25,500 key barrier for Nifty, IT stocks brace for H1-B shock & GST 2.0 kicks off today

The Nifty faces a crucial 25,500 barrier with a cautious tone after last week’s strong run, while IT stocks are in sharp focus following the US administration’s historic H-1B visa shake-up and the clarifications on the one-time $100,000 application fee. GST 2.0 kicks in today, where sweeping rate cuts are set to make a wide range of goods cheaper just as the festive season begins, potentially lifting sentiment across consumption names from autos to FMCG. On the global front, Asian markets trade higher, mirroring Wall Street’s record-setting week, even as US futures show a slight negative bias. China keeps its key lending rates unchanged for a fourth straight month, while US Treasury yields and the dollar edge higher as investors weigh the Fed’s recent rate cut and future policy moves. Plus, we spotlight key stocks in the news—from FTSE Index rejig inclusions and fresh IPOs to corporate updates and notable deals—giving you a complete picture before the opening bell.