GIFT Nifty Down 43 Pts on Jan 8, 2026: How Is the Indian Stock Market Likely to Open Today?

Indian equity markets are expected to open on a subdued note on Thursday, tracking mixed global cues and weakness indicated by GIFT Nifty futures.

In addition to global factors, sentiment is likely to be influenced by the weekly expiry of Sensex futures, which could add to intraday volatility. Investors are also awaiting key macroeconomic data from the US and the Euro Area for further direction.

The GIFT Nifty futures suggested a lacklustre start for Indian equities. As of early morning trade, GIFT Nifty was down 42.80 points at 26,192.50.

At around 8:30 AM, the futures were trading lower, reinforcing expectations of a weak opening for domestic benchmarks.

Indian Market Recap: Previous Session

Indian equity benchmarks ended the previous session on a mixed to subdued note as investors remained cautious amid rising geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty.

Profit booking was observed after recent gains, while derivative expiry-related positioning also kept market movements restrained.

Global Market Cues

Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Thursday following weakness on Wall Street overnight amid heightened geopolitical concerns. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was up 0.46%

Wall Street Recap

US equity markets closed lower overnight, snapping their three-day winning streak, as investor sentiment weakened amid rising geopolitical tensions and comments from US President Donald Trump.

• S&P 500: down 0.30%
• Dow Jones Industrial Average: down 0.60%

US equity futures were largely unchanged during early Asian trading hours, indicating consolidation after the recent decline.

Commodity and Currency Watch

Market participants will closely monitor movements in commodities and currencies, as these are expected to influence overall risk sentiment during the session.

Read More: Best Waste Management and Recycling Stocks in January 2026: Va Tech Wabag, Ion Exchange & Others Based on Market Cap.

Conclusion

Indian stock markets are likely to open subdued to weak today, tracking losses in GIFT Nifty futures and mixed cues from Asian peers. Weekly derivative expiry and key global macroeconomic data releases may keep markets volatile, while investors remain cautious amid ongoing geopolitical developments.

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