Indian stock markets opened slightly lower on Friday as benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty retreated from Thursday’s record-setting highs. The cautious sentiment came ahead of India’s Q2 FY26 GDP data scheduled for release later in the day.
At the opening bell, the BSE Sensex slipped 37 points, or 0.04%, to 85,683. The Nifty50 also edged lower by 25 points, or 0.10%, to trade at 26,190. On Thursday, both indices had notched fresh milestones, with the Sensex breaching 86,000 and the Nifty crossing 26,300 intraday for the first time in history.
Broader markets showed continued weakness, as the Nifty MidCap index dipped 0.18% and the Nifty SmallCap index fell 0.23%, indicating selective profit booking at higher levels. Shares of GAIL dropped as much as 5%, making it one of the notable early losers.
Global sentiment remained mixed. Asian markets tracked a subdued trend as US markets stayed closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving, with futures indicating muted activity. Tokyo’s inflation data also influenced regional trading patterns, as headline inflation eased marginally in October.
With global cues uncertain and domestic GDP data due later in the evening, investors preferred a wait-and-watch approach, keeping market volatility contained.
