Markets

Indian benchmark indices are poised for a positive opening today, tracking firm cues from GIFT Nifty, which hovered near 25,499.

Key drivers for the session include the US Fed’s 25 bps rate cut, mixed global cues, and ongoing primary market activity. On September 17, the Indian market extended gains for a second straight session, with Nifty closing comfortably above 25,300 amid buying in auto, PSU banks, IT, and oil & gas stocks. Optimism over renewed India–US trade talks and expectations of a Fed rate cut also supported sentiment.

On Wednesday, the 30-share benchmark index ended at 82693.71 up by 313.02 points or by 0.38 % and then NSE Nifty was at 25330.25 up by 91.15 points or by 0.36 %.

On the global front, Asian markets traded mixed on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark rate (4 per cent-4.25 per cent) as expected, with Chair Jerome Powell describing the move as a “risk management cut” rather than a response to economic weakness. The Fed signaled the possibility of two more cuts by year-end, one in 2026, another in 2027, and no changes in 2028.

Nikkei was up 0.8 per cent, was at a fresh record high, led by strength in real estate and technology shares. Investors are also watching the Bank of Japan’s two-day policy meeting, where most economists expect rates to be kept steady.

Meanwhile, Kospi added 0.80 per cent, while ASX 200 slipped 0.56 per cent. On the US front, the Dow Jones still managed to end 0.57 per cent higher at 46,018.32, after briefly hitting an all-time high. In contrast, the S&P 500 eased 0.10 per cent to 6,600.35, and the Nasdaq Composite shed 0.33 per cent to 22,261.33.

Back home, Top traded Volumes on NSE Nifty – Bharat Electronics Ltd. 31367478.00, Tata Steel Ltd. 21381306.00, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. 19010126.00, HDFC Bank Ltd. 17361476.00, State Bank of India 17243938.00, On NSE, total number of shares traded was 466.04 Crore and total turnover stood at Rs. 101041.26 Crore. On NSE Future and Options, total number of contracts traded in index futures was 89088 with a total turnover of Rs. 17099.06 Crore. Along with this total number of contracts traded in stock futures were 1166098 with a total turnover of Rs. 80924.56 Crore. Total numbers of contracts for index options were 45493292 with a total turnover of Rs. 8670481.95 Crore. and total numbers of contracts for stock options were 7955889 with a total turnover of Rs. 575660.40 Crore.

The FIIs on 17/09/2025 stood as net buyer in equity and debt. Gross equity purchased stood at Rs. 13864.12 Crore and gross debt purchased stood at Rs. 3882.02 Crore, while the gross equity sold stood at Rs. 12218.47 Crore and gross debt sold stood at Rs. 492.54 Crore. Therefore, the net investment of equity and debt reported were Rs. 1645.65 Crore and Rs. 3389.48