INDIA STOCKS-Indian shares poised to open higher as focus shifts to Jio Platforms IPO

By Reuters News

Oct 21 (Reuters) - Indian shares are on track to open higher on Wednesday as focus shifts to the launch of Jio Platforms' record IPO, although elevated crude oil prices could cap gains.

Optimism over a US-India trade deal could also support risk sentiment. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CNN News18 on Tuesday that he expected Washington and New Delhi to reach a trade deal within weeks, rather than months.

GIFT Nifty futures were at 23,017 at 7:57 a.m. IST, indicating a positive start for the benchmark Nifty 50 .NSEI, which closed at 22,888.95 on Monday. Indian markets were closed on Tuesday for a local holiday.

The Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex .BSESN shed more than 1% each on Monday after private lenders HDFC Bank HDBK.NS and Axis Bank AXBK.NS reported lower net interest margins over the weekend.

Jio Platforms' $3.2 billion IPO opens for subscription later in the day. The telecoms, ​cloud and AI group raised $853.3 million from marquee anchor investors, including Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, BlackRock and Fidelity, ahead of what is set to be India's record IPO.

Shares of Bajaj Finance BJFN.NS will be in focus on Wednesday after the non-bank lender posted a 28.7% year-on-year rise in quarterly profit on Monday, supported by strong loan-book growth.

Higher crude oil prices, however, could weigh on sentiment.

Traders will also monitor oil prices after Brent crude futures rose more than 1% to $110 a barrel, with investors wary of Red Sea shipping disruptions and threats to oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. O/R

Higher oil prices are a negative for India, which imports a bulk of its energy requirements, as it can increase import bill, strain fiscal deficit and hit corporate profits.


STOCKS TO WATCH

** L&T Technology Services LTEH.NS reports higher revenue and profit for July-September, and expects a robust second half of fiscal year 2027 on improving order backlogs and several large deals

** Hindustan Zinc HZNC.NS posts more than two-fold jump in quarterly profit, helped by higher metal prices, while cutting its annual zinc production cost forecast on rising output and stronger by-product realisation

** Infosys INFY.NS strengthens strategic collaboration with Truist, one of largest financial services companies in the US, to build global capability center In India

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