Market News

Dow Futures Steady as Markets Await Middle East Deal; Tech Stocks Fall

US stock index futures held steady as investors awaited developments on a Middle East deal, while technology stocks declined during the trading session. The mixed market movements reflect investor caution amid geopolitical uncertainty and sector-specific weakness.

RIL, SBI Shares Rally Up to 3.5% on Heavy Trading Volumes

Reliance Industries and State Bank of India shares gained up to 3.5% on Thursday, with over 41.65 million shares worth Rs 4,294 crore traded across exchanges in heavy volume activity. The two heavyweight stocks outperformed the broader market during the session.

Profit-taking, debt supply stall India bond rally

Indian government bonds experienced modest fluctuations as profit-taking activity offset gains, with substantial debt supply entering the market. The Reserve Bank of India's dovish stance provided support, though yields have retreated from early August lows ahead of a major auction scheduled for Friday.

Six midcap stocks hit 52-week highs amid bullish surge

Six BSE 150 MidCap stocks, including Exide Industries, Sona BLW Precision Forgings, and One97 Communications, reached 52-week highs as markets advanced, with gains reaching up to 20% over the past month. The rally signals sustained investor confidence and strong bullish momentum in India's midcap segment.

Indian Indices Close Mixed as Reliance, SBI Lead Gainers

India's benchmark indices ended Thursday with mixed performance, as the Sensex climbed 374 points while the Nifty gained just 11 points, with Reliance Industries and SBI emerging as top gainers. Market analysts have identified key technical levels at 24,600 support and 24,800 resistance for the Nifty index.

LIC Q1 profit surges 23% to Rs 13,492 crore on strong underwriting

Life Insurance Corporation of India reported a 23% year-on-year increase in standalone net profit to Rs 13,492 crore for Q1 FY27, up from Rs 10,986 crore in the prior-year period. The growth underscores strong operational performance in India's leading insurance provider amid robust demand for life insurance products.

Indo-MIM Shares Surge 10%, Extend Gains to 82% Above IPO Price

Indo-MIM's shares surged 10% to extend gains to 82% above their initial public offering price, reflecting strong investor demand and the company's solid market position. The precision engineering manufacturer reported impressive financial growth in FY26, with rising revenue and profitability across its metal injection molding operations serving automotive and medical device sectors.

Indian rupee weakens on importer demand; forward premiums hit one-month low

The Indian rupee declined against the dollar on Thursday as importers increased hedging activity, while far forward premiums eased to their lowest level in a month. Despite support from falling oil prices and recent central bank interventions, the currency faced selling pressure amid expectations of potential RBI rate increases ahead.

Bitcoin Consolidates Near $64,000 as Profit-Taking Meets Institutional Demand

Bitcoin traded near $64,700 with buyers maintaining control despite profit-booking pressure, while institutional inflows into US spot Bitcoin ETFs continued to support the market. The cryptocurrency consolidates below the $65,000 resistance level as altcoins showed mixed performance.

SoftBank Maintains AI Focus Despite Q1 Profit Decline

SoftBank reported an 18% decline in first-quarter net profit, though results exceeded expectations as gains from Intel and ByteDance investments offset weaker OpenAI contributions. The company continues to prioritize its artificial intelligence expansion strategy with new financing and long-term commitments.

SoftBank maintains AI strategy despite Q1 profit decline and flat OpenAI valuation

SoftBank reported an 18% decline in first-quarter net profit, though results exceeded expectations as gains from Intel and ByteDance investments offset weaker OpenAI contributions. The conglomerate continues to prioritize artificial intelligence expansion through major investments and long-term commitments, according to Reuters.

New Indian closing auction mechanism drives wild stock swings

Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath attributed sharp price movements under India's new Closing Auction Session to underlying market structural weaknesses rather than design flaws. The 20-minute auction, which replaced the previous VWAP-based closing mechanism, has triggered unpredictable late-day volatility and losses for options traders and algorithmic trading desks.

European shares extend record highs on peace hopes and earnings

European stock markets reached record levels as optimism surrounding a potential U.S.-Iran peace agreement eased energy supply concerns, while robust corporate earnings strengthened investor confidence across the region. The rally was led by companies like Deutsche Telekom and Glanbia, with technology stocks providing additional support ahead of key eurozone economic data.

SanDisk AI Momentum Continues Despite Conservative Guidance

SanDisk demonstrated ongoing artificial intelligence-driven growth according to market reports, though the company's forward guidance fell short of Street expectations. The muted outlook suggests investors remain cautious about the sustainability of the AI-fueled rally in the storage sector.

FIIs, MFs boost stakes in 10 midcap stocks; some gain 65%

Foreign institutional investors and mutual funds have increased their positions in select Nifty Midcap 150 stocks over recent quarters, with Radico Khaitan leading gains at up to 65 percent. The buying interest from institutional players underscores growing confidence in India's midcap segment.

Fed's Daly Backs Steady Rates, Cites Need for More Inflation Data

San Francisco Federal Reserve President Mary Daly affirmed the Fed's decision to maintain unchanged interest rates and indicated that additional economic evidence is required before the September policy meeting. Her comments suggest the central bank will adopt a data-dependent approach to determine whether further monetary policy adjustments are necessary.

RBI Dovish Stance Extends India Bond Rally Ahead of Friday Auction

Indian government bonds extended gains on Thursday, buoyed by the Reserve Bank of India's dovish monetary policy stance and declining oil prices, though investors await Friday's significant debt sale to gauge demand sustainability. The upcoming auction will be a critical test of whether the recent bond price strength can persist amid market caution.

Buffett and Altman Share Strategy: Avoid Hype to Find Best Opportunities

Warren Buffett and Sam Altman reportedly follow a common investing principle of steering clear of mainstream market hype to identify superior long-term opportunities. According to reports, while Altman targets overlooked startups, Buffett cautions against FOMO-driven investing, both suggesting that the best investment returns typically emerge outside popular market attention.

Tata Sons IPO Debate Reignited by RBI's New NBFC Classification Rules

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced a revised principle-based framework for NBFC classification that could pressure Tata Sons to list publicly if it meets upper-layer criteria. The conglomerate's potential reclassification has revived long-standing discussions about taking the unlisted company public.

AI Boom Reshapes Emerging Markets Amid Surging Volatility

Artificial intelligence has driven a strong rally in emerging-market technology stocks, particularly semiconductor companies in South Korea and Taiwan, though soaring valuations have triggered sharp volatility and foreign investor outflows. Despite recent corrections and concentration risks, investors remain optimistic about the long-term AI-driven growth potential in these markets.