Indian equity benchmarks, the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50, are likely to see a muted start on April 17, tracking positive cues from GIFT Nifty, which is trading flat at around 24,160.50. Indian equity indices failed to sustain opening gains and ended marginally lower in a volatile session on April 16, with the Nifty slipping below the 24,200 mark. At close, the Sensex was down 122.56 points or 0.16 percent at 77,988.68, and the Nifty was down 34.55 points or 0.14 percent at 24,196.75.
Asian stocks fell as investors lightened their positions ahead of the weekend while awaiting progress on extending the US-Iran ceasefire. The benchmark S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq rose modestly to record closing highs for a second straight day on Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 115.00 points, or 0.24%, to 48,578.72.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net buyers for the second consecutive session on April 16, purchasing equities worth ₹382 crore, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) extended their selling streak, offloading equities worth over ₹3,400 crore.
