Daily Edition
| NIFTY 50 | 24,056 | ▲ 0.14% |
| NIFTY Bank | 58,177 | ▲ 0.05% |
| NIFTY IT | 27,331 | ▼ 0.86% |
| India VIX | 13.05 | ▼ 2.50% |
| SENSEX | 77,100 | ▲ 0.14% |
| USD / INR (ref.) | 94.67 | ▼ 0.07% |
| Gold (COMEX, US$/oz) | 4,030 (≈ ₹1,22,665/10g) | ▲ 1.00% |
| Brent Crude (US$) | 73.30 | ▼ 0.60% |
Provisional cash-market flows: FIIs net sold ₹1,843.4 cr · DIIs net bought ₹3,637.26 cr.
Source: FII/FPI & DII trading activity on NSE, BSE & MSEI, Capital Market segment. Provisional, subject to revision.
Markets edge higher as volatility cools
Indian equity benchmarks closed modestly higher on Thursday, with the NIFTY 50 ending at 24,056 and the SENSEX settling at 77,100, even as IT stocks weighed on broader sentiment.
The NIFTY 50 gained 0.14 percent to close at 24,056, while the SENSEX mirrored that move to end at 77,100. The NIFTY Bank index added a marginal 0.05 percent, closing at 58,177. A notable feature of the session was a sharp decline in India VIX, the market's volatility gauge, which fell 2.50 percent to 13.05, reflecting a calmer trading environment compared to recent sessions. The rupee ended the day slightly firmer, with the USD/INR reference rate at 94.67.
The NIFTY IT index was the clear laggard, falling 0.86 percent to 27,331. On the institutional flows front, Foreign Institutional Investors sold a net 1,843 crore rupees in the cash segment, while Domestic Institutional Investors were active buyers, putting in a net 3,637 crore rupees. This pattern of domestic institutions offsetting foreign outflows helped steady the broader market. Falling Brent crude oil prices, down 0.60 percent to 73.30 US dollars a barrel, provided a supportive backdrop for an import-dependent economy like India, while gold on COMEX continued its climb, rising 1.00 percent to 4,030 US dollars per ounce, equivalent to approximately 1,22,665 rupees per 10 grams.
US futures, crude, and Fed in focus
- US equity futures. Nasdaq futures were up sharply ahead of the upcoming US session, rising around 2 percent, driven by strong AI-related demand forecasts from major chip companies. The US market open is scheduled for later tonight, around 7:00 pm IST.
- US inflation data. A key US inflation reading is awaited and is expected to be released during the US session tonight. This data point is being closely watched by global markets for clues on the Federal Reserve's next policy steps.
- Brent crude oil. Brent crude slipped 0.60 percent to 73.30 US dollars a barrel, continuing a recent slide. Lower oil prices are broadly seen as a positive factor for India's import bill and the current account deficit.
- Gold. COMEX gold rose 1.00 percent to 4,030 US dollars per ounce, translating to approximately 1,22,665 rupees per 10 grams, as the precious metal continued to attract attention amid global uncertainty.
- US dollar. The US dollar has been strengthening in recent sessions, with reports pointing to expectations of Federal Reserve rate hikes as a key driver. The Indian rupee, however, ended Thursday's session modestly firmer at 94.67 against the dollar.
Understanding FII Flows: What They Are and How They Are Reported
Foreign Institutional Investors, commonly referred to as FIIs, are entities based outside India that invest in Indian financial markets. They include foreign mutual funds, pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, and other large asset managers registered with Indian regulators. When these entities put money into Indian stocks or bonds, that is recorded as an FII inflow. When they withdraw money or sell their holdings, it is recorded as an outflow. The net figure — inflows minus outflows — is what most market observers refer to when they discuss FII activity on a given day.
On Thursday, Foreign Institutional Investors recorded a net outflow of 1,843 crore rupees from Indian equities, while Domestic Institutional Investors absorbed that selling with a net inflow of 3,637 crore rupees.
In India, FII flow data for the equity cash segment is published by stock exchanges, typically after market hours. The numbers represent the difference between the total value of shares FIIs bought and the total value they sold during the regular trading session. A positive net figure means FIIs were net buyers that day; a negative figure means they sold more than they bought. It is important to note that this data covers only the cash or spot equity segment. FIIs also participate in the derivatives market — futures and options — but that activity is reported separately and reflects a different kind of positioning.
Domestic Institutional Investors, or DIIs, are the Indian counterpart to FIIs. They include domestic mutual funds, insurance companies like LIC, and banks. DIIs and FIIs often move in opposite directions on any given day, as domestic institutions sometimes step in to buy when foreign investors are selling, and vice versa. This interplay between FII and DII flows is widely watched because large, sustained moves in either direction can influence overall market liquidity. However, a single day's flow number is just a snapshot; it is the trend over weeks and months that market observers typically study to understand broader institutional sentiment toward Indian equities.
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