Stock Market Opening News (4 Aug 26): Nifty down by 0.28% and Sensex up by 0.63%

Indian markets are likely to be unstable today amid weak cues from broader Asian markets, a firm dollar, a weaker rupee and rising crude prices. The previous session ended the day trading in the green amid a decline in crude oil prices, easing Middle East geopolitical concerns, and robust FII purchasing.

Global cues

• Asian markets traded mixed, and U.S markets traded higher after U.S President Donald Trump called off planned strikes against Iran.

Gift Nifty

• On 4th August 2026, the GIFT Nifty traded in the green amid strong FII fund inflows.

Asian Markets

• Asian markets, except TAIEX, continued to trade lower amid selling pressure.
• TAIEX traded higher, led by gains in United Microelectronics Corp up by 0.42%, Nan Ya Plastic Corporation by 4.55%, and Nanya Technology Corporation by 9.46%.

US & European Markets

• The U.S markets traded higher, led by strong gains in Meta Platforms, up by 6%, Amazon, by 4%, Nvidia by 3%, and Alphabet and Microsoft by 5% each.

• The United Kingdom’s FTSE closed trading in the red, dragged by the losses in AstraZeneca by 8.9% after reports of a potential merger with U.S drugmaker Bristol Myers Squibb.
• The French index, CAC, traded in the green amid gains in Capgemini up by 4.59%, Renault by 4.40%, and Essilor by 3.95%.
• The German index, the DAX, closed trading in the green, led by gains in Siemens Healthineers up by 6.16%, Deutsche Telekom by 4.93%, and SAP by 4.91%.

Commodities

• Crude oil prices rose amid buying interest after a recent decline.
• Precious metals, such as gold and silver, continued to trade higher, attracting investors amid safe-haven demand.
• Natural gas traded lower as traders closely monitored the Middle East negotiations for signs of progress toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Currency Movements

• The dollar index traded higher as investors evaluated the outlook for Federal Reserve monetary policy amid ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East.
• The rupee declined against the other currencies amid selling pressure after a recent rally.

Sectors to watch

• Oil & Gas Sector: The government of India raised the windfall tax on fuel exports, now charging ₹3.5 per litre for petrol and a steep ₹24 per litre for diesel, including the Road Infrastructure Cess (RIC), from ₹15.5 per litre; the levy on ATF exports has also been increased to ₹22 per litre, with an aim at taxing the high profits made by refiners amid rising global energy prices.
• Renewable Energy and Automobile Sector: Electric vehicle registrations in Delhi reached a new high of 10,719 units in July, following the notification of the Delhi government's new EV Policy 2.0 during the month, which offers incentives and tax exemptions to promote electric mobility across the city.
• Banking Sector: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026, in Lok Sabha to update evidence rules for modern digital banking practices, replacing the old Bankers' Books Evidence Act from 1891.
• Telecom Sector: The Telecom Department approached TRAI for a review of the 'net neutrality' framework for technological and network management practices, including network slicing and differentiated service offerings.

Stocks to watch

• One 97 Communications (Paytm): Paytm’s 2.3% equity is likely to be sold by SAIF Partners through block deals, with the deal size estimated at ₹2,002 crore and the floor price set at ₹1,339.65 per equity share.
• Arvind: Arvind launched its qualified institutions placement (QIP) issue for fundraising on August 3, with the floor price fixed at Rs 518.58 per share.
• VVIP Infratech: VVIP Infratech received an LOI for sewerage works related to the proposed domestic sewage treatment plant at Mohammadpur Majri and Kanjhawala in the Union Territory of Delhi.
• UPL: UPL’s CEO Mike Frank has resigned from the role and decided to relocate to the United States due to personal commitments.
• Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC of India): The Life Insurance Corporation of India's (LIC of India) 6.5% stake will be sold by the Government of India through an offer for sale (OFS) on August 4-5, with the base offer size being 2.5% of the paid-up equity share capital (31.62 crore equity shares), with an additional 4% stake (50.59 crore shares) available under the green shoe option. The floor price has been fixed at ₹382 per share.

FII and DII Inflows - 3rd August 2026

(The above numbers are in ₹ Cr.)

• On 3rd August, net fund inflows were at ₹2,493.44 crore, with both domestic institutional investors (DIIs) and foreign institutional investors (FIIs) as net buyers, on rising confidence in the Indian economy.

Global Events & Updates

• On August 4, the United States will release the JOLTS jobs data and factory orders data for June 2026 and LMI Logistics Managers Index data for July 2026.
• Italy will release yearly and monthly retail sales data for June 2026 today.
• Mexico will release the consumer confidence data for July 2026 today.

Things to look out for

• India's HSBC Manufacturing PMI declined to 53.5 in July 2026 from 54.2 in June, revised down from the preliminary estimate of 53.9, and marking the weakest growth since August 2021 as total sales grew at one of the slowest rates in over four years amid challenging market conditions and softer client demand.
• The S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI declined to 51.9 in July 2026, a four-month low, from 52.5 in June and below the preliminary estimate of 52.8.