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Sensex today | Stock Market Live: Sensex soars 500 pts at open, Nifty reaches 24,500 as crude oil slumps to $81 on Iran deal optimism

Sensex opened 788.7 pts higher at 78,883.34 on Monday against the previous close of 78,094.64 and at 9.16 am, it traded 543.52 pts or 0.70% higher at 78,638.16. Nifty 50 traded 168.45 pts or 0.69% positive at 24,552.05 after opening at 24,572.70 compared to the previous close of 24,383.60. Brent for October fell as much as 7.3% to $81.55 a barrel after Trump said he’d agreed to call off a massive attack on Iran as allies in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, asked him to pursue a deal instead. Equity markets are expected to remain focused on the Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, the ongoing Q1 FY27 earnings season and global developments in the coming week, with investors closely tracking management commentary, macroeconomic data and geopolitical events for market direction. Meanwhile, experts said though RBI may hold rate in its August 3-5 meeting, the focus will be more on its outlook comments. Top losers: Sun Pharma (-1.88%), Cipla (-0.54%), Apollo Hospitals (-0.47%), Bajaj Auto (-0.36%) Sensex opened 788.7 pts higher at 78,883.34 on Monday against the previous close of 78,094.64 and at 9.16 am, it traded 543.52 pts or 0.70% higher at 78,638.16. Nifty 50 traded 168.45 pts or 0.69% positive at 24,552.05 after opening at 24,572.70 compared to the previous close of 24,383.60. * GAIL is increasingly leveraged to LNG imports into China and Europe, with potential upside from a U.S. natural gas glut expected in 2027 * European gas inventories are near three-year lows, while U.S. LNG export capacity is ramping up more slowly than expected “Nifty is expected to open sharply higher around 24,550, up nearly 170 points, supported by easing geopolitical tensions and a decline in crude oil prices, both of which have improved global risk sentiment. The reduction in war-related concerns and softer crude prices are positive for India, as they ease inflationary pressure and improve the outlook for corporate earnings. Technically, the index remains in a strong uptrend. 24,400–24,300 will act as the immediate support zone, while 24,700–24,800 is the next key resistance area. A decisive move above 24,800 could trigger fresh momentum and extend the rally towards higher levels. The overall market structure remains bullish, and traders may consider a buy-on-dips strategy as long as Nifty continues to hold above the 24,300–24,400 support zone. Momentum remains with the bulls, and sustained buying could lead to a breakout above the immediate resistance.”

Sensex today | Stock Market Live: Sensex soars 500 pts at open, Nifty reaches 24,500 as crude oil slumps to $81 on Iran deal optimism
North America
Yahoo Finance

Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq Futures Climb As Markets Gear Up For Another Key Earnings Week: USO, PLTR, CRML, IONQ Stocks In Focus

U.S. futures climbed higher in the overnight session late Sunday as markets look forward to another busy week of earnings that will kickstart August’s trading. Meanwhile, the war between the U.S. and Iran is seemingly at a pause after U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier during the weekend that he had canceled a planned attack on the Middle Eastern country, subject to being able to rapidly close down on a deal. The president also reportedly said that a new round of talks with Iran will begin Monday. Nasdaq-100 futures climbed 0.77%, Dow futures were up 0.45%, and S&P 500 futures gained 0.50% at 9:49 PM EDT. At the close of the regular trading session on Friday, all benchmark indexes closed higher, aided by strong quarterly results from Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN). The Dow closed up 0.53%, while the S&P 500 ended the session up 0.70%. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite was up 1% at close. All indexes also closed the week higher amid strong earnings from multiple technology companies, despite reporting higher capital expenditures. The Nasdaq led the gains, rising about 1.59% for the week. The S&P 500 and the Dow both gained more than 1% each in the same time. U.S. futures are gaining on the back of another week of earnings expected from top American companies. Chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) is slated to report its second-quarter (Q2) results on Tuesday. Many consumer firms, including McDonald’s Corp. (MCD), Kraft Heinz Co. (KHC), Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST), and Walt Disney Co. (DIS) are also slated to announce their quarterly results this week. “Some 71% of S&P 500 companies have now reported Q2 results, with another 15% of the index due this week. The consensus of analysts' estimates implied Q2-2026 operating EPS growth of 37.0% y/y as of July 30, up from 35.8% last week. That figure includes the mark-to-market investment gains booked by a few of the Mag-7 companies. Nevertheless, estimates for Q3 and Q4 continue to trend higher,” Yardeni Research said in a blog post on Sunday. Meanwhile, on the geopolitical front, markets are awaiting updates on the status of the war between the U.S. and Iran. Trump told reporters on board Air Force One on Sunday that “Obviously, they (Iran) don’t want to be attacked. They knew the extent of the attack because they saw it forming,” as per Al Jazeera. “Now what we’re doing is talking to them in the form of a negotiation. It begins tomorrow afternoon,” he added. Earlier, Trump said in a post on Truth Social that despite the U.S. being “locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II,” the country is holding off on attacks after having “been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to.” “This would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat. Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL. The Country of Israel joins me in this commitment. Get to work, everybody, and get it DONE,” he added.

Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq Futures Climb As Markets Gear Up For Another Key Earnings Week: USO, PLTR, CRML, IONQ Stocks In Focus
North America
CNBC Finance

Are Americans ready to embrace tiny 'cars'? These companies think so

A growing number of companies, including auto giant Stellantis, are betting Americans are ready to embrace smaller, less expensive vehicles amid yearslong affordability concerns for the U.S. auto industry. But the vehicles aren't technically "cars." They're electric low-speed vehicles, or LSVs, that are essentially a step above a traditional golf cart but below a typical light-duty car or truck sold in the U.S. "We have seen the popularity of many different form factors of electric, small low-speed vehicles continuing to grow," Keith Simon, co-founder and CEO of Waev, which owns several LSV brands such as ex-Polaris brand GEM, told CNBC. "I think it's evident by the number of new entrants across many different vehicle types. There's a lot of new players. … It's been growing significantly." Attention on such vehicles has been magnified during the past year by President Donald Trump. He has discussed opening U.S. roadways and regulations to better allow for smaller vehicles, including LSVs from Europe and Japan's "Kei cars," on U.S. roadways. "I'm giving all American car companies the right to build what are known as tiny little tiny cars," Trump said during a speech last week at General Motors' Milford Proving Grounds in Michigan. "I go over to Europe and I see these little cars all over the place and I say, 'Why aren't we making them?'" Small cars have historically not performed well in the U.S., but those involved with LSVs believe they could be a growth market for Americans who want an affordable, easy-to-drive vehicle for short distances. They also can typically be charged overnight with a traditional household outlet compared with regular, more expensive EVs that need special chargers that can cost thousands of dollars. Reliable data on the U.S. LSV market is limited since of the vehicles don't need to be registered, but they're part of a larger "micromobility" segment, which consulting firm McKinsey & Co. last year estimated could more than double in size globally by 2030. "The global micromobility market is on the upswing. McKinsey estimates that the market was worth about $160 billion in 2022; by 2030, it's estimated to reach $340 billion," according to its McKinsey's Center for Future Mobility. That includes North America's market growing from $20 billion in 2022 to $35 billion by 2030. For U.S. consumers, companies such as Stellantis' Fiat, Waev and startup Chip Motors are focusing on electric streel-legal LSVs, many of which are starting around $15,000, a fraction of the nearly $50,000 average price tag for a new traditional car or truck. LSVs vary in form and can be heavily customized, including the number of seats, electric range and available features, such as optional doors. They're typically used for short distances, often for people living in closed community settings such as retirement homes or condominium complexes. Their main competition has traditionally been golf carts, not small cars. "The use case for these kind of vehicles has become more interesting as people have evolved their lifestyles, and a vehicle like this fits into their lifestyles," Simon said. The market is loosely regulated compared with the light-duty vehicle market that dominates the U.S.. but the vehicles must not go faster than 25 mph and have to be equipped with standard safety features such as headlamps, turn signals, mirrors and a windshield that conforms to the federal motor vehicle safety standard. They're not required to have airbags and they're allowed on roadways with speed limits of up to 35 mph.

Are Americans ready to embrace tiny 'cars'? These companies think so
North America
CNBC Finance

Visa to buy cybersecurity firm BioCatch for $2.4 billion amid surge in AI-powered scams

Visa on Monday said it is acquiring fraud detection startup BioCatch for $2.4 billion in cash, expanding the payment giant's push into cybersecurity as banks confront a surge in artificial intelligence-powered scams and account takeovers. Under the deal, Visa will get BioCatch's behavioral biometrics platform, which analyzes data including keystroke timing, touch screen pressure and other signals to distinguish real users from scammers and bots. Visa said it is acquiring the firm from London-based private equity firm Permira and other investors. The acquisition underscores how payments companies are racing to strengthen fraud defenses as generative AI makes attacks cheaper, faster and more convincing. Visa estimates that scams and account takeovers cost the global economy more than $1 trillion annually. The acquisition is also the latest move by Visa to expand its value-added services business, which sells fraud prevention, cybersecurity and analytics software to financial institutions and has become one of the company's fastest-growing divisions. "BioCatch will help our clients stop fraud before it reaches the point of payment," Andrew Torre, Visa's president of value-added services, said in a statement. The acquisition of BioCatch is expected to close by the end of Visa's fiscal second quarter in 2027, subject to regulatory approvals. Other financial terms weren't disclosed. While the Israeli startup said it currently protects 760 million users across roughly 350 banks, Visa's global rails connect nearly 14,500 financial institutions, processing over 329 billion transactions annually worth more than $17 trillion. In a blog post accompanying the announcement, BioCatch said joining Visa will allow it to scale its impact amid a rising tide of global fraud. "The reality is, as a society and industry, we are not winning this fight," the firm said. "The value of fraud and scam losses and the number of fraud and scam attempts, mule accounts, and victims of these financial crimes all continue to grow (in some cases, exponentially) every year, all around the world." Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis.

Visa to buy cybersecurity firm BioCatch for $2.4 billion amid surge in AI-powered scams
North America
CNBC Finance

'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' beats out 'Avengers: Endgame' for highest domestic opening ever

Sony and Marvel's "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" webbed up more than $360 million during its opening weekend in the U.S. and Canada, breaking the record for the highest-grossing debut of all time. The previous record was $357 million, set by "Avengers: Endgame" in 2019. Globally, the latest Spider-Man installment tallied $932 million, shy of the $1.2 billion record still held by "Endgame." The Tom Holland-led "Brand New Day" kicked off with record-shattering Thursday preview sales and snared $169.3 million on Friday, including presales, and $101.5 million on Saturday. Sony had initially projected an $84 million Sunday, but moviegoers flocked to theaters, driving ticket sales to $88.7 million for the day. The film's opening weekend also marked the biggest opening weekend in Sony Pictures history and the biggest debut for the Spider-Man franchise. The feat comes even as "Brand New Day" was boxed out of Imax screens, which were snapped up for Christopher Nolan's and Universal's "The Odyssey." Rival premium large formats thrived, however, as Dolby Cinema, ScreenX and 4DX all reported record-breaking ticket sales over the weekend. "Brand New Day" is on pace to be the fourth billion-dollar film of 2026, joining Pixar's "Toy Story 5," Lionsgate's "Michael" and Universal and Illumination's "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie." Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis.

'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' beats out 'Avengers: Endgame' for highest domestic opening ever
Asia-Pacific
The Straits Times

Singdollar to widen gap with regional currencies; stronger currency could weigh on exports: Analysts

MAS said on July 27 that it will increase “very slightly” the rate of appreciation of the Singapore dollar’s trade-weighted value. SINGAPORE – The Singapore dollar is expected to continue strengthening against regional currencies, including the yen, in 2026, after the central bank surprised markets by tightening monetary policy for the second consecutive time since April. The Monetary Authority of Singapore said on July 27 that it will increase “very slightly” the rate of appreciation of the Singapore dollar’s trade-weighted value, allowing it to strengthen against an undisclosed basket of currencies. While a stronger Singdollar would lower import costs and boost Singaporeans’ spending power abroad, it could also increasingly hurt exporters if regional currencies remain weak. Zavier Wong, market analyst at eToro, said: “When we look at our neighbours, many are moving in the opposite direction by holding softer currencies to protect their own exports... Whatever room is left for the Singdollar to run will get amplified against that sort of backdrop.” He added that further policy tightening could not be ruled out, as MAS expects inflation to remain elevated, which could keep the Singdollar strong. “MAS has always tried to weigh two things against each other here and that is, keeping imported inflation in check versus keeping exports competitive,” he said. “A persistently strong Singdollar helps the former and hurts the latter. There is no getting both at once.” While the widening gap between the Singdollar and its regional peers is not yet a major concern, this could still erode Singapore’s price competitiveness over time, as trade effects filter through the economy, said Wong. Oriano Lizza, sales trader at CMC markets, is expecting the Singdollar to remain one of Asia’s strongest currencies over the next 12 months. But rather than expecting a one-way appreciation story, investors should anticipate more nuanced currency moves, driven by country-specific fundamentals, diverging central bank policies and the global growth outlook, he said. The Japanese yen is among the regional currencies expected to remain volatile against the Singapore dollar, despite intervention by Japan and the US to support the currency.

Singdollar to widen gap with regional currencies; stronger currency could weigh on exports: Analysts
North America
CNBC Finance

Michigan confirms first two deaths in cyclospora outbreak

Michigan health authorities on Monday reported the first two deaths from the ongoing cyclospora outbreak. The Michigan Health Department said that both individuals had "significant underlying health conditions" that may have been affected by cyclosporiasis and dehydration, citing medical records. Michigan health officials said that cyclosporiasis is generally not considered life threatening, and it is unusual for fatalities to occur in the U.S. Michigan has reported 11,234 cases and 193 hospitalizations tied to the outbreak. Based on reported cases, the state seems to be the hardest hit by the outbreak, and its number of reported cases has outpaced those reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC has received more than 6,700 laboratory-confirmed cases since May 1, according to the agency. That count does not include cases that have not been confirmed by a laboratory, which includes many reported by Michigan and Ohio, among other states. The CDC has been updating its case count on a weekly basis, while Michigan has been reporting every weekday. In mid-July, Taylor Farms recalled iceberg lettuce from central Mexico that was believed to be the source of the outbreak. The recall included bagged salads sold in grocery stores and served in restaurants, including Yum Brands' Taco Bell. Cyclospora, a waterborne parasite, is often found on fresh produce, like iceberg lettuce, herbs and raspberries. Outbreaks are more common during the summer, although the ongoing outbreak is the worst in recent history. The Food and Drug Administration is also investigating at least one more outbreak of cyclosporiasis. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis.

Michigan confirms first two deaths in cyclospora outbreak
Europe
BBC Business

US and Japan take action to prop up yen in rare joint move

Japan and the US have confirmed that they jointly intervened last week to halt a slide in the yen after it weakened to a fresh 40-year low. The joint intervention is the first since 2011, when both countries took coordinated action to weaken the yen after the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit eastern Japan. Both Japan's finance ministry and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have said that they will not hesitate to conduct joint interventions in the future. It highlights both countries' efforts to prevent a sell-off in the yen and Japanese government bonds from having an impact on the global economy, including potentially helping to push up borrowing costs for Washington. "The United States agreed to participate in the coordinated intervention because it serves its national interests by offering the prospect of significant benefits at a low cost," Shigeto Nagai, head of Japan economics at Oxford Economics told the BBC. The two countries are expected to continue to intervene "intermittently in a coordinated manner for some time", he added. "Even if the actual amount of intervention is not particularly large, the prolonged sense of vigilance regarding intervention will be effective in deterring speculators." The yen is historically weak mainly due to Japan having much lower central bank interest rates than other major economies like the US. That makes the Japanese currency less attractive to international investors. The Bank of Japan last raised interest rates in June, as it increased its main rate to 1% - the highest level since September 1995. In comparison, the US Federal Reserve's benchmark rate is in a range of 3.50% to 3.75%. Japan also faces a decades-long slide in its working-age population, low productivity and a heavy reliance on energy imports that are priced in US dollars. On Monday, Japan's finance ministry said Friday's intervention with the US Treasury Department "countered excessive volatility and disorderly movements in the Japanese yen in recent months". The "coordinated foreign exchange actions countered disorderly yen movements," Bessent said in a social media post.

US and Japan take action to prop up yen in rare joint move
Asia-Pacific
The Straits Times

Japan may have intervened in FX market by spending $46.9 billion to buy yen

Japan has struggled to prevent a decline in the yen, which pushes up import prices and stokes inflation. TOKYO – Japan may have spent as much as US$36.58 billion (S$46.9 billion) to buy yen in the latest action aimed at strengthening the local currency, central bank data indicated on Aug 3, continuing an effort to bring the yen’s value back from historic lows against the US dollar. The Bank of Japan’s (BOJ’s) projection for money market conditions for the following day points to a 11.4 trillion yen (S$93.2 billion) net fund outflow, compared with brokerage forecasts of 5.66 trillion yen to 6.70 trillion yen. Outsized outflows are typically interpreted as correlating with the size of any intervention. Japan and the US have conducted coordinated yen-buying intervention and will not hesitate to take further action, Japan’s Finance Ministry said on Aug 3, confirming rare bilateral action to halt the yen’s slide to 40-year lows. BOJ data on July 31 showed Japan may have sold as much as US$58.97 billion to shore up the yen after the Japanese currency rose sharply in New York on July 30. After paring gains, the yen leapt again late on Aug 3 in what traders suspected was further intervention. The BOJ held its policy interest rate at 1 per cent earlier in the day. A widening interest rate differential with the US, where the Federal Reserve has shifted to a more hawkish stance, has been a key factor in the dollar’s rise against the yen. Japan has struggled to prevent a decline in the yen, which pushes up import prices and stokes inflation, thereby reducing household spending power and pressuring Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s public approval rating. REUTERS

Japan may have intervened in FX market by spending $46.9 billion to buy yen