Sensex Nifty 50: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026 in the Lok Sabha at 11 AM today. This will be her ninth consecutive budget, a remarkable achievement in Indian parliamentary history. The tradition of presenting the budget on February 1st has become firmly established in recent years to allow for the implementation of policies before the start of the new financial year.
Early Signals from GIFT Nifty
In line with global cues, GIFT Nifty showed a slight uptick ahead of the budget. Around 6:10 AM, it was trading at the 25,420 level, registering a gain of approximately 16 points. This suggests a flat to positive start for the domestic stock markets.
BSE and NSE to Remain Open on Sunday
Although today is Sunday, the stock markets will have normal trading activity due to the budget. Both the BSE and NSE had already clarified that the markets would remain open on February 1st.According to the circular issued by the NSE:
- Equity Trading: 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM
- Commodity Market: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pay Close Attention to Settlement Rules
Investors trading on Budget Day need to be mindful of the settlement rules.
- Shares purchased with cash on Friday cannot be sold today.
- Shares purchased today cannot be sold in Monday’s trading session.
This restriction will remain in effect due to the settlement cycle.
Pressure Possible on Precious Metals-Related Stocks
Gold and silver prices witnessed a sharp decline in international markets on Friday night. This could have an impact when the domestic market opens.
Specifically:
- Metal stocks like Hindustan Zinc
- Gold and Silver ETFs
These are expected to face short-term pressure, as weaker commodity prices affect investor sentiment.
Market’s attention will be focused on the budget
Investors will now be watching the budget announcements closely, as these could determine the direction of taxes, infrastructure, capital expenditure, and sectoral stocks. The market’s movement will largely depend on the signals from the budget.
