Markets cautious as Trump’s Iran strike deadline nears

Crude rises; dollar firms, rupee fragile; weak start likely for Indian equities
Morning Business News
Updated on
2 min read

Global markets remain on edge as the deadline set by Donald Trump is due to expire tomorrow morning (Indian time). Investors are watching closely for any last-minute breakthrough, but the tone remains cautious.

The US has warned of strikes on bridges and power infrastructure if Iran does not agree to terms by 6:30 am IST on Wednesday. Iran, meanwhile, has mobilised civilian shields around key energy facilities. Unlike previous instances, markets are not pricing in a last-minute retreat, prompting accelerated but uncertain diplomatic efforts. Both sides have already rejected each other’s proposals, including a 45-day ceasefire suggestion.

Weak global cues

US markets ended Monday with modest gains, supported by hopes of a possible agreement before the deadline.

  • The Dow Jones rose 165.21 points (0.36 percent) to 46,669.88

  • S&P 500 gained 29.14 points (0.44 percent) to 6,611.83

  • Nasdaq climbed 171.16 points (0.54 percent) to 21,996.34

However, US futures slipped this morning:

  • Dow down 90 points (0.19 percent)

  • S&P 500 down 0.37 percent

  • Nasdaq down 0.50 percent

Asian markets opened strong but lost momentum:

  • Japan’s Nikkei and South Korea’s Kospi halved early gains

  • Australia rose about 2 percent

  • Shanghai edged up 0.10 percent

  • Hong Kong declined 0.70 percent

GIFT Nifty closed at 23,045 and dropped to 22,908 this morning, indicating a sharply lower opening for Indian markets today.

Indian market rebounds

Indian equities staged a sharp recovery on Monday after an early fall, ending higher for the third straight session.

  • Sensex surged 787.30 points (1.07 percent) to 74,106.85

  • Nifty 50 rose 255.15 points (1.12 percent) to 22,968.25

  • Bank Nifty jumped 2.06 percent

Mid caps gained 1.52 percent, while small caps ended marginally lower.

Market breadth remained strong:

  • BSE: 3,193 stocks advanced vs 1,173 declined

  • NSE: 2,506 advanced vs 741 declined

Foreign institutional investors continued heavy selling, with net outflows of ₹8,167.17 crore, while domestic institutions bought ₹8,088.70 crore worth of equities.

Jubilant FoodWorks reported 19.1 percent revenue growth in Q4

  • Godrej Consumer Products is expected to post double-digit revenue growth

  • CreditAccess Grameen’s loan book rose 14 percent to ₹29,590 crore in FY26

Oil firm, gold volatile

Crude oil remains elevated amid war fears:

  • Brent crude rose to $110.21 per barrel

  • WTI crude near $113.98

  • India’s crude basket surged 8.35 percent to $130.93

Gold declined after volatility:

  • Fell $28.50 to $4,649.50 per ounce

  • Kerala gold price dropped ₹200 to ₹1,10,480 per sovereign

Silver, platinum, and palladium edged higher.

Dollar firms, rupee fragile

The dollar index moved up to 100.07 as geopolitical tensions persisted.

  • Euro at $1.154

  • Pound at $1.3234

  • Yen at 159.71 per dollar

The Indian rupee closed at 93.06 per dollar, gaining just 4 paise despite early strength. RBI measures have curbed speculative pressure, but weakness may persist unless crude falls and foreign inflows resume.

--Rubber gained 1.36 percent

--Coffee prices rose; cocoa declined

--Palm oil eased

--Fertiliser prices (urea, DAP) moved higher

Cryptocurrencies cooled after a rally:

  • Bitcoin slipped to around $68,800 after crossing $70,300

  • Ether and Solana remained firm

Market indicators

(April 6, Monday)

Sensex: 74,106.85 (+1.07%)
Nifty 50: 22,968.25 (+1.12%)
Bank Nifty: 52,609.10 (+2.06%)
Midcap 100: 54,492.65 (+1.52%)
Smallcap 100: 15,853.05 (+1.29%)
Dow Jones: 46,669.88 (+0.36%)
S&P 500: 6,611.83 (+0.44%)
Nasdaq: 21,996.34 (+0.54%)
Dollar: ₹93.06 (-₹0.04)
Gold (ounce): $4,649.50 (-$28.50)
Gold (sovereign): ₹1,10,480 (-₹200)
Brent crude: $109.77 (+$0.74)

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