Stock market live: GIFT NIFTY indicates gap-up opening for Indian markets on positive global cues; all you need to know

Indian equity markets are likely to make a positive start on Friday, buoyed by strong global cues and optimism surrounding major Q4 earnings reports from companies such as Reliance Industries and Maruti Suzuki. Additionally, sustained buying by Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) in recent sessions is likely to further bolster market sentiment. However, ongoing geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan could weigh on investors' sentiment.

Some of the key factors to be watched:

India likely to be first to sign trade deal: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that he expects India to strike the first bilateral trade deal to avoid President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs.

The US markets ended in green on Thursday, driven by optimism that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates sooner than anticipated. Asian markets are trading mostly in green on Friday, supported by lingering hopes for progress in trade negotiations between the U.S. and other countries.

Crude oil prices head for a weekly loss after oversupply concerns weighed on oil prices. A potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, increased supply from OPEC+, led the prices to drop further. The Brent crude oil prices fell 2.3%, and WTI crude oil prices traded 0.93% lower for the week.

World Bank lowers India's growth forecast for FY26: The World Bank in its latest South Asia Development Update has lowered India’s economic growth forecast for 2025-26 by 40 basis points to 6.3 per cent, over global economic weakness and policy uncertainty.

Weak earnings from major FMCG companies: FMCG major Hindustan Unilever (HUL) dropped 4 per cent after the firm reported a decline of 3.35% in consolidated net profit at ₹ 2,475 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2025 on lower margins. Besides, Nestle India reported a decline of 5.5% in consolidated net profit at ₹873.46 crore for the March quarter of 2024-25.

US tariffs could shave up to 0.5% off India's GDP: Finance Secretary Ajay Seth reportedly said the direct hit from tariffs introduced by Donald Trump’s administration on India could shave off between 0.2% and 0.5% from GDP growth.