GIFT NIFTY opened at 23,687.50 on Friday morning, up 11 points from the previous close of 23,676.50, as the offshore index tracked a mixed but generally positive session across Asian markets. The 0.05% opening gap reflected cautious sentiment ahead of the Indian cash market open at 09:15 IST.
The early session saw the index drift initially, touching an intraday low of 23,664.50 in the first fifteen minutes before finding support. Price action turned firmer past 00:35 IST, with GIFT NIFTY pushing to an early high of 23,691.50 by 00:40 IST as buying interest emerged. The index has since consolidated in a tight range, trading at 23,697.00 as of 09:15 IST, up 20.50 points or 0.09% from the previous close.
| Metric | Level |
|---|---|
| Open | 23,687.50 |
| High | 23,716.50 |
| Low | 23,664.50 |
| LTP | 23,697.00 |
| Change | +20.50 (+0.09%) |
Asian Markets Provide Mixed Backdrop
Japanese equities extended gains, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 66,422.60, up 307 points or 0.46% from the previous session. The index opened at 66,421.01 and traded in a range between 66,208.66 and 67,022.37 during the session, reflecting steady appetite for risk assets despite recent volatility in the region.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index posted stronger gains, closing at 25,210.81, up 1.28% on the day. The index opened at 24,966.53, extending its recovery from recent lows. Chinese mainland equities also advanced, with the SSE Composite Index gaining 0.25% to close at 3,876.77.
| Index | Level | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Nikkei 225 | 66,422.60 | +307.00 (+0.46%) |
| Hang Seng | 25,210.81 | +1.28% |
| SSE Composite | 3,876.77 | +0.25% |
Indian Cash Market Opens Lower
The Indian cash market opened on a softer note, with the Nifty 50 Index declining 0.53% in early trade to 23,869.60. The divergence from GIFT NIFTY's modest opening gain suggests caution among domestic participants despite the generally constructive tone in regional markets.
GIFT NIFTY is currently trading at 23,697.00, holding above the 23,687.50 opening level and near the upper end of its 52-point intraday range. The index has traced a session high of 23,716.50, suggesting buyers are willing to defend the overnight close despite the subdued start to domestic equities.