Indian equity benchmarks are likely to start Monday’s session on the back foot as weak global cues and renewed geopolitical uncertainty weigh on sentiment. GIFT Nifty was indicating a subdued opening, while the previous week had already seen the Nifty decline around 0.8% and the Sensex fall about 0.6%.
The US-Iran standoff remains one of the biggest risks facing global markets. The memorandum between Washington and Tehran is facing expiry, while both sides continue to accuse each other of violating the earlier understanding. The uncertainty has kept attention firmly on the Strait of Hormuz and regional shipping.
Crude oil prices are again approaching the $90-a-barrel mark, with the market reacting to slower tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the absence of a breakthrough in US-Iran negotiations. Brent was around $88.5 a barrel in Monday trading.
Gold continues to attract safe-haven demand as investors assess geopolitical risks and changing expectations for global interest rates. International gold was trading around $4,393 an ounce on Monday, maintaining its strong 2026 performance.
Silver remains firmly elevated in the domestic market, with the latest indicative rate around Rs. 2.50 lakh per kg. Silver has benefited from strong investment interest as well as continued demand from industrial applications.
The Indian rupee is expected to remain sensitive to crude prices and developments in West Asia this week. The currency closed at around Rs. 95.45 per dollar on Friday, while traders expect it to remain range-bound as the RBI continues to monitor market conditions.
Indian equity markets are expected to open on a muted note today. GIFT Nifty was indicating a cautious start, while the Sensex had closed the previous session at 78,079.96, gaining 113.61 points. The Nifty also remained relatively stable as investors assessed mixed global signals and the latest domestic earnings.
Tensions in the Middle East have intensified after the UAE accused Iran of attacking two ADNOC-linked vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. No injuries were reported, but the incident has added fresh concerns over the safety of commercial shipping through one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
The United States has placed India among countries it says face risks related to the transshipment of Chinese goods, amid Washington’s efforts to prevent Chinese products from bypassing US tariffs through third countries.
Indian benchmark indices are likely to begin Thursday’s session on a cautious-to-negative note. The Nifty 50 closed below 24,500 in the previous session, while mixed global cues and elevated crude prices continued to keep investors defensive
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