3 weeks ago
Gift Nifty Hints Weak Start; Eight Trading Stocks to Buy
The Indian stock market is like a big shop where people buy and sell tiny pieces of companies called shares.
On Thursday morning, the signs suggested the shop might open with prices slightly lower than the day before.
The day before, prices had already slipped a little.
One big reason investors are nervous is oil, the fuel that powers cars and planes, which is still expensive.
Oil prices went down a bit on Thursday, but only because experts think the world will need less fuel in 2026 and because America's oil storage suddenly grew.
Prices are still high because of a disagreement between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, a very important waterway that oil ships use.
America said it has "total control" over that waterway, while Iran says talks are stuck until its conditions are met.
Because of this, investors are being cautious, which means they trade slowly and carefully.
Some stock experts still picked companies they think could be good buys today, like Coal India and Hindustan Aeronautics.
Buying shares is like a game with grown-up rules, so investors should think carefully before they play.
Gift Nifty traded around 24,446.5, a 24-point premium, pointing to a weak start for Sensex and Nifty 50 on Thursday, 13 August.
On Wednesday, Indian equities closed lower, with the Sensex falling 187.90 points (0.24%) to 77,966.35 and the Nifty 50 dropping 35.75 points (0.15%) to 24,435.95.
Crude prices fell more than $1 as analysts cut 2026 global oil demand forecasts and US crude inventories posted their biggest weekly build since January 2023; Brent slipped 1.5% to $87.69 and WTI 1.6% to $81.97.
US-Iran negotiations over reopening the Strait of Hormuz remained deadlocked, with President Donald Trump asserting Washington has "total control" over the waterway and the US enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports.
Brokers recommended eight day-trading stocks, with picks including Hindustan Aeronautics and Coal India.
- Who
- Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty 50; analysts Ajit Mishra (Religare Broking) and Ponmudi R (Enrich Money); US President Donald Trump; and brokers Sumeet Bagadia, Ganesh Dongre and Shiju Koothupalakkal.
- What
- The Indian stock market is expected to open weak on Thursday, 13 August, with crude prices easing but US-Iran tensions and mixed global cues keeping investors cautious; brokers recommended eight day-trading stocks.
- Where
- India, with the main geopolitical risk centred on the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East.
- When
- Thursday, 13 August, following a lower close for Indian indices on Wednesday.
- Why
- Deadlocked US-Iran negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz and elevated crude prices are keeping sentiment cautious, though softer-than-expected US inflation data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep rates unchanged in September.
US stance
Iran stance
Strait of Hormuz reopening
US stance
US President Donald Trump said Washington has "total control" over the strategically important waterway, and the US continues to enforce a blockade of Iranian ports to increase economic pressure on Tehran.
Iran stance
Iran's top security official Mohsen Rezaei said the strait will remain closed until Washington meets Tehran's conditions, including unfreezing Iranian assets and ending other conflicts across the region.
Negotiation status
US stance
Washington maintains hardline positions and shows little sign of progress, keeping pressure on Tehran through its blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran stance
Tehran says the waterway stays closed until its conditions are met; Pakistan, which has been facilitating mediation, said the broader peace process had stalled, though the deadline for a US-Iran memorandum of understanding could still be extended.
Key facts
- Gift Nifty
- Around 24,446.5 (24-point premium); near 24,437 (33.5-point discount) by 7:45 AM
- Sensex close (Wed)
- 77,966.35, down 187.90 points (0.24%)
- Nifty 50 close (Wed)
- 24,435.95, down 35.75 points (0.15%)
- Brent crude
- $87.69 a barrel, down $1.29 (1.5%)
- WTI crude
- $81.97 a barrel, down $1.30 (1.6%)
- US crude inventories
- Biggest weekly build since January 2023 (EIA), partly driven by a sharp decline in US crude exports
- Nifty support
- 24,350 zone (moving-average ribbon); next support 24,000–24,200
- Bank Nifty levels
- Resistance 58,000–58,300; support 57,500, then 57,200–57,000
Quotes
Ponmudi R
CEO of Enrich Money
“Indian equity markets are expected to open on a cautious note, with GIFT Nifty futures hovering just above the 24,400 mark”
livemint.com
Donald Trump
U.S. President
“total control”
livemint.com










