BUSINESS

• Booking Holdings (NASDAQ:BKNG) shares surged 6.3% in morning trading following a Trump administration announcement regarding a new peace deal. • The agreement aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, reducing geopolitical risks and restoring the availability of affordable travel routes. • The stock jump is significant as BKNG is typically low-volatility, experiencing only seven price swings greater than 5% over the past year.

• Markets are currently rallying following the conclusion of a war, though investors are monitoring whether a shift from a supply shock to a demand shock will sustain high inflation. • The Federal Reserve may be forced to implement rate hikes if economic activity strengthens significantly, presenting a potential "tail risk" for global markets. • Recent reports from the Financial Times indicate Donald Trump is pushing for a 15–20% minimum tariff on all EU goods, causing the EURUSD exchange rate to decline.

• Global markets are currently rallying following the conclusion of the US-Iran war. • Analysts suggest that the initial negative supply shock may transition into a positive demand shock due to improved business sentiment and stronger economic activity. • This shift in economic conditions could sustain inflationary pressures, potentially forcing the Federal Reserve to implement interest rate hikes.

• Central banks are expected to dominate the global economic agenda this coming week, overshadowing news regarding AI and Iran. • Key US economic indicators will be under scrutiny, with a primary focus on the release of May retail sales data. • Investors are closely monitoring the first FOMC meeting featuring Kevin Warsh, alongside the formal signing of the Iran deal.

• U.S. stocks rallied on Monday, June 15, 2026, following President Donald Trump's announcement that an agreement to end hostilities with Iran is now complete. • The deal includes a formal signing ceremony scheduled for this Friday in Switzerland and the strategic reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. • This diplomatic breakthrough is significant as it aims to stabilize global energy shipping routes and reduce geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

• Power Grid has been named the successful bidder for a critical power transmission project located in Andhra Pradesh, making its stock a key focus for investors. • Aurobindo Pharma's Telangana manufacturing facility, Eugia Pharma Specialities, received an 'Official Action Indicated' (OAI) classification following a US FDA inspection. • The FDA inspection at the Aurobindo Pharma site concluded with 11 procedural observations, which may impact the company's regulatory standing.

• DealStreetAsia and DFIN have released an M&A report for Q1 2026, providing an overview of mergers and acquisitions activity. • The report highlights that the current investment landscape is being shaped by a period of significant global tension and instability. • Specifically, the ongoing crisis in the Middle East is cited as a primary driver of the volatility affecting market trends.

• India's statistics ministry has established a high-powered experts committee to examine and strengthen labour market data metrics. • The panel is tasked with reviewing current measurement issues to better reflect the evolving nature of the national workforce. • This initiative matters as accurate data is critical for shaping economic policies and addressing employment challenges in India.

• Asian investors are shifting away from a narrow focus on U.S. and Chinese markets to adopt a more diversified global investment strategy. • South Korea and Taiwan remain critical hubs for those tracking the AI sector beyond the reach of U.S. mega-cap stocks. • Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, is emerging as a vital region due to its diverse growth drivers.

• Financial markets in India and Indonesia have experienced a "turbocharged relief rally" following the implementation of radical intervention measures. • These measures were designed to defend domestic financial stability and buy time for the emergence of a peace deal. • The recovery is particularly significant for these Asian economies due to their high reliance on energy imports, which makes them vulnerable to global volatility.

• Indian equities saw a sharp rally, with the Sensex and Nifty both gaining nearly 1% due to improved investor sentiment. • The surge was driven by an interim US-Iran peace framework that eased geopolitical tensions and subsequently pushed global oil prices lower. • Positive expectations regarding inflation and interest rates further supported the rise in broader markets and global risk assets.

• Goldman Sachs has lowered its forecast for India's 2026 Current Account Deficit (CAD) to 1.3% of GDP. • The revision is driven by India's reduced vulnerability to crude oil price hikes, attributed to lower oil intensity and improved energy efficiency. • This shift suggests that India's oil demand has become more responsive to price increases, potentially stabilizing the economy against global energy volatility.

• Indian equity markets are bracing for a volatile week as investors focus on May WPI inflation data, crude oil price fluctuations, and the US Federal Reserve's upcoming interest rate decision. • Market sentiment is heavily tied to a potential US-Iran agreement, with President Donald Trump suggesting a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be signed Sunday. • These factors are critical because they influence global liquidity, energy costs, and geopolitical stability, all of which directly impact foreign investor activity in India.

• Wall Street indexes are expected to open higher on Monday following a preliminary agreement between Washington and Tehran to end their conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. • The deal has triggered a sharp decline in crude oil prices, contributing to the optimistic outlook for U.S. equity markets. • Despite the initial progress, the framework remains incomplete as it has not yet addressed several key issues between the two nations.

• SpaceX shares continued to rise following its record-breaking IPO, which has pushed the company's valuation to $2.1 trillion. • Gold prices surged as a peace deal between the U.S. and Iran reduced inflation concerns and weakened the U.S. dollar. • Investors are closely monitoring Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, who faces pressure from President Trump to implement aggressive rate cuts despite rising price growth.

• The UK economy experienced a GDP contraction on June 15, 2026, amid rising tax pressures and a steady stream of insolvency notices. • Long-term inflation expectations climbed to a median of 3.9%, marking the highest level since 2009. • JPMorgan economist Allan Monks noted that building price and wage pressures are critical as they influence corporate pricing and Bank of England interest rate decisions.

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has confirmed that India's extensive food buffer networks are fully secured to ensure food security. • The treasury is currently monitoring second-round logistics overheads, even as global energy markets experience a recent de-escalation. • India's institutional fiscal planning framework is re-aligning to address a complex combination of domestic and global resource constraints.

• The Sensex surged over 1,100 points and the Nifty approached the 24,000 mark following an announcement by Donald Trump regarding a peace deal between the US and Iran. • Market optimism was driven by the agreement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, alongside RBI measures designed to attract foreign currency inflows. • This rally continues a positive trend from the previous week, during which the Sensex rose by 1,284.61 points (1.73%) and the Nifty climbed 256.2 points (1%).