GIFT Nifty futures down 25 pts; markets are likely to start on a muted

GIFT Nifty, which serves as an early indicator for Indian equities, traded lower by 25 points, or 0.11 per cent, at 22,603 on Monday, suggesting a flat to negative opening for Dalal Street. After a strong recovery last week, traders will closely watch global developments in a holiday-shortened trading week.

Key technical levels to watch
Markets rebounded last week after three consecutive weeks of losses, with the benchmark index gaining nearly 2 per cent. Analysts suggest that sentiment remains positive, with immediate resistance at 22,700–22,750. On the downside, support is placed at 22,400, below which the index may lose momentum. India VIX, a measure of market volatility, declined by 1.86 per cent to 13.47, indicating lower fear levels among traders.

Wall Street ends higher despite trade concerns
US equities closed in the green on Friday, recovering from early losses after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stated that the economy was "in a good place." However, persistent concerns over trade policies led Wall Street to register its worst weekly decline in months.

Add Zee Business as a Preferred Source

Asian markets mostly lower; oil slips
Asian equities started the week on a weak note as concerns about economic growth in the US weighed on investor sentiment.

• S&P 500 futures fell 0.7 per cent.
• Hang Seng futures dropped 0.4 per cent.
• Japan’s Topix slipped 0.1 per cent.
• Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.2 per cent.
• Euro Stoxx 50 futures fell 1.2 per cent.
  Oil prices also edged lower as worries over US import tariffs and rising OPEC+ production dampened investor appetite.

Gold gains as dollar weakens
Gold prices edged higher on Monday, supported by a weaker US dollar and safe-haven demand amid fears of a global trade war. Investors await further cues on the Federal Reserve's interest rate trajectory.

F&O ban list and institutional activity
Stocks under the F&O ban include Manappuram and Hindustan Copper, as they have crossed 95 per cent of the market-wide position limit. On the institutional front, FIIs tur