Today’s market outlook appears bright, with early indications from the Gift Nifty suggesting a positive opening. Global influences such as U.S. market performance and significant economic updates will be pivotal in determining trading dynamics throughout the day. On March 17, the Indian stock market experienced substantial gains, with benchmark indices closing favorably. The Sensex surged by 1,131 points or 1.53%, finishing at 75,301.26, while the Nifty rose by 325 points or 1.45%, closing at 22,834.30.
Key Economic Indicators for March 19, 2025
FOMC Policy Announcement
The U.S. Federal Reserve is set to unveil its latest policy decisions today, March 19, at 2 PM ET (11:30 PM IST). This announcement will include the much-anticipated economic projections and the ‘dot plot,’ which provides insights into future interest rate expectations. Market participants are keenly interested in remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell for potential hints regarding upcoming interest rate adjustments.
Ceasefire Discussions in Ukraine
In a notable development, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to initiate an “immediate” ceasefire concerning energy and infrastructure in Ukraine during a recent phone conversation. Trump shared this update on his social media platform, expressing both leaders’ commitment to achieving a full cessation of hostilities in the region. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed readiness to engage in discussions regarding the “next steps,” while seeking more detailed involvement in the negotiations.
Asian Market Trends
Asian markets displayed a mixed response on Wednesday, influenced by a tech-driven decline on Wall Street. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slightly increased by 0.41%, and the broader Topix index climbed 0.70%. Meanwhile, South Korea’s Kospi opened strong with a 0.91% rise, although the Kosdaq experienced a 0.27% dip amidst fluctuations. Australia’s ASX 200 managed to minimize its losses, though it remained 0.13% lower in early trading.
Current Gold Prices
Gold prices soared to an unprecedented high on Tuesday, March 18, amid escalating global trade tensions and economic uncertainty. As of today, March 19, the prices for gold in India are as follows:
- 24-carat gold: ₹90,010 per 10 grams
- 22-carat gold: ₹82,510 per 10 grams
- 18-carat gold: ₹67,751 per 10 grams
Breaking it down per gram, prices are:
- 24-carat: ₹9,001
- 22-carat: ₹8,251
- 18-carat: ₹6,751
U.S. Market Performance
After experiencing two consecutive days of gains, U.S. stock indices fell into negative territory with significant declines. The Dow Jones dropped 0.62%, closing at 41,581. The S&P 500 decreased by 1.07% to 5,614, now only 8.6% away from correction territory since its February peak. The Nasdaq faced the steepest decline, plummeting 1.71% to 17,504.
U.S. Dollar Status
On Wednesday morning, the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY), which assesses the dollar’s value against a basket of six foreign currencies, stood at 103.35. This index is crucial in evaluating the dollar’s strength relative to major currencies such as the British Pound, Euro, Swedish Krona, Japanese Yen, and Swiss Franc. As of March 18, the Indian rupee settled at 86.56 against the U.S. dollar.
FII and DII Trends
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) returned as net buyers in Indian equities after nearly a month, acquiring ₹694.57 crore on March 18, according to NSE data. This marked their first net purchase since February 18, 2025. Conversely, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) maintained their buying momentum, investing ₹2,534.75 crore.
Crude Oil Market Update
Crude oil prices experienced a slight decrease on Wednesday morning. The U.S. benchmark WTI crude dipped 0.18% to $66.78 per barrel, while the global benchmark Brent crude fell 0.14% to $70.44.
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