The U.S. Fed’s rate cut leads global markets to trade on a higher note, supporting the sentiments of domestic investors. The GIFT Nifty was trading 82 points or 0.32% higher at 25,496. Here are domestic as well as key global cues to watch before the market opens that include crude oil prices, FII and DII data, business groups that most affect, sectoral performance, etc.
Earlier on Wednesday, the NSE Nifty 50 closed the session 90 points or 0.36% higher at 25,330, while the BSE Sensex rose 313 points or 0.38% to close at 82,694.
Key global and domestic cues to know on September 18, 2025
US Federal cuts rate
The US Federal Reserve slashed key interest rates for the first time in 2025, pointing towards lower job growth and rising risks to employment amid political pressure from US President Donald Trump. The Fed cut the lending rate by 25 basis points to a range of 4%–4.25% and hinted at two additional cuts in 2025. Additionally, the Fed increased its estimate of US GDP growth to 1.6% from 1.4% in June, while maintaining its projections for unemployment and inflation. The Fed Chairman Jerome Powell stated the move as a “risk management cut,” rather than something more directed at shoring up a weak economy. The Fed also suggested that there may be two additional rate cuts by the end of this year, another in 2026, one more in 2027, and no cuts expected for 2028.
Asian Markets
The Asian markets were trading higher in the morning trade on Thursday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 0.6% to a record high. South Korea’s Kospi was up 0.43%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was set to open lower, with its futures contract last traded at 26,829, against the index’s previous close of 26,908.39.
US markets
The futures tied to US benchmarks were slightly higher as investors cheered the Fed’s rate cut. However, in the overnight trade, the US benchmarks closed the session on a mixed note. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 260.42 points, or 0.6%, at 46,018.32, after hitting an all-time high. However, the S&P 500 settled down 0.1% at 6,600.35, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.3% to 22,261.33.
US dollar
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the dollar’s value against a basket of six foreign currencies, was trading 0.03% higher at 97.04 on Thursday 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 0.30% to close at 87.81 to the dollar on September 17.
Crude oil
The crude oil prices traded on a lower note on Thursday morning. WTI crude prices were trading at $63.76, down by 0.46%, while Brent crude prices were trading at $67.71, a fall of 0.35%.
FII, DII data
Foreign institutional investors (FII) were the net sellers of shares worth Rs 1,124.54 crore. On the other hand, the Domestic institutional investors (DII) were the net buyers of shares worth Rs 2,293.53 crore on September 17, 2025, according to the provisional data available on the NSE.
Gold rate today
The rate for 24-carat gold today is Rs 110,330 per 10 grams, trading at its all-time high. The safe haven’s price is trading above the Rs 1 lakh mark. The price of gold has risen by 10.85% over the past one month. The 22 kt gold rate today is Rs 101,136 per 10 grams. The 18-carat gold price today is Rs 91,942.
Top sectors in Wednesday’s trade
The Tea and Coffee sector’s stocks rose the most in Wenesday’s strong trade, rising 3.2% in the market capitalisation. Further, Leather stocks were followed by the Beverages-Non Alcoholic sector stocks, which were further followed by the Defence sector stocks. The Textile stocks stood behind the Shipping sector. However, the Plastic sector stocks fell the most.
Best and worst performing business groups
The Nagarjuna Group’s market cap rose the most in today’s session, rising 4.7%. It was followed by the Pennar Group. Apart from that, the DCM Group’s market capitalisation surged the most, rising 3.2%. In the list of DCM Group stocks, DCM Shriram Industries’ share increased 4%.