Indian markets head into Monday on a cautious note, with GIFT Nifty futures signalling a negative open after hawkish Fed commentary at Jackson Hole rattled global risk sentiment over the weekend. Here’s everything you need to know about markets this morning.
📈 Indian Stock Market Today
The Nifty 50 closed Friday’s session at 24,175.65, up 84.80 points (+0.35%), while the Sensex added 330.92 points (+0.43%) to end at 77,264.51, both indices logging fresh record closing highs led by IT stocks after strong Nvidia-driven earnings cues. However, GIFT Nifty futures were last quoted around 24,239, down roughly 103 points, pointing to a weak start on Monday as most Asian markets slipped in early trade. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s hawkish remarks at the Jackson Hole Symposium have revived concerns of a near-term US rate hike, while rising Brent crude above $90/barrel adds to the pressure. The Nifty has been consolidating in a tight 24,025–24,380 band over the past ten sessions. Pharma was the standout loser last week: Dr Reddy’s Labs tumbled nearly 9% to a 52-week low, dragging Glenmark, Biocon and Aurobindo Pharma 3% lower on concerns over a proposed US generic-drug tariff plan. Separately, HDFC Bank confirmed CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan will not seek reappointment and retires effective October 26, 2026, setting up a leadership transition at the country’s largest private lender.
₿ Crypto Market Update
Bitcoin is trading near $79,560 (about ₹76.0 lakh), having briefly cleared $80,000 last week for the first time in over three months before easing back. Ethereum hovers around $2,506 (roughly ₹2.39 lakh), broadly flat on the day. Crypto sentiment has been buoyant through late August, with Bitcoin posting a strong weekly advance and crypto-linked stocks such as Coinbase and Robinhood rallying alongside it as investors position for a softer Fed stance despite the latest hawkish Jackson Hole tone.
💰 Today’s Key Rates at a Glance
| Asset | Price | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Nifty 50 | 24,175.65 | +0.35% (Fri close) |
| Sensex | 77,264.51 | +0.43% (Fri close) |
| GIFT Nifty (indicative) | ~24,239 | -103 pts pre-open |
| Bitcoin (BTC) | ₹76.0L / $79,560 | Off recent 3-month high |
| Ethereum (ETH) | ₹2.39L / $2,506 | ~Flat |
| Gold (24K, 10g) | ₹1,58,240 | Near record levels |
| Silver (1kg) | ₹2,55,000 | Elevated |
| USD/INR | ₹95.50 | Range 95.33–95.67 |
| Crude Oil (Brent) | ~$89–90/bbl | Up on Iran tensions |
📰 Top 5 Financial News Stories This Morning
- GIFT Nifty signals a weak Monday open — Futures point to a roughly 100-point gap-down as most Asian markets trade lower, following hawkish comments from Fed Chair Kevin Warsh at Jackson Hole that revived US rate-hike worries and pressured global risk assets.
- Dr Reddy’s Labs and pharma stocks under pressure — Dr Reddy’s shares fell nearly 9% to a 52-week low, with Glenmark, Biocon and Aurobindo Pharma also sliding around 3%, after reports of a proposed Trump administration tariff plan targeting generic drug imports, a sector where Indian pharma has heavy US exposure.
- HDFC Bank CEO succession confirmed — Sashidhar Jagdishan will not seek reappointment as MD & CEO and will retire from the bank effective October 26, 2026, opening a leadership transition at India’s largest private sector lender that investors will watch closely for continuity signals.
- FIIs sell, DIIs keep buying — FIIs were net sellers of roughly ₹5,040 crore in the cash market on Friday even as DIIs bought about ₹5,184 crore, continuing a 2026 pattern where domestic institutions have absorbed persistent foreign outflows; FIIs remain net sellers of about ₹3.4 lakh crore for the year against DII net buying of roughly ₹5.17 lakh crore.
- Wall Street closes out August on a mixed note — The S&P 500 and Nasdaq touched fresh highs near 7,677 and 26,151 respectively as Treasury yields eased, even as elevated bond yields, an Iran-linked oil spike, and semiconductor weakness kept volatility high through the month; Brent crude’s climb past $90 remains a key swing factor for Indian markets.
🔍 What to Watch Today
Track the cash-market open for confirmation of the GIFT Nifty’s negative bias and whether the Nifty breaks out of its recent 24,025–24,380 range. Keep an eye on pharma counters for any follow-through selling tied to the US generic-tariff headlines, and watch FII/DII cash-market data released after the close for signs of a shift in flow trends. Brent crude’s move around the $90 mark and any fresh Fed commentary ahead of next month’s rate decision will also be key swing factors for the rupee and broader risk sentiment.
Data sourced from live market feeds and financial news reports. Last updated: 8:00 AM IST, 31 August 2026. This is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.
