RBI Facility Closure Adds Caution Ahead of Market Open
The Indian stock market is bracing for a cautious start after the GIFT Nifty August 2026 futures dropped by 21 points, indicating a negative opening. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that it will close the FCNR(B) forex swap facility window on August 31, following strong foreign exchange inflows totaling $56.85 billion.
The RBI's decision is likely to have an impact on the market as investors await the minutes of the Federal Reserve's July meeting, which could provide clues about the central bank's policy outlook. Despite this, global markets remain focused on persistent inflation risks due to higher energy prices. The Brent crude price hovered around $89 a barrel.
On Wall Street, US stocks ended lower last week after weaker-than-expected retail sales data raised concerns about consumer spending. However, the S&P 500 posted its third consecutive weekly gain despite the decline. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers in the Indian equity market on August 14, purchasing shares worth Rs 356.40 crore.