Sensex, Nifty set to open lower as global selloff hits US and Asian markets

Indian equity markets are expected to open lower on Friday, following a sharp global selloff that hit US and Asian markets, with GIFT Nifty futures falling 0.68 per cent to 22,775. The Nasdaq Composite plunged 5.52 per cent, wiping out trillions of dollars, while the S&P 500 and Dow fell 4.35 per cent and 3.44 per cent respectively. South Korea's Kospi dropped over 8 per cent, triggering a circuit breaker, and Japan's Nikkei 225 declined around 6 per cent. The selloff was driven by concerns over tighter US regulation of artificial intelligence and potential slowdown in AI infrastructure spending, pressuring semiconductor stocks. Brent crude's rebound towards $100 per barrel has revived inflation worries, though a recovery in US equity futures offered some relief.