Buy or sell stocks, Feb. 3 -- The Indian stock market is likely to open on a strong positive note today, supported by upbeat global cues following the announcement of a key India-US trade deal. The reduction in reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 25% has significantly lifted global risk sentiment, with GIFT Nifty indicating a sharp gap-up opening, nearly 3% higher overnight. This positive external trigger is helping markets look past the recent post-Budget volatility triggered by the Union Budget 2026-27, which saw an unexpected hike in STT on derivatives, leading to a sharp knee-jerk sell-off, increased trading costs, and pressure on F&O-heavy and brokerage stocks.

As the Indian stock market gradually absorbs the Budget impac...