Indian equity markets are likely to make cautious start on Wednesday, amid mixed global cues. Sentiment may remain subdued as foreign institutional investors (FIIs) turned net sellers, offloading equities worth Rs 749.18 crore on Tuesday. Traders are likely to adopt a wait-and-watch approach ahead of the outcome of the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee's rate decision, scheduled to be announced later today.
Some of the key factors to be watched:
India, Canada agree to conclude free trade pact talks by year-end: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India and Canada have agreed to conclude negotiations for a free trade agreement by the year-end as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney on boosting ties in areas of defence, trade and energy.
Listed private manufacturing companies' sales rise 14.5% in Q4 FY26: RBI data showed that sales of over 1,800 listed private manufacturing companies expanded by 14.5 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025-26, mainly driven by automobiles, electrical machinery and non-ferrous metals industries.
Share of services sector in total exports jumps to 49% in FY26: Commerce ministry data showed that the share of the services sector in India's total exports rose from 33.8 per cent in 2014-15 to 48.8 per cent in 2025-26, driven by the rapid expansion of the IT sector, growth in global capability centres (GCCs), and a post-pandemic shift towards digital delivery of services.
Sebi allows AIFs to retain liquidation proceeds beyond fund life: Markets regulator Sebi has issued guidelines to permit Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) to retain liquidation proceeds beyond their permissible fund life under specified circumstances.
Gems, jewellery exports in May dip 2.49% to $2,047.80 million: The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) said that India's gems and jewellery exports declined by 2.49 per cent year-on-year in May to $2,047.89 million (Rs 19,573.96 crore) following high gold prices and supply constraints.
Global front: The US markets ended mostly in red on Tuesday, as traders were cautious with the Commerce Department report showing that US housing starts fell 15.4% month-on-month in May 2026, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.177 million, the lowest since May 2020. Asian markets are trading mixed on Wednesday, tracking the negative cues from Wall Street overnight.
Back home, Indian equity benchmarks rose for the third consecutive day on Tuesday, propelled by a positive trend in global markets and softening crude oil prices following a peace deal between the US and Iran. Foreign investors turning net buyers in Indian equities also boosted the sentiment. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) purchased equities worth Rs 200.05 crore on net basis on Monday, according to exchange data. Finally, the BSE Sensex rose 544.15 points or 0.71% to 76,808.48 and the CNX Nifty was up by 135.25 points or 0.57% to 23,989.15.
Some of the important factors in trade:
India logs current account surplus of $4.7 billion in April on strong services exports: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its data has showed that India logged a current account surplus of $4.7 billion in April 2026, a sharp turnaround from the deficit of $4.8 billion recorded in the year-ago month.
India's May exports rise to six-month high; trade deficit widens to $28.21 billion: The commerce ministry in its latest data has showed that India’s merchandise exports rose by 18.01 per cent to $45.20 billion in May 2026 as compared to $38.30 billion in May 2025, marking the highest export figure in six months.
Unemployment rate marginally dips to 5.5% in May: The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the National Statistical Office showed that the overall unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above declined marginally to 5.5% in May, compared with 5.6% in the corresponding month of the previous year.
