing at 40,368.96.
- S&P 500 decreased by 0.17%, settling at 5,396.63.
- Nasdaq Composite slipped by 0.05%, finishing at 16,823.17.
U.S. Dollar Shows Weakness
The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY), which gauges the dollar’s performance against a basket of foreign currencies, experienced a decline of 0.35%, landing at 99.86 on Wednesday. The rupee also depreciated by 0.35%, reaching 86.76 against the dollar on April 15.
Crude Oil Prices Edge Up
Crude oil prices saw slight gains early Wednesday:
- West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose by 0.35%, trading at $61.54 per barrel.
- Brent crude recorded a modest increase of 0.28%, at $65.85.
FII and DII Activity: Strong Buying and Profit-Taking
Foreign investors made a significant comeback in Indian markets, purchasing shares worth Rs 6,065 crore on April 15, marking their largest single-day acquisition since late March. Conversely, domestic institutional investors opted to take profits, offloading stocks valued at Rs 1,951 crore.
Gold Prices: A Safe Haven Amidst Uncertainty
Gold prices experienced a boost as investors flocked to the precious metal amid uncertainty surrounding Trump’s tariff policies. In India, the rates align with global trends, with 24-carat gold priced at Rs 95,170 per 10 grams and 22-carat gold at Rs 87,190.
Earnings Watch: Key Companies Reporting Today
Investors will closely monitor quarterly earnings reports from several prominent companies today, including Wipro, Angel One, Waaree Renewable Technologies, Reliance Industrial Infrastructure, Swaraj Engines, and GTPL Hathway.
As the markets continue to evolve, all eyes will be on how these factors unfold in the coming sessions.
