Stock market today: Key things to know before opening bell on February 25

GIFT NIFTY futures traded flat at 22,590 on Tuesday morning, indicating a cautious start for Indian benchmark indices. The global market cues remained mixed on Monday overnight and Tuesday morning. The US markets closed mixed, with NASDAQ falling more than 1.2% and Dow Jones and S&P500 closing almost flat on Monday. While the Asian indices traded largely in red across the board.

US markets

The tech-heavy NASDAQ index fell for a third consecutive session, with losses of 1.2% on Monday. Rising concerns over weak economic parameters and persistent inflation soured investor sentiments. The Dow Jones and S&P500 closed almost flat. Meanwhile, Apple announced plans to invest $500 billion in the US over the next four years.

Asian markets

The Japanese, Korean and Hong Kong indices traded in red on Tuesday morning with losses of up to 1%. The Korean Central Bank announced rate cuts by 25 bps and lowered its GDP growth forecast from 1.9% to 1.5% for 2025.

Crude oil prices

The WTI and Brent crude oil prices traded higher Tuesday morning, continuing their overnight rally on Monday. The WTI crude oil prices gained 1% on Monday to close above $71 per barrel, and Brent crude oil prices traded above $74.5 per barrel.

FII and DII activity

The foreign investors aggravated their selling in the Indian markets as they sold equities worth ₹6,286 crore. On the other hand, the DIIs supported the markets by buying equities worth ₹5,185 crore on Monday. In the derivatives market, the FIIs short position increased to 2 lakh contracts from 1.85 lakh contracts a week ago.