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Markets likely to make a flat-to-positive start amid mixed global cues
Aug-21-2026

Indian equity markets are likely to make a flat-to-positive start on Friday tracking mixed cues from global markets. However, traders are likely to remain cautious and adopt a wait-and-watch approach ahead of the HSBC Composite PMI Flash data, scheduled to be released later in the day. Sentiment may remain downbeat as Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) turned net sellers on August 20, 2026, selling equities worth Rs 583.36 crore.

Some of the key factors to be watched:

Key infrastructure sectors' output rises by 5.4% in July: India’s production growth of nine key infrastructure sectors rose to 5.4 per cent in July following an increase in output of coal, refinery products, cement, electricity and iron ore.

Govt asks industry to utilise FTAs, focus on value addition, diversify export markets: The government has nudged the industry to utilise free trade agreements (FTAs), focus on value addition, build resilient supply chains, and actively diversify export markets to boost manufacturing and strengthen the country's position in global trade.

India-Singapore discuss ties in manufacturing, semiconductors and clean energy: The report said that Singapore and India have discussed cooperation in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, connectivity, digital, fintech and clean energy domains at the fourth India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR).

India, EU complete legal scrubbing of trade pact text: The report said that India and the 27-nation European Union (EU) have completed the legal scrubbing of the trade pact text and it will be signed this year on a mutually agreed date.

RBI Deputy Governor says cross-border trade in local currencies reduces transaction costs: RBI Deputy Governor Rohit Jain has said that local currencies will play an ever-increasing role in cross-border trade and payments as they lower transaction costs, reduce currency mismatches, and improve settlement efficiency. 

Global front: The US markets ended lower on Thursday as crude oil prices surged amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty. Asian markets are trading mostly higher on Friday, despite broadly negative cues from Wall Street overnight.

Back home, snapping their recent losing streak, Indian equity benchmarks bounced back on Thursday, tracking a rally in world markets as easing global bond yields revived risk appetite. Fresh foreign fund inflows also added to the markets' optimism. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 407.99 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data. Finally, the BSE Sensex rose 628.04 points or 0.82% to 77,537.72 and the CNX Nifty was up by 153.55 points or 0.64% to 24,231.85.  

Some of the important factors in trade: 

MPC adopts wait-and-watch approach amid risk of food, fuel inflation: The minutes of Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) MPC meeting showed that rate-setting panel was broadly agreed that rising food and fuel prices posed inflation risks, but there was limited evidence of broad-based price pressures, warranting a wait-and-watch approach, while voting for the status quo on interest rates.

Electricity grid, energy storage readiness to support next phase of renewable energy growth: Rating agency ICRA has said that electricity grid and energy storage readiness will drive the next phase of renewable energy growth, while the aggressive BESS bidding will keep a tab on project economics. 

India gears up for expanded rail connectivity with 4 new projects worth Rs 9,450 crore: India is accelerating the expansion of its railway network with four new projects involving an investment of around Rs 9,450 crore. 

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