Global Markets Today, August 25, 2026: Indian Stocks Seen Opening Lower As Asia Trades Lower, Oil Ticks Up, Wall Street Softens

Mumbai, August 25: Indian equity benchmarks are likely to open lower on Tuesday as weakness across Asian markets and on Wall Street, particularly in technology and semiconductor stocks, weighs on global risk appetite. An uptick in crude oil prices which remain elevated despite a decline yesterday also won’t help much, with investors also tracking developments around fresh US sanctions on Iran and their potential impact on energy supplies. 

Asia Lower 

Asian shares traded mostly lower on Tuesday, with technology stocks bearing the brunt of the selling, as investors remained wary ahead of Nvidia’s quarterly results and assessed the implications of expanded US economic pressure on Iran. Japan’s Nikkei edged up 0.11% and South Korea’s Kospi declined 2.4%, while MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.76%. 

Wall Street Soft 

The weakness in Asia followed a softer session on Wall Street. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended lower on Monday as semiconductor stocks came under pressure, while investors weighed the prospect of tougher US sanctions on Iran and awaited Nvidia’s earnings. Shares of chipmakers including Nvidia, Micron Technology and Broadcom fell, dragging the broader technology sector lower. The Dow, however, managed to finish higher, supported by gains in financial stocks such as JPMorgan Chase and Visa. 

Oil Prices Edge Up 

Oil prices fell more than 2% on Monday before edging up 0.4% on Tuesday as markets assessed the impact of expanded US sanctions on Iran. Brent crude was around $92.6 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate was near $85.5. 

The uptick in oil prices came amid heightened geopolitical tensions. The latest US measures target countries doing business with Iran, but the absence of specific targets and an immediate timeline appears to have reduced fears of an abrupt disruption to crude supplies. At the same time, risks remain elevated, with a tanker reportedly struck near Oman and Iran reiterating its claims over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil shipments. 

Lower crude prices are broadly favourable for India because the country imports a large share of its oil requirements. A sustained decline in prices could ease pressure on the trade deficit, inflation and corporate input costs, while also supporting the rupee. 

Nvidia, Fed Speech In Focus 

Beyond geopolitics, global investors are preparing for Nvidia’s results, which are expected to provide a fresh test of the massive AI investment cycle. Markets are also awaiting comments from Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh at Jackson Hole for clues on the US interest-rate outlook. US Treasury yields have eased. 

Indian markets are therefore likely to begin Tuesday’s session on a negative note, with weakness in Asian equities and US technology stocks acting as headwinds. Investors will also keep an eye on oil, rupee, foreign flows and developments around Iran sanctions as the session progresses. 

Overall, the opening setup points to a lower start for Indian equities. 

Source

• Exchanges