Stock Market Highlights: Indian equity benchmarks opened in the green on Thursday as oil prices fell further after US, Iran signed an MoU. At the open, Sensex gained 80 points while Nifty was marginally up. At the close, Sensex was up 254 points, while Nifty was 82 points higher.
Highlights: Stock Market, Sensex Today, Nifty, Share Market
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US-Iran MoU: Expert View By Manish Jaiswal
Manish Jaiswal, CEO, Eldeco Group
The recent decline in crude oil prices following the US-Iran ceasefire is a welcome development for the Indian economy and the real estate sector. A stable global environment tends to strengthen business confidence and create a more positive outlook for investment across industries. For real estate, this is particularly important as the sector thrives on long-term confidence and economic stability. Lower crude prices can support overall economic growth, improve market sentiment and create a more conducive environment for investment and home-buying decisions. While the benefits may emerge gradually, sustained stability in energy markets can help to reinforce growth momentum and strengthen the sector's outlook in the coming years.
US-Iran MoU: Expert View By Parvinder Singh
Parvinder Singh, CEO, Trident Realty
The recent easing of geopolitical tensions and the resulting decline in crude oil prices are encouraging developments for the broader economy, with positive implications for the real estate sector. Beyond operational costs, lower oil prices can help moderate inflationary pressures and improve overall economic sentiment. Real estate is fundamentally driven by long-term confidence of homebuyers, investors, or developers, and a more stable global environment supports that confidence. Improved economic visibility can encourage investment decisions, strengthen housing demand and create a more conducive environment for capital deployment. Over the long term, a stable economic environment can encourage capital inflows, accelerate investment decisions, and reinforce the sector's growth trajectory.
US-Iran MoU: Expert View By Robin Mangla
Robin Mangla, President, M3M India
The easing of geopolitical scenario following the US-Iran interim peace agreement will have positive impact on the Indian real estate sector in terms of stability and predictability. The luxury housing segment, in particular, stands to benefit from stronger buyer and investor confidence, as premium homebuyers typically prefer periods of economic certainty when making long-term investment decisions. The stable market sentiment will aid developers in better planning, execution and capital allocation, in addition to improving overall business visibility. The positive macroeconomic environment will also reinforce the strong demand momentum which is definitive of the indian real estate market, while also strengthening investor interest and enhance the sector's overall prospects as a preferred investment destination.
37% of Entry-Level Tasks in India Already Done by AI, Finds Cognizant and Pearson Study
Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) and Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L) today released findings from their joint study, The AI Workforce Pulse: The Adaptability Imperative, highlighting how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming India's entry-level workforce at a faster pace than the global average, while simultaneously creating new career pathways and urgent skilling challenges.
Based on a survey of 750 HR leaders across the US, UK and India, the study finds that 37% of entry-level tasks in India are already performed by AI, compared to a 33% global average, with 18% of HR leaders reporting that AI now handles half or more of entry-level work, signalling accelerated disruption in one of the country's largest workforce segments.
The findings point to four interconnected shifts shaping the AI workforce ahead:
Roles are Being Reinvented
The study finds that entry-level roles are evolving as organisations increasingly shift from task execution toward working alongside AI systems.
- Nearly all (96%) HR leaders expect entry-level roles to evolve into positions where employees supervise or manage AI systems within the next five years.
- Nearly all HR professionals (94%) expect AI will generate new entry-level roles in the next five years that didn't exist before.
- More than 90% of respondents say middle managers are instrumental to redefining job roles as AI changes the day-to-day work of team members.
- Nearly all HR professionals (98%) are increasing focus on AI skills even for non-technical roles.
US Fed Decision: Expert View By Viram Shah
Viram Shah, Founder & CEO, Vested Finance
"The rate itself didn't change, so on paper it's a non-event. But Warsh has changed how the Fed communicates - no forward guidance this time, he didn't put in his own dot, the statement's shorter. Practically, that means markets get less of a roadmap on where rates go next.
For Indian investors holding US stocks, the takeaway isn't to do anything unusual rather it is just that you may see sharper reactions to each data print now, because the Fed isn't smoothing the path in advance the way it used to. That's worth factoring into how you stagger your buying.
In March the committee was still looking at a cut this year; now the median's moved to a hike. A good chunk of that is the energy-driven inflation, so it depends a lot on where oil settles from here. For someone in India with US exposure, the practical point is that US rates staying higher for longer tends to support the dollar and that dollar piece is part of what you're getting when you diversify outside India in the first place. We'd be careful not to treat one meeting as a fixed direction, but the bias has clearly shifted.
There's a genuine tension. Inflation's at a multi-year high and the committee's turned more cautious, but Warsh has also said he expects AI to be disinflationary over time as productivity improves. Both can be true on different time horizons. We're not reading it as a forecast but it's useful for investors to know that the same AI theme driving interest in US tech names is also part of the longer-term inflation question the Fed is working through. Worth holding both ideas at once rather than picking one."
ZebPay Partners with KoinX to Simplify Crypto Tax Reporting for Users
ZebPay, one of India's pioneering Bitcoin exchanges, has announced a strategic partnership with KoinX, a leading global crypto taxation platform, aimed at enhancing the crypto tax reporting experience for ZebPay users.
Through this integration, users can now access KoinX directly within the ZebPay app and seamlessly generate crypto tax reports, significantly reducing manual effort in tax reporting and compliance. The partnership is designed to simplify the crypto tax-reporting journey by eliminating the need to manually download transaction statements, upload files separately, or reconcile trading activity across platforms. The integration benefits users who trade across multiple Indian crypto exchanges, as KoinX is connected with several major platforms across the broader crypto ecosystem.
Speaking on the partnership, Raj Karkara, Chief Operating Officer at ZebPay, said, "At ZebPay, our focus has always been on building a secure, compliant, and user-centric crypto ecosystem. As crypto adoption continues to expand in India, simplifying tax reporting has become increasingly important for investors. Our partnership with KoinX helps users navigate tax compliance more efficiently by reducing the complexity and manual effort traditionally associated with crypto tax reporting."
Maj Gen Rajesh Chopra, AVSM (Retd), Director General, The Indian Malt Whisky Association
"The Indian Malt Whisky Association (IMWA), representing leading Indian malt whisky producers with a collective market share exceeding 75% of the Indian Malt Whisky category, welcomes the operationalisation of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement. The India-UK FTA marks a significant milestone in strengthening the whisky ecosystem between both the countries with a rich heritage of craftsmanship, innovation, and consumer appreciation. The reduction of whisky import tariffs from 150% to 40% by the deal's 10th year under the agreement represents an important step towards deeper engagement, greater market access, and enhanced collaboration between Indian and UK whisky stakeholders.
Today, India stands as one of the world's most important whisky markets, with whisky accounting for a significant share of the country's spirits consumption. The Indian whisky sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by premiumisation, evolving consumer preferences, and growing appreciation for quality and craftsmanship. The Indian whisky market was valued at approximately $2.56 billion in 2025 and is projected to continue expanding in the coming years.
The agreement creates opportunities for knowledge exchange, responsible growth, and stronger partnerships across the whisky value chain. It will enable consumers to access a wider range of global whisky expressions while encouraging Indian producers to further strengthen their capabilities and global ambitions.
US-Iran Deal Impact: Expert View By Ashish Agarwal
Ashish Agarwal, Director, AU Real Estate
The easing of geopolitical tensions following the interim US-Iran peace agreement is a positive development for the Indian real estate sector, particularly as it has led to a moderation in crude oil prices. Over the past few months, volatility in energy markets has created uncertainty around construction costs, logistics expenses, and overall project economics. Lower crude prices can help stabilise the cost of key inputs and transportation, providing developers with greater visibility in planning and execution. For homebuyers, this could support improved affordability by easing cost pressures across the value chain, while investors benefit from a more predictable and stable operating environment. More importantly, the return of stability strengthens confidence across the sector and creates favourable conditions for sustained real estate growth and investment.
US-Iran MoU: Expert View By Sidharth Chowdhry
Sidharth Chowdhry, Managing Director at Dalcore
The opening of the Strait of Hormuz under the US-Iran MoU will create a favourable environment for India's real estate sector. Stable energy prices can help reduce uncertainty around construction and logistics costs, allowing developers to plan projects with greater confidence. More importantly, improved global economic sentiment can strengthen investor confidence and encourage greater capital inflows into real estate. With India's housing demand remaining strong and commercial markets witnessing steady growth, such positive macroeconomic developments can further support investment activity across key real estate markets and emerging growth corridors.
Thomas Cook India introduces industry-first cross-border rewards programme for its forex card customers
As Indian travellers become increasingly digital-first in their spending behaviour, the way they pay overseas is evolving rapidly. From spending on daily essentials and transportation to swiping for experiences, dining, or shopping, travellers are increasingly choosing contactless and wallet-based payments over cash. However, while rewards programmes have become commonplace in India's payments ecosystem, benefits linked to international prepaid forex card spends remain limited. Addressing this gap, Thomas Cook (India) Limited - India's leading omnichannel foreign exchange services company, has introduced an industry-first cross-border rewards programme for customers using its forex cards, rewarding international spends on leading global brands.
Under the programme, Thomas Cook's Forex Cards customers will now enjoy 10% rewards-back on POS, contactless and e-commerce spends across leading brands including Grab, 7-Eleven, Starbucks, McDonald's, KFC, Careem and Burger King. Applicable on a minimum spend of USD 25 per merchant, customers can earn cashback of up to $10 per day across participating merchants, with rewards issued in the form of Amazon vouchers, subject to applicable terms and qualifying spend thresholds.
proRITHM Recognized Among Top 4 AI-Based Healthcare Technologies at India's Largest AI Healthcare Summit
proRITHM, an AI- and IoT-enabled, Smart Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) platform transforming continuous healthcare delivery, has been recognized as one of the Top 4 AI-Based Healthcare Technologies at AI in Healthcare 2.0: Powering Precision & Personalising Care, India's largest healthcare summit dedicated to Artificial Intelligence.
The recognition follows a rigorous evaluation process conducted by the Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad (RICH) and Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, during which approximately 65 healthcare startups and emerging health-tech innovators were screened for their innovation, clinical impact, scalability, and potential to transform patient care. proRITHM emerged as one of the four standout technologies selected for its AI-driven approach to continuous patient monitoring and preventive healthcare.
US Fed Decision: Expert View By Nischal Shetty
Nischal Shetty, Founder, WazirX
"The latest signals from the US Federal Reserve suggest inflation remains stickier than expected, which crypto markets will watch closely. The Fed has raised its inflation projections and several policymakers now expect interest rates to stay higher for longer. Historically, that hasn't been ideal for risk assets. Higher rates make traditional investments like bonds and Treasuries more attractive, which can reduce the liquidity flowing into assets such as crypto.
While higher rates can create short-term pressure, persistent inflation can also strengthen Bitcoin's long-term value proposition. Unlike fiat currencies, Bitcoin has a fixed supply of 21 million coins. As inflation concerns increase, many investors continue to view Bitcoin as a potential store of value. One of the biggest shifts over the last few years is that investors increasingly recognize every asset class comes with its own trade-offs. Bonds carry interest-rate risk, equities depend on earnings growth, and real estate is tied to broader economic cycles. As a result, many institutions are exploring Bitcoin and digital assets as part of a diversified portfolio rather than viewing them in isolation.
Persistent inflation has been keeping the conversation around scarce assets relevant since 2020. Bitcoin's fixed supply and transparent monetary policy continue to attract investors looking beyond traditional financial systems. In the near term, macroeconomic data and Fed commentary will likely drive market sentiment and volatility."
US-Iran MoU Impact: Expert View By Yashank Wason
Yashank Wason, Managing Director, Royal Green Realty
"The opening of the Strait of Hormuz under the recently signed US-Iran MoU is a positive development for India's real estate sector. Stable oil prices and smoother trade movement can help reduce uncertainty around construction and transportation costs. This creates a more predictable environment for developers and investors. Improved global stability also strengthens economic confidence, which can encourage higher investment activity. As India continues to witness strong demand for residential and commercial spaces, positive investor sentiment could support growth across major cities and emerging real estate markets in the coming years."
NSE IPO: Expert View By Prasenjit Paul
Prasenjit Paul, Fund Manager at 129 Wealth & Research Analyst at Paul Asset
''NSE IPO, is a reflection of India's capital market growth story. Since COVID, we have seen a structural increase in retail participation in equities. The trend has become so strong that even large bouts of FII selling are now getting absorbed by domestic investors. If one believes in India's demographic dividend, where millions of young individuals are becoming financially literate early in their careers and increasingly participating in financial markets, then NSE provides a direct way to participate in this long-term structural trend. From a business perspective, NSE already enjoys strong fundamentals. Regulatory barriers, network effects and the scale advantage make it extremely difficult for any new entrant to meaningfully challenge its market dominance. Historically, businesses with strong moats and consistent earnings growth tend to command premium valuations, which is one of the reasons why BSE trades at a premium multiple today. Until now, BSE was the only listed exchange available to investors. With the NSE IPO, investors will have a wider choice to participate in the long-term growth of India's capital markets. That said, investment returns will ultimately depend on the valuation at which the IPO is offered. If NSE comes at a meaningful discount to BSE on comparable parameters, it could create an attractive short-term opportunity. Otherwise, the story is more suited for long-term investors who want exposure to the structural growth of the Indian capital market ecosystem''.
New Street Launches AI Fellowship to Bridge India's Gap Between AI Talent and Production-Ready Skills
New Street, the company behind MiFiX.ai, today announced the launch of the New Street AI Fellowship, a six-month, on-site, paid program based in Bangalore that trains engineers to build production-ready AI for its marquee enterprise customers. Working on MiFiX.ai, the program fellows will turn real business requirements into deployed AI applications, alongside founders, CXOs, and industry leaders, with full-time roles offered to select individuals on completion.
The Fellowship is being launched at a defining moment in India's AI journey. In line with the Government of India's efforts to make India an AI exporter, New Street's AI Fellowship Program is aimed at bridging the gap between theoretical AI knowledge and practical AI application.
US-Iran Deal Impact: Expert View By Jitender Yadav
Jitender Yadav, Director, Roots Developers
"The signing of US-Iran MoU is a historic diplomatic breakthrough that will end months of conflict and open new phases of negotiation. It will positively impact macro economic activities across sectors, including real estate as well. The event will bring regional stability in the sector, opening new opportunities and a surge in buyer demand. It will streamline project completions, given an ease on supply chain, expected fall in energy costs, and better construction prices. The construction procedure will be easier due to a possible fall in logistics costs and easy access to labour. Overall, the MoU proves to be crucial news for the entire real estate sector, with benefits for both developers and investors."
US-Iran Deal Impact: Expert View By Rajat Bokolia
Rajat Bokolia, CEO, Newstone
"The recent US-Iran MoU and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz send a positive signal to India's Real Estate market. Better trade conditions and stable energy prices can support economic growth and create a favourable environment for the real estate sector. Lower uncertainty around input and logistics costs can help developers plan projects more efficiently, while stronger economic sentiment can improve buyer and investor confidence. Over time, this could lead to increased investments across residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments, especially in India's fast-growing real estate markets."
Smarten Targets to Cross 350+ Distributors in FY 2026-27
Smarten, an Indian power backup and solar energy solutions company for residential and commercial use, has announced its target to expand its distributor network to more than 350 distributors during FY 2026-27. The initiative is aimed at strengthening the company's presence across key markets and supporting growing demand for power backup and renewable energy solutions across the country.
Currently operating through a network of over 250 distributors across India, Smarten has built a strong distribution-led model that enables it to serve customers across diverse markets and geographies. As part of its growth strategy for FY 2026-27, the company plans to further strengthen its footprint and enhance access to its product portfolio across the country.
To support this objective, Smarten plans to appoint 108 new distributors across key regions of India, with North India accounting for 41 additions, followed by South India with 32, East India with 23, and West India with 12. The company will focus on strengthening its presence in existing markets while expanding into high-potential territories to enhance customer engagement and service support.
DashLoc and Jaquar Partners to Strengthen Digital Discovery and Retail Growth Across India
DashLoc, a Martech discovery platform, has announced a strategic partnership with Jaquar, one of India's most trusted brands in bathroom solutions, lighting, and premium home products. Through this collaboration, both companies aim to strengthen the digital presence of Jaquar's dealer network while improving customer discovery engagement and experience across local markets.
As consumer buying journeys increasingly begin online, the partnership will help ensure that customers can seamlessly discover, connect with, and engage with nearby Jaquar Dealers and experience centers. The initiative is expected to improve local search visibility, customer interactions, and lead generation while supporting retail partners in driving higher footfalls and conversions.
Stock Market Today: Expert View By InvestorAi
The Thesis
With Brent near $79 ahead of Friday's expected US-Iran ceasefire, India VIX at three-month lows and a four-day winning streak, the macro is decisively risk-on. The picks lean into the capex-defence-metals leadership that drove Wednesday's broader-market rally, where mid- and small-caps again outpaced large-caps.
Where We're Concentrated
Conviction concentrates on domestic cyclicals with operating-cost relief - metals (input-cost tailwind from softer crude and power), defence (record indigenisation order-book), capex bellwethers (PSU bank and infra spend visibility) and aviation (sharp ATF margin reset). The single risk that breaks the thesis is a collapse of the Iran ceasefire signing - a Brent snap-back above $85 would reverse the VIX cooling, re-trigger FII selling, and compress every margin assumption embedded in these picks.
Conviction Picks
Highest Conviction
Hindalco Industries
Aluminium demand sturdy as crude relief sharpens metal-processor margins; metals sector led Wednesday's PSU-cyclical rally.
InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo)
Aviation reaps the cleanest payoff from Brent's slide near $79; fuel costs ease just as summer leisure travel peaks.
Bharat Electronics
Defence index surged 2.6% Wednesday as order-book momentum and indigenisation push compound BEL's positioning.
Larsen & Toubro
Capex-cycle bellwether - PSU bank rally and infra spend visibility underpin order-book momentum into Q1 results.
Sona BLW Precision Forgings
EV-forging and ADAS exposure cushions broader auto weakness; precision-components order books defy sector profit-taking.
One Thing to Watch
Brent near $79 A clean break below $75 cements the derisking trade and pulls FII flows back; a snap above $85 on a deal slip reverses VIX cooling and the four-day rally.
Sumadhura Group Launches Panorama Phase II Plotted Development in North Bengaluru; Eyes Rs 700 Crore Revenue
Sumadhura Group, one of South India's leading diversified real estate developers, announces the launch of Phase II of Sumadhura Panorama, Bengaluru's first-ever South Indian-themed luxury villa plot community in Devanahalli, North Bengaluru. Spread across 34 acres, the newly launched phase is projected to generate a revenue of Rs 700 crore.
This launch follows the overwhelming response received for Phase I of Sumadhura Panorama, underscoring the strong demand for premium plotted developments in North Bengaluru.
Strategically located in Devanahalli, one of North Bengaluru's high-growth corridors, Panorama benefits from strong infrastructure-led growth and excellent connectivity. The development is strategically positioned on NH-44 and is just 10 minutes from Kempegowda International Airport (KIAL). Its appeal is further enhanced by its proximity to the Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR), which connects Devanahalli to key satellite towns and industrial hubs. The upcoming Namma Metro Blue Line (Airport Corridor), located just 10 minutes from the development, will further enhance connectivity to Kempegowda International Airport and provide seamless access to key business and employment hubs across Bengaluru through the city's expanding metro network, reinforcing the region's end-use and investment appeal.
India's Defence Production Touches A Record Rs 1.78 Lakh Crore In FY26
According to the Ministry of Defence, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) contributed 54.84 per cent of total exports, while the private sector accounted for 45.16 per cent. Read full report here
US Fed Keeps Rate Steady: Expert View By Avinash Shekhar
Avinash Shekhar, Co-Founder & CEO, Pi42
"The US Federal Reserve's decision to keep interest rates unchanged was largely in line with market expectations. However, the central bank's cautious commentary on inflation and signals that rate cuts may take longer than anticipated weighed on investor sentiment across global markets. Bitcoin fell below the $65,000 mark following the announcement, while the broader crypto market also witnessed a pullback as investors recalibrated expectations around liquidity conditions and the pace of monetary easing. The reaction underscores the growing sensitivity of digital assets to macroeconomic developments, particularly US interest rate policy.
That said, short-term price movements should not distract investors from the broader trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem. Crypto markets are increasingly being shaped by institutional participation, stronger market infrastructure, and expanding global adoption. Investors should focus on fundamentals, maintain a long-term perspective, and use market corrections as an opportunity to reassess portfolio allocations rather than react impulsively to near-term developments. As the asset class matures, periods of volatility are likely to coexist with a stronger foundation for sustainable growth."
Crypto Update By Piyush Walke
Piyush Walke, Derivatives Research Analyst, Delta Exchange
The Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.50%-3.75% on Wednesday, marking the fourth straight meeting without a rate adjustment and matching market expectations. Post the release Bitcoin briefly fell over 2% to $64,800 level, while gold fell by 3% ,following the decision. A key factor behind Bitcoin traders' cautious stance is the lack of sustained inflows into spot ETFs, suggesting that institutional participation has yet to strengthen meaningfully.
From a technical perspective, Bitcoin continues to maintain a constructive outlook while trading around $65,000 level. However, a decisive close above $67,000 is required to validate stronger bullish momentum. As of now some consolidation around $64,000- $67,000 is expected in bitcoin. Ethereum appears comparatively stronger in the near term, remaining supported above its strong support around $1,700-$1,750 range. Immediate resistance lies between $1,850 and $1,830, and a breakout above this zone could pave the way for a move toward $1,900.
Defence Exports Hit Record Rs 38,424 Crore. What's Driving Made-In-India
According to the Ministry of Defence, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) contributed 54.84 per cent of total exports. Read full report here
Not Just Netflix, Indians Are Now Subscribing To Furniture, Home Appliances
Instead of one-time sales, companies are maintaining an ongoing relationship with customers throughout a product's lifecycle with subscription model. Read full report here
Crypto Update By Akshat Siddhant
Akshat Siddhant, Lead quant analyst, Mudrex
Bitcoin is showing resilience, trading above the $64,000 level despite Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's hawkish speech. The "higher-for-longer" projection has pressured risk assets, effectively stalling the recovery attempt from early-June lows. Sentiment has also been affected by concerns around potential Bitcoin sales from Strategy. While long-term holders continue to accumulate, the immediate price action is dominated by liquidations of leveraged long positions that were caught offside by the Fed's policy adjustments. Market participants are now focusing on the $61,000-$63,500 support zone, which must hold to prevent a deeper slide toward $55,000, while resistance stands at $67,500.
NSE Files For Rs 30,000 Crore IPO, India's Biggest-Ever Public Issue Yet
NSE has appointed 20 merchant bankers, besides legal advisors and other intermediaries, to manage the proposed public issue. Read full report here
Crypto Update By WazirX Market's Desk
"The latest signals from the US Federal Reserve suggest that inflation remains a key concern for policymakers, and that could have important implications for crypto markets over the coming months.
The central bank significantly raised its inflation forecast, with its preferred inflation gauge (PCE) projected to reach 3.6% in 2026. Historically, higher interest rates have acted as a headwind for risk assets, including Bitcoin and the broader crypto market. This often leads some capital to move away from higher-risk assets in search of safer opportunities.
However, higher rates can create short-term pressure, but persistent inflation can also strengthen Bitcoin's long-term value proposition. Bitcoin has a fixed supply. As concerns around inflation and currency debasement increase, many investors continue to view Bitcoin as a potential store of value in an increasingly uncertain macroeconomic environment.
Institutional investors are also increasingly allocating a portion of their portfolios to Bitcoin as an alternative asset with distinct risk and return characteristics. This diversification trend has become increasingly visible since 2020 and continues to gain traction among institutional participants.
Overall, while the Fed's updated outlook may create investor sensitivity towards risk assets, it also reinforces the broader investment case for Bitcoin."
Crypto Update By Ashish Singhal
Ashish Singhal, Co-founder and CEO, CoinSwitch
The rate hold was largely expected. What markets were really looking for was the Fed's view on inflation, and the decision suggests that inflation remains a bigger concern than growth for now, particularly with energy prices and geopolitical tensions continuing to create uncertainty.
For crypto and other risk assets, that doesn't materially change the picture. Markets have been operating in a higher-for-longer environment for some time, and today's decision reinforces that view. While geopolitical developments may continue to drive short-term volatility, the bigger drivers for risk assets remain inflation, liquidity, and the eventual path of monetary policy.
Crypto Update By CoinSwitch Markets Desk
Broader markets traded lower after the Fed kept rates unchanged at 3.5%-3.75% but struck a hawkish tone. Updated projections showed higher inflation expectations and a slower pace of future rate cuts. BTC fell 2.2% to around $64.1K. Gold and silver also saw price drop. The key takeaway is that the Fed appears focused on preventing inflation risks, signaling tighter financial conditions which will eventually reduce liquidity support for risk assets. BTC's Price has stabilized around $64K-65K, suggesting selling pressure is easing, though buyers remain cautious and near-term consolidation is likely.
Stock Market Today: Expert View By Rajesh Palviya
Rajesh Palviya, Head of Research, Axis Direct
The Nifty extended its winning streak for a fourth consecutive session, closing above the crucial 24,000 mark, supported by sustained domestic institutional buying, easing crude oil prices, and strength in IT and PSU banking stocks. However, sentiment is likely to turn cautious at the opening as global markets reacted negatively to the US Federal Reserve's relatively hawkish policy guidance. While the Fed kept interest rates unchanged, its updated projections signalled that inflation remains persistent and policy rates could stay higher for longer, pushing US bond yields higher and triggering profit-taking across global equities.
For Indian markets, softer crude prices continue to provide an important macro cushion by supporting the inflation and fiscal outlook. At the same time, resilient domestic liquidity and improving earnings expectations should help limit downside despite global headwinds. Investors are likely to remain selective, with stock-specific opportunities expected to outperform broader market moves.
Technically, 24,000 remains the immediate pivot for the Nifty. Holding above this level would keep the positive bias intact and could pave the way towards 24,200-24,400. On the downside, any sustained breach below 24,000 may invite profit booking towards 23,900, followed by the 23,800-23,650 support zone. While a mildly negative start is likely in line with overnight global cues and softer GIFT Nifty indications, the overall medium-term trend continues to favour buying on dips as long as key support levels remain intact.
US FED Decision To Hold Rates: Expert View By Rajesh Palviya
Rajesh Palviya, Head of Research, Axis Direct
The Federal Reserve's decision to maintain rates unchanged for a fourth consecutive meeting was widely expected, but the updated projections reinforce a 'higher-for-longer' interest rate environment. The division among policymakers, with half still anticipating at least one more rate hike this year, along with elevated inflation forecasts and slower GDP growth, reflects the Fed's ongoing focus on controlling price pressures even if it moderates economic growth. For global equities, the message is somewhat hawkish as expectations of an early rate-cut cycle are pushed further away. This could keep bond yields high, strengthen the US dollar, and lead to intermittent risk-off sentiment in emerging markets. While interest rate-sensitive sectors may face short-term volatility, the overall market impact is likely to stay moderate since the Fed has avoided any surprise tightening.
For Indian equities, the fundamental investment case remains solid, supported by resilient domestic macroeconomic indicators, healthy corporate earnings, sustained SIP inflows, and government-led capex. However, near-term market trends could be influenced by FII flows and currency movements, as global liquidity remains tight. Overall, any volatility stemming from the Fed's stance should be viewed as an opportunity to invest in quality businesses with a medium- to long-term perspective.