Pre-Market 1 October 2026: GIFT Nifty Hints At Flat Start; Oil, US-Iran Talks In Focus

Indian equities will start the new month after the Nifty's September slide, with FII selling remaining a major drag. The focus now shifts to global markets, crude prices and developments around US-Iran talks.

How Did Indian Markets Close?

The BSE Sensex ended Wednesday at 72,480.29, down 48.78 points or 0.07%, while the Nifty 50 fell 95.75 points or 0.42% to 22,620.45. The Nifty has now posted its steepest monthly fall since March, declining 6.1% in September.

Foreign Institutional Investors sold equities worth ₹9,980.22 crore on Tuesday, according to exchange data. The rupee, meanwhile, appreciated 13 paise to close at 95.81 against the US dollar, tracking a decline in the dollar index and easing crude prices.

Brent crude was around $103.10 a barrel during the Indian session. Oil remains elevated as uncertainty around US-Iran negotiations continues to affect supply expectations.

Global Indices

In the US markets, Nasdaq closed up 0.24% at 26,861.06, and the S&P 500 ended at 7,651.54, down 0.25%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.86% at 50,906.05.

European equities ended lower. The FTSE 100 closed at 10,606, down 0.29%, while the CAC 40 also remained under pressure, closing at 7,964.51, down 0.89%.

Asian markets were mixed. Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 1.94% to 66,753.72, helped by technology stocks, while South Korea's KOSPI fell 0.48% to 6,838.04.

GIFT Nifty Today

At 6:56 am on 1 October 2026, GIFT Nifty was trading at 22,632.00, down 27.50 points or 0.12%, hinting at a flat start for Indian equities today.

Key Nifty 50 Levels

The Nifty 50 has immediate support at 22,500. A decisive break below this level could bring the April low of 22,182 into focus.

On the upside, the 22,800–23,000 zone remains the immediate resistance area. A sustained move above it could shift attention towards 23,300–23,500.

What Could Shape Thursday's Trade?

Crude prices will remain closely watched as October begins, particularly with US-Iran discussions still unresolved. Any fresh movement in oil could also affect the rupee after its recent volatility.

Foreign fund flows are another domestic cue after FIIs sold close to ₹10,000 crore in the latest reported session. The rupee's move around the 96-per-dollar level and the response of Indian equities to global bond yields will also be relevant.

In the US, the August PCE price index rose 3.4% year-on-year, below the 3.7% estimate. The Fed rate hike probability for October fell to roughly 38%, from more than 50% a day earlier. Traders will now look at further economic data and Fed commentary for clues on the rate path.

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