Economic Times India

• The BJP has backed accusations made by party president Nitin Nabin that Congress leadership possesses a "foreign mindset" and is working under external influence to destabilize India. • BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla further criticized the opposition, mockingly referring to the party as the "anti-India Italian National Congress" or "Islamabad National Congress." • These allegations highlight an escalating political conflict where the ruling party accuses its primary opponent of prioritizing foreign interests over national stability.

• Major stock markets in China, India, and Hong Kong are experiencing a decline in market capitalization share among their top firms due to a lag in the global AI race. • This trend contrasts sharply with Taiwan and South Korea, where AI-focused leaders have significantly boosted their market benchmarks. • The lack of dominant AI players in these specific Asian markets is hindering overall stock performance and limiting growth potential.

• India's external balance and monetary policy options have improved due to the RBI's targeted foreign currency liquidity programme and a significant drop in crude oil prices from their April 2026 peak. • These macroeconomic shifts are positively impacting the corporate earnings outlook, contributing to an acquisition spree by industry giants such as Reliance and L&T. • The analysis includes insights from professor Aswath Damodaran regarding corporate strategy and examines whether China's dollar bond sales in Saudi Arabia could challenge U.S. financial dominance.

• Dalal Street investors are monitoring a combination of domestic economic indicators and global geopolitical developments as the new trading week begins. • Market sentiment is expected to be driven by the fallout from recent military exchanges between the US and Iran, alongside fluctuating crude oil prices. • Analysts suggest that the overall direction of the stock market will depend heavily on how Middle East tensions evolve and their subsequent impact on energy costs.

• Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have invested a record ₹39,640 crore into Indian government securities (G-Secs) during June. • This surge is driven by expanded access to sovereign debt and specific tax exemptions designed to attract overseas capital. • The influx of funds is significant as it strengthens the case for India's inclusion in major global bond indices.

• India's tech startups secured $7.2 billion in funding during the first half of 2026, representing a 12% increase compared to the previous year. • Despite the rise in total capital, the number of funding rounds declined sharply as investors shifted focus toward fewer, more mature companies. • Investment trends show a clear preference for deep-tech and infrastructure sectors over consumer-facing businesses, signaling a more disciplined approach to capital.

• India's IT sector has seen its weight in the Nifty 50 index drop to a record low due to sustained selling. • The decline is primarily driven by investor fears regarding AI disruption, causing the Nifty IT index to sharply underperform. • This reduced index weight is limiting the amount of capital flowing into the sector from passive funds, further weakening its market influence.