• GIFT Nifty futures were trading at 24,077 Published July 16, 2026 Updated 6 minutes ago By Reuters Indian shares were set for a muted open on Thursday as higher oil prices and broader risk aversion due to the escalating Middle East conflict kept sentiment fragile, while investors awaited a fresh batch of corporate earnings. The U.S. struck Iran’s coastal defences and missile sites on Wednesday after reimposing a naval blockade of its ports, while Iran threatened to shut off more regional energy exports, saying it ⁠was engaged in an “existential war” with America. GIFT Nifty futures were trading at 24,077 as of 7:51 a.m. IST, indicating the Nifty 50 could open near Wednesday’s close of 24,078.5. Asian stocks fell nearly 2% as a sharp selloff in chip stocks and Middle East tensions weighed on sentiment, while Brent crude futures rose for a fourth straight session and traded above…