Sensex, Nifty Set To Open Higher On Trade Deal Hopes

Group 1 - Indian shares are expected to open sharply higher due to cautious optimism reflected in Muhurat Trading, with hopes pinned on a potential U.S.-India trade deal that could significantly lower tariffs on Indian exports from an average of 50 percent to about 15-16 percent [1] - India may consider gradually reducing its imports of Russian crude oil in exchange for tariff concessions from the U.S., although market volatility is anticipated due to ongoing geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices following U.S. sanctions on Russia [2] - Oil prices have increased by more than 2 percent for the third consecutive session as a result of sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on Russia related to Ukraine [4] Group 2 - U.S. stocks experienced a decline overnight, influenced by weaker-than-expected earnings reports from Netflix and Texas Instruments, as well as concerns over potential export curbs to China in response to China's rare earth export restrictions [5] - European stocks mostly closed lower, with the pan-European STOXX 600 down by 0.2 percent, amid comments from President Trump regarding his meetings with Russian and Chinese leaders [6]