Market Live

• Indian benchmark indices traded flat in early sessions, with the Sensex at 77,710 and the Nifty exceeding 24,230. • ICICI Bank shares rose nearly 3% following a strong June-quarter report, which saw consolidated net profit increase 13.88% year-on-year to Rs 15,440 crore. • Market gains were offset by sharp losses in HDFC Bank and Axis Bank after their quarterly earnings, as well as renewed US-Iran tensions.

• Yelp (YELP) and Opera Limited (OPRA) are diversifying into social media, connected TV, and search to drive revenue growth amid ongoing economic and regulatory pressures. • TE Connectivity (TEL) is set to report its Q3 fiscal 2026 earnings on July 22, with analysts forecasting a 17% year-over-year increase in adjusted EPS to $2.83. • TEL's projected revenue of approximately $5 billion reflects a 10% increase, supported by strong order backlogs in the Transportation and Industrial Solutions sectors.

• Oil prices surged on Monday, July 20, 2026, following reports that the conflict between the US and Iran has escalated, resulting in attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. • In separate financial news, South Korea announced plans to ease access to the won as part of a broader strategic goal to make the currency freely convertible. • These developments are driving volatility across Asia-Pacific markets, as energy security concerns clash with regional currency reforms.

• Brent crude oil prices surged 3%, climbing above $90 per barrel as tensions between the US and Iran intensify. • Bitcoin remains steady near $64,500, suggesting that sellers have not yet gained decisive control despite the geopolitical escalation. • Market analysts indicate that Bitcoin must achieve a convincing close above the $65,000-$66,000 supply zone to trigger further upward movement.

• The Indian stock market experienced a significant downturn, with the BSE Sensex dropping over 670 points and the NSE Nifty50 falling below the 24,200 mark. • This decline is attributed to a combination of recent corporate earnings announcements, global market cues, and shifting macroeconomic developments. • Investors are closely monitoring monsoon patterns and crude oil prices, as these factors directly impact food inflation and the Reserve Bank of India's future policy decisions.

• Wall Street experienced a downturn on Friday as investors shifted away from the artificial intelligence sector due to growing concerns over frontier AI development. • In contrast to the U.S. market retreat, the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) managed to edge slightly higher. • Global markets are reacting to volatility in tech valuations and a simultaneous jump in oil prices.

• Gift Nifty is positioned at 24,300, signaling a flat opening for Indian stock markets on July 20, 2026. • Market volatility this week is expected to be driven by quarterly earnings from major corporations, including IT giant Infosys. • External pressures influencing trading activity include the geopolitical situation in West Asia and fluctuating crude oil prices.