GIFT NIFTY opened at 24,099.5 on Thursday morning, up 129 points or 0.5% from the previous close of 23,955.5, as the Indian index futures contract tracked a broad advance across Asian markets. The opening gap reflected overnight strength in regional equities, with Japan's Nikkei 225 trading near its recent all-time high of 70,125.75.
The early session saw the contract push higher in the first half-hour of trade, climbing to an intraday peak of 24,120.0 around 8:20 AM Singapore time. The index held above the 24,100 mark through the initial 30 minutes before drifting lower into the mid-8:00 AM hour. By 9:15 AM Singapore time, as the Indian cash market opened in Mumbai, GIFT NIFTY was trading at 24,084.5, slightly below its opening print but holding most of the morning's gains.
| Metric | Level |
|---|---|
| Open | 24,099.5 |
| High | 24,120.0 |
| Low | 24,012.5 |
| Current | 24,084.5 |
| Previous Close | 23,955.5 |
| Change | +129.0 (+0.54%) |
The Nikkei 225 opened at 69,005.88 on Thursday, below its previous close of 69,404.50, but traded in a wide range with a session high of 70,125.75 — matching its 52-week peak. The Japanese benchmark's volatility underscored the cross-currents facing Asian equities, though the overall tone remained constructive. Other major Asia-Pacific indices traded mixed, with mainland Chinese and Hong Kong markets providing limited directional cues in early trade.
GIFT NIFTY's opening strength suggested domestic institutional flows and global risk appetite were offsetting concerns about elevated valuations in Indian equities. The contract's ability to hold above 24,000 through the first 75 minutes of trade indicated buyers were willing to support the market at current levels, though the pullback from the early high showed some profit-taking as the session progressed.
The Indian cash market opened at 9:15 AM IST with GIFT NIFTY providing a constructive lead. The futures contract's opening gap and subsequent consolidation around 24,084.5 set the stage for a positive start to domestic trading, with the early session range of 24,012.5 to 24,120.0 offering a framework for intraday participants. The contract's performance in the first 75 minutes of trade delivered a 0.5% gain, keeping pace with the broader Asian market advance as regional investors digested the Nikkei's record-challenging move.