<h1>Stock markets edged lower amid global weakness, institutional buying, and caution ahead of US inflation data.</h1> Equity benchmarks opened lower amid global risk-off and profit-taking, with Sensex and Nifty down and mixed sector performance. Institutional flows were significant as FIIs and DIIs turned net buyers in the prior session, partially offsetting selling. Market caution is attributed to anticipation of US consumer inflation data and uncertainty over monetary policy; primary directional drivers noted are global equity trends, Brent crude movements, and institutional fund flows. No regulatory or enforcement actions are reported.