Stock Market Updates

HDFC Securities

Stay updated with the latest happenings in the world of stock markets with our expert analysts

  1. 10H AGO

    Opening Bell - 20 / 02 / 2026

    Opening Bell - Morning Commentary Iran War Clouds Send Markets Sliding Wall Street ended lower on Thursday, with losses in private equity companies and weakness in Walmart and Apple, while earnings-driven gains in industrials limited losses. The weakness on Wall Street partly reflected a negative reaction to Walmart's earnings, with the retail giant slumping 1.4 per cent. The company provided weaker-than-expected earnings guidance for the current year. Negative sentiment may also have been driven by a continued spike in crude oil prices amid concerns of a military conflict between the U.S. and Iran. The major averages finished the day off their lows of the session but still in negative territory. The Dow slid 267 points to 49,395, the Nasdaq fell 70 points to 22682, and the S&P 500 dipped 19 points to 6861. President Donald Trump said Thursday that he will decide whether to launch military strikes against Iran in the next 10 days. Private equity companies slid after Blue Owl Capital announced it would sell $1.4 billion in assets and freeze redemptions at one of its funds to manage debt and return capital.  Blue Owl tumbled 6%. Apollo Global Management, Ares, KKR & Co and Carlyle Group all fell between 1.9% and 5.2% as Blue Owl's troubles added to recent worries about credit quality and lenders' exposure to software stocks. The U.S. trade deficit widened sharply in December amid a surge in imports, and the goods shortfall in 2025 was the highest on record despite tariffs on foreign-manufactured merchandise. Crude oil jumped above $66 as geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran escalated, reaching its highest level since July after climbing more than 7% over two days. The market is pricing in potential disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, which handles approximately 20% of global oil supply, amid a significant US military buildup in the Middle East. The US Dollar Index rose to its highest level in over a week, near 97.80, after FOMC minutes revealed that officials are not rushing to cut rates, with several policymakers noting potential hikes if inflation remains elevated. The hawkish tone pressured EUR/USD down 0.11% to $1.18 and drove gains against most major currencies. Gold prices remained above $5,000 per troy ounce, supported by escalating US-Iran tensions and geopolitical uncertainty, despite a stronger dollar. The precious metal gained over 2% in the previous session as investors sought safety amid potential military action in the Middle East and failed peace talks between the US and Iran and Russia and Ukraine. Asian markets opened lower today, following Wall Street's decline, as sentiment was dampened by the military buildup in the Middle East and concerns over oil supply disruptions. The Nifty snapped its three-session winning streak yesterday, plunging 1.4% to close at 25,454, its lowest close since the Budget session (February 03, 2026). Below 25372, Nifty could extend its fall towards its 200-day EMA placed at 25233. On the higher side, the 25550-25600 band could act as short-term resistance. Indian markets are poised to open moderately higher in line with positive global cues.

    3 min
  2. 2D AGO

    Opening Bell - 18 / 02 / 2026

    Opening Bell - Morning Commentary Markets Inch Up Amid AI Cost Concerns U.S. stocks edged higher Tuesday after a sluggish open, lifted by a rebound in technology shares and support from financials. Amazon shares swung violently after shedding roughly $450 billion in market value over nine consecutive sessions. Investors are scrutinising the company's plan to spend $200 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026—a nearly 60% increase that significantly exceeded Wall Street expectations. US Futures are pointing lower, with Nasdaq 100 futures declining amid concerns about AI's disruption across industries and the burden of heavy capital spending. Gold slipped to $4,919 per ounce yesterday as metals markets stayed cautious ahead of key U.S. data releases: industrial production and the Fed's January meeting minutes today, PCE inflation on Friday. December personal income and spending figures will also draw attention, as they carry the Fed's preferred inflation gauge. Crude oil fell to $62.25 per barrel, while Brent declined to $68.13, ahead of U.S.-Iran ministerial negotiations. The New Zealand dollar weakened after the central bank signalled that monetary policy must remain accommodative to sustain the economic recovery. Most Asian markets are closed due to lunar holidays, while Japanese equities are trading higher today despite lingering AI-driven anxiety in global markets. Despite a weak start yesterday on a weekly expiry day, the index staged an intraday turnaround, surging over 150 points from its morning lows. The rebound was broad-based, with nearly all sectoral indices finishing in the green. Nifty managed to register follow-up gains in yesterday's trade. Next resistance for the Nifty is seen near 26000, while levels of 25570 and 25372 could offer support in the near term. Indian markets are poised to open moderately higher in line with positive global cues.

    2 min
  3. 4D AGO

    Opening Bell - 16 / 02 / 2026

    Opening Bell - Morning Commentary RBI Circular on Capital Market Exposures to Impact Liquidity in Derivative Markets The US stock market's recent moves can be characterised by a shift from cautious optimism to a sharp mid-week sell-off, which was ultimately stabilised by a cooling inflation report. Last week began with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 hovering around key psychological levels (50,000 and 7,000, respectively). However, sentiment soured from Thursday, February 12, as the market aggressively "punished" the software sector. The Indian market was a tale of two halves over the last fortnight - an initial rally driven by a historic trade agreement, followed by a sharp correction triggered by sticky inflation and global tech jitters. The US-India landmark deal initially boosted export-oriented sectors such as textiles and auto components. The Nifty IT index has declined by more than 14% in 2026, and the sector has shed over ₹1.56 lakh crore in market value in recent weeks. The RBI's new circular tightens banks' capital market exposures, banning intraday margin funding to brokers (limited to secured settlement gaps) and requiring 100% cash backing for bank guarantees in proprietary trading. The circular will raise costs for brokers and prop desks, curbing leverage and liquidity in derivatives, where prop trading drives 40% of F&O turnover. The Nifty index fell on Friday, plunging 336 points, or 1.3%, to close at 25,471. Nifty violated its crucial support levels of the 20 and 50-day EMAs. The next support lies at the lower band of the gap formed on February 3, 2026 (25,108), though the 200-day EMA at 25,215 may provide interim support. Market breadth deteriorated sharply, underscoring ongoing profit-booking in midcaps and smallcaps. Indian markets are poised to open lower on cautious local cues.

    2 min
  4. FEB 12

    Opening Bell - 12 / 02 / 2026

    Opening Bell - Morning Commentary Asian Stocks Hit Record Highs, Nifty Primed for All-Time High Rally Above Key 26,000 Resistance Asian stocks rose to a record high on Thursday, while the dollar firmed a touch against most currencies, except the yen, after stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data dented near-term rate-cut expectations, setting the stage for the inflation report on Friday. The US economy added 130,000 jobs in January, double expectations, while unemployment unexpectedly fell to 4.3%. The robust labour data pushed Treasury yields higher and prompted traders to pare back their expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut in 2026. Financial services stocks JPMorgan, Bank of America, and Charles Schwab fell by more than 2% amid concerns about AI-driven disruption in wealth management. Software companies Salesforce and Intuit also declined more than 4% as AI-powered tools threaten traditional business models. Shopify shares surged after beating Q4 revenue estimates and announcing a $2 billion share repurchase program. The e-commerce platform also provided solid first-quarter revenue growth guidance, boosting investor confidence. Mattel shares cratered after Q4 earnings and revenue missed estimates, with the toy maker guiding for declining adjusted EPS in 2026 despite expected sales growth. The stock hit its lowest level since last April on the disappointing forecast. Gold futures surged 1.3% to over $5,090 per ounce while silver jumped more than 5% to $84.65 yesterday. The rally was fueled by a softer US dollar and disappointing economic data, including flat December retail sales. Oil prices edged up amid concerns about escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran. The rupee slid 12 paise to 90.70/$ amid rising crude and precious metal prices, fueling importer demand for dollars. The Nifty extended its winning streak to a fourth consecutive session, eking out a modest 18-point gain to finish at 25,953. Nifty continues to hold its uptrend with its level above all key moving averages. Immediate resistance for the Nifty is seen near 26000; above this, the index could extend the rally towards a fresh all-time high of 26373. On the downside, the 25700-25780 band could provide strong support for the index. Indian markets are poised to open subdued on softer global cues.

    3 min
  5. FEB 11

    Opening Bell - 11 / 02 / 2026

    Opening Bell - Morning Commentary Major US stock indexes were mixed on Tuesday. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq closed lower, while the Dow edged up to its third record close in a row, as investors digested disappointing retail sales figures and waited for a key labour market report. U.S. retail sales were unexpectedly unchanged in December as households scaled back spending on motor vehicles and other big-ticket items, potentially setting consumer spending and the economy on a slower growth path heading into the new year. Treasury yields fell after U.S. data suggested the economy may be softening. The yen was up again in the wake of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's decisive weekend election victory. Lyft forecast first-quarter adjusted core profit below expectations on Tuesday, hit by severe U.S. winter weather, seasonal cost pressures, and posted a surprise operating loss for 2025, sending its shares down 16% in after-hours trading. Robinhood Markets fell 6.2% in late trading after reporting fourth-quarter revenue growth that trailed Wall Street estimates. The disappointing results overshadowed other metrics as investors reassessed growth expectations for the online brokerage platform. Shares of LPL Financial fell 8.3%, Charles Schwab declined 7.4%, and Morgan Stanley dropped 2.5% after tech platform Altruist introduced a new AI-powered tax planning tool. Back home, Nifty rose for the third straight session, fueled by robust global cues, gaining 67 points to close at 25,935. Despite the weekly expiry yesterday, the index remained largely range-bound, oscillating within a tight 100-point consolidation zone. Nifty continues to hold its uptrend with its level above all key moving averages. Short-term resistance for the Nifty is seen near 26000, above which the index could extend the rally towards a fresh all-time high above 26373. On the downside, the 25600-25670 band could provide strong support for the index. Our markets are gradually inching higher as foreign investors cover their short in derivatives and become selective buyers in the cash markets. Indian markets are poised to open higher today on conducive global cues.

    2 min
  6. FEB 10

    Opening Bell - 10 / 02 / 2026

    Opening Bell - Morning Commentary Dow at New All-Time High; Broad-Based Rally Lifts Indian Markets World stocks rallied on Monday, propelled by optimism over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's thumping election win and a tech rebound, while the dollar slumped amid reports that China has advised financial institutions to curb exposure to U.S. bonds. U.S. stocks moved mostly higher over the course of the trading day on Monday, extending the strong upward move seen in last Friday's session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a new all-time high of 50135, rising modestly as markets recovered from last week's volatility. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5%, and the Nasdaq advanced 0.9%, with technology stocks powering the rally. Oracle jumped 9.6% after an upgrade, while AppLovin soared over 13% following a retraction of critical allegations. The Information Technology sector gained 1.4%, leading the S&P 500 higher as investors returned to beaten-down software names. Investors await delayed January employment data on Wednesday and CPI inflation figures on Friday. The data releases will provide crucial guidance on Federal Reserve interest rate policy for the remainder of 2026. The monthly job report is expected to show employment climbed by 70,000 jobs in January after rising by 50,000 jobs in December, while the unemployment rate is expected to hold at 4.4 per cent. Oil prices eased slightly on Tuesday as traders gauged the potential for supply disruptions, following U.S. guidance on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz that kept attention squarely on tensions between Washington and Tehran. Nifty kicked off the week strongly, surging 173 points to close at 25867. It staged a 100-point recovery from the day's low after early profit booking, signalling clear bull control as it ended near the session high. Short-term resistance looms near 26000; a break above could propel it toward fresh all-time highs beyond 26373. On the downside, the 25450–25500 zone remains a strong support. Indian markets are positioned to open higher on conducive global cues.

    3 min
  7. FEB 4

    Opening Bell - 04 / 02 / 2026

    Opening Bell - Morning Commentary AI Anxiety Hits Wall Street Wall Street ended sharply lower on Tuesday as investors worried that AI could create more competition for software makers, keeping them on edge ahead of quarterly reports from Alphabet and Amazon later this week. The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell 1.4% as software stocks extended losses, Anthropic's launch of workplace productivity tools intensified worries, with the sector shedding approximately $300 billion in market value. Walmart became the first retailer ever to hit $1 trillion in market valuation on Tuesday, riding on a year-long rally that has seen its shares rise nearly 26%, placing it among the ranks of Big Tech heavyweights such as Nvidia and Alphabet. Crude oil rose 1.25% to $64.00 per barrel after initially falling on reports of potential US-Iran nuclear negotiations resuming in Turkey. The US shot down an Iranian drone and remains cautious about armed boats, while the India-US trade deal could redirect Russian oil flows and tighten supply elsewhere. The Nifty opened with its largest single-day absolute gain of over 1,200 points yesterday, fueled by the long-awaited US tariff cuts on Indian imports. The index settled up 639 points at 25,727, marking its highest one-day percentage gain since May 12, 2025. Bank Nifty touched a fresh all-time high of 61,764 and closed with a robust 2.4% advance. The Indian Rupee delivered its biggest single-day gain since December 18, 2018, closing at 90.27 vs. USD—its highest in three weeks—driven by "risk-on" sentiment and exporter dollar unwinding post-trade deal news. Nifty's 1770 point recovery from the recent swing low of 24,571 has reclaimed levels above the 20, 50, 100, and 200-day EMAs, confirming a bullish trend reversal across timeframes. Nifty’s Key support lies in the 25,500–25,650 band, with resistance at 25,863 and 26,373. Indian markets are positioned to open modestly lower on cautious global cues.

    3 min
  8. FEB 3

    Opening Bell - 03 / 02 / 2026

    Opening Bell - Morning Commentary We Have A Deal! Markets are likely to surge nearly 3% higher on open India and the United States have agreed to a trade agreement under which reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods will be slashed to 18% from 25%, and the additional 25% duty on purchases of Russian crude oil will be eliminated. The trade deal will be " effective immediately", President Donald Trump said, following a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi late Monday, offering immediate tariff relief for India. Lower Than Most Regional Peers At 18%, India's tariff rate is now lower than that of several major export-oriented Asian economies. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Vietnam face tariffs of 20%, while Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Pakistan face tariffs of 19%. Cambodia also faces a higher tariff burden at 19%. The deal includes the rollback of US tariffs on India from 50% to just 18%, a commitment from India to increase US imports by $500 billion, and a reduction in dependence on Russian oil. The trade deal is likely to stabilise the rupee and ease pressure on domestic interest rates. Labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery, and engineering goods are the clear winners, as all faced growth headwinds due to higher tariffs. India will have to move away from Russian crude oil in favour of imports from the US and Venezuela, following the removal of Russian oil-related penalties Indian equity markets are expected to surge 3% on open as the deal completely eliminates key policy uncertainties. The positive sentiment could trigger immediate foreign capital inflows, potentially turning India's Balance of Payments (BoP) position. This positive surprise will force many participants, including FPIs who are heavily short in the market, to cover their positions, which should lead to a sharp surge across indices and derivative stocks in today's session.

    3 min

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Stay updated with the latest happenings in the world of stock markets with our expert analysts