Delnaz Elavia, Managing Director, Great Place To Work India

"AI Appreciation Day serves as a reflection on one of the most transformative developments of our era: the ability of technology to amplify human potential at scale. Across industries, AI is enabling organisations to generate deeper insights, enhance effectiveness, accelerate innovation, optimise operations, and create more meaningful work experiences. Our latest study indicates that 64% of CHROs have prioritised AI-led workforce transformation, including strategy and governance, work redesign, and skills development, as a key component of their people agenda for FY 2026-27.

At Best Workplaces™, technological advancements such as AI adoption are most impactful when supported by a strong culture of trust and confidence in leadership. Organisations with high confidence in leadership report 34% greater innovation, while those with high levels of trust in leadership experience a 47% increase in productivity.  The best workplaces stand out by ensuring clear and transparent communication, addressing feedback on priority, building cross-functional teams to explore AI opportunities, and personalizing learning. AI readiness is fundamentally a people capability, and its successful adoption within organisations is driven by leaders who are able to balance growth, innovation, and inclusion. Ultimately, the success of AI transformation in India will depend not only on the technology itself, but on the people and leadership that guide its implementation." 

Yashwant Singh, Founder & CEO, AmbitionHire.ai

"National AI Day is a great opportunity to remember how quickly artificial intelligence has become an established technology that transforms the way we conduct our work and recruitment activities and helps us move forward. Today, it assists organizations in automating routine tasks, getting more valuable insights out of data, and making more informed decisions. At the same time, its true value lies in the ability of people to apply their critical thinking skills and focus on those areas where they excel, rather than try to replace them with AI.

In the sphere of recruiting, AI can help organizations hire candidates more efficiently by automating many aspects of the process and improving candidate matching and the overall hiring experience. Nonetheless, hiring remains a people-driven process, as qualities such as cultural fit, leadership, adaptability, and emotional intelligence can only be assessed through human intuition and experience. Organizations that effectively combine the speed and efficiency of AI with recruiter expertise will have a clear advantage in attracting the right talent.

As AI continues to evolve, organizations must prioritize its responsible adoption by ensuring transparency, fairness, and continuous employee development. It is essential to build people-first organisations empowered by AI, rather than AI-first organizations. This balanced approach will help businesses attract top talent, drive innovation, and create a more sustainable future of work."

Bhavin Turakhia, Founder, Neo

"Artificial intelligence is the biggest force multiplier of my lifetime, bigger than the internet or the smartphone. It can genuinely expand what humans are capable of, letting a small team achieve what once took an army and far more capital. We are only beginning to understand how far that goes.

The shift isn't about access to powerful models. It's about reimagining how work gets done. When tasks, context, and knowledge come together in one place, people and intelligent agents work side by side, decisions carry full context, and execution gets dramatically faster. This is how the next generation of ambitious companies gets built.

AI Appreciation Day is a chance to focus on that real promise: enabling individuals and organizations to solve bigger problems, create greater value, and redefine what they're capable of achieving."

Avinash Shekhar, Co-Founder & CEO, Pi42

"The crypto market is showing encouraging signs of renewed institutional confidence, with Bitcoin finding support from fresh ETF inflows while Ethereum continues to attract attention ahead of potential catalysts in the second half of the year. At the same time, assets such as XRP and XLM are witnessing improved buying interest as selling pressure begins to ease, indicating that investors are selectively positioning themselves across quality digital assets rather than chasing short-term price movements. The broader market continues to reward projects with strong utility, growing adoption and credible ecosystems, which remains a healthy signal for the next phase of the cycle.

Investors should use this phase to build positions gradually with a disciplined approach instead of reacting to daily price swings or speculative narratives. Diversification across fundamentally strong assets, maintaining adequate liquidity and staying focused on long-term wealth creation will be far more rewarding than attempting to time every market move. It is equally important to avoid excessive leverage, emotional trading and making investment decisions based solely on social media sentiment, as sustainable returns are built through patience, research and consistency." 

Ross Maxwell, Global Strategy Operations Lead, VT Markets 

Global markets have remained resilient despite the recent jump in oil prices back above above $85, mainly because investors are treating the current rise as a geopolitical risk premium rather than the beginning of a sustained energy crisis. Equity markets appear to believe that, while tensions remain elevated, major powers want to avoid a wider conflict that could seriously disrupt global oil supply, due to the potential economic consequences.

There has been a consistent theme to these issues under the Trump administration, which has led to people referring to it as the "TACO Trade" - Trump Always Chickens Out. 

The market sentiment is that aggressive rhetoric, threats and escalation are often used more as negotiating tactics followed by de-escalation. Investors have therefore become increasingly willing to buy market weakness rather than immediately price in the worst-case scenario. Markets are effectively saying, until there is actual evidence of a genuine supply disruption they are not going to panic and act aggressively.

However, India remains vulnerable to persistent high crude prices. As a major oil importer, higher energy costs can increase the import bill, pressure the rupee and feed into inflation through fuel, transport and manufacturing costs. This can complicate monetary policy and weigh on corporate margins and equity valuations.

This could escalate quickly, especially if oil moves above $100 and sustains, physical supply is disrupted, or geopolitical tensions escalate further. Central Banks and the FED are also watching data closely to decide their next policy move, a renewed inflation spike could force them to maintain tighter policy which would challenge the current optimism. 

For now, markets are pricing for the TACO Trade, however this could change quickly in a situation that is unpredictable and volatile.

The projects come at a time when Varanasi is witnessing an unprecedented surge in visitors. The city now attracts nearly 15 crore tourists and pilgrims every year. Read full report here

Legal experts say that overlooking just a few clauses can later lead to disputes over security deposits, maintenance charges or even hefty penalties. Read full report here

Angel One has announced its Q1 FY27 results, reporting a strong quarter with standalone PAT of Rs 2,707 crore, up 102.2% YoY, and gross revenue of Rs 14,135 crore, up 26.2% YoY. 

Riya Sehgal, Research Analyst, Delta Exchange

Global risk sentiment improved after softer US inflation pulled Treasury yields and the dollar lower, supporting equities and crypto. US indices ended firmer, led by large technology stocks and encouraging financial-sector earnings, although weakness in semiconductors showed that investors remain selective.

Bitcoin briefly reclaimed $65,000 but is still struggling to establish acceptance above the $65,000-$66,000 resistance zone. The first support lies near $64,200. Ethereum continues to show stronger relative momentum, though its RSI near 71 signals stretched conditions, while elevated ATR points to larger price swings as it approaches the $1,940-$1,975 resistance band. Sustained ETF inflows and continued strength in US equities will be important for the next leg higher.

Gold remains caught between softer US data and renewed inflation concerns from higher crude prices. Technically, XAUT stays vulnerable below $4,070-$4,100. The $4,000 level is the key near-term support, and a decisive break could expose $3,980 and $3,950.

Trideep Bhattacharya, President and CIO - Equities, Edelweiss MF

India-UK FTA strengthens a high-potential economic corridor: tariff relief and services mobility can lift growth and improve trade mix, while deeper strategic ties offer investors a more predictable platform for cross-border capital allocation. Notably, the FTA entered into force on 15 July 2026, is forecast to raise bilateral trade by £25.5bn annually in the long run.

Disclaimer: Trideep Bhattacharya, is the President & CIO-Equities at Edelweiss Asset Management Limited (EAML) and the views expressed above are his own

Nischal Shetty, Founder, WazirX

"We're already in a phase where AI will increasingly participate in crypto economies. AI is becoming an always-on research assistant, helping traders analyse markets, simplify complex data, and make more informed decisions. Traders can use AI to summarise market conditions, identify emerging trends, and better understand technical indicators.

AI-powered trading assistance can also simplify the experience for first-time crypto users by explaining market movements in plain language and helping them understand risk before placing a trade.

That said, AI should augment human decision-making, not replace it. Markets are influenced not only by data but also by unexpected events and human behaviour. The future lies in combining AI with human judgment to build a smarter, more efficient, and more accessible financial ecosystem."

The projects come at a time when Varanasi is witnessing a surge in visitors. The city attracts nearly 15 crore tourists and pilgrims every year. Read full report here

Legal experts say that overlooking just a few clauses can later lead to disputes over security deposits, maintenance charges or even hefty penalties. Read full report here

The Thesis

Industrial metals and defense manufacturing top the investment themes today as US-Iran escalation drives Brent above $85 to a one-month high. DIIs absorbed Rs 2,928 crore against FII selling of Rs 740 crore - a domestic commitment to India's capex and infrastructure cycle. Nifty 500 up just 0.28% signals the relative-value edge lies in names that benefit directly from elevated crude and geopolitical supply disruption.

Where We're Concentrated

The basket concentrates in Aditya Birla Group materials, base metals and defense precision castings - the bet is that India's domestic infrastructure pipeline insulates these names from crude cost shocks while geopolitical stress structurally accelerates global armament orders. A healthcare position adds quality defensiveness. The thesis weakens if Brent holds above $90, compressing downstream margins and widening India's current account.

Conviction Picks

Highest Conviction

Grasim Industries

Cement, chemicals and fiber converge on India's infrastructure cycle as capex allocations widen despite rising energy costs.

Hindalco Industries

Aluminum demand tied to global energy transition; elevated copper keeps refining margins firm despite Brent-driven cost pressure.

PTC Industries

Titanium castings for defense aerospace gain structural order flow as US-Iran escalation drives global armament spending higher.

Tata Steel

India's infrastructure pipeline insulates domestic steel volumes even as elevated Brent tests global cost assumptions.

Apollo Hospitals

Premium private hospital demand holds as India's healthcare spend stays structurally insulated from geopolitical cost volatility.

One Thing to Watch

Brent above $90 A sustained break reprices input costs across the metals and cement cluster, risks triggering sector rotation from cyclicals to defensives, and puts fresh pressure on the rupee and India's current account.

Rajesh Palviya, Head of Research, Axis Direct

The Nifty 50 ended Wednesday with modest gains, rising 26.45 points (0.11%) to close at 24,078.50, recovering partially from the previous session's sharp decline. The index climbed to an intraday high near 24,220 before paring gains as Brent crude extended its rally and renewed US-Iran tensions around the Strait of Hormuz dented risk sentiment. Financials provided stability, with the Nifty Bank advancing 0.51%, while IT stocks underperformed following IBM's softer revenue outlook. Overnight, US markets finished higher, with the S&P 500 gaining 0.38% and the Nasdaq adding 0.62%, supported by strength in mega-cap technology stocks and softer US wholesale inflation data that eased concerns over further policy tightening.

Asian markets are witnessing a mixed start on Thursday, with Japan's Nikkei trading lower while Hong Kong's Hang Seng is outperforming, gaining nearly 300 points. Brent crude remains the key monitor, holding above $85 per barrel for a third consecutive session amid persistent supply disruption concerns, posing a headwind for India's inflation and current account outlook.

GIFT Nifty around 24,110 indicates a flat-to-positive opening for domestic equities.

From a technical perspective, the near-term trend remains constructive as long as the Nifty sustains above the 24,000 mark, which coincides with the 20-day moving average and acted as a strong support during Wednesday's session. A decisive move above 24,200 could trigger fresh momentum towards 24,300-24,400, while a breach below 24,000 may invite profit booking towards 23,900 and 23,800. With India VIX remaining subdued at 13.27, volatility is likely to stay contained, although any moderation in crude oil prices could provide the next catalyst for a stronger upside move.

BTC climbed to a three-week high of $65.5K after US producer inflation fell 0.3% month-on-month, reinforcing the softer CPI print released a day earlier, before easing below $65K. Cooling inflation reduced expectations of further Fed tightening and improved sentiment across risk assets. BTC now faces resistance near $67.2K; a sustained breakout could open the path toward $70K. However, traders remain cautious as BTC approaches its 50-month EMA, a level that has historically acted as resistance in bearish phases. Geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz also remain a key risk through their potential impact on energy prices. Markets are now evaluating whether easing inflation will give the Fed room to adopt a more hawkish policy stance.

Vikram Subburaj, CEO, Giottus.com

Bitcoin is trading near $64,670 and remains broadly unchanged over 24 hours. Softer US inflation data has reduced expectations of an immediate Federal Reserve rate increase, supporting risk appetite. However, rising oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty are limiting further gains.

Institutional demand remains uneven. US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded a $424.7 million outflow on July 13, followed by a $181.1 million inflow on July 14. On-chain indicators show that Bitcoin is still trading below key investor cost-basis levels. This could lead to increased selling pressure if the market extends its recovery.

Altcoin performance remains selective. Ethereum is the strongest large-cap mover, rising about 3% to $1,921, with a market capitalisation of nearly $232 billion and 24-hour volume of $12.7 billion. XRP gained about 1% to $1.11, while BNB was flat near $580. Solana declined 0.4% to $77, and TRON fell 0.4% to $0.324. Bitcoin dominance remains high at 58.3%, indicating that this is not yet a broad altcoin rally.

Our advice: Investors should avoid chasing short-term breakouts. Staggered buying, limited leverage and disciplined position sizing remain prudent until Bitcoin sustains a move above $65,500 and ETF demand becomes more consistent.

Nischal Shetty, founder, WazirX

"Crypto markets are seeing renewed optimism as softer inflation data has eased concerns around further interest rate hikes. Lower rate expectations tend to improve liquidity for risk assets, and we're already seeing signs of institutional confidence returning, with both Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETFs recording fresh inflows last week. 

At the same time, global regulatory developments continue to support long-term adoption, with Japan recognizing crypto as a financial asset and Europe advancing its digital euro initiative. While investor sentiment remains cautious, improving macro conditions and steady institutional participation suggest the market is gradually rebuilding confidence after a volatile period.

Bitcoin continues to trade above the key $64,000 mark, suggesting that bulls remain in control despite short-term consolidation. According to analysts, for futures traders, the immediate support zone lies between $63,800 and $64,000. Holding this range could encourage fresh long positions, while a break below the stronger support at $62,500-62,800 may trigger increased selling pressure and long liquidations. 

Ethereum has been showing stronger relative momentum, gaining over 11% during the past week while holding comfortably above $1,900. Experts indicate that for futures traders, it will be important to monitor funding rates, open interest, and trading volumes alongside price action, as these indicators often provide early clues on whether a breakout is backed by conviction or likely to reverse."

At the close on Wednesday, the total market cap of all BSE Sensex companies stood at Rs 4,81,02,851.