Opening Bell - 17 / 03 / 25

Stock Market Updates

Opening Bell - Morning Commentary

Economic Indicators Ignite Hopes for Potential Market Recovery Ahead

US stocks bounced back sharply on Friday as investors pushed aside growing concerns over the global trade war and bought back beaten down stocks. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq have their best day of the year on Friday, both leaping more than 2%. Stocks rregistered losses for the week as the ongoing uncertainty surrounding trade policy with new tariff announcements kept the sentiments negative.

Around $3 trillion was wiped off global equity market cap this week, bringing total losses since the February 19 peak to around $7 trillion. Most of that is from the U.S., which still accounts for more than 70% of world market cap.

Investors will be scrutinizing the Fed, Bank of Japan and Bank of England policy meetings next week more closely than ever amongst growth concerns and increasing recession fears. The U.S. central bank is widely expected to hold interest rates steady on Wednesday, but investors are anticipating cuts later in the year and will be looking for signs the Fed may be preparing to move.

Asian equities traded higher after China pledged more steps to revive consumption and the US markets ended higher.

Oil prices opened about 1% higher on Monday after the United States vowed to keep attacking Yemen's Houthis until the group ends its assaults on shipping.

Gold breaks above $3,000 an ounce for the first time, boosted mostly by safe-haven demand but also Fed rate cut expectations.

The Indian benchmark indices tumbled after a strong start to the week as recession fears in the US took centerstage triggering sharp selling in IT and Auto stocks. February's inflation dropped to 3.61%—well below the projected 3.98% and the RBI's 4% target—while January's industrial output surged to 5%, exceeding the 3.5% forecast. With inflation now below the RBI's threshold, markets anticipate an April rate cut, further fuelling positive sentiment.

Over the last five trading sessions, Nifty has oscillated within the range of 22,314 to 22,676. To regain bullish momentum, Nifty needs to overcome the resistance at 22,700 in the coming days to target an immediate goal of 23,000. On the downside, support remains near 22,245-22,300. A fall below 22,245 could challenge the swing low support of 21,964.

Indian markets are poised to open on a strong note today, buoyed by Friday's positive performance in US markets and higher trading across Asian markets.