15 Key Developments Over the Weekend – Gift Nifty, India GDP Growth, Bitcoin Price, and More
15 Key Developments : The Indian stock market is poised for a positive opening on Monday, reflecting a series of significant developments over the weekend. From domestic economic indicators to global market movements, here’s a comprehensive overview of the 15 key changes that are set to influence the market this week.
1. Positive Signals from Gift Nifty
As of 7:56 AM IST, Gift Nifty futures were trading at 22,353, indicating an upward movement of approximately 85 points from the previous close of Nifty futures. This suggests a positive start for the Indian equity indices, setting an optimistic tone for the trading day.
2. India’s GDP Growth Surpasses Expectations
India’s economy demonstrated resilience by growing 6.2% in the October-December 2024 quarter, driven by increased government and consumer spending. This growth rate, while slightly below the Reserve Bank of India’s estimate of 6.8%, marks an improvement from the 5.8% growth observed in the previous quarter, alleviating some investor concerns.
3. Wall Street Ends on a High Note
The U.S. stock market concluded last week on a positive trajectory, with major indices recording gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 1.39% to 43,840.91, the S&P 500 increased by 1.59% to 5,954.50, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced by 1.63% to 18,847.28. These gains were primarily driven by the technology sector, with notable performances from companies like Nvidia and Tesla.
4. Mixed Performance in Asian Markets
Asian markets exhibited a mixed trend on Monday. Japan’s Nikkei index rose by 1.1%, buoyed by positive domestic data, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index futures indicated a lower opening. South Korean markets remained closed due to a public holiday, contributing to a varied regional performance.
5. U.S. Inflation Shows Signs of Cooling
The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, the U.S. Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, increased by 0.3% in January, consistent with December’s rise. On an annual basis, the index rose by 2.5%, slightly down from the 2.6% observed in December, indicating a modest easing in inflationary pressures.
6. Decline in U.S. Consumer Spending
Contrary to expectations, U.S. consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the country’s economic activity, decreased by 0.2% in January. This follows an upwardly revised 0.8% increase in December, signaling potential headwinds for economic growth.
7. Turbulent U.S.-Ukraine Diplomatic Relations
A high-profile meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ended contentiously, creating fresh uncertainty over Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia. The lack of a joint development agreement on natural resources between the two nations has added to geopolitical tensions.
8. India’s Fiscal Deficit Widens
India’s fiscal deficit for the April-January period of the 2024-25 financial year stood at ₹11.70 lakh crore, accounting for 74.5% of the annual estimate. This figure is higher than the ₹11.03 lakh crore recorded during the same period last year, indicating increased government borrowing and expenditure.
9. Steady Core Sector Growth in India
The eight core sectors of India’s economy—coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizers, steel, cement, and electricity—grew by 4.6% in January. This is a slight decrease from the 4.8% growth observed in December but an improvement over the 4.2% growth recorded in January of the previous year, reflecting steady industrial performance.
10. Mixed Auto Sales Performance
In February, India’s auto industry displayed varied results. Maruti Suzuki reported marginal growth, while Hyundai Motor India and Tata Motors experienced declines in sales. Conversely, Mahindra & Mahindra achieved double-digit growth, driven by strong demand for their SUV and MPV models, highlighting the sector’s mixed performance.
11. Surge in GST Collections
India’s gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose by 9.1% to ₹183,646 crore in February 2025. The breakdown includes central GST at ₹35,204 crore, state GST at ₹43,704 crore, integrated GST at ₹90,870 crore, and compensation cess at ₹13,868 crore, indicating robust tax compliance and economic activity.
12. Japan’s Manufacturing Activity Contracts
Japan’s factory activity contracted for the eighth consecutive month in February, with the au Jibun Bank Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slightly improving to 49.0 from 48.7 in January. This indicates a persistent, albeit softening, contraction in the manufacturing sector.
13. Bitcoin Prices Soar
Bitcoin prices surged over the weekend, rising more than 11% to $94,110. This increase follows news of its inclusion in a new U.S. strategic reserve of cryptocurrencies, alongside other digital assets like Ether, XRP, Solana, and Cardano, signaling growing institutional acceptance.
14. Rebound in Crude Oil Prices
Crude oil prices recovered after previous declines, with Brent crude gaining 0.99% to $73.53 per barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rising 0.97% to $70.44. This rebound is attributed to positive Chinese manufacturing data, which has increased optimism about global fuel demand.
15. Gold Prices Edge Higher
Gold prices traded higher on Monday, supported by a weaker U.S. dollar and rising concerns about global trade tensions potentially stoking inflation. Spot gold rose 0.3% to
For more market insights, follow our news.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights on the stock market! For more insights on investing in the Indian stock market, check out resource like ET, NSE India.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investors should conduct thorough research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.