Gap-down start likely as markets factor in mounting geopolitical risks

The Indian indices may open lower on Friday, tracking weak global cues on the back of mounting geopolitical risks. The SGX Nifty, which was trading at 10,065, suggests that the Nifty may open gap-down by 59 points. 
 
Nifty50 index is facing stiff resistance around the levels of 10,130-10,140, and if Nifty sustains above this level, a fresh upmove may be seen. On the downside, the level of 10,040 may act as an immediate support, with the next support seen around 10,000 level.
 
Back home, Indian market ended a volatile trading session with modest gains. Sun Pharma, Axis Bank and Adani Ports topped the list of gainers, while Wipro and Vedanta led the losers. To end the day, BSE Sensex gained 55 points while Nifty climbed 7 points to close at 10,086.
  
The US stock markets ended Thursday’s session on a mixed note with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing at a record level, while the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite ended in the negative terrain. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 45 points to settle at 22,203. The Nasdaq Composite Index lost 31 points to close at 6,429. The S&P 500 edged down 3 points to finish at 2,496.
 
Markets in Asia are jittery in early trade on Friday after a report of North Korea firing a ballistic missile across Japan. Japan’s Nikkei 225 has gained 0.12%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng has plunged 0.69% and China’s Shanghai Composite has shed 0.54%.