Global Cues Signal Mixed Start for Indian Markets Today

• Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty are expected to open positively, tracking gains in GIFT Nifty.
• On Budget-day, Indian equities closed lower after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a hike in Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on equity F&O trading.
• Global markets showed mixed trends: GIFT Nifty up, Asian equities mixed, US equities down, US bond yields and Dollar Index up.
• Asian currencies, crude oil, and gold prices slipped, influenced by various global economic and political factors.
• Foreign and domestic institutional investors (FIIs and DIIs) both sold equities on February 1.

Why It Matters: Indian markets anticipate a positive opening despite mixed global cues and recent Budget-day declines.