Markets likely to make flat to negative start on Friday

17 Apr 2026 Evaluate

Indian equity markets are likely to make flat to negative start on Friday tracking mixed global cues amid uncertainty over US-Iran peace negotiations. However, investors may take support with exchange data showed Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) purchased equities worth Rs 382.36 crore on Thursday.

Some of the key factors to be watched:

India to clock 6.3% growth even if crude oil averages $130 per Barrel in FY27: S&P Global Ratings said India is expected to grow at 6.3 per cent if the oil price averages $130/barrel in the current fiscal year amid the West Asia crisis.

India, New Zealand FTA to be signed on April 27: The report said India and New Zealand will sign a free trade agreement (FTA) on April 27. The free trade pact aims to provide tariff-free access to the island nation's market for domestic exporters' goods and will bring in $20 billion in investment over the next 15 years.

Asia will remain main driver of global growth: The IMF said Asia will remain the main driver of global growth with India and China contributing 70 per cent of the regional expansion and added that the energy shock due to the Gulf crisis will negatively impact the region.

India, Russia hold round table for deeper steel sector ties: The Steel Ministry said India and Russia held a round table to strengthen cooperation in the steel sector amid global supply chain challenges.

EU's proposed CBAM expansion may impact Indian exporters: Think tank GTRI said the European Union (EU) is planning an expansion of its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the move could increase carbon tax costs on Indian manufactured exports to Europe.

On the global front: The US markets ended in green on Thursday after President Trump said Israel and Lebanon agreed to a temporary ceasefire, which has been a key sticking point in US-Iran negotiations. Asian markets are trading mostly in red on Friday despite the broadly positive cues from Wall Street overnight.

Back home, Indian equity benchmarks erased their initial gains and closed marginally down in a volatile session on Thursday due to profit-taking in banking, Telecom and Oil & Gas shares after a recent sharp rally. Investors also remained cautious ahead of further clarity on upcoming negotiations between the US and Iran. However, a positive trend in global markets and fresh foreign fund inflows restricted further fall. Finally, the BSE Sensex fell 122.56 points or 0.16% to 77,988.68 and the CNX Nifty was down by 34.55 points or 0.14% to 24,196.75.

Some of the important factors in trade:

India, UK FTA likely to come into force from May: Expressing optimism over India’s progress in global trade pacts, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal has said that India and the UK Free Trade agreement (FTA), signed in July 2025, is likely to come into force from May 2026.

India sees dip in merchandise exports in March: The commerce ministry in its latest data has showed that India’s merchandise exports slipped marginally by 7.44 per cent to $38.92 billion in March 2026 as compared to $42.05 billion in the same month last year, due to ongoing logistical disruptions arising from the West Asia crisis.

Unemployment in India grows slightly to 5.1% in March: The government data has showed the unemployment rate among people aged 15 and above grew slightly to 5.1% in the month of March 2026 from 4.9% in February this year, owed to high unemployment in urban areas.

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Markets likely to make flat to negative start on Friday

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