Indian stock markets are likely to start Thursday’s session on a cautious note as GIFT Nifty points to a mildly negative opening for the Nifty 50. Global cues remain mixed, with US equities firming up after softer-than-expected inflation data, while concerns around crude oil prices, geopolitics and bond yields continue to keep investors on their toes.
GIFT Nifty was trading around 24,424, indicating a weaker start for Indian benchmarks. S&P 500 futures were up 0.26%, while Euro Stoxx 50 futures were down 0.24% during Asian trading hours.
For investors, the focus today will be on stocks in the news, fresh corporate announcements, quarterly earnings, IPO subscription data, F&O positioning and developments around the oil market.
Indian Stock Market Recap
The Sensex and Nifty closed lower on Wednesday, August 12, as investors remained cautious amid geopolitical uncertainty and concerns over global energy supplies.
The Nifty 50 declined 35.75 points, or 0.15%, to close at 24,435.95. The Sensex fell 187.90 points, or 0.24%, to end the session at 77,966.35.
The market continues to track global developments closely, particularly crude oil prices, the US Federal Reserve’s interest-rate outlook and developments around the Strait of Hormuz.
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US Market Wrap
US stocks moved higher after the latest inflation data came broadly in line with expectations. The reading helped reduce immediate concerns about another near-term rate hike by the Federal Reserve and supported risk appetite across Wall Street.
The S&P 500 moved closer to its record high, while technology and semiconductor stocks supported the Nasdaq 100.
However, investors remain cautious about elevated long-term Treasury yields and the US fiscal deficit. The upcoming 30-year Treasury auction is also being watched closely after the recent 10-year Treasury sale cleared at its highest yield since 2007.
Asian Markets Trade Higher
Asian equities opened on a stronger footing after softer US inflation data eased concerns about an aggressive Federal Reserve stance.
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index gained around 0.6%, with Japan and South Korea among the major contributors. The positive tone followed gains on Wall Street and renewed strength in technology stocks.
For Indian equities, the global setup remains mixed rather than decisively bullish, with domestic investors also keeping an eye on crude oil and geopolitical developments.
Gold, Silver And Crude Oil In Focus
Gold prices climbed to a two-month high as softer US inflation reduced some pressure on the Federal Reserve. Spot gold was trading around $4,429.70 an ounce, while silver gained around 1% to $65.94 an ounce.
Crude oil remains one of the biggest variables for Indian markets. Brent crude was trading near $88 a barrel after a sharp rise over the previous six sessions, while WTI remained below $83.
Higher crude prices are particularly important for India because the country remains heavily dependent on imported oil. A sustained rise in crude can put pressure on inflation, the current account and corporate margins.
Stocks In News Today
Jio Financial Services is among the key stocks to watch after the company entered into a joint venture agreement with Bank of America. BofA will acquire up to a 49.9% stake in Jio Credit for Rs. 18,268 crore.
Bajel Projects is also in focus after receiving an EPC order worth more than Rs. 600 crore under the Western Region-Eastern Region Inter-Regional Network Expansion Scheme.
Dixon Technologies will incorporate a new subsidiary, Adivistar Electronics India, in which Dixon will hold a 51% stake.
Poonawalla Fincorp has approved the issuance of non-convertible debentures worth Rs. 750 crore.
UltraTech Cement will acquire a 26% stake in Solaris Horizon Energy for around Rs. 27.8 crore.
GE Power India has secured an order worth Rs. 550 crore for the Shoaiba Fuel Conversion Project in Saudi Arabia.
Texmaco Rail & Engineering has received an order worth Rs. 77.8 crore from IVC Logistics for the supply of three ACT-1 wagon rakes.
JK Cement has commissioned a 0.60 million tonne per annum cement manufacturing unit in Rajasthan.
GMR Airports has approved a fundraising plan of up to Rs. 5,000 crore through QIP, bonds and other instruments. The proposal includes raising up to Rs. 1,500 crore through non-convertible bonds.
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has entered into an agreement with Prudential IP Services concerning continued use of the Prudential trademarks and their eventual removal from the company name.
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Q1 FY27 Results: Stocks To Watch
The ongoing earnings season continues to drive stock-specific action. Several companies reported their June-quarter results after Wednesday’s market close.
Lenskart reported a 43.3% year-on-year increase in revenue to Rs. 2,714 crore. EBITDA rose 75.5% to Rs. 588 crore, while net profit increased to Rs. 222 crore from Rs. 60 crore.
Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles reported a 23% rise in standalone revenue to Rs. 19,329 crore. EBITDA increased 9.5% to Rs. 2,176 crore, while net profit rose 8.3% to Rs. 1,528 crore.
Astral posted 15.9% revenue growth at Rs. 1,578 crore. However, EBITDA declined 4.1% to Rs. 283 crore, even as net profit jumped 48% to Rs. 120 crore.
VA Tech Wabag reported 20.8% growth in revenue to Rs. 887 crore. EBITDA declined 16.9% to Rs. 79.5 crore, while net profit increased 36.9% to Rs. 90 crore.
Sun TV Network reported a 13% increase in revenue to Rs. 1,458 crore. EBITDA rose 18.6% to Rs. 735 crore and net profit increased 17% to Rs. 619 crore. The company also declared an interim dividend of Rs. 5 per share.
Vadilal Industries reported strong quarterly numbers, with revenue rising 34.1% to Rs. 680 crore. EBITDA jumped 65% to Rs. 166 crore, while net profit surged 95.5% to Rs. 131 crore.
Aditya Infotech delivered a sharp increase in quarterly revenue, which rose 89.5% to Rs. 1,402 crore. EBITDA stood at Rs. 203.7 crore against Rs. 60.9 crore a year earlier, while net profit increased to Rs. 142.2 crore.
Apollo Hospitals reported a 20.6% rise in revenue to Rs. 7,044 crore. Net profit increased 34.2% to Rs. 581 crore, beating the estimated Rs. 555 crore. EBITDA rose 28.2% to Rs. 1,092 crore.
Sansera Engineering reported revenue growth of 33.3% to Rs. 1,021 crore. EBITDA increased 48% to Rs. 196 crore and net profit rose 39.2% to Rs. 86.6 crore.
Titagarh Rail Systems reported a 12.6% increase in revenue to Rs. 765 crore. EBITDA climbed 26.3% to Rs. 95 crore, while the company moved to a net profit of Rs. 52.6 crore from a loss in the year-ago quarter.
On the weaker side, SKF India reported a sharp decline in revenue and profitability. Revenue fell 54.2% to Rs. 588 crore, EBITDA dropped 74% to Rs. 43.2 crore and net profit declined 47.6% to Rs. 62 crore.
VIP Industries reported a 3% increase in revenue to Rs. 578 crore, but EBITDA turned negative at Rs. 11.2 crore compared with a profit of Rs. 24.7 crore in the corresponding quarter.
IRCON International reported 9.5% revenue growth, but net profit declined 43.6% to Rs. 93 crore.
IPO Update
The primary market remains active, with several IPOs attracting strong investor interest.
Dhoot Transmission IPO was subscribed 74.21 times by Day 3. The QIB portion was subscribed 212.92 times, while the NII and retail portions were subscribed 51.93 times and 8.12 times, respectively.
Molbio Diagnostics IPO was subscribed 70.26 times by Day 3. QIB subscription stood at 186.39 times, while NII and retail portions were subscribed 49.80 times and 12.96 times.
Milky Mist IPO was subscribed 2.17 times by Day 2, with NII subscription at 3.56 times and retail subscription at 2.44 times.
Behari Lal Engineering IPO was subscribed 2.03 times on Day 1, while Shiprocket IPO stood at 0.97 times on its first day.
F&O Cues
Nifty August futures were trading 0.24% lower at 24,480.90, carrying a premium of around 45 points over the spot index.
In Nifty options for the August 18 expiry, the maximum Call open interest is placed at 25,000, while the maximum Put open interest is seen at 24,000.
The positioning indicates that 24,000 and 25,000 could remain important levels for traders, although intraday moves will continue to depend on global cues and institutional flows.
Stocks currently under the F&O ban include Bandhan Bank, SAIL, LIC, and Manappuram Finance.
Bulk And Block Deals
Dr Agarwal’s Health Care saw significant institutional activity. Allianz Global Investors bought 17.72 lakh shares at Rs. 501 per share, while Claymore Investments and Hyperion Investments sold shares in the company.
ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, Invesco Mutual Fund and Polar Capital Funds Healthcare Opportunities Fund were among the buyers in the stock.
In Tenneco Clean Air India, HDFC Mutual Fund and SBI Mutual Fund bought shares, while Tenneco Mauritius Holdings sold shares.
Panama Petrochem also witnessed a block transaction involving Enigma Small Opportunities Fund.
ASM Watch
Beta Drugs, Ind-Swift Laboratories and Sakar Healthcare have been shortlisted under the long-term Additional Surveillance Measure framework.
Aarti Pharmalabs, Kolte-Patil Developers, Kwality Pharmaceuticals, Lumax Auto Technologies, Rolex Rings, Baazar Style Retail and Sudeep Pharma have been shortlisted under the short-term ASM framework.
Just Dial and Thangamayil Jewellery have been excluded from the ASM framework.
What Should Investors Watch Today?
The market setup remains highly sensitive to global cues. A combination of softer US inflation and stronger Asian markets provides some support, but elevated crude prices and geopolitical uncertainty could limit gains.
For traders, the Nifty’s immediate positioning around 24,400-24,500 will be important, while 24,000 and 25,000 remain key option levels based on current open-interest data.
Investors should also track quarterly earnings and company-specific announcements rather than reacting solely to the broader market direction. Stocks such as Jio Financial Services, Dixon Technologies, Tata Motors CV, Lenskart, Apollo Hospitals and companies reporting fresh orders or fundraising plans could see stock-specific volatility.
As always, F&O data, corporate announcements and pre-market indications can change quickly once regular trading begins. Investors should verify live prices and exchange disclosures before taking any investment decision.
Key Takeaway
Thursday’s market could see a cautious start, but the overall picture is not one-sided. Softer US inflation and firm global equities offer support, while crude oil, geopolitical tensions and elevated bond yields remain key risks.
With the earnings season in full swing and several IPOs seeing strong subscription numbers, stock-specific action is likely to remain the bigger theme for Indian investors today.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, financial advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security. Stock prices and market conditions can change rapidly. Investors should conduct their own research and consult a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decision. Axpert Media does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of market data sourced from third parties.
