Indian equity indices are expected to open on a muted note following mixed global cues. The GIFT Nifty was trading flat at 25,100. Here are key global cues to watch before the market opens that include new crude oil prices, FII and DII data, business groups that most affect, sectoral performance, etc.
Earlier on Thursday, the NSE Nifty 50 closed the session 33 points or 0.13% higher at 25,084, while the BSE Sensex rose 143 points or 0.17% to close at 82,000.
Key global and domestic cues to know on August 22, 2025
Asian Markets
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Friday as investors await the US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s speech at the central bank’s annual economic symposium, which could offer clues into the path of interest rates. South Korea’s jumped 1.22% and the small-cap Kosdaq was 0.94% higher. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 slipped 0.1% at the open, while the Topix rose 0.44%. Futures for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index stood at 25,192, higher than its last close of 25,104.61.
US markets
The key US indices closed the session overnight in the red on Thursday as investors look to Powell’s speech. The S&P 500 index shed 0.4% and closed at 6,370.17, while the Nasdaq Composite slid 0.34% and settled at 21,100.31. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 152.81 points, or 0.34%, ending at 44,785.50.
US dollar
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the dollar’s value against a basket of six foreign currencies, was trading 0.02% higher at 98.63 on Friday 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 0.21% to close at 87.26 to the dollar on August 21.
Crude oil
The crude oil prices traded on a higher note on Thursday morning. WTI crude prices were trading at $63.45, down by 0.10%, while Brent crude prices were trading at $67.54, down by 0.19%.
FII, DII data
Foreign institutional investors (FII) were the net sellers of shares worth Rs 1,203.98 crore. On the other hand, the Domestic institutional investors (DII) were the net buyers of shares worth Rs 1,226.38 crore on August 21, 2024, according to the provisional data available on the NSE.
Gold rate today
The rate for 24-carat gold today is Rs 99,630 per 10 grams, near its all-time high. The safe haven’s price is trading below the Rs 1 lakh mark. The price of gold has fallen by 0.74% over the past one week. The 22 kt gold rate today is Rs 91,328 per 10 grams. The 18-carat gold price today is Rs 74,723.
Top sectors in today’s trade
Among the broader sectors, Plastics stocks gained about 1%, followed by strong moves in Gems & Jewellery, Paper, and Petroleum-related stocks, all of which closed higher in the range of 1%.
Best and worst performing business groups
Group-wise action was also evident. Anil Ambani Group stocks surged nearly 5%, with momentum also seen in Nagarjuna and Patodia Group stocks, which advanced 2–4% each. On the other hand, Manipal Group, GMR Group, and Avanta Group stocks slipped 2-2.5%, emerging as the day’s weak spots.