What Will Drive the Stock Market Next Week: GST, Auto Sales, GDP, and Global Cues?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- GST Council meeting on September 3-4 could impact tax rates.
- Auto sales data will provide insights into economic health.
- India's GDP grew 7.8% in Q1 of FY26, exceeding expectations.
- Global cues, especially from the US Fed, will be significant.
- Sector performances show mixed results, with PSU banks gaining slightly.
Mumbai, Aug 31 (NationPress) The upcoming week is anticipated to be vital for the Indian stock markets as investors monitor the forthcoming GST Council meeting, auto sales statistics, GST collection reports, and developments regarding US tariffs.
The GST Council is set to convene on September 3–4 to consider potential tax reductions. Concurrently, auto sales data will begin to be released starting Monday, providing essential insights into the economic landscape.
Increased vehicle sales are typically viewed as an indicator of a robust economic environment.
The markets may also respond on Monday to the GDP figures for the first quarter, which were made public on Friday. India’s GDP experienced a growth of 7.8 percent in Q1 of FY26, exceeding forecasts.
On a global scale, any remarks from the US Federal Reserve concerning potential rate reductions will be monitored closely, as they could sway market attitudes.
Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services, stated that the Q1 GDP results underscore the resilience of the Indian economy, providing a "buffer zone" against international fluctuations.
“A resolution regarding tariffs could enhance market sentiments, although there remains a chance that the 25 percent tariff could remain intact,” he observed.
Nair also mentioned that investors will be vigilant regarding upcoming domestic and US macroeconomic indicators, including PMI data, jobless claims, payroll statistics, and unemployment figures.
In the preceding week, Indian markets ended on a negative note. The Nifty index fell by 443.25 points, or 1.78 percent, to 24,426.85, while the Sensex declined by 1,497.20 points, or 1.84 percent, to conclude at 79,809.65.
Midcap and smallcap stocks also experienced significant declines, with the Nifty Midcap 100 dropping 1,902.35 points, or 3.30 percent, to 55,727.40, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 losing 692.50 points, or 3.86 percent, to finish at 17,227.
Sector-wise, PSU banks (-3.46 percent), financial services (-2.85 percent), real estate (-4.28 percent), energy (-2.52 percent), metals (-2.35 percent), and PSE (-2.84 percent) all closed lower. The PSU index was the sole gainer, finishing 0.73 percent higher.