Stock Market Updates: GIFT Nifty Rises; Axis Bank, Wipro Q1, Smartworks IPO Listing Eyed | Markets News

Last Updated:July 17, 2025, 09:13 IST

Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty are expected to open on a flat-to-positive note on Thursday

Sensex Today

Sensex Today: Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty are expected to open on a flat-to-positive note on Thursday, supported by Q1 earnings announcements, institutional flows, IPO market activity, and global developments. As of 8:00 AM, GIFT Nifty futures were trading 27 points higher at 25,273, indicating a steady start for Indian equities.

Global Cues

In global markets, sentiment remained mixed as Asian investors reacted to weak trade data from Japan and renewed geopolitical uncertainty driven by comments from former US President Donald Trump. Japan’s exports shrank 0.5% year-on-year in June—contrary to expectations of a similar rise—marking a second consecutive month of contraction. Exports to China declined 4.7%, while shipments to the US fell 11.4%, reflecting sustained weakness in global demand.

Markets were also unsettled by Trump’s contradictory statements regarding Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. While Trump told reporters that he had no immediate plans to remove Powell, he added, “I don’t rule out anything,” following earlier reports suggesting the opposite. He further escalated trade tensions by reiterating plans to impose a 25% tariff on Japanese imports, dimming hopes for a near-term US-Japan trade agreement.

Asian markets reacted cautiously to these developments. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.46%, South Korea’s Kospi declined 0.79%, and Topix remained flat. Australia’s ASX 200 stood out with a 0.54% gain, offering a rare bright spot in the region.

Meanwhile, US equity futures edged lower in early Asian trade. S&P 500 futures dropped 0.17%, Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.18%, and Dow futures were down by nearly 80 points or 0.18%. This comes after a volatile session on Wall Street on Wednesday that ended with modest gains. The S&P 500 rose 0.32% to 6,263.70, the Dow Jones gained 231.49 points (0.53%) to settle at 44,254.78, and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.26%, ending at a record 20,730.49 for the ninth straight session.

Looking ahead, investors will closely monitor key data releases including US June retail sales, trade figures, and weekly jobless claims for the period ended July 12. In the Eurozone, focus will be on June inflation and core inflation data, which are expected to provide further direction to the global risk appetite.

Aparna Deb

Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a…Read More

Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a… Read More

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