Pre-Market, 2 March 2026: Markets Likely To Witness A Tense Session

After a bleak finish on Friday, Dalal Street looks set for another tricky day. At the closing bell on Friday, the Nifty 50 closed 1.22% lower at 25,178.65. On the other hand, the Sensex slid 1.17% to 81,287.19.

Broader segments also lost ground, with the Nifty MidCap and SmallCap indices falling over 1% each. Sectorally, the Nifty Realty and Nifty Financial Services declined by 2.3% and 2.1%, respectively.

Geopolitical Tensions Likely To Add To Pain

What has added to volatility is the sudden escalation in the Middle East, due to a coordinated strike by the USA and Israeli military on Iran. At the same time, Tehran’s retaliatory strikes have marked a fresh chapter in hostilities. All of these have added geopolitical risk back into market calculations.

Likely Positions Of Traders

At the pre-market, the mood feels cautious. There are hints of risk-off positioning. Today:

• Stocks linked to crude and oil and marketing companies (OMCs) could see rotation.

• INR may open weaker against USD if crude sustains elevated levels. This could potentially pressure market breadth.

One could see a distinct sentiment of wait-and-see. It may not be full-blown panic. However, it could be more guarded than optimistic.

Sectors That Can Draw Focus

Given the current chain of events, the following sectors are likely to be in focus today:

• Oil And Gas: The recent spike in crude could compress the marketing margins of OMCs. Note that Brent Crude and WTI Crude have surged by 3%.

• Defence And Aerospace: Heightened geopolitical tensions could put the spotlight back on defence and aerospace stocks.

• Consumer And Cyclicals: These may feel strain, particularly if inflation expectations rise and discretionary spend concerns deepen.

Also Read - Will India’s 30% Coal Import Cut Reshape Energy Markets?

What Investors Can Expect Today?

Traders can expect a range-bound but jittery session. Friday’s sharp losses, combined with geopolitical risks, may mean the Nifty and Sensex test lower support zones in early trade. However, oversold conditions and bargain interest could cap further weakness.

There could be higher volatility in today’s sessions. Crude price action and any fresh headlines from the Middle East may play a decisive role in how markets shape up throughout the day.

Sources

Business Standard

Livemint