Indian stocks are expected to open on a strong note on Wednesday, amid positive global cues. Gift Nifty at 24,560 signals a gap-up opening of about 80 points for the Nifty.
Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, a SEBI-registered online trading and wealth-tech firm, said Indian equity markets are poised for a stronger start on Wednesday as a sharp decline in crude oil prices and a pullback in U.S. Treasury yields improve the backdrop for risk assets. “The easing in global bond yields, coupled with a rebound on Wall Street overnight, has lifted investor sentiment,” he said.
Crude oil has emerged as the key positive catalyst. WTI has fallen more than 6% over the past two sessions to trade in the $80–81-per-barrel range. For domestic markets, the retreat in oil prices provides a meaningful near-term tailwind after crude-driven inflation worries dominated sentiment over the past several weeks.
Strait of Hormuz developments in focus
“The geopolitical backdrop remains fluid. While tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain elevated, recent developments surrounding discussions involving Iran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz have raised cautious optimism that supply-disruption risks could ease. Any further progress on that front would likely provide additional support to energy markets and broader global risk sentiment,” he added.
Asian markets are presenting a mixed picture in early trade, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipping around 0.3% while South Korea’s Kospi is edging about 0.4% higher, suggesting a broadly neutral regional backdrop ahead of the domestic market open.
Derivatives point to key Nifty levels
From a Derivatives perspective, the structure has turned relatively supportive, with the overall PCR at 1.098, indicating stronger Put positioning relative to Calls, said Dhupesh Dhameja, Derivatives Research Analyst, SAMCO Securities.
“The 24,200 strike carries the highest Put OI, reinforcing it as an important support base. On the upside, notable Call OI is visible around 24,500, followed by higher strikes, suggesting that upside supply could emerge as the index advances. A breakout above 24,350–24,375 would therefore be crucial to force Call unwinding and extend the recovery. India VIX remains subdued at 11.75, indicating low expected volatility and supporting the possibility of a measured, range-bound move until a decisive breakout occurs,” he opined.
Strong rollovers support constructive view
Hariselvan Radhakrishnan, Founder & CEO of HST Wealth, said Positioning in the derivatives market lends support to the constructive case. “Nifty August-series rollovers stood at 64%, above the three-month average, indicating that institutional participants chose to carry long positions into the new series rather than reduce exposure,” he said.
According to Sarvam Goel, Founder, Pocketful, India’s quiet macro story continues in the background. The RBI has mobilised $73 billion through NRI deposits in just 11 weeks, cushioning the rupee against crude pressure, FII outflows and a widening trade deficit. This matters enormously. It is why the rupee has held up better than most expected given where crude is trading, he said.
Published on August 26, 2026
