Stock market today: GIFT NIFTY futures indicate gap down opening for Indian markets on February 24

Indian benchmark indices are set to open lower on Monday, taking cues from the weak global markets. The GIFT NIFTY futures traded 112 points lower at 22,675 at 7:20 a.m. on Monday. The US markets fell the most in 2025, sliding 2% on concerns over rising inflation and slowing economic growth.

Following the weak economic data from the US, crude oil prices fell more than 3%, and the Dollar index too fell 0.46% near two-month lowest levels at 106.1. Similarly, the treasury yields also fell 1.7%.

In addition, markets are also expected to react to Moody's Analytics report, which said India's growth will slow to 6.4% in 2025, from 6.6% in 2024, as new US tariffs and softening global demand weigh on exports.

US markets

Key benchmark indices like Dow Jones and S&P500 fell more than 1.5%, and NASDAQ fell over 2% on Friday after various economic indicators suggested persistent high inflation in the US. The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index fell 64 points, indicating a bleak consumer outlook. The university expects inflation to rise to 4.3% in the next six months.

Asian markets

Asian markets traded in deep red in the Japanese and Korean indices on Monday morning, while Chinese indices traded in green on Monday morning. The Japanese Nikkei Index traded 560 points lower, and Korean indices traded 80 points lower.

Crude Oil

Crude oil prices increased more than 3% on Friday as concerns over the US economic outlook turned bleak. WTI crude oil prices fell to $70 per barrel, and Brent Crude oil prices fell below $74 per barrel.

FII and DII data

Foreign investors maintained their selling spree in the last week, selling Indian equities worth ₹3,449 crore and holding 1.92 lakh contracts in the short side in the derivatives market. On the other hand, the DIIs bought Indian equities worth ₹2,884 crore on Friday. Foreign investors have sold Indian equities worth ₹ 36,000 crore in February till 21st February.