Indian stock market outlook for December 17: Key global cues to watch
GIFT Nifty signals a flat-to-positive start
GIFT Nifty was trading around the 25,937 level in early trade on December 17, indicating a marginal gain of about 21–22 points from the previous close. This suggests that the Indian equity market may open with a mild positive bias or remain largely flat, tracking mixed global cues.
US jobs data keeps global sentiment cautious
US labour market data released for November showed an addition of around 64,000 jobs, lower than market expectations. At the same time, the unemployment rate edged up to about 4.6%. The data points to a gradual cooling in the US economy, prompting a cautious stance among global investors.
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Wall Street ends mixed overnight
US equity markets closed on a mixed note on Tuesday.
The S&P 500 declined by around 0.24%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell nearly 0.62%. In contrast, the Nasdaq Composite managed a modest gain of about 0.23%. The trend reflects investor reluctance to take aggressive positions amid macroeconomic uncertainty.
Asian markets trade cautiously
Asian equities also showed a cautious tone in early trade. Japan’s Nikkei index remained under pressure, while the broader Asia-Pacific index outside Japan recorded a marginal gain of around 0.16%, indicating selective buying.
Crude oil prices move higher
Crude oil prices rose by nearly 1% in early trade. Brent crude was trading close to $59.5 per barrel, while WTI crude hovered around $55.8 per barrel. Geopolitical tensions and supply-related concerns provided support to oil prices.
Market outlook for the day
Overall, the Indian stock market is expected to see a measured and range-bound session on December 17 rather than a sharp directional move. Stock-specific action may continue, with investors closely monitoring global developments and upcoming economic data.
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Sumit Ghatala is a stock market researcher and financial content writer with over 8 years of experience tracking Indian equity markets, corporate earnings, and sectoral trends. He focuses on analysing company fundamentals, quarterly results, and broader market movements to provide readers with clear and structured insights.
Sumit’s work is aimed at simplifying complex market data and helping retail investors understand risks, opportunities, and long-term perspectives through balanced and reader-friendly analysis.