Indian equity benchmark -- Nifty -- ended higher on Wednesday amid lower inflation data. Index made a positive start following firm cues from other Asian markets amid steady US retail inflation data. Index continued its trade in green terrain. Market participants took note of government data showed that India’s consumer price inflation eased more-than-expected in July to the lowest level in just over eight years amid a continued fall in food prices. Consumer price inflation (CPI) eased to 1.55 percent in July from 2.10 percent in June, which raised hopes for another rate cut by Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Some support also came with report that the negotiations for India-Oman comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA), which would help boost bilateral trade and investments, have been concluded. In afternoon session, index extended its gains and closed above 24,600 mark.

Most of the sectorial indices ended in red except PSU Bank, Oil & Gas and FMCG stocks. The top gainers from the F&O segment were Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, Bharat Dynamics and BSE. On the other hand, the top losers were PG Electroplast, SJVN and Suzlon Energy. In the index option segment, maximum OI continues to be seen in the 24900 - 25100 calls and 23900 - 24100 puts indicating this is the trading range expectation.

India Volatility Index (VIX), a gauge for market’s short-term expectation of volatility decreased by 0.75% and reached 12.14. The 50 share Nifty up by 131.95 point or 0.54% to settle at 24,619.35.

Nifty August 2025 futures closed at 24718.90 (LTP) on Wednesday, at a premium of 99.55 points over spot closing of 24619.35, while Nifty September 2025 futures ended at 24859.90 (LTP), at a premium of 240.55 points over spot closing. Nifty August futures saw a contraction of 196 units, taking the total open interest (Contracts) to 2,26,714 units. The near month derivatives contract will expire on August 28, 2025. (Provisional) 

From the most active contracts, One 97 Communications August 2025 futures traded at a premium of 5.40 points at 1157.00 (LTP) compared with spot closing of 1151.60. The numbers of contracts traded were 24,145. (Provisional) 

Reliance Industries August 2025 futures traded flat with its spot closing of 1384.00. The numbers of contracts traded were 23,848. (Provisional) 

Hindustan Aeronautics August 2025 futures traded at a premium of 8.70 points at 4535.00 (LTP) compared with spot closing of 4526.30. The numbers of contracts traded were 22,282. (Provisional) 

Apollo Hospitals Enterprise August 2025 futures traded at a premium of 8.00 points at 7838.00 (LTP) compared with spot closing of 7830.00. The numbers of contracts traded were 22,060. (Provisional) 

HDFC Bank August 2025 futures traded at a premium of 6.60 points at 1986.50 (LTP) compared with spot closing of 1979.90. The numbers of contracts traded were 22,001. (Provisional)

Among, Nifty calls, 25000 SP from the August month expiry was the most active call with an addition of 578 units open interests. Among Nifty puts, 24500 SP from the August month expiry was the most active put with an addition of 3,002 units open interests. The maximum OI outstanding for Calls was at 25000 SP (90,754 units) and that for Puts was at 24000 SP (54,827 units). The respective Support and Resistance levels of Nifty are: Resistance 24677.52 -- Pivot Point 24606.38 -- Support 24548.22.

The Nifty Put Call Ratio (PCR) finally stood at (0.94) for August month contract. The top five scrips with highest PCR on Alkem Laboratories (1.14), Zydus Lifesciences (1.03), Manappuram Finance (1.01), Petronet LNG (1.00) and Bank of Baroda (0.97).

Among most active underlying HDFC Bank witnessed an addition of 8,127 units of Open Interest in the August month future, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise witnessed an addition of 4,590 units of Open Interest in the August month future, Reliance Industries witnessed an addition of 8,326 units of Open Interest in the August month futures, One 97 Communications witnessed an addition of 1,411 units of Open Interest in the August month futures and Hindalco Industries witnessed an addition of 2,073 units of Open Interest in the August month futures. (Provisional).