U.S. equities pushed to record highs as investors shifted focus toward first-quarter earnings season, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rebounding sharply after war-related volatility. The catalyst for stabilization was easing concern over U.S.-Iran tensions, which had briefly rattled risk appetite and sent oil prices higher. Markets are now betting that corporate profit reports will validate the elevated valuations stocks currently carry. Earnings season becomes the next critical test: if companies deliver results strong enough to justify current price levels, the rally has fundamental support. If they disappoint, the multiple compression risk becomes acute, particularly in a rate-sensitive environment. Oil remains the live variable. Elevated crude prices feed directly into input costs, margin compression, and consumer inflation expectations, which in turn influence Fed policy assumptions. Investors will track both earnings guidance and any renewed escalation in the Middle East as the dual determinants of whether record levels hold or reverse in the weeks ahead.
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.
