Stock Market Updates

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryStocks surge on crude oil pullbackStocks rebounded sharply on Monday after several consecutive sessions of notable losses, with all major averages closing higher. The tech-heavy Nasdaq led the advance.The indexes finished off their intraday highs but remained strongly positive. The Nasdaq surged 268 points, or 1.2%, to 22,374; the S&P 500 jumped 67 points, or 1%, to 6,699; and the Dow advanced 387 points, or 0.8%, to 46946.It was the market's strongest session since the outbreak of the conflict in Iran. Easing oil prices reduced immediate concerns over energy-driven inflation and its drag on economic growth. The technology and travel sectors led broad gains. Norwegian Cruise Line rose 5%, and United Airlines climbed 4%, both benefiting from lower fuel costs.Semiconductor stocks were among the session's standout performers in the technology sector. NVIDIA and Micron posted notable gains as investors reassessed geopolitical risks to global supply chains and demand for digital infrastructure.The surge in crude prices this month is likely to shift the inflation outlook and lead most central banks to hold rates steady at their policy meetings this ​week.The Federal Reserve opened its March 17–18 policy meeting today, with markets broadly expecting rates to hold at 3.50–3.75%. Investor focus is on the updated dot plot, as energy-driven inflation has reduced 2026 rate-cut expectations from three to one.Nifty snapped a three-day losing streak in a session defined by extreme volatility. Having corrected nearly 13% from its all-time high, Nifty found support in the gap band of 22,923–23,207, setting the stage for a potential pullback rally. This rebound was driven by bargain hunting in heavyweights across the banking, auto, and FMCG sectors, despite ongoing volatility stemming from geopolitical tensions in West Asia.On the upside, 23,700 emerges as a key resistance to monitor. A decisive break below 22,923 would signal a resumption of the downtrend.Indian equity markets are set to open on a firm note, supported by favourable global cues.Foreign investors are sitting on sizable short positions, and any unwinding of those bets could trigger a short-term rally.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentarySome Semblance of Sanity.Amid the global fuel crisis triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the strait “remains open" to most vessels and is only closed to ships belonging to the United States, Israel.This is likely to restore a measure of stability to international energy markets and ease pressure on global financial markets.The Indian stock market endured one of its most punishing weeks in recent memory.The broad-based sell off was not confined to equities alone; the Indian Rupee simultaneously collapsed to a fresh record low, and foreign institutional money exited at a pace not seen since early 2025.US stock markets declined during the last week amid escalating geopolitical tensions and persistent inflation pressures.In just the first half of the month, FPIs offloaded more than ₹52,700 crore worth of Indian equities — a staggering figure that underscores how quickly global sentiment can reverse capital flows into emerging markets.The near-term outlook for Indian markets hinges on two critical variables: the trajectory of the Middle East conflict and the direction of global crude oil prices.Indian markets are likely to open a modestly higher on easing energy prices concerns.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryWall Street ends sharply lower as Iran war intensifiesAll three major U.S. indexes closed at their lowest points of 2026. The Dow Jones fell more than 700 points to settle below 47,000 for the first time this year, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq sold off sharply after Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed, deepening fears of a protracted conflict.Iranian strikes on two oil tankers sent crude surging toward $100 per barrel, compounding inflation fears and driving investors out of equities.WTI Crude surged past $95 — a nearly 10% single-day gain — while Brent breached $100, its highest close since August 2022. The IEA reported that 7.5% of global oil supply has been disrupted, with traffic through the Strait of Hormuz at below 10% of pre-war levels as Iran vows not to let "a litre of oil" pass through.The Federal Reserve convenes on March 17. The central bank is widely expected to hold rates steady, but its updated economic projections will be scrutinised for revised inflation estimates — the crude spike from the now 13-day-old conflict has yet to filter through the data.Asian stocks slumped on Friday, headed for a second straight weekly decline as fading hopes of a swift resolution kept oil prices elevated. The U.S. dollar, the safe-haven of choice, was set for a second consecutive weekly gain and is up 2% since the conflict began in late February. The Dollar Index surged toward 100, pushing EUR/USD down to around 1.1530 — well off its year-to-date high of 1.2080 — while AUD/USD fell sharply below 0.7100, reversing from recent multi-year highs.Money market futures now price in just one-quarter-point cut by December, down from two before the conflict, as rate-cut expectations have roughly halved — from 66 basis points to around 30 — in two weeks.The Trump administration has directed U.S. oil companies and shippers to prepare for a possible waiver of the century-old Jones Act, which governs domestic maritime commerce, in an effort to contain rising fuel costs.After hitting a record low of 92.36, the rupee clawed back to end 15 paise weaker at 92.19, buoyed by RBI intervention.Equity markets extended their losing streak for a second consecutive session yesterday, with the Nifty 50 falling 227 points or 0.95% to settle at 23,639.Nifty’s close at the lowest level in the recent downturn underscores the prevailing bearish momentum. The Nifty trend remains weak, with immediate support at 23,500 and 23,210. On the upside, the 24000 – 24100 zone remains a formidable ceiling for any recovery attempts.Indian equity markets are set for a sharply lower open as surging crude oil prices weigh on sentiment.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryGeopolitical Uncertainties Keeps Markets on Edge.Crude oil fell sharply after reports that the International Energy Agency (IEA) is preparing its largest-ever emergency release to address the ongoing supply shortage. The Paris-based body, comprising 32 member states and 13 associate countries, represents up to 75% of global energy demand. Brent Crude oil is currently trading near $90 from its Monday spike near $120 per barrel. U.S. equities lost momentum on Tuesday as the S&P 500 surrendered early gains to close negative, with the Dow turning lower as well, while the Nasdaq eked out a marginal gain. Markets were unsettled by fading hopes for an early end to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and stagflation concerns — compounded after President Trump threatened retaliation over reports of Iran mining the Strait of Hormuz and demanded Iran's unconditional surrender.Fresh Iranian strikes and mixed White House messaging continued to cloud the outlook. A tanker explosion near Abu Dhabi further reignited Middle East uncertainty, erasing earlier gains. The pan-European Stoxx 600 rose 1.8%, snapping a three-session losing streak, as retreating oil prices eased inflation and jet fuel concerns. Airline stocks led the rebound — Lufthansa and Air France surging approximately 7% and 5% respectively — while Volkswagen rose over 3% despite a 53% year-on-year drop in operating profit.Asian markets are higher today as easing oil prices lifted sentiment. Japan's Nikkei 225 jumped 2% while South Korea's Kospi advanced 3%, recovering a portion of the steep losses sustained earlier in the week, as oil prices pulled back on hopes that emergency crude reserves would be tapped to offset supply disruptions.President Trump announced that Reliance Industries will back oil refinery at the Port of Brownsville, Texas — the first new U.S. refinery in 50 years, framing it as the largest deal in U.S. history. After two days of sharp declines, the Nifty staged a strong rebound, closing higher by 233 points or 0.97% at 24,261 yesterday. Nifty stagged a pullback amid strong global cues, reclaiming over 500 points from recent low of 23697. On the higher side, immediate resistance is placed in the 24300-24415 band while 24000 is likely to act as immediate support.Indian markets are poised to open moderately lower in line with subdued US market cues.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryA Crude Waiver Paves the Way for Rupee RevivalThe U.S. Treasury Department issued a 30-day waiver permitting Indian refiners to purchase Russian crude already in transit. The exemption allows those shipments to proceed notwithstanding existing sanctions on Russia's energy sector. The move is intended to ease pressure on global oil markets amid rising geopolitical tensions.Major US stock markets staged a notable recovery attempt in the final hour of trading but still closed in negative territory. The Dow fell 784.67 points, or 1.6%, to 47,954; the S&P 500 slid 38.79 points, or 0.6%, to 6,830; and the Nasdaq declined 58.50 points, or 0.3%, to 22748.Elevated energy costs reignited inflation concerns. The CBOE VIX spiked 18%, reflecting heightened investor fear, and the 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.13% — its highest in three weeks — as selling intensified, and markets reassessed expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts.European natural gas futures surged nearly 70% over the week after Qatar suspended liquefied natural gas loadings following Iranian drone strikes on its primary export facilities. Gas stockpiles across Europe have fallen to multi-year lows, and even December 2026 contracts rose around 40% as traders positioned for a prolonged tightening in global gas supply.Asian equity markets are attempting a recovery from Friday's lower levels. Despite the broad selloff, investor conviction around AI infrastructure in Taiwan and South Korea remains intact.Gold traded above $5100 per ounce, as the escalating Middle East conflict drove safe-haven demand. Investors shifted increasingly into precious metals and the Japanese yen to hedge geopolitical tail risks, with gold further supported by falling real rates and persistent uncertainty over global energy supply.Indian Rupee reclaimed most of Wednesday’s losses, appreciating by 55 paise on Thursday. This recovery was supported by suspected central bank intervention and a recovery in risk assets. The rupee also benefited from a pullback in the US dollar and energy prices. Currency markets will breathe a sigh of relief as India secures a crude oil import waiver.Indian equity markets are poised to open lower today on soft global cues. For Nifty, short-term support now rests at the recent swing low of 24,305, while the 24,850-24,990 zone serves as resistance.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryOil Soars as Middle East Conflict Widens, Global markets sell off as disruption of Middle East energy supplies threatens to reignite inflationFinancial markets turned sharply risk-off on Tuesday as mounting fears of an inflation surge rippled across stocks and bonds worldwide.Global equities slid as disruptions to Middle East energy supplies threatened to reignite price pressures. Crude oil gained around 5%, while European wholesale natural gas surged a punishing 40%.United StatesAfter opening sharply lower for the second consecutive session, US stocks staged a partial recovery but failed to match Monday's resilience, ending the day notably in the red. The major averages clawed well off their intraday lows yet remained firmly in negative territory.The Dow Jones closed down 403 points or 0.8%, at 48,502, having plummeted more than 1,200 points earlier in the session to its lowest intraday level in nearly three months. The Nasdaq fell 232 points or 1%, to 22,516, and the S&P 500 slid 64 points or 0.9%, to 6,816 — both indexes having plunged as much as 2.7% and 2.5%, respectively, touching three-month lows at their worst.WTI crude climbed above $75 a barrel, extending a two-day gain of approximately 11%. Brent traded near $81 a barrel as the widening Middle East conflict and shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz kept supply risks firmly in focus.IndiaEvery $1 increase in crude oil raises India's annual import bill by approximately $2 billion.Data indicate that a 10% rise in crude prices could raise the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) by 40 to 80 basis points, while widening the current account deficit by approximately 30 basis points. Beyond the energy sector, the paints, lubricants, aviation, and chemicals industries will face significant margin pressure, as oil and its derivatives account for 40% to 70% of their total raw material costs.Prolonged tensions among the United States, Israel, and Iran are mounting pressure on India across its current account, inflation outlook, and currency stability. Elevated crude prices stand to raise the country's import bill, widen its current account deficit, weaken the rupee, stoke inflation, and trigger foreign capital outflows.Indian markets are expected to open 2–2.5% lower as leveraged positions are unwound amid the geopolitical developments of the past two days.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryIsrael-Iran Conflict Rattles Global MarketsIsrael's preemptive strike on Iran, carried out jointly with the US, has ignited geopolitical fears and driven global markets to open on a weak footing. Israeli-US military operations entered their third day with casualties reported on all sides, marking the most severe regional conflict in decades.US stock futures fell sharply as the Iran–US conflict escalated into a broader Middle East war, triggering another spike in oil prices. Dow Jones futures slid approximately 550 points, S&P 500 futures dropped 63 points, and Nasdaq futures declined roughly 270 points in early Monday action.Oil prices recorded their steepest single-session jump in four years after escalating US–Israeli military strikes against Iran shook global energy markets and effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz. Prices had initially surged more than 8% to multi-month highs as Iran and Israel intensified attacks, damaging tankers and disrupting shipments from the key producing region. Gains have since moderated to around 5%.Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow chokepoint off Iran's coast through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and significant volumes of natural gas transit — has come to an abrupt halt, as tanker owners and commodity traders suspend operations pending clarity on the widening conflict.Gold rose more than 2%, in early sessions, as renewed Middle East hostilities drove investors toward traditional safe-haven assets. The move extended the prior week's gain of over 3%, itself fueled by the growing deployment of US forces in the region.Asian equities slid approximately 1.5%, with futures on major US and European indices also pulling back in the wake of the US–Israeli military action against Iran.China's Two Sessions - Markets will also keep an eye on China’s annual “Two Sessions” meetings from March 4–11, where the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) is expected to be unveiled. The plan is likely to set a lower growth target in the 4.5–5% range for 2026, down from around 5 per cent last year, alongside a moderately expansionary fiscal stance, with the deficit ratio steady at 4 per cent of GDP.Indian Auto stocks will react to the February numbers announced yesterday. Nifty is poised to open 0.5%–0.7% lower, with selling pressure concentrated in oil-sensitive sectors — aviation, automobiles, and tyres — against a broad risk-off backdrop. The Rupee faces headwinds from rising import costs for energy. Markets are likely to find their footing after the initial weakness, as leveraged positions are unwound through the truncated trading week.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryNasdaq Pulls Back Sharply as Nvidia Slumps, but Dow Inches Higher.The benchmark S&P 500 and European equities finished lower as investors digested another blowout quarter from Nvidia — the world's most valuable company — yet remained uneasy about its valuation even as the chipmaker forecast first-quarter revenue of $78 billion.The retreat on Wall Street was driven largely by a negative reaction to Nvidia's earnings, with the AI chipmaker tumbling 5.5%. Despite reporting better-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter results and issuing upbeat guidance, Nvidia failed to satisfy elevated investor expectations, dragging semiconductor stocks lower and souring broader market sentiment. The Dow's modest gain was cushioned by a sharp rise in Salesforce shares, which surged 4% after the customer relationship software maker reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results.Diminishing case for an early easingThe path for Federal Reserve chair nominee Kevin Warsh to deliver the swift rate cuts President Donald Trump has called for appears to be narrowing. Emerging economic resilience — rising CEO confidence, investor positioning around a hawkish shift among Fed policymakers — is complicating the case for early easing. The IMF reinforced this view on Wednesday, noting that with U.S. growth expected to reach 2.4% this year from 2.2% last year, unemployment hovering near 4%, and inflation declining gradually, the Fed would have "only modest scope to lower the policy rate over the coming year" — likely just a single quarter-percentage-point cut.Tech heavy asian indices fell in tandem with the NASDAQA global equity index retreated after touching a record high on Thursday, as lofty technology valuations weighed on sentiment following Nvidia's results. In currency markets, the US Dollar Index recovered to 97.9, with the greenback gaining 0.5% against the British pound amid speculation of a March Bank of England rate cut Tech-heavy indices in Japan and South Korea fell in tandem with the Nasdaq, reflecting deepening concerns about the sustainability of the AI-driven rally.Nifty spent yesterday's session within a narrow 170-point range throughout the day, with low volatility, barring a couple of intraday swings. Nifty remained directionless, with no momentum on either side. A band of 25650-25700 would remain an immediate hurdle, while 25250-25350 could offer support for Nifty in the short term. A breakout from this range could finally provide the catalyst for a sustained move.Indian markets are poised to open subdued on softer global cues.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryWall Street stocks tumbled on fears of AI-driven disruption All three major U.S. indexes closed more than 1% lower in a broad selloff, as risk appetite was weighed down by two converging forces - persistent concerns over AI's disruptive potential and President Trump's erratic trade policy, which has been a primary source of market volatility throughout the first year of his second term.The Dow Jones plunged 822 points, or 1.7%, as investors digested Trump's newly imposed 15% global tariff — a measure prompted by the Supreme Court's Friday ruling that struck down his emergency tariff authority. Renewed anxiety over AI disruption across software, consulting, and payments triggered broad-based selling. The S&P 500 fell 1%, slipping back into negative territory for 2026.IBM led the declines, crashing 13%, its steepest single-day loss since October 2000 and its worst performance in more than 25 years — after Anthropic unveiled Claude Code, an AI tool capable of modernising Cobol, the legacy programming language that underpins IBM's core business. Accenture and Cognizant fell sharply in sympathy, and software stocks faced heavy selling pressure across the board. Financials were the worst-performing S&P 500 sector, dropping 3% in their steepest decline since April. The selloff was partly triggered by Blue Owl Capital's suspension of redemptions, which reignited concerns about the fragility of private credit markets. KKR fell 9%, American Express declined 7.7%, and Capital One dropped 7.5%.China kept its benchmark lending rates unchanged for a ninth consecutive month. The one-year loan prime rate held at 3.0% and the five-year rate at 3.5%. Asian equity markets opened tentatively today, rattled by Wall Street's overnight losses and clouded by uncertainty over U.S. tariff policy and rising geopolitical tensions.Crude oil edged up to $66.52 a barrel, supported by the resumption of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks on Thursday against a backdrop of American military buildup in the Middle East. The Nifty extended its winning streak for a second consecutive session, climbing 141 points to settle at 25,713. The index opened firmly higher after the US Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling struck down President Trump's broad emergency tariffs, but corrected nearly 160 points from its morning peak of 25,771 to hit 25,609 before rebounding over 110 points. Nifty failed to clear the 25,885 resistance. A decisive move above it could propel Nifty toward 26,000, while 25,370 remains a key support level.Indian markets are poised to open lower amid cautious global cues. We anticipate a recovery from lower levels, supported by continued short covering on the monthly derivative expiry day and emerging buying interest from FPIs in the cash markets.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryIran War Clouds Send Markets SlidingWall Street ended lower on Thursday, with losses in private equity companies and weakness in Walmart and Apple, while earnings-driven gains in industrials limited losses.The weakness on Wall Street partly reflected a negative reaction to Walmart's earnings, with the retail giant slumping 1.4 per cent. The company provided weaker-than-expected earnings guidance for the current year.Negative sentiment may also have been driven by a continued spike in crude oil prices amid concerns of a military conflict between the U.S. and Iran.The major averages finished the day off their lows of the session but still in negative territory. The Dow slid 267 points to 49,395, the Nasdaq fell 70 points to 22682, and the S&P 500 dipped 19 points to 6861.President Donald Trump said Thursday that he will decide whether to launch military strikes against Iran in the next 10 days.Private equity companies slid after Blue Owl Capital announced it would sell $1.4 billion in assets and freeze redemptions at one of its funds to manage debt and return capital.  Blue Owl tumbled 6%. Apollo Global Management, Ares, KKR & Co and Carlyle Group all fell between 1.9% and 5.2% as Blue Owl's troubles added to recent worries about credit quality and lenders' exposure to software stocks.The U.S. trade deficit widened sharply in December amid a surge in imports, and the goods shortfall in 2025 was the highest on record despite tariffs on foreign-manufactured merchandise.Crude oil jumped above $66 as geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran escalated, reaching its highest level since July after climbing more than 7% over two days. The market is pricing in potential disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, which handles approximately 20% of global oil supply, amid a significant US military buildup in the Middle East.The US Dollar Index rose to its highest level in over a week, near 97.80, after FOMC minutes revealed that officials are not rushing to cut rates, with several policymakers noting potential hikes if inflation remains elevated. The hawkish tone pressured EUR/USD down 0.11% to $1.18 and drove gains against most major currencies.Gold prices remained above $5,000 per troy ounce, supported by escalating US-Iran tensions and geopolitical uncertainty, despite a stronger dollar. The precious metal gained over 2% in the previous session as investors sought safety amid potential military action in the Middle East and failed peace talks between the US and Iran and Russia and Ukraine.Asian markets opened lower today, following Wall Street's decline, as sentiment was dampened by the military buildup in the Middle East and concerns over oil supply disruptions.The Nifty snapped its three-session winning streak yesterday, plunging 1.4% to close at 25,454, its lowest close since the Budget session (February 03, 2026). Below 25372, Nifty could extend its fall towards its 200-day EMA placed at 25233. On the higher side, the 25550-25600 band could act as short-term resistance.Indian markets are poised to open moderately higher in line with positive global cues.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryMarkets Inch Up Amid AI Cost ConcernsU.S. stocks edged higher Tuesday after a sluggish open, lifted by a rebound in technology shares and support from financials.Amazon shares swung violently after shedding roughly $450 billion in market value over nine consecutive sessions. Investors are scrutinising the company's plan to spend $200 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026—a nearly 60% increase that significantly exceeded Wall Street expectations.US Futures are pointing lower, with Nasdaq 100 futures declining amid concerns about AI's disruption across industries and the burden of heavy capital spending.Gold slipped to $4,919 per ounce yesterday as metals markets stayed cautious ahead of key U.S. data releases: industrial production and the Fed's January meeting minutes today, PCE inflation on Friday. December personal income and spending figures will also draw attention, as they carry the Fed's preferred inflation gauge.Crude oil fell to $62.25 per barrel, while Brent declined to $68.13, ahead of U.S.-Iran ministerial negotiations.The New Zealand dollar weakened after the central bank signalled that monetary policy must remain accommodative to sustain the economic recovery.Most Asian markets are closed due to lunar holidays, while Japanese equities are trading higher today despite lingering AI-driven anxiety in global markets.Despite a weak start yesterday on a weekly expiry day, the index staged an intraday turnaround, surging over 150 points from its morning lows. The rebound was broad-based, with nearly all sectoral indices finishing in the green.Nifty managed to register follow-up gains in yesterday's trade. Next resistance for the Nifty is seen near 26000, while levels of 25570 and 25372 could offer support in the near term.Indian markets are poised to open moderately higher in line with positive global cues.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryRBI Circular on Capital Market Exposures to Impact Liquidity in Derivative MarketsThe US stock market's recent moves can be characterised by a shift from cautious optimism to a sharp mid-week sell-off, which was ultimately stabilised by a cooling inflation report. Last week began with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 hovering around key psychological levels (50,000 and 7,000, respectively). However, sentiment soured from Thursday, February 12, as the market aggressively "punished" the software sector.The Indian market was a tale of two halves over the last fortnight - an initial rally driven by a historic trade agreement, followed by a sharp correction triggered by sticky inflation and global tech jitters. The US-India landmark deal initially boosted export-oriented sectors such as textiles and auto components.The Nifty IT index has declined by more than 14% in 2026, and the sector has shed over ₹1.56 lakh crore in market value in recent weeks.The RBI's new circular tightens banks' capital market exposures, banning intraday margin funding to brokers (limited to secured settlement gaps) and requiring 100% cash backing for bank guarantees in proprietary trading.The circular will raise costs for brokers and prop desks, curbing leverage and liquidity in derivatives, where prop trading drives 40% of F&O turnover.The Nifty index fell on Friday, plunging 336 points, or 1.3%, to close at 25,471. Nifty violated its crucial support levels of the 20 and 50-day EMAs. The next support lies at the lower band of the gap formed on February 3, 2026 (25,108), though the 200-day EMA at 25,215 may provide interim support.Market breadth deteriorated sharply, underscoring ongoing profit-booking in midcaps and smallcaps.Indian markets are poised to open lower on cautious local cues.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryAsian Stocks Hit Record Highs, Nifty Primed for All-Time High Rally Above Key 26,000 ResistanceAsian stocks rose to a record high on Thursday, while the dollar firmed a touch against most currencies, except the yen, after stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data dented near-term rate-cut expectations, setting the stage for the inflation report on Friday.The US economy added 130,000 jobs in January, double expectations, while unemployment unexpectedly fell to 4.3%. The robust labour data pushed Treasury yields higher and prompted traders to pare back their expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut in 2026.Financial services stocks JPMorgan, Bank of America, and Charles Schwab fell by more than 2% amid concerns about AI-driven disruption in wealth management. Software companies Salesforce and Intuit also declined more than 4% as AI-powered tools threaten traditional business models.Shopify shares surged after beating Q4 revenue estimates and announcing a $2 billion share repurchase program. The e-commerce platform also provided solid first-quarter revenue growth guidance, boosting investor confidence.Mattel shares cratered after Q4 earnings and revenue missed estimates, with the toy maker guiding for declining adjusted EPS in 2026 despite expected sales growth. The stock hit its lowest level since last April on the disappointing forecast.Gold futures surged 1.3% to over $5,090 per ounce while silver jumped more than 5% to $84.65 yesterday. The rally was fueled by a softer US dollar and disappointing economic data, including flat December retail sales.Oil prices edged up amid concerns about escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.The rupee slid 12 paise to 90.70/$ amid rising crude and precious metal prices, fueling importer demand for dollars.The Nifty extended its winning streak to a fourth consecutive session, eking out a modest 18-point gain to finish at 25,953. Nifty continues to hold its uptrend with its level above all key moving averages. Immediate resistance for the Nifty is seen near 26000; above this, the index could extend the rally towards a fresh all-time high of 26373. On the downside, the 25700-25780 band could provide strong support for the index.Indian markets are poised to open subdued on softer global cues.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryMajor US stock indexes were mixed on Tuesday. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq closed lower, while the Dow edged up to its third record close in a row, as investors digested disappointing retail sales figures and waited for a key labour market report.U.S. retail sales were unexpectedly unchanged in December as households scaled back spending on motor vehicles and other big-ticket items, potentially setting consumer spending and the economy on a slower growth path heading into the new year.Treasury yields fell after U.S. data suggested the economy may be softening.The yen was up again in the wake of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's decisive weekend election victory.Lyft forecast first-quarter adjusted core profit below expectations on Tuesday, hit by severe U.S. winter weather, seasonal cost pressures, and posted a surprise operating loss for 2025, sending its shares down 16% in after-hours trading.Robinhood Markets fell 6.2% in late trading after reporting fourth-quarter revenue growth that trailed Wall Street estimates. The disappointing results overshadowed other metrics as investors reassessed growth expectations for the online brokerage platform.Shares of LPL Financial fell 8.3%, Charles Schwab declined 7.4%, and Morgan Stanley dropped 2.5% after tech platform Altruist introduced a new AI-powered tax planning tool.Back home, Nifty rose for the third straight session, fueled by robust global cues, gaining 67 points to close at 25,935. Despite the weekly expiry yesterday, the index remained largely range-bound, oscillating within a tight 100-point consolidation zone. Nifty continues to hold its uptrend with its level above all key moving averages. Short-term resistance for the Nifty is seen near 26000, above which the index could extend the rally towards a fresh all-time high above 26373. On the downside, the 25600-25670 band could provide strong support for the index.Our markets are gradually inching higher as foreign investors cover their short in derivatives and become selective buyers in the cash markets.Indian markets are poised to open higher today on conducive global cues.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryDow at New All-Time High; Broad-Based Rally Lifts Indian MarketsWorld stocks rallied on Monday, propelled by optimism over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's thumping election win and a tech rebound, while the dollar slumped amid reports that China has advised financial institutions to curb exposure to U.S. bonds.U.S. stocks moved mostly higher over the course of the trading day on Monday, extending the strong upward move seen in last Friday's session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a new all-time high of 50135, rising modestly as markets recovered from last week's volatility. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5%, and the Nasdaq advanced 0.9%, with technology stocks powering the rally.Oracle jumped 9.6% after an upgrade, while AppLovin soared over 13% following a retraction of critical allegations. The Information Technology sector gained 1.4%, leading the S&P 500 higher as investors returned to beaten-down software names.Investors await delayed January employment data on Wednesday and CPI inflation figures on Friday. The data releases will provide crucial guidance on Federal Reserve interest rate policy for the remainder of 2026. The monthly job report is expected to show employment climbed by 70,000 jobs in January after rising by 50,000 jobs in December, while the unemployment rate is expected to hold at 4.4 per cent.Oil prices eased slightly on Tuesday as traders gauged the potential for supply disruptions, following U.S. guidance on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz that kept attention squarely on tensions between Washington and Tehran.Nifty kicked off the week strongly, surging 173 points to close at 25867. It staged a 100-point recovery from the day's low after early profit booking, signalling clear bull control as it ended near the session high. Short-term resistance looms near 26000; a break above could propel it toward fresh all-time highs beyond 26373. On the downside, the 25450–25500 zone remains a strong support.Indian markets are positioned to open higher on conducive global cues.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryAI Anxiety Hits Wall StreetWall Street ended sharply lower on Tuesday as investors worried that AI could create more competition for software makers, keeping them on edge ahead of quarterly reports from Alphabet and Amazon later this week.The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell 1.4% as software stocks extended losses, Anthropic's launch of workplace productivity tools intensified worries, with the sector shedding approximately $300 billion in market value.Walmart became the first retailer ever to hit $1 trillion in market valuation on Tuesday, riding on a year-long rally that has seen its shares rise nearly 26%, placing it among the ranks of Big Tech heavyweights such as Nvidia and Alphabet.Crude oil rose 1.25% to $64.00 per barrel after initially falling on reports of potential US-Iran nuclear negotiations resuming in Turkey. The US shot down an Iranian drone and remains cautious about armed boats, while the India-US trade deal could redirect Russian oil flows and tighten supply elsewhere.The Nifty opened with its largest single-day absolute gain of over 1,200 points yesterday, fueled by the long-awaited US tariff cuts on Indian imports. The index settled up 639 points at 25,727, marking its highest one-day percentage gain since May 12, 2025. Bank Nifty touched a fresh all-time high of 61,764 and closed with a robust 2.4% advance.The Indian Rupee delivered its biggest single-day gain since December 18, 2018, closing at 90.27 vs. USD—its highest in three weeks—driven by "risk-on" sentiment and exporter dollar unwinding post-trade deal news.Nifty's 1770 point recovery from the recent swing low of 24,571 has reclaimed levels above the 20, 50, 100, and 200-day EMAs, confirming a bullish trend reversal across timeframes. Nifty’s Key support lies in the 25,500–25,650 band, with resistance at 25,863 and 26,373.Indian markets are positioned to open modestly lower on cautious global cues.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryWe Have A Deal! Markets are likely to surge nearly 3% higher on open India and the United States have agreed to a trade agreement under which reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods will be slashed to 18% from 25%, and the additional 25% duty on purchases of Russian crude oil will be eliminated. The trade deal will be " effective immediately", President Donald Trump said, following a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi late Monday, offering immediate tariff relief for India.Lower Than Most Regional PeersAt 18%, India's tariff rate is now lower than that of several major export-oriented Asian economies. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Vietnam face tariffs of 20%, while Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Pakistan face tariffs of 19%. Cambodia also faces a higher tariff burden at 19%.The deal includes the rollback of US tariffs on India from 50% to just 18%, a commitment from India to increase US imports by $500 billion, and a reduction in dependence on Russian oil.The trade deal is likely to stabilise the rupee and ease pressure on domestic interest rates.Labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery, and engineering goods are the clear winners, as all faced growth headwinds due to higher tariffs. India will have to move away from Russian crude oil in favour of imports from the US and Venezuela, following the removal of Russian oil-related penaltiesIndian equity markets are expected to surge 3% on open as the deal completely eliminates key policy uncertainties. The positive sentiment could trigger immediate foreign capital inflows, potentially turning India's Balance of Payments (BoP) position. This positive surprise will force many participants, including FPIs who are heavily short in the market, to cover their positions, which should lead to a sharp surge across indices and derivative stocks in today's session.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryU.S.-Iran Tensions Drive Oil Above $70, Nifty Breaks Key Resistance LevelsVolatility surged through world markets on Thursday as fears over a U.S. strike on Iran and the threat of another U.S. government shutdown roiled oil and metals, while AI bubble concerns hammered tech stocks and pushed the Nasdaq and S&P 500 into negative territory.Oil prices climbed sharply, driven by renewed geopolitical risk concerns centred on U.S.-Iran tensions. Brent crude broke above $70 a barrel on Thursday for the first time since July, while WTI crude reached its highest level since September. The rally was triggered by President Trump's escalating threats of military action against Iran and deployment of naval forces to the region, combined with an unexpected 2.3 million barrel drop in U.S. crude inventories.US stocks mounted a substantial recovery attempt during Thursday's trading session. The major averages climbed well off their worst levels of the day, with the Dow reaching positive territory.The early sell-off on Wall Street stemmed from a steep drop in Microsoft shares, which plummeted 10.0 per cent to its lowest closing level in nine months.Microsoft came under pressure after reporting slowing cloud growth in its fiscal second quarter and providing disappointing third-quarter operating margin guidance.U.S. software stocks declined on Thursday after SAP's underwhelming cloud outlook and a post-earnings slide in ServiceNow deepened concerns that traditional providers are being outpaced by artificial-intelligence players. ServiceNow was down 9%, and SAP fell sharply after weak cloud backlog results. Investors fear AI could disrupt traditional software business models, with markets now demanding clear monetisation strategies rather than increased spending on AI infrastructure alone.Meta spiked 10.4 per cent on the day after the Facebook parent reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results and forecast first-quarter revenues above analyst estimates.Asian Stocks remained volatile in early trading on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed a bipartisan deal to avert a fresh government shutdown.The Nifty extended its winning streak to a third session, adding 76 points to settle at 25,418 in a highly volatile session. Market sentiments were buoyed by the Economic Survey presented in parliament by the Union Finance Minister, which projected FY26 real GDP growth at 7.4% amid macroeconomic resilience, low inflation, and structural reforms.Nifty has surpassed crucial resistances at the 10 DEMA (25396) and the swing high (25435). Nifty seems to have reversed the short-term bearish trend and could head higher towards the next resistance levels of its 20 and 50-DEMAs, at 25568 and 25712, respectively. Support for the index shifted higher to 25150.Indian markets are positioned to open modestly lower on cautious global cues.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryFed Holds Rates Steady - Attention Turns to Union BudgetMajor U.S. stock indexes closed largely flat on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve's policy announcement. After initial gains, the major indexes pulled back and traded near unchanged levels for most of the session, eventually ending narrowly mixed.The S&P 500 briefly surpassed 7,000 for the first time during morning trading. The Nasdaq gained 0.91%, driven by semiconductor strength following ASML's record orders, Texas Instruments' strong guidance, and optimism around sustained AI infrastructure spending.The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at 3.50% to 3.75% following three consecutive quarter-point cuts. Chair Jerome Powell described the economy as solid, with diminished risks to both inflation and employment, signalling that the central bank will likely remain on hold, with inflation still somewhat elevated.The U.S. Dollar Index recovered to 96.18 on January 29 after hitting four-year lows near 95.50, following Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's reaffirmation of a strong dollar policy. The dollar has weakened 10.78% over the past year amid tariff concerns, geopolitical uncertainties, and President Trump's comments accepting currency weakness.The euro reached $1.20 for the first time since 2021, marking a 13% gain in 2025, supported by European fiscal stimulus, particularly from Germany, and by reduced reliance on the dollar.WTI crude oil rose 0.87% to $63.76, reaching four-month highs amid heightened geopolitical tensions after President Trump warned Iran to negotiate, with additional support from a weaker dollar and winter weather.Gold reached an all-time high above $5,500 per ounce with a record single-day gain of $221.70, while silver surged to $116.48, up 277% year-over-year, driven by dollar weakness, geopolitical tensions with Iran, and safe-haven demand.Nifty extended gains for the second consecutive session, rising 167 points (0.66%) to close at 25,342.The short-term trend has turned positive, as Nifty has crossed its 5-day EMA at 25270. To maintain this bullish bias, the index must hold the recent swing low of 24,932. Immediate resistance is placed at 25,435, followed by positional 50DEMA resistance at 25,725.Indian markets are positioned to open modestly lower on cautious global cues.

Opening Bell - Morning CommentaryUS FOMC announcement in Focus, Indian Markets Boosted by EU Trade DealWorld stocks and the S&P 500 reached new highs Tuesday, driven by strong U.S. earnings, while anxiety over President Trump's policies pushed gold to record levels and the dollar to a four-year low.The S&P 500 rose 0.6% to close at a record near 6,994, and the Nasdaq gained 1.0% as investors focused on big-tech earnings. Apple climbed 3%, Meta rose 2.1%, and Microsoft gained 0.9% ahead of results, while the Dow fell 0.5%, dragged down by UnitedHealth's 18% plunge.UnitedHealth shares crashed after the Trump administration proposed a minor increase in Medicare Advantage payment rates for 2027, far below expectations. The insurer also issued weak 2026 revenue guidance, pulling down Humana (-17%) and CVS Health (-12%).The U.S. Dollar Index fell to its lowest level since February 2022, reaching 96.20 as investors grew wary of unpredictable Washington policymaking. Trump's comments that the dollar is "doing great" and can fluctuate "like a yo-yo" failed to halt the decline, which accelerated after he expressed no concern about the weakness.The Federal Reserve is expected to hold rates between 3.5% and 3.75% when it announces its decision today. Markets show a 95.6% probability of unchanged rates. The announcement comes ahead of the expiration of Fed Chair Jerome Powell's term in May.Gold hit an all-time high above $5,110 per ounce, climbing over 1% to around $5,080 Tuesday on safe-haven demand amid escalating trade tensions and geopolitical risks.Trump announced tariffs on South Korean goods would rise from 15% to 25%, affecting cars, pharmaceuticals, and other products, citing Seoul's failure to enact a July trade deal. The move intensified trade tensions as markets await the Fed's decision.The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index plunged 9.7 points to 84.5 in January, the lowest since 2014. The Expectations Index fell to 65.1, well below the recession threshold of 80, reflecting consumer concerns about inflation, tariffs, and labour markets despite strong GDP growth.Nifty staged a dramatic intraday reversal, gaining 126 points to close at 25,175 after plunging to test the key swing low support level. Nifty formed a double bottom pattern near 25,900 support while reclaiming both 200DMA and 200EMA, indicating early signs of a potential bullish reversal. However, confirmation requires a decisive break above the prior swing high resistance at 25,435, with 24,900 acting as immediate support.Indian equity markets are poised to open on a positive note, buoyed by robust sentiment surrounding the India-EU trade agreement.