TOP STOCKS IN FOCUS
US stocks today: S&P 500, Nasdaq retreat as mounting U.S.-Iran tensions dampen sentiment
Wall Street indices eased from record highs as renewed U.S.-Iran tensions overshadowed a strong previous week. Oil prices jumped, boosting the energy sector, while tech stocks saw mixed performance. Investors now await quarterly earnings reports for insights into the economic impact of the conflict.
Why are US stock market futures down today, and will Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq continue to drop or rise again? Wall Street futures, US stocks to watch, analysts insights and market outlook
Why are US stock market futures down today, and will Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq continue to drop or rise again? US stock futures fell after a strong rally as Iran tensions returned and oil prices jumped. Investors reduced risk positions while earnings season approaches. Energy shares gained while volatility increased. Analysts expect market swings in the near term as geopolitics, earnings, and economic outlook shape investor sentiment and trading decisions.
Where to invest now: Chemicals, capital goods, and banking top the list, says Aditya Shah
Aditya Shah, Hercules Advisors Founder, suggests investing in India's domestic growth. His top picks are chemicals, capital goods, and banking. He advises caution on FMCG and defence sectors due to high valuations. Shah emphasizes selectivity and prioritizing companies with corrected prices. Investors should focus on domestic-facing businesses for potential gains.
ICICI Bank shares rise 2% after Q4 results. What Jefferies, Bernstein and other brokerages are saying
Brokerages remain bullish on ICICI Bank after a strong quarter, citing stable margins, healthy loan growth and improving asset quality. Motilal Oswal, Elara Capital and JM Financial maintained buy ratings, with target prices up to Rs 1,783. They expect steady returns, strong buffers and consistent execution to support premium valuations and earnings growth over FY27-28.
Global Market Today: Oil jumps, stocks wobble as Mideast ceasefire hangs in the balance
Middle East tensions sent oil prices soaring and stock markets wavering as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slowed to a crawl. Despite a fragile ceasefire, Iran's vow of retaliation after a U.S. ship seizure has heightened concerns. While traders hope for a resolution, the immediate focus remains on the critical chokepoint and its impact on global supply and inflation.
Tactical investing: 6 stocks for your watchlist as the Gulf rebuild approaches; 4 with positive upside potential of up to 25%
Peace is something that has eluded West Asia a long time. For old Gulf watchers, statements and counter-statements of the kind seen in the last 48 hours are nothing new. That is probably the least to expect in times of conflict. And, when negative headlines dominate, it is tough to think rationally, especially when it comes to the stock markets. In such circumstances, it is useful to have the ability to be somewhat contrarian.
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US stocks today: S&P 500, Nasdaq end at fresh records as oil prices tumble
S&P 500, Nasdaq and Dow hit fresh records as optimism over a possible Iran-US deal and Strait of Hormuz reopening sent oil prices down, easing inflation and boosting equities.
ETMarkets PMS Talk| No emotional bias, quant model drove 20% FY26 performance: Rohan Mehta
The Growth Mantra PMS Fund delivered strong returns of around 20% in FY26. Its success stems from a disciplined, data-driven investment strategy. This quant-led framework removes emotional bias, focusing on identifying high-performing stocks through price momentum, earnings strength, and sectoral outperformance. The fund systematically exits underperformers, adapting to market changes and identifying emerging leaders.
2026 tax refund investing: Top 5 blue-chip stocks like Apple and Walmart to grow your money fast
Tax refunds in 2026 may be higher due to new rules like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Instead of spending, people can invest in strong stocks for long-term growth. Big companies with stable income and steady demand are better choices. Even small investments can grow slowly over time if people stay patient and focus on safe and trusted businesses.
US stock market rally today: Why Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq are suddenly rising amid ceasefire hopes and strong earnings — Is this bull run just getting started?
US stock market rally today is gaining strength as the S&P 500 crosses 7,000, the Nasdaq tops 24,000, and the Dow Jones rises steadily. Markets react fast to fresh signals. A reported Israel–Lebanon ceasefire and easing US-Iran tensions lift investor confidence. Risk appetite returns quickly. Strong earnings from major companies add fuel. Jobless claims fall to 207,000, showing economic resilience. Tech stocks lead the surge again. Momentum builds across sectors. This US stock market rally today reflects lower geopolitical risk, stable growth outlook, and strong corporate performance, pushing equities toward record highs with sustained bullish sentiment.
ChatGPT maker OpenAI shifts its focus to business users amid Anthropic pressure
OpenAI is prioritising business AI tools to boost revenue. The company is launching a new model for professional work. This strategic shift aims to compete with rival Anthropic. OpenAI is moving away from some consumer offerings. This focus on high-value professional tasks is key to its future profitability. Business clients now represent a significant portion of OpenAI's income.
Indian fund outperforming 98% of peers bets on defense stocks
A $3 billion fund at Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co. is backing Indian defense stocks, wagering that geopolitical tensions will boost local arms production and support the government’s efforts to lower reliance on imports.
ChatGPT maker OpenAI shifts its focus to business users amid Anthropic pressure
OpenAI says it will introduce a new artificial intelligence model for "high-value professional work" as the company faces heightened competition with rival Anthropic in attracting corporate customers to adopt AI assistants in their workplaces. "You'll see a new model coming from us in short order. We feel very excited about it," Friar said in an interview with The Associated Press.
Why Dow Jones crashes today while Nasdaq is gaining: US stock market in doldrums as Dow falls 200 points while S&P 500 and Nasdaq stay in green
US stock market today shows explosive moves as top gainers surge over 600% while select losers drag sentiment slightly. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has slipped nearly 200 points to 48,339, while the Nasdaq Composite surged close to 0.8% and the S&P 500 stayed in the green. While the Dow is packed with cyclical and multinational companies sensitive to global risks, the Nasdaq is dominated by AI-driven and tech firms that continue to attract strong inflows. Add to that easing oil prices and optimism around a possible end to the US-Iran tensions, and you get a market where growth stocks rise while defensive and industrial names lag.
India's FDI plan for ecommerce; Tata charges up iPhone biz
India is planning to allow FDI in inventory-based ecommerce exclusively for exports. This and more in today's ETtech Top 5.
The Wealth Company MF unveils SIF brand, launches two funds with differentiated strategies
The Wealth Company Mutual Fund, part of the Pantomath Group, has launched its SIF brand ‘WSIF’ along with two new funds featuring differentiated long-short strategies. The new fund offerings aim to combine equity investing with tactical hedging approaches, marking the fund house’s entry into the emerging Specialised Investment Funds category.
Nifty rebounds 8% in April after March rout, but stays below pre-war levels. What does it signal?
Nifty has rebounded 8% in April after a sharp March correction but remains below pre-war levels, signalling cautious recovery. The bounce is driven by short covering and selective buying, while persistent FII outflows, elevated crude prices and geopolitical risks continue to weigh on sentiment despite improving valuations.
Market rally continues but fundamentals are weakening, warns Dipan Mehta
Markets are rallying but investor Dipan Mehta urges caution. He believes fundamentals are weakening. A poor monsoon could impact rural businesses and inflation. Banks face challenges with rising deposit costs. Largecap IT stocks remain uncertain due to AI. Defence stocks are overvalued. This earnings season may not drive markets higher. Investors should watch the June quarter closely for structural headwinds.
TCS Nashik case escalates; Zepto’s road to IPO
Happy Tuesday! TCS COO Aarthi Subramanian will head the investigation into a sexual harassment case at its Nashik unit. This and more in today's ETtech Morning Dispatch.
IonQ stock surges 20% after bagging big contract - here's all about it, and what investors should know
IonQ stock today surged approximately 20% following the announcement of a significant DARPA contract for the HARQ program. This initiative aims to develop networked quantum systems by integrating diverse qubit technologies, with IonQ contributing crucial quantum memory components to enhance interconnectivity and scalability for advanced applications.
Time to buy? Sunny Agrawal finds best picks across banking, pharma, capital markets & infrastructure
Indian stock markets present attractive opportunities now. Investors with an 18-month outlook should consider deploying funds, especially in mid and small-cap stocks. Experts highlight companies with strong earnings visibility. Key sectors like banking, asset management, auto ancillaries, pharmaceuticals, electronics manufacturing, metals, and infrastructure offer potential. Quality stocks bought now are expected to deliver solid returns by FY27.
Quote of the day by Charlie Munger, “It takes character to sit there with all that cash and do.....” — Here’s a timeless motivational quote by the mind behind Berkshire Hathaway’s legendary success
Quote of the day by Charlie Munger: In 2026, over $900 billion in market value reflects the success of Berkshire Hathaway. The strategy is simple. Long-term investing wins. Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger built wealth through patience, discipline, and rational thinking. Their motivational quotes are not theory. They are proven principles. Avoid quick money traps. Focus on compounding returns. Stay consistent in volatile markets. Read daily. Think independently. These timeless lessons shape modern financial success.
CoreWeave shares jump 12% on deal with Anthropic; stock surges 40% in unbeaten five-session rally
CoreWeave shares surged after a multi-year deal with Anthropic to power Claude AI models, extending a five-session rally. The agreement boosts its position in AI infrastructure as demand for large-scale compute accelerates globally.
Bank stocks vs consumer discretionary: Sunil Subramaniam’s top watchlist for the summer season
Market expert Sunil Subramaniam warns the bottom is yet to be established amid geopolitical tensions and Trump-induced volatility. He notes DIIs are holding back deployment ahead of a crucial earnings season, with flows turning cautious. Investors should stay patient, avoid panic selling, and accumulate systematically, while tracking consumer discretionary trends, banking NIM pressures, and potential private capex surprises.
Anthropic's new Claude Mythos model: A new threat in the waiting for Indian IT stocks?
Indian IT stocks may face fresh turbulence as Anthropic’s preview model, Mythos, raises disruption risks. Analysts warn its sharp gains in software engineering tasks mark a “step-jump,” not incremental progress, potentially pressuring valuations. Kotak says the leap could have meaningful implications for IT services firms, narrowing adaptation time and intensifying concerns over near-to-medium term demand, pricing power, and margins.
D-Street superstars go crash hunting: What Ashish Kacholia, Mukul Agrawal and others bought in March quarter?
Top Indian investors used the March-quarter market correction to selectively buy beaten-down and smallcap stocks, despite weak overall sentiment. Radhakishan Damani made a contrarian entry into TSF Investments after a steep decline, while Mukul Agrawal picked up a stake in True Colors.
Stocks in news: LIC, Maruti Suzuki, Sun Pharma, TCS, HUL
Indian markets extended their gains on Friday, with analysts predicting a steady recovery towards the 24,300-24,700 zone. Several prominent companies like LIC, Maruti Suzuki, Sun Pharma, TCS, and HUL are in focus due to significant news, including potential bonus issues, EV expansion plans, and acquisition bids.
Good time to start SIPs: ICICI Prudential AMC's Sankaran Naren explains why markets are more attractive now
Sankaran Naren explains why markets are more attractive but unlikely to deliver outsized returns and shares his macro-driven approach with Sanket Dhanorkar.
US Stock Market: Fed transition in focus as Warsh nears top job amid legal uncertainty
Federal Reserve chair as early as May, even as legal complications cloud Jerome Powell’s exit. An ongoing investigation and a judge’s ruling on related subpoenas could delay the transition, adding uncertainty to U.S. monetary policy.
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