New Delhi, July 17 -- The Indian stock market is expected to remain volatile on Friday, as investors remain cautious amid weakness in global markets, weighed down by concerns over the escalating US-Iran war, rising crude oil prices and a selloff in semiconductor stocks. The trends on Gift Nifty also indicate a flat start for the Indian benchmark indices, Nifty 50 and Sensex today.

The Gift Nifty was trading around 24,084 level, a discount of nearly 12 points from the Nifty futures' previous close.

The domestic equity market ended flat in the previous session, with the benchmark Nifty 50 holding above 24,000 level.

The Sensex edged 1.44 points higher to close at 77,186.87, while the Nifty 50 settled 5.75 points, or 0.02%, lower at 24,07...