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Sensex rises over 500 points, crosses 83,000: Why is stock market rising today?

Sensex rises over 500 points, crosses 83,000: Why is stock market rising today?

India Today3 days ago

After weeks of sideways movement and jittery global cues, Dalal Street woke up to a broad-based rally on Thursday morning, with the BSE Sensex soaring over 500 points to cross the 83,000 mark for the first time this year. The Nifty50, too, surged past 25,400 in early trade, buoyed by easing geopolitical tensions and a return of risk appetite in global markets.advertisementBy 9:59 am, the Sensex had gained 549 points to touch 83,305.06, while the Nifty rose by 172.75 points to 25,417.50. The mood across the broader market was upbeat, and volatility remained surprisingly muted.WHAT'S DRIVING THE RALLY?At the heart of Thursday's rally was a glimmer of diplomatic relief: easing tensions between Israel and Iran have reassured global investors, shifting sentiment to a more 'risk-on' mode.
Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, noted that 'with ceasefire between Israel and Iran, globally markets are in a risk-on mode.' However, he cautioned that the rally could be short-lived if unresolved trade issues, such as the reciprocal tariff dispute, resurface after July 9, when the current pause ends.'The focus will shift quickly to what happens around that deadline,' he added. 'Positive news on a potential India-US deal could boost markets, while disappointment may constrain the rally.'DOMESTIC TAILWINDSadvertisementThe rally wasn't just a global spillover. Bullishness was underpinned by the Reserve Bank of India's latest bulletin highlighting India's economic resilience, along with low oil prices—hovering around $65.50 per barrel—and buoyant cues from Wall Street, where the S&P 500 is flirting with record highs.Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research) at Mehta Equities, said Thursday's rally had the hallmarks of a breakout. 'Nifty is hovering near its all-time high of 26,277.35, supported by strong macro indicators and easing geopolitical concerns,' he said. 'Technically, Nifty is poised for further gains with targets at 25,319 and 25,500. Support holds strong around the 25,000 mark.'Among sectoral performers, financials and metals led the charge, with notable stock-specific momentum in names like Vodafone Idea and Lupin. Tapse also highlighted bullish trades in Bank Nifty and picks such as Prestige Estate, Indus Tower, and M&M.VALUATION GAP CONCERNSYet, not everyone is celebrating without caveats. Dr. Vijayakumar pointed out that Indian equity valuations have entered overheated territory. 'Valuations are stretched—trading at over 22 times estimated FY26 earnings,' he said. 'In contrast, Chinese stocks, as represented by the Hang Seng Index, are trading at a PE of around 15.'This disparity, he warned, could trigger a 'Sell India, Buy China' pivot among foreign institutional investors (FIIs), especially if global risk appetite shifts or profit-taking begins. However, domestic institutional investors (DIIs), flush with liquidity, may cushion any such outflows.TECHNICAL INDICATORSadvertisementOn the technical side, momentum remains strong, but analysts advise vigilance. Akshay Chinchalkar, Head of Research at Axis Securities, noted that while Wednesday's Nifty rally of 200 points suggests near-term bullishness, the inside-day pattern points to an imminent large move—though the direction remains uncertain.'Immediate resistance lies between 25,310 and 25,360, with a higher band at 25,500,' he said. 'Support levels are at 24,960–25,010, and deeper at 24,800. If bulls defend these levels, a push toward the 25,800 zone could be on the cards.'WHAT NEXT?The current rally reflects optimism, but it's not without fragility. Geopolitical risks remain on the radar, and trade tensions could flare again in July. Meanwhile, India's elevated valuations demand caution, especially as global investors scan for value elsewhere.For now, the Sensex's leap past 83,000 is a positive sign, but whether it marks the start of a sustained uptrend or just a relief rally in disguise will depend on what happens next on the global stage.(Disclaimer: The views, opinions, recommendations, and suggestions expressed by experts/brokerages in this article are their own and do not reflect the views of the India Today Group. It is advisable to consult a qualified broker or financial advisor before making any actual investment or trading choices.)- EndsMust Watch

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Time to polish our public sector ratnas: Creating an Indian sovereign wealth fund to recast jewels
Time to polish our public sector ratnas: Creating an Indian sovereign wealth fund to recast jewels

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time33 minutes ago

  • Economic Times

Time to polish our public sector ratnas: Creating an Indian sovereign wealth fund to recast jewels

Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Traditional Routes of Privatisation: Limited Success Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Learning from Singapore: The Temasek Model A Case for India's Temasek: Transforming NIIF Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Model: Ownership Transfer, Commercial Management A Pragmatic, Politically Smart Path (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of .) In May 2020, as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat package, the Indian government unveiled a bold new Public Sector Enterprise (PSE) policy. Building on that announcement, the Union Budget of February 1, 2021, laid out a detailed blueprint, categorising sectors into two:Strategic sectors, where the government would retain only a bare minimum presence, andNon-strategic sectors, where all Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) would be privatised or marked a tectonic shift in India's approach to public sector enterprises- a clear intent to significantly reduce the government's footprint in business. While implementation is underway, progress has been uneven. This note proposes a bold, agile framework to fast-track the privatisation India has predominantly relied on strategic sales since the 1991 liberalisation era divesting 50% or more equity along with management control. However, another way of privatisation is public market offerings i.e. selling shares of CPSEs to retail and institutional investors. This method was famously deployed by Margaret Thatcher's UK government during its privatisation drive of British Telecom, British Gas, and British India, the strategic sale model has yielded mixed results. The successful sale of Air India came after years of delays. Meanwhile, marquee targets such as BPCL, Shipping Corporation, and IDBI Bank have faced hurdles. BPCL's disinvestment , announced in 2019, was shelved in 2022 as bidders withdrew, the government decided to hit pause to the disinvestment: a prudent decision prioritising value over sales are often complex, politically sensitive, and time-consuming, limiting their effectiveness as the default path to third approach is Singapore's model: move the ownership to an SWF, then sell faced a similar challenge as India in the 1970s, dozens of government-owned enterprises across critical sectors, struggling under state management. The solution was to create Temasek Holdings, the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Singapore which was established in 1974 as a professionally run, wholly government-owned investment company. Temasek operates with full autonomy, managed by an independent board of professionals and free from political interference. It holds and grows equity in state-owned enterprises on commercial principles. Many of these entities are now listed and globally competitive, contributing to a portfolio exceeding US$301 India is not Singapore, the core principle of insulating commercial decisions from political control is powerful and has attempted some separation by routing disinvestment decisions through DIPAM. However, this still functions within the government's bureaucratic framework. What India truly needs is a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) that can own and manage public assets is where the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) enters: India's quasi-sovereign investment vehicle, created in 2015, where the government holds a 49% stake. With assets of over $5 billion across infrastructure, growth equity, and fund-of-funds, NIIF already has the structure to become India's Temasek saw potential in NIIF, investing $400 million in 2018. It now needs a wider mandate that would allow it to become the Indian government could begin by transferring its stakes in select PSEs to NIIF, receiving fund units in exchange. The state would retain economic interest while stepping away from operational PSEs would then be run under professional governance standards, free from day-to-day political interference. Over time, NIIF could gradually dilute its stake in these enterprises in the market when conditions are favourable creating a steady revenue stream for the government, rather than volatile, one-time government could begin with minority stakes transfer, building credibility and demonstrating value creation, and eventually reduce its holding below 51% as per Atmanirbhar Bharat stealth-privatisation model i.e. first shifting ownership to NIIF, then progressively privatizing, shields the process from political turbulence while ensuring the commercial interests of the state are provides PSEs with the time, autonomy, and resources to restructure and become market-ready, aligning with the 2021 policy objective of one strategic PSE per Thomas Jefferson aptly put it, 'That government is best which governs least.' It's time we let our Ratna shine with the polish of professionalism, and free them from the weight of the state's hand.

Tourists trickling into Afghanistan, Taliban govt eager to welcome them
Tourists trickling into Afghanistan, Taliban govt eager to welcome them

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Tourists trickling into Afghanistan, Taliban govt eager to welcome them

By plane, motorbike, camper van and even on bicycles, tourists are beginning to discover Afghanistan, with solo travellers and tour groups gradually venturing into a country that until recently was wracked by war. And the country's Taliban government, which seized power more than three years ago but has yet to be formally recognised by any other nation, is more than happy to welcome them. The Afghan people are warm and welcoming and wish to host tourists from other countries and engage with them, Deputy Minister of Tourism Qudratullah Jamal told The Associated Press in an early June interview. Tourism brings many benefits to a country. We have considered those benefits and aim for our nation to take full advantage of them. A potentially lucrative industry Tourism is a vital, multi-billion-dollar industry for many countries. Afghanistan's isolation on the international stage, largely because of the Taliban's restrictions on women and girls, has left much of its 41 million people mired in poverty. As it struggles to attract foreign investment, the lucrative potential of tourism is far from lost on the government. We are currently earning a considerable amount of revenue from this industry, and we are hopeful it will grow even more in the future, Jamal said, noting money spent by visitors can reach more layers of society than revenue from other industries. We are optimistic this sector will evolve into a large economy, bringing significant benefits. It plays an important role in strengthening our national economy. Trickle rather than a flood Tourist visas are quick and easy to obtain and flights from major transit hubs such as Dubai and Istanbul operate several times a week. The government has even set up a training institute for men and it is only for men seeking jobs in the hospitality and tourism sector. While visitor numbers are still very much a trickle rather than a flood, they are increasing. Nearly 9,000 foreign tourists visited Afghanistan last year, while nearly 3,000 people visited in the first three months of this year, Jamal said. Four decades of near-continuous conflict kept nearly all vacationers away from this landlocked country of towering mountains, deep gorges and millennia of history. The Taliban's takeover from a US-backed government in August 2021 stunned the world and sent thousands of Afghans fleeing. But with the insurgency over, the bloodshed from frequent bombings and suicide attacks all but ended too. Attacks still occur, however. An Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan remains active and gunmen killed six people, including three Spanish tourists, in a May 2024 attack in Bamiyan, one of the country's main tourist attractions where centuries-old giant Buddhas carved into the cliffs were blown up by the Taliban in 2001. While Western countries still advise against travel to Afghanistan, a drop in violence from the two decades of US-led military presence is indisputable, as the government is keen to point out. Afghanistan has gone through many years of war and hardship. Now, we want tourists to come and see the true traditions and customs of Afghans, to understand Afghan life, creativity and resilience, Jamal said, noting there was comprehensive security across Afghanistan. An ethical dilemma Critics question the ethics of foreigners visiting Afghanistan for pleasure when its government discriminates so heavily against half the country's population. Education beyond primary school level is banned for girls and women and few professions are open to them. Women cannot enter parks, gardens or gyms. Beauty salons are forbidden. Authorities dictate how women dress and have demanded they cover their faces in public, a decree still flouted by many, particularly in Kabul. Some visitors say they contemplated the ethics, but ultimately wanted to see the situation for themselves. French-Peruvian Illary Gomez said she and her British partner, James Liddiard, debated for about a year whether to drive through Afghanistan as part of their UK-to-Japan camper van journey. Some things didn't feel morally right, she said. But once here, they said they found a warm, hospitable and welcoming people and beautiful landscapes. They didn't feel their presence was any form of support for the Taliban. By travelling, you put money in the hands of the people, not the government, Liddiard said. Building bridges The treatment of women is particularly sensitive for government officials. Jamal declined to comment on the subject beyond saying male and female visitors were welcome. Those who respect our laws and traditions have already come and can continue to come, he said. While most restrictions are strictly enforced on Afghan women, they are far more relaxed for foreigners. Although they must still wear a headscarf in public, foreign women are more likely to gain entry into some restricted areas such as parks and are rarely asked to cover their faces in public. Opening the country to foreign visitors was also a way of building bridges, Jamal said. It is a great way to promote interaction between the people of different countries. It helps build international relations and is also beneficial for trade, he told the AP. When foreigners come here, Afghans also learn a lot from them. In addition to expanding commerce, tourism also helps foster mutual understanding, cultural exchange and strengthens talents as people learn from one another. A foreign traveller seeing the country with his own eyes creates closeness, builds connections and fosters trust among people, Jamal said. They will respect each other's culture and the distance between peoples will diminish. So this is not just economic development; it also brings spiritual and political benefits, he said. 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India's ban on ships with Pak's cargo raises costs, delays freight: Report
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