Stock Market News Today Live Updates: GIFT Nifty Points To Positive Open For Nifty, Sensex; Brent Crude Falls Below $84 A Barrel

Sebi is likely to revamp rules governing share buybacks and mutual fund operations, Economic Times reported.

Other key highlights from ET report:

• The regulator may reintroduce the stock exchange route for buybacks, alongside simplifying the process.

• It is also considering removing the requirement for companies to appoint merchant bankers for buybacks.

• Separately, Sebi may ease intraday borrowing norms for mutual funds to improve cash management.

• The changes aim to reduce costs, simplify procedures and improve participation for shareholders.

The proposals are expected to be taken up at Sebi’s board meeting on June 19.

Real estate and infrastructure investment trusts are expected to see strong growth, with assets under management projected to more than double by 2030, LiveMint reported.

Other Key highlights from the report:

• AUM is estimated to cross Rs 20 lakh crore by 2030 from about Rs 10 lakh crore currently.

• The segment includes 32 listed trusts with a combined market capitalisation of around Rs 5 lakh crore.

• Mutual funds and insurance companies are expected to deploy Rs 4.6 lakh crore and Rs 3.2 lakh crore, respectively, over the next five years.

• Pension funds may contribute an additional Rs 2.2 lakh crore to the segment.

• Domestic institutional investors have utilised only 7.5% of their permitted exposure, leaving an estimated Rs 7 lakh crore untapped.

• The market could also see annual primary issuances of over Rs 1 lakh crore and 2–3 IPOs each year going forward.

Goldman Sachs has lowered India’s current account deficit forecast for 2026 to 1.3% of GDP from 2% earlier, Economic Times reported.

• The brokerage expects a balance of payments surplus of 0.6% of GDP after two years of deficits.

• It said India is less vulnerable to higher crude oil prices due to lower oil intensity and improved energy efficiency.

• India posted a $7.2 billion balance of payments surplus in the January–March period, supported by remittances and services exports.

• Goldman Sachs said reduced oil imports also helped offset pressure amid uncertainty in West Asia.

• Nifty June futures rose 1.03% to 23,930, at a premium of 77 points.
• For June 16 expiry, maximum call open interest stood at 24,000 and maximum put open interest at 23,500.
• Kaynes remained in the F&O ban list.

ONGC Videsh Ltd is looking to revive operations in Venezuela despite over $900 million in unpaid dividend dues, Economic Times reported.

• The move comes as Venezuela opens its oil sector to greater foreign participation under a new legal framework.
• ONGC Videsh had earlier acquired overseas assets to boost crude output for the parent company.

The development reflects renewed engagement in international oil projects as part of production expansion plans.

Fertiliser availability and prices may take three to four months to return to normal despite progress in US-Iran talks, Economic Times reported.

• Industry executives said supply chains may take time to stabilise even after easing of tensions in West Asia, the report said.
• The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz may not immediately ease price pressures, the report added.

The comments suggest a lag between geopolitical developments and on-ground improvement in fertiliser supply and pricing.

BlackRock is cutting just under 1% of its workforce as part of ongoing restructuring efforts, Bloomberg reported.

• CEO Larry Fink is moving towards a continuous approach to staffing adjustments instead of large, one-time layoffs.
• The latest round follows three prior cuts over the past 18 months.
• The changes come as the firm continues to integrate recent acquisitions and adjust operations.

Sarvam AI entered the unicorn club after securing a strategic investment from HCLTech, valuing the company at $1.5 billion.

• HCLTech committed Rs 1,427 crore ($150 million) for a 10.46% stake in the company.
• The investment anchors the first close of Sarvam AI’s Series B round, which has raised $234 million so far.
• The deal marks one of the largest investments in India’s artificial intelligence ecosystem.

The government plans to sell up to a 5% stake in General Insurance Corporation of India through an Offer for Sale, according to an exchange filing.

• The base offer comprises a 2% stake, with an option to sell an additional 3% in case of strong investor demand.
• The stake sale is part of the Centre’s disinvestment programme to raise funds and increase public shareholding.

The government has increased the base import prices of gold and silver, according to a notification by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

• Gold base import price has been raised by $5 per 10 grams to $1,348/10 gm.

• Silver base import price has been increased by $83 per kg to $2,175/kg.

• The revision comes just three days after the Centre had reduced base prices for both metals.

• The move follows earlier steps to raise import levies on precious metals to curb imports.

The government has increased windfall taxes on exports of diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for the next fortnight starting June 16, PTI reported.

• Export duty on diesel has been raised to Rs 14 per litre from Rs 13.5 per litre.
• ATF export duty has been increased to Rs 12.5 per litre from Rs 9.5 per litre.
• Export duty on petrol remains unchanged at Rs 1.5 per litre.

The Reserve Bank of India has tightened norms on the marketing and sale of financial products to address mis-selling, PTI reported.

• The revised guidelines will come into effect from January 1, 2027, and apply across all channels, including social media and digital platforms.

• The framework adopts a principle-based approach aimed at improving accountability in the sale of financial products.

• The RBI has prohibited payment of incentives to employees of regulated entities by third parties.

• It said incentive structures should not encourage aggressive sales practices or lead to mis-selling.

An Indian LNG tanker has transited the Strait of Hormuz after progress in US-Iran talks, NDTV reported.

• The vessel, Disha, carried LNG cargo from Qatar and moved through the Iranian route near Larak Island.
• The transit follows developments around a US-Iran agreement aimed at easing tensions in the region.

Oil prices moved higher, extending gains in the latest session.

• Brent crude for August settlement rose 0.5% to $83.59 per barrel.
• WTI crude for July delivery climbed 0.7% to $81.28 per barrel.

The move reflects firming oil prices in global markets.

Asian markets traded mixed as investors tracked developments around a potential US-Iran deal and awaited key central bank decisions.

• Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.18% to 69,444.48, while South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.72% to 8,692.86.
• Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.71% to 8,851.10.

The mixed trend reflected cautious sentiment as markets balanced geopolitical developments with upcoming monetary policy cues from Australia and Japan.

• GIFT Nifty traded at 23,894, compared with Monday’s Nifty 50 close of 23,853.90.
• The early indicator was about 40 points higher than the previous close.