US stocks closed higher on Thursday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posting their largest monthly gains in years. The rally came despite ongoing oil supply shocks and geopolitical tensions, as strong corporate earnings gave investors enough confidence to push past those concerns. Economic data released alongside the gains pointed to continued healthy US growth, reinforcing the bullish mood. The industrials and technology sectors led the advance. Alphabet stood out with a record quarter for its cloud unit, a result that lifted sentiment across the tech space. Cloud revenue is a closely watched growth metric for Alphabet, and a record print signals strong enterprise demand. The breadth of the rally, spanning both cyclical sectors like industrials and high-growth areas like technology, suggests the market is pricing in a resilient economy rather than an imminent slowdown. Watch for whether earnings from other major companies sustain this momentum or reveal cracks in the wider corporate picture.
The Indian government has launched an OFS to sell up to 6.5% of its LIC stake, opening for non-retail investors on August 4, 2026, at a floor price of Rs 382 per share, about 11% below Monday's close. The discounted offering is likely to pressure LIC shares in the near term as supply increases sharply.
More than a dozen major Indian companies including Bharti Airtel, ONGC, Pidilite, Nykaa, DLF, and Ather Energy report April-June 2026 earnings on August 4. Results span telecom, energy, consumer goods, real estate, and EV sectors, giving markets a broad read on corporate health mid-earnings season.
Amazon shares hit a new all-time high Monday, pushing its market cap above $3 trillion following a sustained post-earnings rally. The milestone places Amazon among the very few companies globally to reach this valuation, with investor focus on AWS and advertising growth driving the move.
Sensex Gains 500 Points as Oil Falls on Iran Talks
The Sensex rose around 500 points and the Nifty crossed 24,500 on Monday after Donald Trump announced talks with Iran, pushing oil prices lower. IndiGo, ITC, FMCG, and metals led the gains as cheaper crude eased cost and inflation concerns.
