September 24, 2025 — Indian equities looked set for a soft start on Wednesday as the GIFT Nifty slipped around 35.5 points to 25,180.5 in early deals. The move points to a cautious beginning for the Nifty 50 on the NSE and adds to investor worries after a weak global handover.
The early slide comes as global sentiment remains fragile. Wall Street closed lower overnight, with traders watching U.S. inflation numbers and Federal Reserve commentary later this week. Asian shares were mostly in the red this morning, and that weakness spilled over into Indian futures. Foreign investors have also been selling aggressively. On Tuesday alone, overseas funds pulled nearly ₹3,500 crore from domestic equities, one of the sharpest withdrawals this month.
By market open, the pressure was visible on the benchmark indices. The Nifty 50 slipped to about 25,079.6, down 0.36 percent, while the Sensex lost more than 300 points to hover around 82,727. Sectoral action was mixed, but technology stocks faced the heaviest selling, dragging the Nifty IT index lower by nearly three-quarters of a percent. Midcaps and smallcaps also slipped, reflecting a broader sense of caution among investors.
Analysts say the weakness is not surprising. With valuations running high in several frontline sectors and borrowing costs expected to stay firm, many traders are choosing to sit on the sidelines. Export-linked companies, particularly in information technology, are feeling the heat from changes in U.S. visa rules that could affect Indian workers. At the same time, defensive plays such as consumer staples and pharmaceuticals are holding up better, though they are not enough to lift the broader market.
For now, the mood remains watchful. The dip in GIFT Nifty is not large enough to trigger panic, but it underlines the lack of strong buying support at higher levels. Much will depend on whether domestic inflows can offset foreign selling through the day. Global developments — from U.S. economic data to central bank signals — will continue to set the tone, making this a session where traders will keep one eye firmly on overseas markets.
