The Indian stock markets will remain closed on Friday, April 18, 2025, in observance of Good Friday, marking another extended weekend for traders. This holiday comes after the markets had already closed on April 10 for Mahavir Jayanti and on April 14 for Ambedkar Jayanti, making it a month filled with trading interruptions.
Trading will be suspended across major platforms, including the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the National Stock Exchange (NSE), and the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX). Activities such as buying and selling of equity derivatives, securities lending and borrowing, currency derivatives, and commodity derivatives will not take place on this day. Trading will resume on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the usual market hours, starting with a pre-opening session at 9:00 AM.
On the last trading day before the holiday, April 17, the Indian markets experienced a significant rally. The BSE Sensex surged by 1,508.91 points, or 1.96 percent, closing at 78,553.20, while the NSE Nifty50 index jumped by 414.45 points, or 1.77 percent, to settle at 23,851.65. This remarkable performance was bolstered by strong foreign inflows and positive sentiment surrounding corporate earnings.
Investor confidence was notably buoyed by Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), who were net buyers, purchasing shares worth Rs 18,210.41 crore while selling shares worth Rs 13,542.47 crore, resulting in a net inflow of Rs 4,667.94 crore. In contrast, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 2,006.15 crore, turning net sellers.
As the markets closed on a high note, banking stocks led the rally, with the Private Bank Index gaining over 1.3 percent. However, the Nifty IT sector remained the only sector in the red on that day.
Looking at global cues, the situation was mixed. While the Dow Jones futures dropped sharply by 521 points, or 1.32 percent, the Nasdaq futures saw a slight rise of 30 points, or 0.17 percent. European markets also closed lower, with France’s CAC down 0.45 percent, Germany’s DAX falling 0.68 percent, and the UK’s FTSE slipping 0.42 percent.
Investors are now looking ahead to the upcoming trading week. The market will reopen on Monday, April 21, 2025, and many are expected to track global cues, earnings outcomes, and institutional flows for further direction. Several companies, including Just Dial, Mastek, and Network 18 Media & Investments, are set to announce their fourth-quarter results, which could significantly impact market sentiment.
In the U.S., markets are also closed today in observance of Good Friday. Both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq will remain shut, with no pre-market, regular, or after-hours trading sessions taking place. This closure allows Wall Street to take a breather before the Easter weekend, although futures trading may still react to breaking news or geopolitical developments.
Despite the holiday, the U.S. equity markets closed positively on April 17, with the S&P 500 edging up 0.13 percent to finish at 5,282.70. The Nasdaq slipped 0.13 percent to 16,286.45, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 1.33 percent, ending at 39,142.23. The decline in the Dow was primarily driven by a significant drop in UnitedHealth shares following an earnings miss, alongside Nvidia's disclosure of a $5.5 billion quarterly charge linked to U.S. export restrictions.
The upcoming week in the U.S. markets will also focus on several key developments, including earnings season momentum, economic data releases, and potential geopolitical risks that could influence market volatility. Investors will be keen to watch for guidance from major companies, particularly in the banking and tech sectors, as well as reports on inflation, consumer sentiment, and manufacturing activity.
In summary, as both Indian and U.S. markets take a pause for Good Friday, traders and investors are left to reflect on recent performances and prepare for the upcoming trading sessions. The Indian stock markets will resume operations on Monday, April 21, 2025, while U.S. markets will also reopen on the same day, both looking to continue the momentum seen in recent days.
