Global Cues: Indian Market Eyes Firm Start Amid Mixed International Signals

• Indian equity indices anticipate a firm opening today, December 31, driven by GIFT Nifty trading marginally higher at 26,129.50.
• On December 30, Indian markets closed marginally lower due to caution ahead of Fed minutes, FII selling, and thin year-end volumes.
• Asian equities are up, poised for their best annual gain since 2017, while US stocks slipped in a volatile year-end session.
• Crude oil is heading for its deepest annual loss since 2020, but gold is set for its best annual performance since 1979.
• FIIs sold Rs 3844 crore, while DIIs bought Rs 6159 crore in Indian equities on December 30.

Why It Matters: Indian markets expect a firm opening today, influenced by positive Asian cues despite US stock slips and FII selling.