Pre-Market Report: GIFT Nifty Signals Positive Start Amid US-Iran Peace Deal and Hawkish Fed

Global Market Cues

The global landscape presents a divided front this morning. US markets closed lower on Wednesday as the Federal Reserve, under new Chair Kevin Warsh, maintained interest rates at 3.50%–3.75% but adopted a "hawkish pause," with nearly half of the policymakers projecting a rate hike later in 2026. The S&P 500 slumped 1.21% and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.34%. However, the signing of an interim peace agreement between the US and Iran has provided a massive tailwind for Asian markets. Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged over 1.4%, crossing the 71,000 mark for the first time, while crude oil prices eased, with Brent trading below $79 per barrel.

GIFT Nifty and Domestic Cues

GIFT Nifty is currently trading at approximately 24,100, indicating a gap-up opening of about 80–100 points for the Nifty 50. On Wednesday, the Indian benchmark indices extended their winning streak for the fourth consecutive session, with the Nifty 50 closing at 24,085.70 and the Sensex at 77,155.62. A significant highlight was India's total market capitalization crossing $5 trillion, reclaiming its spot as the world's fourth-largest equity market. Institutional data shows Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) remained strong buyers (₹1,561 crore), offsetting minor selling by FIIs (₹101 crore).

Key Stocks in Focus

• Bosch: Promoter Bosch Global Software Technologies is set to sell up to a 7.97% stake (21.7 lakh shares) through an offer for sale.
• HFCL: The company has bagged a significant contract worth ₹2,666 crore from Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) for the BharatNet Phase-III project.
• Waaree Renewable Technologies: Announced an additional commercial order for an existing solar project, taking the total contract value to ₹1,045 crore.
• Jaiprakash Associates: The stock will be delisted from exchanges starting today following its acquisition by the Adani Group through the insolvency process.
• Zydus Lifesciences: In focus after completing a major overseas acquisition deal to bolster its global portfolio.
• Balkrishna Industries: Saroj Kumar Khuntia takes over as the new Chief Financial Officer effective today, June 18.

Key Events to Watch Today

• US-Iran Peace Deal Impact: Markets will continue to react to the specifics of the MOU signed by President Trump, particularly its impact on global energy supply chains.
• Weekly Expiry: Expect heightened volatility in the latter half of the session due to the weekly derivatives expiry of Nifty and Sensex.
• Fed Commentary Fallout: Investors will further analyze Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s debut press conference and the removal of forward guidance.
• Corporate Actions: Several stocks including Tata Technologies, JSW Infrastructure, and HDB Financial Services will trade ex-dividend today.

TAGS: Pre-Market, Stock Market, Nifty, Sensex, Market Update

Tags: Pre-Market Stock Market Nifty Sensex Market Update