Indian stock markets are trading today, Sunday, February 1, for the Union Budget 2026 presentation. Both NSE and BSE are open for a full trading session, a rare occurrence allowing real-time investor reaction to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcements. Commodity markets are also operating, with investors cautiously awaiting policy continuity and fiscal discipline amid weak...Read More

Indian equity benchmarks closed lower on Friday, with the Nifty down 0.4%, as markets await budget announcements and global cues. The India VIX rose 2%, indicating increased market fear. Foreign portfolio investors were net buyers, while domestic institutional investors were net sellers.Read More

Foreign investors have withdrawn billions from Indian stocks. Markets eagerly await Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget today. The government is considering tax relief for foreign portfolio investors. Broader reforms to attract capital are also anticipated. The Budget’s focus will be on boosting earnings growth and offering tax incentives to encourage foreign investment back into India.Read More

Budget week inflates option premiums due to market uncertainty, with Nifty ATM straddles consistently opening high. While volatility rises pre-Budget, an “IV Crush” consistently deflates premiums post-speech. Defined-risk strategies like Iron Flies and Condors proved most successful, limiting losses during extreme moves.Read More

Indian stock markets approach the Union Budget 2026 with caution, facing a fragile footing and weak sentiment. Analysts anticipate a low-key budget, emphasizing fiscal discipline, continuity in capital gains taxation, and visible capital expenditure to steady nerves and maintain market engagement.Read More

SBI Chairman CS Setty advocates for equal tax treatment for bank deposits and equity investments. He believes the equity market has matured, warranting an end to special tax benefits. This call comes as household savings shift towards equities, impacting bank deposit mobilization. Banks need new financing avenues for infrastructure projects amid this financialization trend.Read More