Nifty Pre-Open: Index Flat as Gains in IndusInd Bank and Shriram Finance Offset Declines in Axis Bank, ICICI Bank
By Shishta Dutta | Published at: Aug 5, 2025 09:33 AM IST
Mumbai, August 5, 2025: The Nifty 50 index saw a largely flat pre-opening session on Tuesday, edging down by just 2.5 points (0.01%) to 24,720.25. The session was characterised by a cautious, wait-and-watch approach from investors, with a positive market breadth where 28 stocks advanced against 16 declines. Gains in stocks like IndusInd Bank and Shriram Finance helped to offset the pressure seen in banking heavyweights such as ICICI Bank and Axis Bank.
Top Gainers in Pre-Open Trade
The top contributors to the Nifty’s stability in pre-opening trade included IndusInd Bank, Shriram Finance, and Hindalco, all showing notable price rise:
| Stock | Last Price (₹) | Change (₹) | % Change | Previous Close (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IndusInd Bank (INDUSINDBK) | 820.00 | +15.95 | +1.98% | 804.05 |
| Shriram Finance (SHRIRAMFIN) | 630.50 | +5.60 | +0.90% | 624.90 |
| Hindalco (HINDALCO) | 692.00 | +4.30 | +0.63% | 687.70 |
| UltraTech Cement (ULTRACEMCO) | 12,330.00 | +73.00 | +0.60% | 12,257.00 |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank (KOTAKBANK) | 2,008.00 | +11.00 | +0.55% | 1,997.00 |
Notable Declines in Pre-Open
Banking majors like ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, and HDFC Bank saw mild pressure in the pre-open, weighing slightly on the benchmark index:
| Stock | Last Price (₹) | Change (₹) | % Change | Previous Close (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICICI Bank (ICICIBANK) | 1,453.00 | -10.20 | -0.70% | 1,463.20 |
| HDFC Bank (HDFCBANK) | 1,986.50 | -5.50 | -0.28% | 1,992.00 |
| Axis Bank (AXISBANK) | 1,068.00 | -0.60 | -0.06% | 1,068.60 |
| Hindustan Unilever (HINDUNILVR) | 2,537.50 | -6.20 | -0.24% | 2,543.70 |
| Bajaj Auto (BAJAJ-AUTO) | 8,176.00 | -11.50 | -0.14% | 8,187.50 |
Market Breadth Snapshot
| Metric | Count |
|---|---|
| Advances | 28 |
| Declines | 16 |
| Unchanged | 6 |
| Total Traded Volume | 15,37,828 |
| Total Traded Value | ₹178.25 Cr |
| Total Market Cap | ₹111.87 Lakh Cr |
Nifty Pre-Open Summary
| Index | Last Price | Change | % Change | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nifty 50 | 24,720.25 | -2.5 | -0.01% | CLOSED |
The flat movement in the pre-open session reflects a hesitant investor sentiment. With financial heavyweights showing mixed cues, gains from some banks like IndusInd Bank and Kotak Bank were largely neutralised by declines in others, including ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank. Markets are now waiting for new direction, with upcoming cues from the Reserve Bank of India’s policy meeting, global bond yields, and the continuing corporate earnings momentum expected to influence market sentiment throughout the day.
What Does This Mean For The Investors?
The flat market open signals a wait-and-watch mood among investors. Here’s what it suggests:
- Investors are cautious ahead of key events like the RBI policy decision, which could shape interest rate expectations.
- Mixed moves in the banking pack show that stock-specific developments are likely to drive action rather than sector-wide momentum.
- Broader market support, seen in the number of advancing stocks, suggests selective buying continues despite the overall quiet tone.
- External cues, including global yields and the dollar, are still influencing sentiment, especially for foreign investors.
- For now, sticking to a stock-by-stock approach may be more effective than broad index trades.
Key Technicals
- Nifty 50 is trading close to its 10-day and 20-day moving averages, showing consolidation.
- Support is seen near 24,150–24,200; Resistance remains around 24,450–24,500.
- Bank Nifty is holding above 52,200, but struggling to gain traction; key resistance lies near 52,800.
- The India VIX is slightly lower, indicating relatively stable sentiment.
- Technical indicators suggest the market is range-bound with a slight positive bias.
What’s Ahead For The Day?
Markets are likely to remain range-bound in early trade as investors await the outcome of the RBI policy meeting. Volatility may pick up post-announcement, especially in rate-sensitive sectors like banking and real estate. Global cues, particularly movements in bond yields and the US dollar, will also be on the radar. Stock-specific action driven by ongoing earnings results is expected to continue. Broader sentiment remains cautious, with traders likely to adopt a measured approach.
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