Stock Market News Today Live Updates: GIFT Nifty Points To Positive Open For Nifty, Sensex Ahead Of MPC Decision; Korea's Kospi Slides 6%
The GIFT Nifty, an early indicator of Nifty 50's performance, traded at 23,488, compared to Thursday's index close of 23,416.55.
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The GIFT Nifty, an early indicator of Nifty 50's performance, traded at 23,488. On Thursday, Indian equity benchmarks ended a topsy-turvy trading session with minor gains. The Nifty 50 ended 0.05% higher at 23,416.55, up 10.95 points. The Sensex closed 0.02% higher at 74,360.01, up 13.84 points.
Broader markets had outperformed the benchmark. Nifty Midcap 150 rose nearly 0.5%, led by Nippon Life India and IPCA Labs, both up over 4.5%. Nifty Smallcap 250 gained nearly 0.6% and closed higher for the third straight day. Zee Entertainment and Anant Raj were the top gainers, rising over 7.5%. All sectors closed higher except Nifty IT and Nifty Metal. Nifty Defence was the top gaining sector, rising over 0.5%. Zen Technologies and Paras Defence and Space Technologies were among the top gainers in the defence index, rising nearly 7%.
Investors are awaiting RBI MPC decision today. The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committiee is expected to maintain repo rate unchanged for the second consecutive time this fiscal. Thirt-two out of 38 economists tracked by Bloomberg expect the repo rate to remain unchanged at 5.25%, while the remaining expect a 25 basis-point rate hike.
Meanwhile, Oil prices eased as investors tracked signs of possible diplomatic progress between the US and Iran after a conditional ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, even as Hezbollah rejected a US-backed truce proposal. Brent crude traded around $95.20 a barrel after falling in the previous session.
Elsewhere, Asian markets declined, with South Korea's Kospi down 6.29% and Japan's Nikkei 225 lower by 1.34%.
Stock Market Live: Citi Sees ICICI Lombard Premium Growth Above Industry Average
- Citi said ICICI Lombard’s gross premium growth is expected to be 100–200 basis points higher than the industry average after a management meeting.
- The brokerage said management remains confident about a motor third-party tariff hike in FY27. It also said the company continues to focus on improving the combined ratio through cost optimisation, reinsurance benefits and claims cost management.
Stock Market Live: Citi Maintains Buy On Sun Pharma With Rs 2,180 Target
- Citi maintained its buy rating on Sun Pharma with a target price of Rs 2,180 after a management meeting.
- The brokerage said VTAMA and Emgality continue to drive growth in Organon’s specialty portfolio. It said Organon’s presence in China gives Sun Pharma an opportunity to commercialise its own products in China and South Korea.
Stock Market Live: Citi Maintains Buy On Max Healthcare With Rs 1,330 Target
- Citi maintained its buy rating on Max Healthcare with a target price of Rs 1,330 after a management meeting.
- The brokerage said capacity expansion remains the main growth driver, with annual bed additions targeted at 10–15%. It said near-term margins may face pressure from pre-hiring and commissioning costs, while utilisation and operating leverage are expected to support margins later.
Stock Market Live: Morgan Stanley Says Most Covered Companies Beat Q4 Estimates
- Morgan Stanley said around two-thirds of its coverage universe beat estimates in the fourth quarter of FY26.
- The brokerage said profit growth stayed in double digits for the second straight quarter. Its preferred overweight ideas include Grasim, Polycab, Prestige Estates, ICICI Bank, Shriram Finance, TVS Motor and Titan.
Stock Market Live: Brokerages Expect RBI To Hold Rates In June Policy
- Citi, Goldman Sachs and BofA expect the RBI Monetary Policy Committee to keep rates unchanged in the June policy meeting.
- Citi expects two 25-basis-point rate hikes in August and October and has raised its FY27 average inflation forecast to 4.9% from 4.6%. Goldman Sachs expects the MPC to retain its neutral stance, while BofA said a hold is likely for now despite arguments in favour of a rate hike.
Stock Market Live: Titan, Rajesh Exports, Ambuja Cements, Ola Electric, Paytm In Focus
- Stocks in news include Titan Company, Wockhardt, Venus Remedies, Premier Energies, Kolte-Patil Developers, Rajesh Exports, CG Power, Juniper Hotels, Aurobindo Pharma, Ambuja Cements, Orient Cement, Ola Electric, Paytm and United Spirits.
- Ambuja Cements and Orient Cement received exchange clearances for merger-related proposals, while Ola Electric closed its Rs 780 crore QIP issue. Rajesh Exports said no penalty has been imposed by SEBI and that its reported financials are accurate.
- Other updates include ICICI Bank receiving a SEBI warning letter, Power Grid’s board set to consider fundraising on June 10, Paytm providing default loss guarantees of up to Rs 90 crore, and United Spirits likely to cease operations at its Hyderabad unit by August 31.
Stock Market Live: Investors Await RBI Policy Decision Today
- Investors are awaiting the Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee decision today.
- Thirty-two of 38 economists tracked by Bloomberg expect the repo rate to stay unchanged at 5.25%, while the rest expect a 25-basis-point rate hike.
Stock Market Live: Asian Markets Trade Mixed As Kospi Falls Over 6%
- Asian markets traded mixed, with South Korea’s Kospi down 6.29% and Japan’s Nikkei 225 lower by 1.34%.
- Australia’s ASX 200 slipped 0.51%, while the Hang Seng, Shanghai Composite and Nifty 50 were unchanged.
Stock Market Live: Brent Crude Holds Near $95 After Previous Session Fall
- \Brent crude traded around $95.20 a barrel after falling in the previous session.
- Oil prices eased as investors tracked signs of possible diplomatic progress between the US and Iran after a conditional ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, even as Hezbollah rejected a US-backed truce proposal.
Stock Market Live: GIFT Nifty Signals Higher Start For Indian Equities
- GIFT Nifty traded at 23,488, compared with Thursday’s Nifty 50 close of 23,416.55.
- The futures contract was up 71.45 points from the previous close, indicating a higher start for Indian equities.
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