Mumbai: Indian stock indices opened flat, with the Sensex and Nifty showing marginal movement during early trading hours. Analysts attributed the cautious start to worries about rising H-1B visa fees in the United States, which could affect earnings for Indian IT companies.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued to trim positions, adding further pressure to the market. Energy stocks were the primary bright spots, with gains in Reliance, ONGC, and NTPC partially offsetting weakness elsewhere.
Traders highlighted that the market remains highly sensitive to global cues, including U.S. economic policy, interest rate signals, and foreign capital flow trends. Investors are also awaiting corporate earnings announcements scheduled over the coming weeks, which could determine short-term direction.
The flat opening underscores the balance between domestic growth optimism and international risk factors. Analysts expect that until U.S. visa and foreign investment clarity emerges, trading may remain subdued and selective rather than broad-based.