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Informist, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026

By Adhithya Aji

MUMBAI – Benchmark indices are expected to see a subdued opening as global cues are likely to weigh down on investor sentiment. Overall, the market is expected to be volatile on account of monthly futures and option expiry and the ongoing war between the US and Iran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent rolled out "Operation Economic Outcast" to isolate and squeeze Iran with economic sanctions. The global market sentiment was negative as technology stocks sell-off pushed down the Asian and US indices. 

The US would target Iran's economic relations with other nations and the country's source of revenue, including oil, to isolate the nation. "Around the globe, our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone," Bessent said in a press conference. He added that the countries must choose between the US and Iran, and said these sanctions would also target Tehran's trade partners with secondary penalties. Bessent also emphasised that "no one is above the reach of US sanctions." This move by Washington has faded any possibility of a peace resolution between the US and Iran.

The August Futures of Brent Crude traded higher at $92.49, continuing to weigh down on investor sentiment. At 0734 IST, the August Futures of GIFT Nifty traded marginally higher at 24160.50, which is over 55 points lower than the Nifty 50's Monday closing level of 24219.05. The GIFT Nifty trend suggests a muted opening for the 50-stock-index. "For the past five trading sessions, the Nifty index has been hovering within a tight 300-point range (24026–24313 spot zone)," Vipin Kumar, assistant vice-president of research at Globe Capital Market, said. If the Nifty 50 sustains above 24320 level, it could lead the index towards 24450-24480 spot zone, while a fall below 24000 could drag the index towards 23880-23800 level, he added.  

After being net sellers for two consecutive sessions, foreign investors bought shares worth INR 11.82 billion on Monday. Meanwhile, domestic participants bought shares worth INR 24.93 billion. They were net buyers for the 10th consecutive session.

Asian indices kicked off the day with losses, with South Korea's Kospi falling the most in the region, down nearly 2%. The sharp selloff in technology shares weighed down on the Asian indices. The sharp selloff in tech shares was ahead of global tech giant Nvidia's earnings, which could indicate concerns over the artificial intelligence-led rally. Indices in the US ended mixed Monday , with Dow Jones Industrial average ending 0.3% higher, and tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 ending 0.8% and 0.3% lower, respectively.

Shares of Indian information technology companies will be in focus after media reports said the US administration proposed to hike the H-1B visa fee for highly skilled foreign workers to $100,000 and make it permanent. Tata Consultancy Services is also likely gather attention in the market after the technology major won a 1.25-billion-euro deal to industrialise artificial intelligence across luxury carmaker Porsche's operations. End

US$1 = INR 95.75

IST, or Indian Standard Time, is five-and-a-half hours ahead of GMT

Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury

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