Global Market Update

Advisory Bazaar Info Services

* US equity markets ended on a flat to positive note on Wednesday. A rebound in software stocks helped the Nasdaq Composite outperform the major Wall Street indices.

* European equity markets, except France’s CAC, closed in negative territory.

* Most Asian equity markets are trading lower on Thursday amid another round of selling in semiconductor stocks.

    * Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined 2.55%.

    * South Korea’s Kospi fell 5.07%.

    * Australia’s ASX 200 bucked the regional trend, edging up 0.07%.

* Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty were trading higher by around 230–263 points in early trade.

* India has revised its windfall taxes on fuel exports following the recent rebound in global crude oil prices:

    * Export duty on diesel has been increased from ₹8.5/litre to ₹15.5/litre.

    * Export duty on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) has been raised from ₹7.5/litre to ₹14.5/litre.

    * Export duty on petrol has been reduced from ₹4/litre to ₹2.5/litre.

* Crude oil prices extended gains for a fourth consecutive session as ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran kept traders focused on potential supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude was trading near $85 per barrel.

Market Outlook: Investors will continue to monitor geopolitical developments, crude oil prices, global bond yields, and foreign institutional investor (FII) activity for further market direction.