Sensex Today | Nifty 50 | Stock Market Highlights: Sensex settles 291 pts higher, Nifty above 24,100; Cipla jumps 5%, TechM 2%

Amber Enterprises’ partnership with Oppo has drawn mixed brokerage views, with Nuvama and PL Capital bullish on growth and diversification benefits, while JM Financial remains cautious due to margin pressures and competition. The deal marks Amber’s entry into smartphone manufacturing, with investors closely watching execution and near-term stock movement. Read more

Jio Platforms has formally kicked off its IPO journey by filing its DRHP with SEBI, highlighting the extraordinary wealth creation generated for early investors. Among the biggest beneficiaries is HFCL founder Mahendra Nahata, whose investment at ₹10 per share has appreciated nearly 121 times, translating into a staggering 11,983% valuation gain. Read more

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is unlikely to increase policy rate any time soon, according to Piramal Group Chief Economist, Debopam Chaudhuri.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is scheduled to meet from August 3 to August 5, 2026, to review key policy rates.
• "I don't expect the RBI to increase the policy rate anytime soon," Chaudhuri said, citing an easing of crude oil prices and lower energy-related risks as key reasons for the central bank to maintain its current monetary policy stance.
• In an interview with ANI, Chaudhuri said, "One, because the crude prices have come down, so the immediate risk of energy prices remaining high... has gone down to a great extent," adding that the central bank would prefer a "wait and watch" approach regarding the progression of the monsoon.
• "With oil and gold falling together, India's two biggest import bills are shrinking at the same time - which is doubly positive for the trade deficit and the rupee," he said.

• Standard Chartered said on Monday it favours Asia ex-Japan equities, particularly Taiwan and China, as strong earnings prospects, AI-driven investment and easing oil-supply concerns support the region.
• Standard Chartered’s base case also sees shipping through the Strait of Hormuz resuming within weeks, which could ease pressure on the oil-import-dependent region.
• The bank upgraded Asia ex-Japan equities to “overweight”.
• Global Chief Investment Officer Steve Brice said the bank remained “overweight” on global equities, with a preference for U.S. and Asia ex-Japan markets, while also favouring emerging market U.S. dollar bonds and gold.
• Standard Chartered projects the S&P 500 to touch 7,950 and gold to hit $5,100 an ounce by mid-2027.

NSE has signed an MoU with Bharat Metal Exchange to boost development and adoption of non-ferrous metal derivatives in India. The partnership will combine NSE’s market infrastructure with BME’s industry network to enhance participation, improve price risk management, and promote hedging tools. Both entities will also drive product development and industry outreach as demand for managing commodity price volatility rises with growth in manufacturing and infrastructure.

India is pushing for preferential market access in its proposed trade pact with the United States, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said. He noted that negotiations are taking longer due to the 50% tariff imposed on Indian goods, signalling key sticking points in finalising the agreement.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged past the 72,000 mark for the first time, driven by sustained AI-led optimism and easing geopolitical concerns. The index closed at a record high, extending its winning streak to eight sessions, though elevated RSI levels संकेत potential overheating amid strong gains in select stocks.

US-listed ETFs tracking India and Taiwan saw record outflows in March amid currency weakness, rising yields and energy-related concerns. Despite this, Asian equities rebounded sharply in early April on hopes of easing geopolitical tensions, highlighting fragile sentiment as both markets remain significantly below pre-conflict levels.

HFCL promoter Mahendra Nahata is set for an estimated 121x return on his early investment in Jio Platforms, with his 0.54% stake potentially valued at around Rs 5,800 crore based on a Rs 10.7 lakh crore valuation. The IPO, comprising a fresh issue with no OFS, will raise funds mainly for debt repayment, while highlighting the sharp value gap between Nahata’s Rs 10 entry price and higher valuations paid by global investors.

Bitcoin hovered around the $64,000 mark, supported by continued accumulation from long-term holders despite a pause in ETF inflows. Market sentiment remains cautious, with mixed institutional signals and weak broader momentum, while altcoins showed mixed performance. Analysts advise a disciplined, staggered investment approach amid subdued demand and lingering macro and geopolitical uncertainties.

Maruti Suzuki India will establish Advanced Manufacturing Labs at five ITIs in Gujarat after signing an MoU with the state’s Directorate of Employment and Training. The labs aim to provide hands-on training aligned with modern automotive industry needs and support the company’s expansion plans. With this addition, Maruti Suzuki will operate 23 such labs across seven states and union territories.

Vedanta Aluminium may enter the largecap category in AMFI’s H2 CY26 reshuffle, while Vedanta Power, Oil & Gas, and Iron & Steel are likely to be classified as smallcaps post demerger, with changes effective August 1.

• Advit Jewels’ Rs 165.16 crore IPO opens for subscription on June 23 and closes on June 25, with a price band of Rs 130–Rs 138 per share. The issue is entirely a fresh issue of 1.20 crore shares, with no OFS component.
• The IPO is seeing strong grey market traction, with a GMP of about 47%, implying a potential listing around Rs 202 per share. Proceeds will be used largely for working capital (Rs 65 crore), debt repayment (Rs 65 crore), and general corporate purposes.
• Jaipur-based Advit Jewels operates a B2B-led handcrafted jewellery business under the Rambhajo brand, supported by an integrated manufacturing facility and a focus on customised designs.
• Financially, the company reported revenue of Rs 123.79 crore and net profit of Rs 25.44 crore for 9MFY26. SBI Securities has recommended ‘Subscribe’, citing strong margins, growth prospects, and expected improvement in profitability post debt reduction.

Zinc futures rose marginally as traders increased bets, supported by stronger demand in the spot market. June contracts on MCX edged up 0.16% to Rs 367.10 per kg with moderate volumes, reflecting steady industrial demand and cautious optimism in base metal prices.

Aluminium futures rose marginally as traders built fresh positions, supported by a positive trend in the spot market. Demand from consuming industries aided sentiment, pushing June contracts on MCX slightly higher. The uptick reflects cautious optimism in base metals amid steady industrial demand.

Indian rupee moved in a narrow range near a one-month high as easing crude prices supported sentiment amid progress in US-Iran talks. However, gains were capped by importer hedging and persistent concerns over potential US Federal Reserve rate hikes. Analysts expect continued caution across Asian currencies despite softer oil. Read more

• Indian government bonds moved sideways ​early on Monday, as caution ​over a fragile U.S.-Iran truce offset relief from oil's ​renewed slide below $80 a barrel.
• Brent crude futures fell 1.9% in Asian trade to $79.04 per barrel after Iran secured waivers for oil and petrochemical exports under the interim U.S.-Iran deal, ‌easing concerns over global ⁠supply ⁠shortages.
• The yield on the benchmark 6.94% 2036 note hovered little changed at 6.8533% as of 10:50 a.m. IST, versus Friday's ​close. The 10-year yield has eased for four ⁠straight weeks, paring ‌nearly 20 basis points, tracking the slide in ​oil prices.
• The one-year swap rate had not traded yet. The two-year rate fell 1.25 bps to 6.055%. The five-year rate fell 1 basis point to 6.3375%.

GRSE shares jumped nearly 5% after the defence PSU received Navratna status, lifting investor sentiment. The upgraded status provides greater financial flexibility to support expansion plans. Backed by strong revenue and profit growth in recent years and ongoing capacity additions, the warship maker is seen as well placed for long-term growth. Read more

• Investors looking for relatively safer debt investment options for short-term or three-year-plus goals may consider corporate bond mutual funds in June 2026. These funds largely invest in highly rated corporate debt instruments, making them relatively safer than credit risk or gilt funds.
• Although interest-rate movements and past default episodes remain key risks, the selected funds offer a more stable investment avenue. The article also outlines the methodology used to shortlist these recommendations. Read more

• Indian government bonds are likely to begin the ​new week on a ​cautious note as focus turns back to oil prices after ​tension marked the first round of peace talks, with Iran shutting a crucial transit point and the U.S. threatening to restart attacks.
• The yield on the benchmark 6.94% 2036 ‌note is likely ⁠to move ⁠between 6.823 and 6.88%, according to a trader with a private bank. It closed ​at 6.8533% on Friday, posting its fourth consecutive weekly decline. Yields move inversely to bond prices.
• The benchmark ​Brent crude contract eased below $80 per barrel in ⁠Asian trading ‌after the first round of talks between Iran and ​the U.S. resulted ​in the two countries agreeing to a roadmap toward ⁠a final deal within 60 days.
• India's overnight index swap rates are likely to remain little changed in early deals after recent declines.

• Gold on Monday rebounded from a more than one-week low ​hit in the last session, ​as oil prices fell after Iran cited progress in U.S.-Iran ​peace talks, though bets of higher interest rates after hawkish U.S. Federal Reserve signals weighed on the metal's outlook.
• Spot gold was up 0.9% at $4,197.41 per ounce, as of 0238 GMT, ‌after falling ⁠to its ⁠lowest level since June 11 on Friday. U.S. gold futures for August delivery fell 0.7% to $4,215.90.
• Traders see an 89% chance of a rate hike in December, from 61% before the Fed's meeting, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
• Spot silver rose 1.8% to $66.10 per ounce, platinum gained 0.2% to $1,667.97, and palladium was up 1% at $1,270.41.

Oil prices edged higher on Monday as shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz slowed and initial talks between U.S. and Iranian officials under an interim peace agreement began on a difficult note.​

Most Asian stock markets traded lower on Monday as renewed doubts over the Middle East peace process drove oil prices and bond yields higher, leading investors to price in the likelihood of higher-for-longer U.S. interest rates.​

Several stocks, including Sun Pharma, Tech Mahindra, Tata Motors, Voltas and ONGC, will be in focus in today's trade following various news developments.​