1158: Marketbuzz Podcast with Reema Tendulkar: Sensex, Nifty 50 set to open flat as global rally cools

Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are likely headed for a flat opening on December 19, as the global rally triggered by hopes of US interest rate cuts in 2024 has slowed down.

India's GIFT Nifty was down 0.04% from its overnight close at 21,478 as of 8:09 am IST, indicating the Nifty 50 is likely to open around its December 18 close of 21,418.65.

The Nifty and Sensex declined in the previous session after rallying to record highs for most of this month. So far in December, the Nifty has risen 6.38% and is on course for its best month since July 2022.

Meanwhile, in the overnight session, Wall Street equities closed marginally higher. In morning trade, Asian shares steadied as traders' focus turned on Japan's central bank and whether it might edge further away from its ultra-easy monetary policy.

Oil prices rose for a second session, as attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi militants on ships in the Red Sea disrupted maritime trade.

Stocks to watch: Vedanta, Sun Pharma, PSU Banks, OMCs, Devyani International, PNC Infra, Kaynes Tech and more

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