10/08/26, UPI-MDR

E-commerce and other consumer internet companies could face higher payment costs on some UPI transactions if the government introduces a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), with the eventual impact depending on the transaction threshold, the merchants covered and who ultimately bears the charge.

MDR is a fee charged on a digital payment transaction, typically paid by the merchant to the payment ecosystem for processing the transaction. Under a potential UPI framework, the charge could apply to purchases above a specified transaction threshold  such as Rs 2,000, although the government has not yet finalised the threshold, rate or merchant categories that would be covered.

The Finance Ministry has said any future charge would be nominal and limited to a select category of merchant transactions, with consumers and most merchants expected to remain outside the levy.

Several industry executives and legal experts Moneycontrol spoke with said the impact on consumer internet companies could extend beyond payment processing costs, with e-commerce platforms and sellers potentially facing higher costs.

“Any MDR on UPI would have a very direct, first-order impact on e-commerce, particularly on margins and pricing. If the product pricing is above the proposed MDR threshold, shopping on these websites could become more expensive because merchants operating on thin margins are likely to pass on at least some of that additional cost,” a senior executive at a consumer internet company said.

The impact, however, remains contingent on the final framework. The government has not yet specified the MDR rate, the transaction-value threshold or the merchant categories that could be covered, and it is not clear whether e-commerce transactions above any eventual threshold would ultimately attract a charge.

To be sure, purchases on marketplaces that focus on low-value items could see limited impact if the eventual MDR framework applies only above a certain transaction threshold. As a result, quick commerce and food delivery could be less exposed if the framework targets higher-value transactions.

Who is the merchant?

For e-commerce marketplaces, the impact will depend partly on who is treated as the merchant. If an individual seller is directly onboarded with the payment provider and receives the settlement, the seller could be liable. If the marketplace collects the payment before settling with the seller, the platform could be treated as the merchant.

Prashanth Ramdas, partner at law firm Khaitan & Co, said the framework should look at the actual payment and settlement structure rather than apply a uniform definition across marketplaces.

“For a future MDR framework, regulators should, therefore, have a functional approach to defining a merchant, by reference to the payee, settlement recipient, merchant onboarding and marketplace collection model instead of using a single label for all e-commerce transactions,” Ramdas said.

However, the entity initially liable for MDR may not ultimately bear the cost. A platform could absorb it or pass it on to sellers, while a directly liable seller could factor it into pricing.

The exposure will also vary by business. E-commerce platforms have a wide range of transaction values, including smartphones, electronics and appliances. Quick commerce and food delivery are dominated by lower-value transactions. If MDR is restricted to higher-value payments, much of their routine order volume could remain outside the levy.

Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, Eternal, Swiggy and Zepto did not respond to queries sent by Moneycontrol.

MSMEs could feel the squeeze

The bigger concern for e-commerce could be what happens to the millions of sellers operating on marketplaces. For a micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) or direct-to-consuner (D2C) brand already paying marketplace commissions, logistics, fulfilment, advertising and returns-related costs, MDR would add another cost to selling online.

“An e-commerce marketplace is an ecosystem of lakhs of independent MSMEs, entrepreneurs, artisans and D2C brands. Payment acceptance costs ultimately become part of the cost of doing business for marketplace sellers,” said another industry executive, on the condition of anonymity.

If MDR charges add to the cost of transactions, consumers may shift back to cash or other payment methods, potentially undermining the broader push towards digital payments.

“It also raises questions around digital adoption, seller growth and the broader ease of doing business.”

The cost would have to be absorbed somewhere. Platforms could take the hit, sellers could see margins squeezed, or businesses could factor the additional cost into prices. For smaller sellers, the implications could extend beyond margins to how much they invest in online channels.

“Digital commerce has evolved around a frictionless payments architecture. Any change in payment economics becomes another input cost for sellers, particularly MSMEs that operate on marketplaces,” a third executive said. “Over time, businesses either absorb that cost, pass it on or change behaviour.”

The impact could show up in seller economics, pricing, digital adoption and investment in online channels.

Cash could become king

The biggest policy question is whether MDR can be introduced without raising costs for the smallest merchants. For marketplace sellers, any new payment charge would come on top of commissions, logistics, fulfilment, advertising and compliance costs.

“MSME and D2C sellers get a flat, non-negotiable pass-through stacked on existing commission and compliance costs – a real risk of pushing small-ticket sellers back toward cash or COD,” said Salman Waris, founder and managing partner at law firm TechLegis.

Protecting small merchants and low-value transactions through thresholds or carve-outs could limit the impact on digital commerce, while allowing charges on larger merchant transactions.

Report written by Aryaman Gupta 

Source: Money Control 

The government has not yet specified the MDR rate, transaction threshold or merchant categories covered. Those details will determine whether the levy remains a marginal payment cost or becomes a meaningful new expense for consumer internet businesses.

20/08/26, STOCKS TO BUY THIS WEEK

The domestic equity markets ended the week on a cautious note as crude oil prices once again surged near $80 a barrel. The Nifty 50 closed the week 0.08% higher, while the BSE Sensex ended the week 0.21% lower. 

Several top research houses, including Nomura, Jefferies, Macquarie, HSBC, Nuvama, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JM Financial, and Motilal Oswal, shared their latest recommendations for key stocks as markets dropped, and we shortlisted 10 stocks across sectors.

👉Nomura on Samvardhana Motherson

Nomura has maintained its ‘Buy’ rating on Samvardhana Motherson. The brokerage house has raised its price target to Rs 171, from Rs 155 on the stock, implying an upside of over 10%. It said that steady earnings growth will continue. This raise in price target came on the back of strong ramp-up of non-auto segments and high free cash flow (FCF) to help with acquisition optionality.

The brokerage’s estimated Samvardhana Motherson’s revenue growth is 11% for FY27, 12% for FY28, and 18% for FY29, driven by the ramp-up of greenfield plants and strong growth in non-auto segments led by consumer electronics.

👉Jefferies on Kalyan Jewellers

Jefferies has initiated coverage on Kalyan Jewellers with a ‘Buy’ rating. It has set a target price of Rs 598, implying an upside of around 39% from the current market price. As per the brokerage house report, the company could benefit from the continued shift towards organised jewellery retail, particularly as it expands beyond its traditional South India stronghold.

India’s jewellery market is worth more than $115 billion and around 60% of it remains unorganised. Kalyan Jewellers already has a presence across more than 500 showrooms globally. Jefferies believes its combination of local market understanding and organised retail infrastructure could help it capture a larger share of the market.

👉HSBC on Trent

HSBC maintained its ‘Buy’ rating on Trent and increased its target price to Rs 3,390 from Rs 3,370, implying an upside of 11.8% from the current market price. The brokerage said the June-quarter EBITDA beat was driven primarily by higher gross margins.

HSBC said the lagged benefit of higher raw material pricing, a better mix led by Westside and operating efficiencies resulted in EBITDA beating estimates by nearly 10%. However, it cautioned that revenue growth would remain the biggest driver for future stock performance of Trent, even though margins have improved meaningfully.

👉Nuvama on Britannia

Nuvama has a ‘Buy’ rating on Britannia. It set a target price of Rs 7,240. This translates to an upside potential of 49% from the current market price.

Britannia’s revenue for the quarter came in at around Rs 5,000 crore. Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA), a measure of core operating profit, stood near Rs 840 crore. The Nuvama report noted, “Geopolitical situation in West Asia and volatility in crude oil prices remain key monitorables.”

👉Macquarie on PB Fintech

Macquarie maintained its ‘Outperform’ rating on PB Fintech with a 12-month target price of Rs 1,950, implying a 19.6% upside from the reference price in its report. The brokerage said revenue growth remained strong while profitability stayed in line with expectations as operating leverage continued to improve. It also pointed to the expansion of the renewal book, improving insurance profitability and narrowing losses in newer businesses.

The brokerage said total insurance premiums continued to grow faster than the industry, supported by product innovation and service quality. It also noted that PB Fintech’s management remained confident about dealing with potential regulatory changes relating to insurance commissions.

👉JM Financial on Ventive Hospitality

JM Financial has maintained a ‘Buy’ rating on Ventive Hospitality with a 12-month target price of Rs 840, implying an upside potential of about 35%. Ventive Hospitality reported a relatively soft June quarter, mainly due to higher operating costs in its Maldives business. 

Rising diesel prices and additional expenses linked to the West Asia conflict affected profitability. However, the brokerage does not see this as a long-term concern.

👉Motilal Oswal on ONGC

Motilal Oswal has maintained its ‘Buy’ rating on ONGC with a target price of Rs 290. This translates to an upside potential of around 21% from the current market price. 

In the Q1FY27 earnings, ONGC’s standalone revenue stood at around Rs 46,500 crore. As per Motilal Oswal’s report, this was broadly in line with their estimates. Furthermore, the brokerage report noted that crude oil and natural gas sales, however, came in lower than expected.

👉Morgan Stanley on PNB Housing Finance

Morgan Stanley retained its ‘Overweight’ rating on PNB Housing Finance and raised its target price to Rs 1,420 from Rs 1,405, implying an upside of 27% from the reference price used in the report. The brokerage said the company’s June-quarter performance reinforced its positive view and prompted it to raise loan growth estimates for FY27 through FY29.

The brokerage said PNB Housing Finance’s underlying retail loan disbursements increased by more than 50% year-on-year, after adjusting for an accounting change, while retail loan accretion exceeded its expectations.

👉Goldman Sachs on Hindustan Aeronautics

Goldman Sachs upgraded Hindustan Aeronautics to ‘Buy’ with a target price of Rs 5,870, implying an upside of 27%. The brokerage said its view changed because execution risks that had weighed on the stock for nearly two years were beginning to recede, while earnings expectations remained conservative relative to the opportunities emerging across multiple defence platforms.

The brokerage said its revised estimates on HAL incorporated higher manufacturing revenue and earlier deliveries of several key platforms. It raised its financial year 2027 revenue estimate by 9% and financial year 2028 revenue estimate by 23% after advancing expected deliveries of the HTT-40 trainer aircraft, Light Combat Helicopter Prachand and Su-30 platforms by one year based on channel checks and supply chain activity.

👉HSBC on Hindalco Industries

HSBC has a ‘Buy’ rating on Hindalco Industries with a target price of Rs 1,430, implying a 46.8% upside. The brokerage has identified aluminium as its preferred commodity, citing China’s capacity cap and resilient global demand. Hindalco Industries is its preferred way to play that theme among Indian metals companies.

The brokerage says aluminium remains its “preferred commodity”, supported by China’s production cap and steady global demand. With an upside potential of nearly 47%, Hindalco offers the highest return potential among HSBC’s 10 preferred India stock ideas.

Report by Sparsh Bansal 

Source: FinancialExpress

Disclaimer: This article provides factual analysis only and is not, and should not be construed as, an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Investors must conduct their own independent due diligence and seek advice from a SEBI-registered financial advisor.

10/08/26, Index Levels

10/08/26, Financial Market Today

The global markets are trading on a mixed note. The Asian peers surged in morning trade. However, US Futures are in the red. Indian investor sentiment is following the same. The GIFT Nifty is indicating a muted start for Indian markets. It is up 21 points or 0.09%. 

Earlier on Friday, the Nifty 50 closed the session 0.27% lower at 24570, while the BSE Sensex closed 0.58% lower at 78,499. 

Key global and domestic cues for August 10, 2026

👉Asian Markets

Asia-Pacific markets opened Monday’s trade higher on the back of a likely deal by Iran and the US to open the Strait of Hormuz. Japan’s Nikkei 225 added over 0.54% while the Topix was marginally higher. The Kospi gained 0.53%, and the small-cap Kosdaq advanced 1.48%. Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 25,790, compared with the index’s last close of 25,668.03.

👉US Futures on Monday

On Monday, the US futures slipped. Futures tied to the S&P 500 index slipped about 0.2%, while Nasdaq-100 futures fell 0.1%. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures shed 99 points, or 0.2%.

👉US market on Friday

On Friday, the S&P 500 index advanced 0.62% for a record close of 7,757.64, while the Nasdaq Composite outperformed, climbing 1.3% to 26,690.62. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 151.83 points, or 0.28%, to end at 54,036.93.

👉Crude oil

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures surged 0.47% to trade at $78.58 per barrel. On the other hand, Brent crude futures were trading almost 0.63% higher at $84.12, above the psychologically important level of $80. On COMEX, crude prices traded 0.61% higher at $78.66 a barrel.

👉Gold rate today

On COMEX, the precious metal was trading at $4,394.80 an ounce, down 0.11%.

The rate for 24-carat gold today is Rs 1,51,890 per 10 grams. The price of gold has risen 2% from yesterday. The 24 kt gold rate today in Delhi is Rs 1,51,630 per 10 grams. The 18-carat gold price today in India is Rs 1,13,917.5. The 24-carat gold rate in Dubai today is Rs 1,49,590. 

👉Silver rate today

On COMEX, Silver prices traded 0.42% higher at $63.76 per troy ounce.

In India, the silver rate surged 2.66% to Rs 2.32 lakh per kilogram.

Silver had surged to record highs in January amid geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, with heavy speculative buying pushing prices higher, but soon faced volatility.

👉FII, DII data

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers of shares worth Rs 480.24 crore. On the other hand, the Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers of shares worth Rs 235.56 crore on August 07, 2026, according to the provisional data available on the NSE.

written by Sparsh Bansal 

Source: Financial Express

07/08/26, State Bank Of India

India’s largest lender, State Bank of India, posted its Q1 FY27 net profit at Rs 21,121 crore, up over 10% year-on-year from Rs 19,160 crore reported in the year-ago period. Sequentially, its profit expanded 7% from Rs 19,683 crore reported in Q1 FY26.  

The bottom line growth was driven by a sharp YoY decline in the bank’s loan loss provision. The lender’s operating profit for the period expanded 9.77% to Rs 33,529 crore from Rs 30,544 crore reported in the same quarter last year.

Improvement in NPA and lower loan loss provisions drive growth

For the reporting period, its loan loss provision fell 31.92% YoY to Rs 3,359 crore against Rs 4,934 crore reported in Q1 FY26.  

For the April-June quarter, SBI’s net interest income (NII) stood at Rs 46,992 crore, jumping around 15% YoY from Rs 40,907 crore reported in the corresponding quarter last fiscal year.

SBI’s total income was reported at Rs 1.43 lakh crore, up 6% from Rs 1.35 lakh crore in the same quarter last year. 

On the asset front, the state-owned bank saw improvement as its s gross NPA declined by 36 basis points YoY to 1.47% from 1.83% reported in the year-ago period. Also, net NPA inched down 9 basis points to 0.38% from 0.47% reported in the June quarter ended 2025. 

SBI’s total deposits for the reporting quarter stood at Rs 60. 05 lakh crore, up 9.73% YoY in comparison to Rs 54.73 lakh crore reported in the same quarter last year.

👉SBI Q1 FY27 Financial Highlights

SBI’s business crossed the Rs 110 trillion mark, while its Deposits crossed Rs 60 trillion and its advances grew by Rs 50 trillion. SBI reported its Q1 FY27 Return on Assets (ROA) at 1.11% and Return on Equity (ROE) at 17.87%. These ratios are a critical measure of a bank’s profitability.

The bank’s net interest margin (NIM) rose 5 basis points to 2.86%, while its domestic NIM for Q1 FY27 improved 7 bps to 3%. SBI’s Whole Bank Advances registered a 18.63% YoY growth, with domestic growth at 18.15% YoY, and Foreign Offices’ Advances rose 21.38% YoY in rupee terms and 9.97% in dollar terms.

The state-owned lender’s Provision Coverage Ratio (PCR) in Q1 FY27 stood at 74.20% while PCR (incl. AUCA) was reported at 91.82%. As of June 2027, SBI’s Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) stands at 15.67%

👉SBI share price

Following the announcement of its results, SBI’s share price rose 3% in Friday’s intraday session on the NSE. Over the past one month, its stock has delivered a return of more than 8%, while over the past six months it has been trading flat.

Written by Devansi Verma

Source: Financial Express

07/08/26, Expecting Positive Momentum

The Nifty 50 witnessed range-bound trading for the third consecutive session before closing 11 points higher on August 6. However, the broader market structure remained strong, with the index trading well above all key moving averages, although momentum indicators signalled sideways action. The index is expected to remain in a consolidation phase in the short term, with the 24,700-24,800 zone acting as the immediate cap on the upside and the 24,500-24,400 zone providing support, as participants monitor developments related to the normalisation of shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz. According to experts, the index needs to convincingly break out of this range on either side to determine its next directional move.

Levels for Nifty50 (cmp24636)

Resistance based on pivot points: 24,667, 24,684, and 24,712

Support based on pivot points: 24,611, 24,594, and 24,566

Special Formation: The Nifty 50 formed a Doji candlestick pattern on the daily charts, indicating indecisiveness among buyers and sellers. Momentum indicators also signalled sideways action. However, the broader market structure remains favourable for bulls, with the index trading well above all key moving averages and the 20-day and 50-day EMAs continuing to trend upward. Overall, the technical setup indicates a pause in momentum within an ongoing uptrend rather than a reversal, with the broader bullish bias remaining intact.

 Levels For The Nifty Bank (cmp58,064)

Resistance based on pivot points: 58,090, 58,176, and 58,314

Support based on pivot points: 57,813, 57,728, and 57,590

Resistance based on Fibonacci retracement: 59,247, 61,787

Support based on Fibonacci retracement: 57,305, 56,441

Special Formation: The Bank Nifty gained 0.56 percent and formed a bullish candlestick pattern on the daily charts after correcting over the previous two sessions, indicating renewed buying interest. However, the index continued to trade within Tuesday's range, signalling a lack of a decisive breakout. The banking index remained above all key moving averages, with the 20-day EMA providing support over the past four sessions. The RSI remained sideways at 56.31 while staying above its signal line. Meanwhile, the MACD continued to trend upward with a bullish crossover, and the green histogram bar expanded for another session, indicating strengthening positive momentum. Overall, the technical setup suggests that the broader uptrend remains intact, with the current consolidation likely to be a pause before the next directional move, provided key support levels continue to hold.

Report by Sybil Shankar Matkar 

Source:Network18

06/08/26, IRAN and Oman MOU

 Iran and Oman have reached an understanding on the geographical coordinates of a proposed shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran said. A joint announcement is now being finalised, although Tehran warned that third-party interference could disrupt the process.

Iran also said the agreement would not by itself guarantee security in the strategic waterway.
The proposed arrangement could give Iran greater control over ships entering the Gulf through Hormuz.

US-Iran War Updates: August 6

1. Iran and Oman are close to finalising a framework for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
2. Iran says the proposed shipping arrangement with Oman would not automatically reopen the strait. Tehran says additional conditions, including US commitments, must be met.
3. Tehran says its talks with Oman are strictly bilateral and that no negotiations with Washington are underway. Iran acknowledged receiving US messages but said no decision has been made on further talks.
4. Yemen’s Houthis said they struck the Saudi oil tanker Daisy with a ballistic missile in the Gulf of Aden and forced it to turn back.
5. At least 10 commercial ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours, while 19 transited the Bab al-Mandeb. Traffic remains well below normal levels.
6. Iran’s president said sanctions and war have created the toughest conditions since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He accused external powers of trying to weaken public support for the government.
7. Iran says the two countries have agreed on geographical coordinates for a proposed commercial shipping route through Hormuz. A joint statement is now being finalised.
8. Brent crude below $80/barrel, while WTI crude remains around $75/barrel.
9. Israel ordered residents of Mansouri to evacuate before carrying out strikes it said targeted Hezbollah. : US-mediated talks in Rome were suspended ahead of schedule following renewed Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon.
10. UKMTO said a vessel sank after an attack in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait but did not identify the ship or attacker. The Iran-backed Houthis have repeatedly threatened shipping in the waterway.

Crude Oil (WTI)	Brent	Natural Gas	Gasoline
$75.014	$79.342	$2.6688	$2.8289

Written by Ashma Grover,   AnjanaPV

Source: Financial Express 

06/08/26, Markets Today

The global markets are trading on a cautious note. The Asian peers fell in morning trade following the US markets. Indian investor sentiment is also following the trend. The GIFT Nifty is indicating a quiet start for Indian markets. It is up 11 points or 0.04%. 

Earlier on Wednesday, the Nifty 50 closed the session 0.04% higher at 24,625, while the BSE Sensex closed 0.19% higher at 78,581. 

🔑 Key global and domestic cues for August 06, 2026

✳Asian Markets

Asia-Pacific markets opened Thursday’s trade on a lower note following an overnight fall on Wall Street as tech stocks witnessed a sell-off. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.51%, while the Topix inched higher. The Kospi dropped 1.84% at the open, while the small-cap Kosdaq gained 0.15%. Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 25,674, lower than the index’s last close of 25,915.82.

✳US markets on Wednesday

On Wednesday, the US stock markets closed on a mixed note. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 263.24 points, or 0.49%, for a record close and its fifth positive day in a row. The S&P 500 pulled back 0.17% and snapped a four-day win streak. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.83%.

✳Crude oil

Crude oil prices slipped after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the Hormuz Strait deal is likely this week. 

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures slipped 0.04% to trade at $75.19 per barrel. On the other hand, Brent crude futures were trading almost 0.11% higher at $79.54, below the psychologically important level of $80. On COMEX, crude prices traded 0.41% lower at $74.91 a barrel.

✳Gold rate today

On COMEX, the precious metal was trading at $4,351.20 an ounce, up 1.07%.

The rate for 24-carat gold today is Rs 1,48,510 per 10 grams. The price of gold has risen 3.12% from yesterday. The 24 kt gold rate today in Delhi is Rs 1,48,250 per 10 grams. The 18-carat gold price today in India is Rs 1,11,382.5. The 24-carat gold rate in Dubai today is Rs 1,49,590. 

✳Silver rate today

On COMEX, Silver prices traded 3.12% higher at $62.75 per troy ounce.

In India, the silver rate surged 2.8% to Rs 2.27 lakh per kilogram.

Silver had surged to record highs in January amid geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, with heavy speculative buying pushing prices higher, but soon faced volatility.

Written by Sparsh Bansal

Source: Financial Express

05/08/26, SENSEX AND NIFTY BANK graphs

 SENSEX

NIFTY BANK

05/08/26, RBI credit policy

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to keep interest rates unchanged at its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on August 5, with policymakers likely to adopt a wait-and-watch approach as uncertainty over the conflict in West Asia continues.

A Moneycontrol poll of 16 market participants, including economists, treasury heads and fixed-income experts conducted last week, suggests the central bank will maintain the policy repo rate at 5.25 percent while retaining its "neutral" stance.

Apart from the policy decision, the RBI's commentary on inflation, growth, capital flows and crude oil prices will be closely tracked for clues on the futurepolicy path.

Capital inflows in focus

Market participants will closely watch the RBI's assessment of foreign capital inflows, particularly after the central bank's recent measures to attract foreign currency deposits.

According to the latest Finance Ministry data, outstanding Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) [FCNR(B)] deposits crossed $60 billion at the end of July, up sharply from $32.56 billion as of June 5. State Bank of India (SBI) accounted for about $4.12 billion of these inflows.

Inflation outlook

While the RBI is widely expected to retain its inflation projections, any sustained spike in Brent crude prices could prompt a more cautious outlook.

In the June policy review, the RBI raised its FY27 inflation forecast to 5.1 percent from 4.6 percent. Inflation averaged around 4 percent during the April-June quarter, comfortably within the central bank's target band of 2-6 percent, against its forecast of 4.2 percent for the quarter.

Growth projections

The RBI's FY27 GDP growth forecast will also be closely watched. Most economists expect the central bank to retain its projection of 6.6 percent, supported by resilient domestic demand despite heightened global uncertainties.

Policymakers are likely to wait for greater clarity on global developments before revising their growth outlook.

Meanwhile, SBI Research has estimated India's GDP growth at around 7 percent in the April-June quarter. In its previous policy review, the RBI had lowered its FY27 growth forecast to 6.6 percent from 6.9 percent.

Crude oil assumptions

Brent crude prices remain a key variable for the MPC's inflation assessment.

Oil prices have remained volatile since the June policy amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Although Brent has eased to around $84 per barrel after surging earlier, policymakers are expected to factor geopolitical risks into their inflation projections.

Several economists have already revised their FY27 Brent assumptions from around $65 per barrel to a range of $85-$90 per barrel.

Outlook on future rate moves

While economists have largely ruled out a rate hike at this meeting, views remain divided on the policy trajectory beyond August.

Some market participants believe the RBI could consider a 25-basis-point rate hike in October if crude prices rise sharply again. Others expect the central bank to remain on hold, particularly as the US Federal Reserve has indicated no immediate plans to tighten policy further.

The US Federal Reserve recently kept interest rates unchanged at 3.50-3.70 percent. Although Chair Kevin Warsh reiterated the Fed's commitment to containing inflation, he stopped short of signalling further rate increases, leaving markets with limited guidance on the policy outlook.

written by Archishma Iyer

Source: Network18 

05/08/26, Iran has rejected US President Donald Trump's and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's claims that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen under a new agreement within days, insisting that its ongoing negotiations with Oman are not being held with US participation and are instead focused on creating a new maritime framework that safeguards Iran's sovereignty.

 According to Press TV, citing an informed source, Tehran said the talks with Oman are aimed at establishing what it described as an "intermediate corridor" through the strategic waterway.

The source said the proposed arrangement would replace both the existing Iran-controlled northern route and the US-backed southern route with a new corridor designed to protect Iran's sovereignty, national interests and security.

Iran dismisses Trump's timeline

The remarks came after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States could reach an agreement with Iran "today or tomorrow" to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore freedom of navigation.

President Donald Trump had also said negotiations were progressing and suggested the waterway could reopen quickly.

Iran, however, rejected those claims.

According to Press TV, the source said, "Trump has violated his commitments, and Iran is moving forward with its plan to establish arrangements in the Strait independently of US threats, and it will succeed."

The source added, "Iran does not shape its interests and priorities based on schedule or demands of Trump."

Iran says talks are progressing with Oman

Earlier on Tuesday, Iran's state-run IRNA News Agency said technical and political discussions with Oman had been "constructive."

"Technical and political discussions have so far been constructive. Iran is working with Oman to develop frameworks for future maritime traffic management in this strategic chokepoint, with final results to be publicized once finalized," IRNA quoted Iranian officials as saying.

Separately, Al Jazeera, citing Iranian diplomatic sources and official statements, reported that the negotiations with Oman have been making steady progress despite remaining differences.

According to the report, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently indicated that the talks had made good progress. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also described the negotiations positively while acknowledging that some issues still remain unresolved.

Diplomatic sources in Tehran told Al Jazeera that an agreement is now within reach, although they accused unnamed "disrupting actors" of attempting to derail the process. The sources said it was possible that a deal could be reached by the end of Wednesday.

Proposed arrangement gives Iran greater control

According to the Press TV report, the proposed agreement with Oman would significantly expand Iran's oversight of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

The report said Iran would exercise full sovereign authority over all inbound commercial shipping, while Oman would play a limited role in clearing outbound vessels.

However, Oman would do so only after notifying Iranian authorities, allowing Tehran to maintain visibility over vessel movements and retain the ability to intervene whenever necessary, according to the report.

Hormuz deal could open the door for wider diplomacy

According to Al Jazeera, Iranian diplomatic sources believe the Oman negotiations are significant primarily because they could create a mechanism for managing trade through the Strait of Hormuz rather than resolving the broader conflict.

The report said that if Tehran and Muscat succeed in reaching an agreement, it could pave the way for wider diplomatic engagement between Iran and the United States.

However, officials indicated that several major disputes would still remain unresolved.

These include de-mining operations in and around the Strait of Hormuz, the US naval blockade, sanctions relief, the return of Iran's frozen overseas assets, the future of Iran's nuclear programme, and security guarantees that Tehran has sought to prevent what it views as another cycle of war followed by temporary peace and renewed confrontation.

According to Al Jazeera, Iranian officials maintain that all of these issues ultimately need to be resolved through diplomacy rather than another round of military escalation.

Strait of Hormuz remains the key sticking point

The Strait of Hormuz has become the central issue in diplomatic efforts to ease the nearly six-month conflict between Iran and the United States.

Before the war, commercial vessels moved freely through the waterway, which carried around one-fifth of global oil shipments.

Since hostilities escalated, Iran has tightened control over the strait and has pushed for a new maritime management framework, while the United States has continued to insist on unrestricted freedom of navigation.

Despite growing diplomatic activity involving Oman and Washington's optimism about a breakthrough, Iran continues to reject suggestions that any agreement is being negotiated directly with the United States, maintaining that the current negotiations remain exclusively between Tehran and Muscat.

Source:Network18

05/08/26, BANKING NEWS

Ahead of the Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy announcement on Wednesday, banking system liquidity has improved on account of inflows from foreign currency non-resident bank {(FCNR) (B)} deposits.

The system liquidity was at a surplus of Rs 2.4 lakh crore as on Monday, the highest since May 16. It averaged at Rs 1.64 lakh crore over the past week, compared with Rs 1.07 lakh crore in July, according to data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

“Banking system liquidity has improved on the back of robust FCNR (B) inflows. With less intervention required by the RBI in the currency market, FCNR (B) flows are translating into more system liquidity. We expect liquidity conditions to strengthen further as inflows continue to rise,” said Alok Singh, treasury head at CSB Bank.

Followed by the improved liquidity, the weighted average call rate (WACR) eased to 5.06% on Tuesday compared to 5.10% on Monday and an average of 5.23% in July. Volume in the call market has also come down over the past few days due to improved liquidity.

written by Christina Titas 

source: Financial Express

04/08/26, US Markets

US markets on Tuesday morning rallied to record highs with the S&P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq advancing sharply over a big signal of the Hormuz crisis easing. The upbeat corporate earnings, continued optimism around artificial intelligence (AI) and easing geopolitical tensions also boosted investor sentiment.

At the time of filing the report, S&P 500 climbed at 7,735.17 for the first time in history, gaining 1.77% during the session. The rally also pushed the combined market capitalisation of companies in the benchmark index above $70 trillion for the first time.

Bloomberg reported that prospect of an interim Iran deal focused on the Strait of Hormuz appeared are gaining traction with Iran indicating that it will allow Europe to remove mines from the sea route.

Reuters reported the latest gains were led by AI-linked companies, with investors cheering another round of strong earnings that reinforced confidence in the technology sector.

Palantir Technologies surged 26% after raising its annual revenue forecast again, highlighting sustained demand for its AI-powered software platforms.

Industrial equipment maker Caterpillar jumped 5.8% after raising its annual revenue growth outlook, benefiting from rising demand for equipment used in the construction of AI data centres.

The results followed strong quarterly performances from Microsoft and Amazon last week, which reassured investors that massive investments in artificial intelligence are translating into stronger business growth.

Chip stocks extend rally

Semiconductor stocks were among the biggest gainers on Wall Street. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) climbed nearly 5.8%, showing continued optimism over AI-related demand for advanced chips.

Among technology giants, Microsoft gained around 2%, while Amazon eased about 2% after its recent rally. The technology sector rose 3.5%, helping offset weakness in several other sectors of the S&P 500, Reuters reported.

Earnings season beats expectations

Corporate earnings have broadly exceeded market expectations this quarter.

According to Reuters, 304 companies in the S&P 500 had reported second-quarter earnings as of last week, with 85.2% surpassing analysts’ estimates, well above the long-term average of 67.5%.

Elsewhere, Pfizer rose after reporting better-than-expected quarterly results, while McDonald’s also traded higher despite posting disappointing earnings.

Investors are also awaiting SpaceX’s first earnings report since its public listing.

Falling crude prices add to optimism

Markets also drew support from declining oil prices after signs of possible diplomatic progress in the Middle East.

Crude prices fell around 4% after a Qatari official said negotiations to resolve the regional conflict were continuing. On Tuesday, crude oil price fell below $80. Separately, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said an agreement with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be reached as early as Tuesday or Wednesday.

Lower oil prices eased concerns over inflation and supported expectations of improved corporate profitability.

Trade developments boost select tech firms

Technology stocks also received support after Reuters reported that the Trump administration is drafting restrictions on imports of new Chinese data centre components.

Following the report, US photonics firms Coherent and Lumentum gained sharply as investors anticipated stronger demand for domestic suppliers.

written by Financial Express

04/08/26, Live Market News

Nifty 50 opened lower on August 4, reversing part of the previous session's sharp rise that came as exchanges launched a new mechanism to price stocks at close.

At 9:45 am, the Sensex was up 194.77 points or 0.25% at 78,833.80, and the Nifty was down 149.55 points or 0.60 percent at 24,624.75. About 2001 shares advanced, 1131 shares declined, and 174 shares unchanged.

The Nifty and the Sensex rose 1.6% and 0.7% on Monday, showing a rare divergence after the launch of the new auction mechanism for stocks with futures and options contracts.

The Nifty saw a massive 200-point jump during the closing auction, driven by moves of 1% or more in about 12 index heavyweights, said Devarsh Vakil, head of prime research at HDFC Securities. Part of that move was likely to reverse at the open, Vakil had said.

Fifteen of the 16 major sectors logged losses at the open. The broader small-caps rose 0.4% and mid-caps fell 0.2%.

written by J.Jagannath 

Source: Network18 

04/08/26, FinancialMarket TODAY

 

The global markets are trading on a mixed note. The Asian peers are cautious in morning trade. Indian investor sentiment is also showing similar trends. The GIFT Nifty is indicating a negative start for Indian markets, down 34 points or 0.14%. 

Earlier on Monday, the Nifty 50 closed the session 1.60% higher at 24,774, while the BSE Sensex closed 0.70% higher at 78,639.

The Nifty saw a 200-point  jump during the last few minutes of the closing because of the new closing system.

 Nifty jumped 200 points in last-minute trade today? Experts decode the new Closing Auction Session

Key global and domestic cues for August 04, 2026

Asian Markets

Asia-Pacific markets opened Tuesday’s trade on a mixed note following overnight gains on Wall Street, aided by falling crude oil prices. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.83% while the Topix declined 0.59%. The Kospi dropped 1.27% at the open, while the small-cap Kosdaq surged 3.33%. Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were last at 25,922, compared with the index’s last close of 25,884.43.

US markets on Monday

On Monday, the US stock market closed higher as Trump called off plans to strike Iran. The Dow jumped 693.38 points or 1.32%, to end the day at 53,178.41. The S&P 500 gained 1.48% to end at 7,600.50. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 2.13% to 25,913.90.

Crude oil

Crude oil prices slipped after US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned attack on Iran. 

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures slipped 0.87% to trade at $81.04 per barrel. On the other hand, Brent crude futures were trading almost 0.7% higher at $84.39, below the psychologically important level of $90. On COMEX, crude prices traded 0.75% higher at $80.94 a barrel.

Gold rate today

On COMEX, the precious metal was trading at $4,110.90 an ounce, up 0.5%.

The rate for 24-carat gold today is Rs 1,42,740 per 10 grams. The price of gold has fallen 0.3% from yesterday. The 24 kt gold rate today in Delhi is Rs 1,42,490 per 10 grams. The 18-carat gold price today in India is Rs 1,07,055. The 24-carat gold rate in Dubai today is Rs 1,49,590. 

Silver rate today

On COMEX, Silver prices traded 1% higher at $58.43 per troy ounce.

In India, the silver rate fell 0.45%% to Rs 2.16 lakh per kilogram.

Silver had surged to record highs in January amid geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, with heavy speculative buying pushing prices higher, but soon faced volatility.

FII, DII data

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers of shares worth Rs 922.26 crore. On the other hand, the Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers of shares worth Rs 1,571.18 crore on August 03, 2026, according to the provisional data available on the NSE.

US dollar

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the dollar’s value against a basket of six foreign currencies, was trading 0.04% higher at 100. The index evaluates the strength or weakness of the US dollar in comparison to major currencies. The basket contains currencies such as the British Pound, Euro, Swedish Krona, Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc, etc. The rupee appreciated 0.06% to close at 95.34 to the dollar on August 03.

Top sectors in Monday’s trade

The NBFC sector’s stocks surged the most in Monday’s trade, rising 3.8% in market capitalisation. Further, Education stocks were followed by the Electric Equipment sector stocks, which were further followed by the Cables stocks. However, the Rubber sector stocks fell the most, declining 3%.

written by Sparsh Bansal

source: Financial Express

03/08/26, PostMarket REPORT

 

The stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rallied on Monday, supported by a sharp fall in crude oil prices, easing geopolitical tensions and sustained foreign fund inflows.

At around 12 pm, the Sensex climbed 651.08 points or 0.83 at 78,745.72, while the broader Nifty climbed to 24,601.55, up 217.95 points or 0.89 percent.

Except for the Nifty Pharma index, all sectoral indices were trading in the green. The broader Nifty Smallcap 100 and Nifty Midcap 100 indices gained 1.08 percent and 0.84 percent, respectively.

Key factors behind market rise

1) Decline in crude oil prices: Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, fell 4.97 percent to USD 83.56 a barrel. The decline in crude prices is seen as positive for India, which imports a major part of its crude oil requirement.

2) FII inflows: Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) turned net buyers in July, purchasing equities worth Rs 20,199 crore. Of this, Rs 6,731 crore came through exchanges, while Rs 13,467 crore was under the 'primary market and others' category. Debt inflows also witnessed a sharp rise, with Rs 29,211 crore coming through the 'General Limit' category alone.

"The excessive volatility in markets like South Korea and Taiwan and the concentration risk in the 'chip trade' are prompting the FPIs to look for stabler markets like India. The stability in rupee and fair valuations of India's large cap stocks are other factors that are facilitating the renewed FPI inflows into India.

"A significant recent trend is the FPIs buying into Indian mid and small cap stocks. The high growth potential of this segment is the principal reason for the increasing FPI allocation to these segments," Dr V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments, said.

3) Easing geopolitical concerns: Investor sentiment improved after US President Donald Trump indicated that negotiations with Iran were expected to resume on Monday, raising hopes of a diplomatic solution following recent military tensions.

"The decline in Brent crude to below USD 84, good progress in monsoon in July and FIIs turning buyers are positive triggers for the market," Vijayakumar added.

4) Firm global cues: Asian markets traded higher, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gaining in early trade. US markets had ended in the positive territory on Friday. Nasdaq and other Wall Street futures were up by as much as 1 percent, indicating a firm opening for US equities later in the day.

"Global risk sentiment has been supported by a sharp correction in crude oil prices as easing geopolitical concerns prompted investors to unwind the recent risk premium," Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth-tech firm, said.

5) Rupee rises: The rupee appreciated 31 paise to 95.12 against the US dollar, aided by the sharp decline in global crude oil prices and a weaker greenback after US President Donald Trump decided to hold off strikes against Iran. According to forex traders, foreign fund inflows, a rise in the country's foreign exchange reserves and support from the Reserve Bank of India also strengthened the domestic currency. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 95.15 against the US dollar before rising further to 95.12, up 31 paise from its previous close.

6) Strong Q1 results: The June quarter earnings season has remained largely free of major disappointments. ITC rose 3.8 percent, helping the consumer index gain 1.6 percent, despite reporting a decline in quarterly profit, as several brokerages viewed the cigarette volume growth as a positive for future earnings.

Divi's Laboratories advanced 3.2 percent after posting a rise in quarterly profit, while Urban Company surged 16 percent after reporting a 44 percent increase in first-quarter revenue.

Financial stocks, which carry the highest weight on the benchmark indices, gained 1 percent, led by Bajaj Finance and Bajaj Finserv, which rose around 3 percent each after announcing their quarterly results.

Beyond the rebound in Asian memory stocks, which supported domestic equities, Jefferies said foreign inflows, credit growth, auto sales, property activity and power demand have exceeded expectations, while June-quarter earnings have been broadly encouraging.

Technical Outlook

Anand James, Chief Market Strategist at Geojit Investments, said "Being in the vicinity of the the peaks of April, May and July, expect pull back attempts, making 24600 the challenge to overcome. Meanwhile, we feel that the base has shifted to 24100 region where the 20 and 10 day SMAs converge, and this can be used as a downside marker, while dips are entered, with an eye on 24800 initially."

Report by Paras Bist

Source:Network18

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts here are their own and not those of  us.We advises readers and investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.