Indian equity indices closed in the green on Monday following positive sentiment in the market due to rate cut expectations arising after the US Fed chair’s comments at Jackson Hole.

At closing, Sensex was at 81,698 with a gain of 611 points or 0.75 per cent and Nifty was at 25,010 with a gain of 187 points or 0.76 per cent.

During the day, Sensex traded in the range of 81,278 to 81,824 and Nifty in the range of 24,874 and 25,043.

Buying was also seen in Midcap and Smallcap stocks. The Nifty Midcap 100 index closed at 58,931, up 375 points or 0.64 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 index closed at 19,132, up 53 points or 0.28 per cent.

Among the sectoral indices, IT, FMCG, auto, metal, energy, private banks and infra were the major gainers. PSU banks and media were the major laggards.

The Centre on Monday decided to create five new districts in the Union Territory of Ladakh.

The five districts are Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang.

Making the announcement on a social media post on X, Home Minister Amit Shah said the Modi government is committed to creating abundant opportunities for the people of Ladakh.

"In pursuit of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's vision to build a developed and prosperous Ladakh, the MHA has decided to create five new districts in the union territory. The new districts, namely Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang, will take the benefits meant for the people to their doorsteps by bolstering governance in every nook and cranny," Amit Shah said.

He added, "The Modi government is committed to creating abundant opportunities for the people of Ladakh."

Indian equity indices opened in the green on Monday following US market gains after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's dovish commentary at the Jackson Hole hinted at a likely rate cut in September.

At 9.45 a.m., Sensex was up 529 points or 0.65 per cent at 81,615 and Nifty was up 146 points or 0.59 per cent at 24,969.

Broader market trends remain bullish. Nifty Midcap is up 348 points or 0.60 per cent at 58,904 and Nifty smallcap is up 105 points or 0.55 per cent at 19,184.

Among the sectoral indices, Auto, IT, PSU Bank, fin service, pharma, metal and energy are the major gainers and FMCG is the only loser in the NSE indices.

According to the market experts, "The Fed chief Powell’s clear message of the beginning of the rate cutting cycle will impart further resilience to the ongoing global rally in stock markets. Deviating from his usual cautious messaging, this time Powell unambiguously stated that “the time has come for policy to adjust” and that “the direction of travel is clear.” This will act as sort of a “Powell put” similar to the famous “Greenspan put” that supported US equity markets during the Greenspan era."

The India Meteorological Department in a weather bulletin issued on Saturday has forecast widespread rain in the southern and western states during the next 7 days while Delhi and the Northwest states are also headed for a wet spell.

Details of the IMD bulletin are as follows:

South Peninsular India:

*Scattered to fairly widespread rainfall very likely over Kerala & Mahe, Lakshadweep, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Coastal Karnataka, Interior Karnataka; isolated to scattered rainfall over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, Rayalaseema & Telangana during the week.

*Isolated heavy rainfall very likely over Kerala & Mahe during 24th – 30th; Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam on 24th; Telangana on 24th & 25th; Coastal Karnataka during 27th -30th; North Interior Karnataka during 25th-30th; South Interior Karnataka on 25th ,29th & 30th August.

*Isolated very heavy rainfall is also very likely over Coastal Karnataka during 24th -26th; North Interior Karnataka on 24th; South Interior Karnataka on 24th August.

Buoyed by positive US economic data and other global cues, the Indian stock markets continued their recovery rally this week. With the US government now confirming a rate cut (most likely in September), domestic markets are anticipated to respond positively to the development on Monday.

With Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell saying that "the time has come" for a monetary policy adjustment, US markets rallied on Friday, with the S&P 500 index posting gains that took it closer to a fresh record high.

A rate cut of up to 25 bps in September will be taken positively by the market in the short-term, according to market watchers. Further trend will depend on the optimistic view of the central banks that the accommodative policy will be sustained, guiding further cuts in the coming policies.

Indian sectors that might benefit from a Fed rate cut are IT, BFSI, auto and realty. Overall, said experts, the rate cuts will be welcomed positively by the Indian markets as the RBI is following the US Federal Reserve's lead when it comes to interest rates.

Indian equity indices closed flat on Friday as market participants await the US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's speech at Jackson Hole Economic Symposium.

At closing, Sensex was up marginally by 33 points at 81,086 and Nifty was at 24,823 with a gain of 11 points.

During the day, Sensex traded in the range of 80,883 to 81,231 and Nifty traded in the range of 24,771 to 24,858.

In the Sensex pack, Tata Motors, Sun Pharma, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Finserv, ICICI Bank, M&M, JSW Steel, Power Grid, UltraTech Cement and HUL were the top losers. Tech Mahindra, Wipro, HCL Tech, Titan, Asian Paints, Infosys and TCS were the top losers.

The national civil aviation regulator DGCA has imposed a financial penalty of Rs 90 lakh on Tata Group-owned Air India Limited for operating a flight with non-qualified crew members, according to an official statement issued on Friday.

In addition, a penalty of Rs 6 lakh and Rs 3 lakh respectively has been imposed on the Director, Operations and Director, Training of Air India. The concerned pilot has also been warned to exercise caution to prevent such occurrences in future.

Air India operated a flight commanded by a non-trainer line captain paired with a non-line-released first officer, which has been viewed by the civil aviation regulator as a serious scheduling incident having significant safety ramifications.

The incident came to the notice of DGCA through a voluntary report submitted by Air India on July 10. Taking cognizance of this incident, the regulator undertook comprehensive investigations into Air India’s operations, including examination of documents and carrying out a spot check of the airline’s scheduling facility.

“Based on the investigation, it was prima facie revealed that there are deficiencies and multiple violations to the regulatory provisions by several post holders and staff, which could significantly affect safety,” the DGCA said.

Indian equity indices opened flat on Friday following mixed cues from global markets.

At 9.43 a.m., Sensex was down 129 points or 0.16 per cent at 80,923 and Nifty was down 21 points or 0.09 per cent at 24,789.

Broader market trends remained positive. In the National Stock Exchange (NSE), 1,122 shares were in the green and 1,083 shares in the red.

In the Sensex pack, Tata Motors, Reliance, Sun Pharma, M&M, Bajaj Finserv, ICICI Bank, ICICI Bank, and HUL were top gainers. Titan, Infosys, Wipro, Tata Steel, Ultratech Cement, ITC, Asian paints, NTPC, Bajaj Finance and SBI were top losers.

Choice Broking analyst said, "After a flat opening, Nifty can find support at 24,700 followed by 24,650 and 24,550. On the higher side, 24,900 can be an immediate resistance, followed by 24,950 and 25,000."

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the growing strength of India-US relations while addressing the Indian diaspora in Washington DC during his four-day visit to the United States at the invitation of US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.

He said that both countries are long-standing allies capable of working together to promote global peace and prosperity.

Rajnath Singh emphasised the importance of maintaining cultural values and loyalty to both India and the United States and also hailed the country's message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'.

In his address, the Union Minister urged Indians working in the US to remain dedicated to their work and uphold their commitment to both nations.

Indian stock markets again closed higher on Thursday due to positive sentiment in the markets.

At closing, Sensex was up 147 points, or 0.18 per cent, at 81,053 and Nifty was up 41 points or 0.17 per cent at 24,811.

The market's positive sentiment was bolstered by optimistic global cues, particularly from the US markets, where the S&P 500 extended its winning streak, reflecting investor confidence amid expectations of potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.

During the day, Sensex traded in the range of 80,954 to 81,236 and Nifty traded in the range of 24,784 to 24,867.

In the Sensex pack, Bharti Airtel, Tata Steel, ICICI Bank, Titan, Asian Paints, UltraTech Cement, JSW Steel, Maruti Suzuki and SBI were the top gainers. Tata Motors, M&M, Wipro, NTPC, TCS, Power Grid, Sun Pharma, Axis Bank, and Nestle are the top losers.