Markets headed for negative start as GIFT Nifty signals weakness.

Markets headed for negative start as GIFT Nifty signals weakness. India's benchmark index futures fell 0.43 percent to 25,555.50 ahead of Friday's session, with technical indicators showing bearish momentum and potential downside toward 25,300 levels. Fear gauge India VIX declined 3 percent to 13.06 as sentiment weakens across global markets. U.S. stocks tumbled Thursday with Nasdaq dropping 1.18 percent following disappointing Nvidia earnings that rattled technology shares. Asian markets slipped from record highs on muted investor response to the AI chipmaker's results. Analysts recommend focusing on domestic-facing sectors including PSU banks, autos, healthcare, metals and capital goods where demand visibility remains stronger. Foreign investors net sold 3,465 crore worth of shares while domestic institutional buyers purchased 5,032 crore. Rupee settled flat at 90.