Nikkei, Kospi to US stocks: Global equity heatmap you must know before the opening bell of the Indian stock market | Stock Market News

Global market today: Despite elevated crude oil prices, driven by the ongoing US-Iran standoff, the bias in global markets turned positive after softer-than-expected US inflation data. The US stock market ended on a mixed note, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged amid lingering geopolitical concerns. In Asian markets, the Japanese Nikkei 225 index is up over 1.50%, and South Korea's Kospi index has gained around 3.50% in early-morning trading on Thursday.

“Global risk appetite improved after softer-than-expected US inflation data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve is likely to keep interest rates unchanged at its September meeting. Sentiment received an additional boost from another round of strong earnings from AI infrastructure companies, sparking broad-based gains in technology stocks,” said Ponmudi R, CEO at Enrich Money.

The Enrich Money expert maintained that elevated crude oil prices, driven by the continuing U.S.-Iran standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, remain the primary overhang for domestic equities and are likely to keep investor sentiment measured.

WTI crude has eased from its recent highs to trade near $82 a barrel, although prices remain well above levels seen before the latest escalation in Middle East tensions. Until there is greater clarity on the Strait of Hormuz, oil is likely to retain a geopolitical risk premium, keeping India's inflation outlook, import costs, the rupee, and corporate margins firmly in focus.

Here we list out the equity heatmap of the global markets today:

The US stocks closed mixed on Wednesday as softer-than-expected inflation data and another round of strong earnings from AI infrastructure companies supported technology stocks, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged amid lingering geopolitical concerns. The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.54% to 26,588.49, the S&P 500 gained 0.26% to 7,748.50, while the Dow slipped 0.04%, or 21.58 points, to 53,770.27.

AI-related stocks remained the market's standout performers, with Nebius Group surging more than 34% after strong infrastructure-related results, while Super Micro Computer and CoreWeave rallied around 19–20% on robust quarterly earnings.

“July's consumer inflation data broadly matched expectations, with headline CPI rising 0.1% month-on-month for an annual rate of 3.4%, while core CPI increased 0.2% on the month and 2.5% year-on-year, reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve is likely to maintain a less restrictive policy stance,” Ponmudi said.

Asian markets traded higher on Thursday, supported by easing US inflation concerns and expectations that the US Fed may leave rates unchanged at the September 2026 meeting. South Korea's Kospi led regional gains, rising 3.46%, while the small-cap Kosdaq added nearly 1.4%. Japan's Nikkei 225 advanced 1.67%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng went off 0.20%.

In the Chinese stock market, the Shanghai Index is up 0.42%, the SZSE Component Index is up over 1%, and the China A50 Index is up around 0.90% in the early morning session on Thursday.

Advising investors to remain vigilant about the US PPI data to be released on Thursday, Ponmudi R of Enrich Money said, “Investor attention is now shifting to the U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI), due later today, for further confirmation that inflationary pressures are moderating. At the same time, developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz continue to be closely monitored for their implications on energy markets and global risk sentiment.”

European equities edged lower on Wednesday as investors balanced corporate earnings against persistent geopolitical uncertainty and awaited the U.S. inflation report. The pan-European STOXX 600 slipped 0.16%, while Germany's DAX declined 0.23%, France's CAC 40 fell 0.46%, and London's FTSE 100 eased 0.10%.

Energy markets remained in focus after fresh attacks on shipping in the Middle East, even as WTI crude eased more than 0.8% to around $82 a barrel. Tehran reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed unless Washington accepted its conditions, keeping investors cautious despite the modest pullback in oil prices.

Following the positive global market bias, the Indian stock market may open on a cautious note after witnessing sell-off pressure over the last two sessions. GIFT Nifty futures are hovering just above the 24,400 mark compared with the Nifty's previous close of 24,435, pointing to a muted start despite a rebound across global markets.

“Indian equity markets are expected to open on a cautious note,” said Ponmudi of Enrich Money.

Speaking on the outlook for the Nifty 50 / Sensex today, Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research at Kotak Securities, said, “We believe that the 20-day SMA or 24,300/77,500 would act as key support zones for traders. If the market manages to trade above these levels, it could bounce back to 24,500-24,600 / 78,500-78,800. On the flip side, below 24,300/77,500, selling pressure is likely to accelerate. Below this, the market could slip to 24,150-24,100 / 77,000-76,800."

On the outlook of the Bank Nifty today, Vatsal Bhuva, Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, said, “The Bank Nifty has turned positive in the near term after forming a bullish candlestick and finding support around its 50 DMA. The index has reclaimed its 200 DMA, while hourly RSI has given a bullish crossover, indicating improving momentum. However, RSI remains moderate, suggesting that confirmation of stronger momentum is still required. The immediate hurdle is placed around 58,000, while stronger resistance is seen near 58,600–58,700. Support is placed at 57,400, with positional support at 57,000. A buy-on-dips strategy can be preferred while the index sustains above these support levels.”

Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, not Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

Asit Manohar has nearly two decades of experience in the mainstream media. In this period, he has served esteemed media organisations like NDTV Profit, The Economic Times, and Zee Business. He has been working at LiveMint Digital since April 2021. During these two decades of journey in mainstream media, Asit has mainly covered external affairs, markets and personal finance. However, his earliest beats include railways, SME, MSME, and politics (Congress beat). Some of his features on political, economic, and foreign policy are documented in the parliamentary records. <br><br> While pursuing his MA (Mass Communication, Session 2004-06), Asit began his media career as a stringer at All India Radio in Varanasi. At AIR Varanasi, Asit worked with the Gyanvani, Yuvvani and Vividh Bharti teams. After working for nearly one year at AIR Varanasi, he shifted to print journalism and started working as a stringer for the HT Media Ltd, Varanasi. At HT Media Ltd in Varanasi, he covered the BHU beat. <br><br> Asit has also worked with some brokerage houses. He has worked with Religare Broking and India Infoline, where he assisted the research team in developing and executing trade strategies for intraday cash, F&O, and commodities. <br><br> Asit is a Gold Medalist in MA (Mass Communication) from BHU, Varanasi. He did his BSc. (Hons) in Mathematics from Magadh University, Bodh Gaya. Asit was a National Talent Scholarship holder during his senior secondary studies (1988-91).

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