Kamal Ghorui
Stock market today: Buoyed by the two week US-Iran ceasefire, stock markets opened in green on Wednesday, rallying strongly ahead of the RBI monetary policy review. While Nifty50 went above 23,800, BSE Sensex rose over 2,600 points. At 9:16 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 23,878.75, up 755 points or 3.27%. BSE Sensex was at 77,175.26, up 2,559 points or 3.43%.Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited says, “The 2-week ceasefire between the US and Iran has dramatically altered the near-term market scenario. The crash in Brent crude to $95 following the ceasefire will again turn the market bullish. This ceasefire, particularly the agreed reopening of Hormuz Strait, will embolden the bulls to charge again, aided by the fair market valuations.”“RBI, aided by the crash in crude, will opt for a hold in rates today. The policy stance will continue to be neutral. The upside risk to inflation and the downside risk to growth can now be managed well. Rupee will strengthen and this may even force the FPIs to turn buyers; at least they will have to cease the sustained selling, which will become irrational in the present context. Short covering can sustain the rally.in the near-term Nifty will cruise towards 24000 and further movements will depend on the evolving outlook. In brief, it is risk on again. Beaten down financials have the potential to stage a dramatic recovery. Crude-related stocks like refineries, aviation, capital goods companies with exposure to the Gulf region, paints and adhesives will be on strong wicket.”Global markets rallied sharply after signs of a temporary de-escalation in the Middle East conflict lifted sentiment. Oil prices dropped below $100 per barrel, bonds advanced, and Asian equities surged as a two-week ceasefire raised hopes of the resumption of energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz. MSCI’s Asian stock index climbed 2.6%, while Wall Street equity futures rose over 2% and European futures jumped 5%, reflecting expectations that softer oil prices could ease inflation pressures and support growth.US President Donald Trump said he agreed to suspend bombing and attacks on Iran for two weeks and that a long-term peace agreement was in progress. His remarks came as markets closely tracked developments around the Strait of Hormuz, which had been at the centre of tensions.US markets ended on a mixed note on Tuesday despite signs of progress in negotiations as the deadline set by Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait approached.Gold prices moved higher as investors reassessed near-term risks following the temporary pause in hostilities, which helped reduce concerns over energy-driven inflation.Foreign portfolio investors remained net sellers, offloading shares worth Rs 8,692 crore on Tuesday, while domestic institutional investors provided some support by purchasing equities worth Rs 7,979 crore.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)
