New Delhi, May 18 -- The Indian stock market benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are likely to open lower on Monday, tracking weak global market cues amid a spike in crude oil prices due to escalating US-Iran war in the Middle East.

The trends on Gift Nifty also indicate a negative start for the Indian benchmark index. The Gift Nifty was trading around 23,539 level, a discount of nearly 105 points from the Nifty futures' previous close.

On Friday, the Indian stock market ended lower on profit booking, with the Nifty 50 closing below 23,650 level.

The Sensex dropped 160.73 points, or 0.21%, to close at 75,237.99, while the Nifty 50 settled 46.10 points, or 0.19%, lower at 23,643.50.

Here's what to expect from Senex, Nifty 50 and Ba...