Indian equity markets are likely to make a cautious start on Thursday, following mixed cues from global markets. Investors may remain cautious over the rising crude oil prices due to the ongoing US-Iran war in the West Asia. Additionally, sentiments may remain downbeat as Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net sellers on July 15, 2026, with a net outflow of Rs 735.83 crore.
Some of the key factors to be watched:
Goods worth $140 million exported on first day of India-UK trade pact coming into effect: Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal has said that India has exported goods worth $140 million to the UK at zero duty under the comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA), which became operational on July 15.
India logs $2.8 billion current account surplus in April-May: The RBI data showed India recorded a current account surplus of $2.8 billion during April-May 2026, compared with a deficit of $4.1 billion in the corresponding period last year, mainly aided by higher inward remittances from abroad and a rise in services exports.
India, European Union conclude a work program on FDI screening: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said India and the 27-nation European Union have concluded a work programme on FDI screening, with both sides exchanging best practices to further accelerate investment flows.
Current state of financial ecosystem to create funding gap in medium term: Pitching for attention to the corporate debt market development, domestic rating agency Crisil said the current state of the financial ecosystem is most likely to create a funding gap in the medium term, which can adversely impact growth.
India should continue Russian oil imports based on national interest, energy security: Think tank GTRI said India should continue to base its energy policy on national interest and energy security, as imports of Russian oil have helped contain inflation and ensure stable energy supplies.
Global front: The US markets closed in green on Wednesday as softer-than-expected inflation data and a strong start to the second-quarter earnings season boosted investor sentiment. Asian markets are trading mostly in red on Thursday despite the broadly positive cues from Wall Street overnight.
Back home, Indian equity benchmarks gave up most of their early gains to end marginally higher on Wednesday, as investors booked profits amid elevated crude oil prices and persistent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East despite positive global cues. The rally earlier in the day was driven by gains in financial stocks after softer-than-expected US inflation data improved global risk appetite. Finally, the BSE Sensex rose 130.49 points or 0.17% to 77,185.43 and the CNX Nifty was up by 26.45 points or 0.11% to 24,078.50.
Some of the important factors in trade:
Net direct tax collection surges 16.4% in FY27: The government data has showed that net direct tax collection increased 16.40 per cent to over Rs 6.51 lakh crore till July 13 of the current financial year (FY27). The growth was largely driven by higher corporate tax mop-up.
External commercial borrowings touch $4.74 billion in May: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its latest data report on ECB/FCCB has showed that Indian companies raised around $4.74 billion through external commercial borrowings (ECBs) in the month of May 2026. This was higher than $3.77 billion raised in April 2026.
RBI Governor urges banks to leverage artificial intelligence: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra has asked banks to leverage advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance their outreach while ensuring robust cybersecurity and safeguards against fraud and data misuse.
