Stock Markets Closed For Maharashtra Day On May 1, Geopolitical Risks & Global Trends In Focus

Mumbai: Indian stock markets are closed on Thursday, May 1, in observance of Maharashtra Day. Trading at both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) has been suspended for the day.

On April 30, a day before the holiday, the Indian markets closed slightly lower after a choppy session. The BSE Sensex slipped 46.14 points or 0.06 per cent to end at 80,242.24. The NSE Nifty also dipped slightly by 1.75 points or 0.01 per cent to settle at 24,334.20.

Banking and market expert Ajay Bagga told ANI that while foreign and domestic investors are still buying Indian stocks, geopolitical tensions are making investors nervous. A statement by a Pakistani official claiming an Indian military response was expected within two days has raised fears in the market. Bagga said any action by India against Pakistan could lead to a sudden market fall.

Among the NSE sectors, Nifty Media and Nifty PSU Bank saw sharp falls of over 2 percent. Other sectors also ended lower, except for Nifty Auto and Nifty Pharma. Nifty Auto showed small gains, and Nifty Pharma rose by 0.44 percent.

In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei opened higher on Thursday with a 0.4 percent rise, trading around 36,190 early in the day.

Globally, investors are also watching developments in the United States and China. The US is facing pressure from rising imports ahead of new tariffs by the Trump administration. This has led to a record trade gap in March. Experts are waiting for the US GDP data for the first quarter, which may show little to no growth.

Meanwhile, China's manufacturing and exports have weakened. Fresh data shows that factory activity in April has moved into the contraction zone.

With global uncertainties and regional tensions, markets are likely to stay cautious in the near term.