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

• Macquarie said pharma companies continue to guide for double-digit revenue growth.

• Commercial-focused CDMOs such as Laurus Labs are seeing strong momentum.

• Large CDMO players are better positioned within the segment.

• Hospital companies indicated unit-level EBITDA breakeven timelines ranging from a few quarters to about a year.

• Capacity expansion in hospitals is weighing on near-term profitability.

• Diagnostics companies are seeing a recovery driven by improved volumes.

• Morgan Stanley said the RBI’s final guidelines on financial product sales show no meaningful change from the draft version.
• The implementation timeline has been extended, with norms effective from January 1, 2027 instead of July 1, 2026.
• The brokerage said lenders may need operational adjustments around bundling of third-party products.
• It noted that clarity is still awaited on insurance commission regulations from IRDAI.
• RBI has not specified any requirement on open architecture for bancassurance in the final guidelines.

• Jefferies said easing tensions in the Middle East could help normalise energy prices.
• Marketing losses at spot Brent have narrowed to around Rs -2 per litre for petrol and Rs -11 per litre for diesel.
• At current levels, marketing margins could move above normative levels, assuming stable refining margins.
• The brokerage said BPCL and IOC offer favourable risk-reward after recent declines.

• JPMorgan maintained Overweight on Larsen & Toubro and raised the target price to Rs 5,060 from Rs 4,570.
• The brokerage said easing tensions in the Middle East reduces downside risks for the company.
• It noted that ordering and execution in the region have remained largely stable.
• JPMorgan said the company’s five-year strategy focuses on growth along with improving return on equity.
• It added that FY27 guidance remains healthy, though the first half may see some impact.

• Morgan Stanley maintained Equal-weight on HCL Tech with a target price of Rs 1,410.

  • The brokerage said the investment in Sarvam AI may offer a strategic advantage in sovereign AI.
  • It noted the financial impact will be limited given the minority stake.
  • It flagged risks around execution and scalability, with use-case validation seen as key.

• Nomura maintained Buy on HCL Tech with a target price of Rs 1,600.

  • It said the investment will support development of client-specific AI models.
  • The brokerage expects the move to strengthen multilingual AI capabilities.
  • It added that the deal could accelerate adoption of sovereign AI solutions.

• InCred downgraded UPL to Hold from Add and cut the target price to Rs 659 from Rs 1,082.
• The brokerage said the agrochem business is under pressure amid Chinese overcapacity.
• It flagged pricing pressure in key molecules including glufosinate, 2,4-D and azoxystrobin.
• Growth and margins are expected to remain under pressure.

Promoter activity continued across several stocks with acquisitions, pledges and pledge releases.

• GRM Overseas promoter Atul Garg bought 4.5 lakh shares.

• MSP Steel & Power promoter group entities bought shares across multiple tranches, including purchases by M A Hire Purchase, Shree Vinay Finvest and Ilex.

• Responsive Industries promoter group entity Fairpoint Tradecom pledged 6.40 lakh shares.

• Paisalo Digital promoter group entity Equilibrated Venture Cflow revoked pledge on 50 lakh shares.

Multiple stocks saw bulk and block deals during the session, with buying interest from funds and institutions.

• In Exicom, Hrti Private bought 1.94 lakh shares at Rs 158.56, while Junomoneta Finsol sold a smaller quantity at around Rs 159.

• In Motisons, Arihant Capital Markets bought 17.80 lakh shares and Junomoneta Finsol bought 2.88 lakh shares, both around Rs 15.5.

• In Niva Bupa, multiple HSBC funds bought over 40 lakh shares combined at Rs 83, while Krishnan Ramachandran sold 40 lakh shares.

• Hrti Private was active in other counters as well, buying shares of MSTC and MTAR Technologies.

• In Vintage-style smaller trades, Crony Vyapar and Ramdoot Realtors bought shares in GoColors.

• Arihant Capital Markets sold shares in Shanti Gold, while Excellent Shares and Finance Services sold nearly 9 lakh shares in EFCIL.

Several companies are set to consider fundraising, equity issuance and leadership changes in upcoming board meetings.

• SBI’s board will meet on June 18 to consider raising funds through debt instruments.
• 5paisa Capital’s board will evaluate a proposal for equity issuance via preferential allotment or private placement on June 18.
• Waaree Energies shareholders approved raising up to Rs 10,000 crore through QIP and the appointment of a CEO and whole-time director.
• Lloyds Engineering will consider a preferential equity issue in its June 18 board meeting.

GMR Airports reported growth in passenger traffic for May, led by domestic travel.

• Domestic traffic rose 7.9% year-on-year, while international traffic grew 0.4%, impacted by geopolitical conditions.
• Total passenger traffic crossed 20.4 million, marking the highest ever monthly traffic.
• The growth was mainly driven by strong domestic demand at the Delhi airport.

Several companies announced updates across contracts, fundraising, management changes and strategic plans.

• Patel Engineering received a Rs 126.37 crore LoA for a lift irrigation project in Maharashtra.

• HCL Technologies invested Rs 1,427.25 crore in Sarvam AI, while Adani Enterprises is exploring an AI data centre alliance with Jabil.

• Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services approved NCD issuance of up to Rs 1,000 crore.

• Craftsman Automation plans to raise up to Rs 2,000 crore, while Ratnaveer Precision earlier announced a rights issue.

• Sudarshan Chemical opened a second global headquarters in Frankfurt, and Anant Raj incorporated a cloud arm in Singapore.

• RailTel received a Rs 15.77 crore order, while Concord Enviro’s subsidiary secured a Rs 16 crore wastewater project.

• Cyient approved a Rs 720 crore buyback, and GIC Re will be in focus after the government announced an OFS of up to 5%.

• MSP Steel promoters bought shares, while KRN Heat Exchanger promoters reduced stake.

• IRCTC appointed a new Director (Finance), while Dhanlaxmi Bank named a new CFO.

• Devyani International received exchange approval for its scheme with Sapphire Foods.

• Madras Fertilizers halted production due to a plant issue, expected to resume around June 23.

• Angel One settled Sebi proceedings by paying Rs 4.28 crore.

• Jyothy Labs plans legal action over brand licensing non-renewal, while BGR Energy’s NCLAT hearing was adjourned.

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.