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Markets likely to make positive start on Friday
Oct-23-2026

Indian equity markets are likely to make a positive start on Friday, as investors may opt for short covering after previous session's losses. However, surging oil prices amid heightened geopolitical tensions, along with foreign fund outflows, are likely to continue to weigh on investor sentiment. Traders are likely to adopt a wait-and-watch approach ahead of the release of the HSBC Flash PMI data. 

Some of the key factors to be watched: 

Goyal seeks bold India-Germany trade target ahead of EU FTA: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has called for setting a bold bilateral trade target of 310 billion euros between India and Germany, urging businesses from both countries to identify opportunities to maximise benefits from the India-EU trade agreement once it comes into effect.

India, Chile discuss stronger economic ties, CEPA, critical minerals: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met former President of Chile and Ambassador on a Special Mission Eduardo Frei and discussions focused on strengthening bilateral economic ties. 

Goyal says India offers stable business environment to global investors: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has assured global investors that India offers a stable and predictable business environment, and said those who invest, work and grow in the country would not face the kind of uncertainty seen elsewhere.

India, Poland resolve to expand defence ties, double bilateral trade by 2030: India and Poland have agreed to deepen ties in defence, space, and nuclear energy domains, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk pledging to double the annual bilateral trade from the current $6 billion by 2030.

Sonowal invites polish firms to invest, innovate in India: Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has invited Polish companies to build, innovate and invest in India rather than only sell to it, as he pitched the country's growth story to business leaders from both nations.

Global front: U.S. markets ended mostly in red on Thursday on renewed concerns around spending by artificial intelligence companies, while oil prices jumped amid rising geopolitical tensions. Asian markets were trading mostly in red on Friday, following overnight losses on Wall Street. 

Back home, Indian equity benchmarks extended their slide to a third straight session on Thursday, as surging crude oil prices amid escalating tensions in West Asia dampened investor sentiment. A broad-based selloff, especially across FMCG, Capital Goods and Industrials stocks, and weak global cues kept domestic equities under pressure. A steep fall in the rupee against the dollar further deteriorated sentiment. Finally, the BSE Sensex fell 460.30 points or 0.62% to 73,249.39 and the CNX Nifty was down by 123.70 points or 0.54% to 22,687.65. 

Some of the important factors in trade:

Commerce ministry organising FTA outreach initiatives to help states unlock export potential: Union Minister Piyush Goyal said that the commerce ministry is organising a series of free trade agreement (FTA) outreach initiatives across the country to ensure greater utilisation of these pacts. 

Core sectors’ growth rises to 7.9% in September; iron ore, electricity key drivers: According to the data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry, production in key infrastructure industries rose 7.9 per cent in September, the fastest pace in the new series, driven by strong performance in the iron ore, electricity, and cement segments. 

Sustaining 7% growth requires higher private investment: Former RBI Governor D Subbarao has said that maintaining an economic growth of 7 per cent or above will require stronger private investment, labour-intensive manufacturing, better human capital and stronger integration into global value chains.

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