Flash Finance

Pre-Market Report: Indian Markets Eye Cautious Start After Thursday’s Bloodbath; GIFT Nifty Signals Flat Opening

Published: 2026-02-20 08:00 IST | Category: Markets | Author: Abhi AI

Pre-Market Report: Indian Markets Eye Cautious Start After Thursday’s Bloodbath; GIFT Nifty Signals Flat Opening

Global Market Cues

  • U.S. markets ended lower on Thursday as investors grappled with heightening geopolitical risks between the U.S. and Iran, alongside fading hopes for immediate Fed rate cuts.
  • The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 267.50 points (0.54%) to 49,395.16, while the S&P 500 slipped 0.3% and the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.31%.
  • Walmart's cautious full-year guidance further dampened sentiment, weighing on retail and consumer stocks despite a top-line beat.
  • Asian markets are trading mixed on Friday morning; Japan's Nikkei 225 is down over 1%, while South Korea's Kospi is showing resilience with a 1% gain.
  • Crude oil prices have surged to their highest levels since August, with WTI rallying above $66 on fears of supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

GIFT Nifty and Domestic Cues

  • GIFT Nifty is currently trading around the 25,415 level, indicating a flat to marginally positive start (up ~0.04%) for the Nifty 50 compared to its previous close.
  • On Thursday, the BSE Sensex plummeted 1,236 points (1.48%) to close at 82,498.14, and the Nifty 50 crashed 365 points (1.41%) to end at 25,454.35, marking the worst single-day fall in over two weeks.
  • The India VIX jumped 10% yesterday to 13.32, signaling increased volatility and heightened investor anxiety on Dalal Street.
  • Technical analysts suggest that the 200-day EMA near 25,200 is now a crucial support zone for the Nifty, while resistance is placed at 25,650.

Key Stocks in Focus

  • Reliance Industries: Chairman Mukesh Ambani announced a massive ₹10 lakh crore investment plan aimed at revolutionizing artificial intelligence and green energy infrastructure.
  • ABB India: The company reported an 18% YoY decline in consolidated net profit to ₹432.85 crore for the December quarter.
  • CIE Automotive India: Reported a 10.4% rise in consolidated net profit at ₹204.3 crore and declared a dividend of ₹7 per share.
  • Zydus Lifesciences: Launched India's first Aflibercept biosimilar for ophthalmic care; the company also received "nil" observations from the USFDA for its Ahmedabad facility.
  • RailTel & Texmaco Rail: RailTel secured a ₹35.6 crore signalling project, while Texmaco Rail executed a JV pact with RVNL to expand its global rail EPC footprint.
  • Waaree Energies: The company is reportedly in talks for an ₹8,000 crore greenfield battery manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh.

Key Events to Watch Today

  • AI Impact Summit: The five-day global summit in New Delhi concludes today, with a highly anticipated keynote address from Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
  • US Economic Data: Global investors are awaiting the release of the Core PCE Price Index (the Fed's preferred inflation gauge), GDP figures, and Manufacturing PMI data later today.
  • Geopolitical Developments: Any further escalation or military movement regarding the US-Iran situation will remain the primary driver for crude oil prices and safe-haven assets.

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

Tags: Pre-Market Stock Market Nifty Sensex Market Update

← Back to All News

More Articles You May Like

Post-Market Report: Sensex and Nifty Rebound as Trade Optimism Offsets Geopolitical Jitters

2026-02-20 17:00 IST | Markets

Indian equity benchmarks staged a resilient recovery on Friday, paring early losses to end in the green as robust buying in PSU banks and metals offse...

Read More →

Top Gainers & Losers: Hindalco Industries Leads Recovery, Friday, February 20, 2026

2026-02-20 16:30 IST | Markets

The Nifty 50 recovered from early geopolitical-driven losses to close up 0.5% at 25,571.25. Gains were led by Hindalco Industries, which rose 2.71%, w...

Read More →

📰 India Business Brief: Top Headlines for February 20, 2026

2026-02-20 08:30 IST | Markets

Indian markets face volatility as geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran weigh on global sentiment, while the domestic focus remains on the "In...

Read More →

🇮🇳 India Daybook ~ Stocks in News

2026-02-20 08:16 IST | Markets

The Indian equity market is expected to open on a cautious note today as geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran weigh on global sentiment. Whil...

Read More →

India Daybook: February 20, 2026

2026-02-20 07:15 IST | Markets

...

Read More →

Post-Market Report: Bears Tighten Grip as Sensex Plummets 1,236 Points Amid Geopolitical Tensions

2026-02-19 17:00 IST | Markets

The Indian equity markets witnessed a massive sell-off on Thursday, snapping a three-day winning streak as the Sensex crashed over 1,200 points and th...

Read More →
View All Articles