Mumbai, June 30: India’s benchmark equity indices opened higher on Tuesday amid mixed global cues, with investors also keeping an eye on the derivatives expiry and the start of the June quarter earnings season.

Sensex opened at 77,005.51, up 277.14 points or 0.36 per cent. Nifty also began the session mildly positive opening at 24,032.05, an increase of 85.80 points or 0.35 per cent.

Among sectoral indices, Nifty Realty led the gains, rising 0.54 per cent. Nifty Private Bank and Nifty Auto jumped up to 0.45 per cent. Buying was also seen in chemicals, PSU banks, oil and gas, consumer durables and healthcare stocks.

On the other hand, Nifty IT declined 0.18 per cent, while Nifty Metal slipped 0.13 per cent. Nifty FMCG was marginally lower.

From the Nifty stocks, Eicher Motors, Tata Consumer Products, Hindalco Industries, HDFC Life Insurance, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Max Healthcare, SBI Life Insurance, Hindustan Unilever and Infosys were the top losers.

According to market experts, the absence of major near-term triggers is likely to keep markets range-bound, with investors shifting their focus to the upcoming June quarter (Q1) earnings season.

They added that momentum indicators have started showing signs of moderation, suggesting that the market may continue to consolidate in the near term.

“The market is currently consolidating within a defined range, and traders should watch for a decisive move above the 24,200 level or below 23,800 on the Nifty to confirm the next directional trend. Until then, range-bound trading with stock-specific action is expected to dominate market activity,” the experts said.

International oil benchmark Brent crude slipped 0.66 per cent to $73.42 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell nearly 1 per cent to trade around the $70-a-barrel mark.

Asian markets traded on a mixed note. Japan’s Nikkei gained more than 1 per cent and South Korea’s KOSPI also advanced over 1 per cent. However, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined by more than 1 per cent.

US markets ended in positive territory, with the S&P 500 rising 1.18 per cent and the Nasdaq Composite climbing nearly 2 per cent.

New Delhi, June 29: Gold and silver prices traded lower on Monday, with the yellow metal slipping below the Rs 1.44 lakh mark and the white metal hovering near Rs 2.23 lakh amid weak global cues.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold futures (August) opened at Rs 1,44,180 per 10 grams, marginally higher than the previous close of Rs 1,44,162. However, selling pressure emerged later.

At around 10 am, the yellow metal was trading at Rs 1,43,470, down Rs 692 or 0.48 per cent. So far in the session, it has touched an intraday high of Rs 1,44,180 per 10 grams — its opening price — and a low of Rs 1,43,454, down 0.49 per cent or Rs 708.

On the other hand, silver futures (September) traded largely flat in early deals.

The white metal opened at Rs 2,23,912 per kg against the previous close of Rs 2,23,472. At the last count, it was trading at Rs 2,23,174 per kg, down Rs 298 or 0.13 per cent.

So far during the session, silver has touched a high of Rs 2,24,248 per kg and a low of Rs 2,22,641, down 0.37 per cent or Rs 831.

Similarly, in the international market, precious metals were trading lower, with COMEX gold down 0.41 per cent at $4,078 per ounce, while COMEX silver declined more than 1 per cent to $58.52 per ounce.

According to commodity market experts, gold remained under pressure as investors turned cautious amid renewed geopolitical tensions and expectations that the US Federal Reserve could keep interest rates higher for longer. A stronger US dollar and elevated US Treasury yields also weighed on bullion prices.

“Safe-haven demand received only limited support after fresh exchanges between the US and Iran over the weekend strained the fragile ceasefire. While the recent US-Iran peace framework had eased concerns over energy-driven inflation by pulling crude oil prices lower, renewed attacks on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz have revived uncertainty over the region,” the analysts said.

Investors will now closely track key US economic data, including consumer confidence, ADP employment, jobless claims and non-farm payrolls, for further cues on the Fed’s policy outlook and the direction of the US dollar, they added.

In the currency market, the Indian rupee opened five paise higher at 94.35 against the US dollar on Monday, compared with its previous close of 94.40.

Meanwhile, international benchmark Brent crude rose about 1 per cent to $72.78 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained more than 2 per cent to nearly $71 per barrel.

London/New Delhi, June 28: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, in his meeting with the diaspora here, highlighted the opportunities emerging from the India-UK CETA, effective from July 15, which will further deepen collaboration across trade, investment, and innovation, contributing to shared prosperity for both nations.

The minister had an engaging evening interacting with the Indian diaspora and business community in London.

“Spoke about the vital role of the diaspora as a living bridge between India and the United Kingdom, strengthening economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties,” Goyal posted on X.

Goyal also interacted with members of the ICAI UK Chapter and emphasised the vital role of the CA community in strengthening the economic ties between India and the UK.

“Also, highlighted how the India-UK CETA will create new avenues for professionals. Urged them to leverage their skills, knowledge and professional expertise to maximise the opportunities arising from the agreement and contribute to the shared growth of both nations,” said the minister.

He also had an insightful discussion with Professor Siddartha Khastgir, Head of Safe Autonomy at Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), University of Warwick, on deepening industry-academia collaboration and advancing research-driven innovation.

“A vibrant innovation ecosystem is instrumental in nurturing breakthrough ideas, building globally competitive industries, and shaping the technologies of the future for India and the world,” said Goyal.

In a productive meeting with Dr Vishwajeet Rana, Group CEO of GEDU Global Education, Goyal discussed avenues to further strengthen India-UK collaboration in higher education, skills and innovation.

“Also, exchanged views on leveraging the India-UK CETA to foster stronger industry-academia partnerships and create new opportunities for shared growth between both countries,” he added.

Earlier, Goyal urged Indian companies to deepen engagement with their UK counterparts and translate opportunities under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) into sustained business growth.

Addressing the ‘India-UK: Partners in Progress Business Plenary’ in London, Goyal said the landmark trade pact offers significant opportunities to strengthen bilateral trade, investment, technology partnerships, innovation and resilient supply chains.