Indian benchmark indices — Sensex and Nifty 50 — are likely headed for a muted opening on October 18, amid intensifying Israel-Palestine conflict and worries of a prolonged high-interest rate regime after better-than-expected US retail sales data.

Meanwhile, oil prices are soaring with Brent spiking above $90 per barrel ahead of US President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel later in the day. There has also been a hospital attack in Gaza, which the Street will watch to gauge if there are any kind of larger ramifications.

US markets closed on a muted note. US retail sales were up 0.7%, better than estimates and Bank of America and Goldman Sachs earnings were in focus.

Asian markets too were largely lower in morning trade and the Gift NIFTY indicated an implied start in the red.

Stocks to track: Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Auto, Wipro, Zensar Technologies, LTIMindtree

Tune in to Marketbuzz Podcast for more news and cues ahead of the session