The US H-1B visa fee hike to $100,000 remains in focus for Indian IT stocks as markets enter its fourth trading this month. GIFT Nifty opened at 25,340, down 0.37% in early deals, with attention on autos, metals, infrastructure, and IT sectors.
Global cues such as crude prices, currency trends, and trade developments, along with domestic triggers like the GST rate cut and ongoing trade talks, are likely to guide market sentiment following the Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut.
Indian markets ended lower on September 19, with the Sensex slipping 387.73 points to 82,626.23, down 0.47%, while the Nifty fell 96.55 points to 25,327.05, a decline of 0.38%.
Key global and domestic cues to know on September 22, 2025
Asian Markets
Asian markets started the week on a positive note. Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 0.74% at the open, with the Topix up 0.58%. In South Korea, the Kospi gained 0.71%, while the Kosdaq also moved higher by 0.7%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.49%
GST 2.0 starts from today
From September 22, the new GST rates comes into effect with only two main slabs – 5% and 18%. Most goods and services will now be taxed under these rates. Ultra-luxury items will attract 40%, while tobacco and related products will continue to face 28% plus cess.
US markets
Wall Street extended its winning streak on Friday, with all three major indexes closing at record highs for the second consecutive day. The Dow Jones rose 172.85 points, or 0.37%, to 46,315.27, the S&P 500 gained 32.40 points, or 0.49%, to 6,664.36, and the Nasdaq Composite added 160.75 points, or 0.72%, to 22,631.48.
US H-1B Visa fee hike
The Trump administration has introduced a $100,000 one-time fee for new H-1B visa applications, effective September 21, 2025. The move has raised concerns among workers, companies, and foreign governments. Existing H-1B visa holders and renewals are not affected; the fee applies only to new applications submitted after the specified date.
US dollar
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the dollar’s value against a basket of six foreign currencies, was trading 0.14% up at 97.78 on Monday morning. The index evaluates the strength or weakness of the US dollar in comparison to major currencies. The basket contains currencies such as the British Pound, Euro, Swedish Krona, Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc, etc. The rupee depreciated 0.06% to close at 88.09 to the dollar on September 26.
Fed speeches in focus
Global markets are watching upcoming Federal Reserve speeches after the September rate cut. Governor Stephen Miran will speak on September 22; he had favored a bigger 50-basis point cut last month. Investors hope his remarks will give clues about future policy. Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaks on September 23. He previously said the September rate cut was just a “risk management” move, not the start of a larger easing cycle. The US dollar recently rose slightly to 97.65, and the 10-year Treasury yield moved up to 4.133%.
Key US economic data
Markets will also track important US economic numbers. This includes final GDP, core PCE prices, and real consumer spending for the June quarter. Flash PMI data and weekly jobless claims will also be watched.
Crude Oil
Crude prices were up in early Monday trade. WTI crude rose 0.33% to $62.60 a barrel, while Brent crude also gained 0.33% to reach $66.90.
FII, DII data
Foreign investors returned as net buyers on Friday, September 19, purchasing Indian equities worth Rs 390 crore. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) also maintained their buying streak, picking up shares valued at Rs 2,105 crore, according to provisional exchange data.
Gold rate today
Gold traded with modest gains in early Asian hours on Monday, with XAU/USD hovering near $3,685. Gold prices (XAU/USD) edged higher in early Asian trade on Wednesday, hovering near $3,695. In the latest gold rate in Dubai, 24-carat gold was priced at AED 444 per gram, while 22-carat traded at AED 411.25 per gram and 18-carat at AED 338 per gram.
As per Goodreturns, in India, 10 grams of 24-carat gold rate today is Rs 1,12,40, while 22-carat gold costs Rs 1,02,790. For those preferring 18-carat gold, the price is Rs 84,410 for the same weight.
Top sectors in Friday’s trade
The power sector led gains in today’s trading, rising 2.5%, followed by rubber stocks with a 1% increase. Infrastructure counters gained 1%, and telecom stocks edged up 1%.
Best and worst performing business groups in Friday’s trade
Adani Group stocks led the gains with a 5.05% rise in market capitalization, followed by Essar Group at 5% and Adventz Group at 4%. Dhanuka Group also added 3%. On the downside, HCL Group slipped 2%, Raheja Group fell 3%, and Emami Group recorded the steepest drop at 4%.