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Informist, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025                                      Tel +91 (22) 6985-4000

Equity Alert: Indices seen in range Thu; short-covering likely on expiry day

MUMBAI--1701 IST--Indices are likely to be in a range Thursday due to lack of major triggers and as corporate earnings for the June quarter draw to a close, according to analysts. A breakout in the market on either side in the near term will depend on the news flow related to developments pertaining to trade talks between India and the US.

"The Nifty 50 will be stuck in between the 24400 and 24800 levels for a couple of weeks from now," said Rajesh Palviya, head of technical and derivatives research at Axis Securities. He added that the 50-stock index saw a correction during the past five to six weeks and it will now move to a consolidation zone from where it will bounce back again to 25000 points.

The Nifty 50 ended 0.5% higher at 24619.35 points Wednesday. Since it's the expiry of weekly futures and options contracts of Nifty 50 on Thursday, there could be some upside in the 50-stock index on account of short-covering by traders, analysts said.

With Apr-Jun earnings being largely in line with expectations, favourable macroeconomic conditions, and attractive valuations, market participants see a recovery in the market in the second half of 2025-26 (Apr-Mar). They also said September quarter earnings are likely to be better than those for Apr-Jun. Some analysts said the near-term consolidation in the market is due to uncertainties around the impact of US tariffs on India and lack of progress in trade talks between both the countries.  (P. Madhu Kumar)

Equity Alert: Indices end higher, led by gains in fincl, healthcare stocks

MUMBAI--1535 IST--Domestic indices ended higher Wednesday on the back of gains in the financial services and some healthcare stocks. This also came after government data showed retail inflation in India slipped to 1.55% in July, the lowest since June 2017, and below the Reserve Bank of India's comfort band of 2-6%, primarily led by a contraction in food prices. The Nifty 50 ended 0.5% higher at 24619.35 points and the BSE Sensex was up 0.4% at 80539.91 points. 

Among Nifty 50 constituents, Apollo Hospitals rose a whopping 8% and was the biggest gainer. The stock rose after the company reported better-than-expected June quarter earnings. Hindalco Industries rose nearly 5% after the company's bottom line and top line for the June quarter surpassed analysts' estimates. Pharmaceutical majors Cipla and Dr. Reddy's Laboratories rose over 2%. IndusInd Bank was the biggest loser among the Nifty 50 stocks and ended over 1% lower. 

The Nifty Healthcare and Nifty Pharma indices were the biggest gainers among sectoral indices, which rose around 2% each. The Nifty PSU Bank and Nifty Oil & Gas indices closed marginally lower whereas the Nifty Energy and Nifty FMCG ended largely flat. All broader market indices ended Wednesday's run in the positive territory, with Nifty Midcap 50 as the biggest gainer, rising nearly 1%.

Bharat Dynamics gained a little over 7%, making it the biggest gainer in the Nifty 200 index, after the company reported a sharp jump in its top line and bottom line for the June quarter. Shares of BSE and FSN E-Commerce Ventures rose over 5%, and both stocks were among the top gainers on the Nifty 200.  (P. Madhu Kumar)

Equity Alert: Nifty 50 Aug ends at 99.55-point premium to spot index

MUMBAI--1542 IST--The August futures contract of the Nifty 50 closed at a premium of 99.55 points to the spot index Tuesday. Open interest in the contract rose marginally to 17 million, according to provisional data.

--Nifty 50 closed at 24619.35 points, up 131.95 points or 0.5% vs Tue
--Nifty 50 Aug closed at 24718.90 points, up 164 points or 0.7% vs Tue

Nifty 50 options, expiring Thursday, with maximum change in open interest:

Call: 24650, Put: 24600

Nifty 50 options, expiring Thursday, with maximum open interest:

Call: 25000, Put: 24600

(Gopika Balasubramanium)

Equity Alert: European markets rise after strong gains in Asian, US indices

MUMBAI--1525 IST--European indices were up Wednesday tracking strong gains across both Asian and US markets. The indices were also up due to lower-than-expected US inflation data, which has raised hopes of a rate cut by the US Federal Reserve in September. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose 0.4% early in the session, with gains led by technology and defence stocks.

Leaders from Ukraine and other European countries are set to speak to US President Donald Trump later in the day ahead of the latter's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.

Shares of German tour operator TUI rose 2% after it posted better-than-expected results as summer travel proved to be resilient, CNBC reported. E.ON rose marginally after reporting a bigger core profit for the first half of the year and maintaining its full-year outlook. Wind turbine-maker Vestas fell 2% after reporting a smaller-than-expected rise in operating profit for the second quarter but maintained its fiscal year financial outlook.

Shares of German defence major Renk rose 5% after it beat earnings forecasts for the first half of the year and reported a record order intake. Germany's DAX Performance Index was up 0.8%.

Following were the levels of major European indices at 1502 IST:

(Akash Mandal)

Equity Alert: Most Asian indices end higher; Japan mkt closes at record high

MUMBAI--1514 IST--Barring Australia's benchmark index, all major Asian indices closed higher Wednesday, tracking sharp overnight gains in the US market. The US indices closed higher after softer-than-expected inflation data fuelled expectations of a rate cut by the US Federal Reserve in September. The NASDAQ Composite and S&P 500 rose to their respective records during the session.

Japan's Nikkei and Topix ended 1.3% and 0.8% higher, respectively, and hit their all-time closing high levels. The rise in the Nikkei index was led by electronics and machinery stocks. "Recent Japanese asset appreciation reflects positive steps the government is taking to improve capital markets and corporate governance, especially corporate sensitivity to equity values," CNBC quoted Fitch Solutions' analysts as saying.

China's CSI 300 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng closed higher with sharp gains. The Hang Seng led the gains among its Asian peers. Hardware equipment and metal stocks lifted Chinese indices. South Korea's Kospi and FTSE Singapore Straits Times rose over 1% each and both snapped a three-session losing streak. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was the only index to fall in the region. It had also touched its record high level intraday. 

Following are the levels of key Asian indices at 1512 IST:

(Simran Rede)

Equity Alert: One 97 Comm up; Paytm Payments gets OK for payment aggregator

MUMBAI--1451 IST--Shares of One 97 Communications surged 6% to an intraday high at INR 1,187 after the company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Paytm Payments Services, received an in-principle approval for an online payment aggregator licence from the Reserve Bank of India on Tuesday. At 1500 IST, shares of the company traded over 3% higher at INR 1,156.40 and nearly 18 million shares of the company changed hands on the National Stock Exchange as against 6.16 million shares traded during the same period Tuesday. 

JM Financial expects the wallet embargo clearance could increase the gross merchandise value of Paytm by INR 800 billion in 2026-27 (Apr-Mar). The value in FY24 was at INR 1.45 trillion. The brokerage also said an increase in its gross merchandise value is likely to add INR 270 million to its revenue and INR 110 million in its incremental earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation.

The Reserve Bank of India has advised Paytm Payments Services to undertake a system audit, including a cybersecurity audit, the regulator said in a letter. "The system audit report should be submitted to RBI within six months from the date of this letter, failing which the in-principle authorisation granted hereby shall lapse automatically and grant of final authorisation not considered thereafter," the RBI said. 

Of the seven brokerage reports available on the company with Informist, six brokerages have a 'buy' rating on the stock with an average target price of INR 1,236 and only one brokerage has a 'hold' rating.  (P. Madhu Kumar)

Equity Alert: FSN E-Comm up 8% despite Q1 miss; Jefferies hikes price target

MUMBAI--1345 IST--Shares of FSN E-Commerce rose 8% Wednesday to a two-week high of INR 220.77, emerging as the top gainer on the Nifty 200 index after analysts were positive on the company's performance and global brokerage Jefferies hiked its target price on the stock. At 1338 IST, the stock traded 5.6% higher at INR 216.13. 

Jefferies raised its target price to INR 250 from INR 240, citing strong growth and sustained profitability, NDTV Profit reported the brokerage as saying. The Nykaa operator also saw a robust growth in its online business-to-business and Nykaa Now segments, the brokerage said. Morgan Stanley maintained an 'overweight' call on the stock with a target price of INR 225, adding both the beauty and fashion segments continue to deliver industry-leading growth and gain market share.

The online retail platform operator reported a consolidated net profit of INR 233.20 million in the June quarter, below analysts' view of INR 258.40 million, but more than doubling on year. Its top line rose 23% on year to INR 21.55 billion. The company saw growth across all segments, with its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation margin expanding 100 basis points on year to 6.5%. The company said it was looking at an EBITDA break-even for its fashion portfolio in the current financial year. 

Till 1341 IST, 35.43 million shares of the company were traded on the NSE, sharply higher than the 963,923 shares traded till the same time Tuesday.  (Akash Mandal)

Equity Alert: CSB Bank to report QoQ fall in net profit, shares tad down

MUMBAI--1314 IST--Shares of CSB Bank traded marginally up at at INR 409 ahead of its June quarter earnings. CSB Bank is expected to report a fall in its net profit for the June quarter. The growth in the bank's net interest income is expected to slow down as the rise in cost of deposits is likely to outpace the yield on advances, according to brokerages tracking the bank.

Dolat Capital Market Pvt. Ltd. expects the company to post a net profit of INR 1.80 billion, up 59% on year but down 5% on quarter, whereas YES Securities (India) Ltd. expects the net profit to be INR 1.78 billion, up 57% on year but down 7% on quarter.   

Dolat Capital expects the company's net interest income to be INR 3.96 billion, up 9% on year and up 7% on quarter, whereas YES Securities expects net interest income to be INR 3.92 billion, up 8% on year and up 5.5% on quarter.

The bank's pre-provision operating profit is likely to fall 12% on quarter to INR 2.79 billion as its operating expenditure is expected to match the overall business growth rate, YES Securities said.

"We approximate CSB Bank's exposure to unsecured retail and microfinance as 3% since the last available disclosure on microfinance exposure was 1.7% share in Jul-Sept (2022-23) in loan book and the personal loan and credit card businesses are yet to develop in any meaningful way," according to YES Securities.

All four brokerage reports on the company available with Informist have a 'buy' rating on the stock with an average target price of INR 456. The shares are up 13% since the bank detailed its March quarter earnings.  (Janwee Prajapati)

Equity Alert: Honasa Consumer up; Q1 consol PAT sharply over Street's view

MUMBAI--1302 IST--Shares of Honasa Consumer rose 13% Wednesday to an over-a-month high of INR 304.70. The company reported a consolidated net profit of INR 413.25 million, which was nearly 63% higher than the Street's estimate of INR 254 million. Despite posting robust results, brokerages maintain their ratings on the stock.

Emkay Global Financial Services has maintained its "sell" rating on the stock with a target price of INR 250. This target price implies an over 7% downside to the stock's previous close. The broking firm expects a gradual recovery in the company's sales. "We expect 20% revenue growth for the remaining year, supported by a low base, which is likely to aid performance," Emkay said in a report.

ICICI Securities has maintained its 'buy' rating on the stock with a target price of INR 400. It has estimated a compound annual growth rate of revenue of 16%, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation of 62% and net profit of 58% over 2024-25 (Apr-Mar) to FY28.  

Honasa Consumer reported better revenue and net profit for the quarter despite an impact of early monsoons on its large sunscreen category, JM Financial said. "Current valuations at 3.4x/3x FY26/27E sales are not expensive (HUL acquired Minimalist at c.6x sales), re-rating hinges on sustained improvement in Mamaearth and scale up of Younger brands," it said. The brokerage has raised its earnings estimate on the company to factor in higher margins in FY26 and other income.  

The stock is up for the third consecutive session and has risen nearly 18% over that period. At 1256 IST, shares of the company traded at INR 290.45, up 7.9%. The stock was among the top gainers in the Nifty 500. So far Wednesday, 16.42 million shares of the company have changed hands on the NSE, sharply higher than 341,357 shares traded during the same period on Tuesday.

Of the four brokerage reports available on the stock with Informist, three have a 'buy' or equivalent rating on the stock and Emkay Global Financial Services has a 'sell' rating. The 'buy' or equivalent recommendations have an average target price of INR 325.  (Simran Rede)

Equity Alert: IRCTC up in choppy trade ahead of Apr-Jun earnings

MUMBAI--1247 IST--Shares of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corp. traded slightly higher in volatile trade ahead of the company's June quarter earnings later Wednesday. At 1249 IST, its shares were marginally up at INR 721.75.

The railway services company's net profit and revenue for the June quarter is expected to rise on year, driven by growth across segments. Brokerage firm Prabhudas Lilladher expects IRCTC's net profit to rise 9% on year and decline 5% on quarter to INR 3.38 billion. Dolat Capital Market expects the net profit to be INR 3.34 billion, up 8% on year but down 7% on quarter.

Dolat Capital expects the company's revenue to be INR 11.89 billion, up 6% on year but down 6% on quarter. Prabhudas Lilladher sees the revenue at INR 12.38 billion, up 11% on year but down 2% on quarter.

Prabhudas Lilladher expects the company's ticketing volumes to be around 127 million which would lead to a ticketing revenue of INR 3.6 billion for the June quarter. The brokerage expects revenue from the catering segment to increase by 10% on year to INR 6.1 billion. According to Prabhudas Lilladher, revenue from the tourism business is likely to grow 15% on year to INR 1.4 billion.

The brokerage expects IRCTC to report earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation of INR 4.27 billion.

All four brokerage reports available on the company with Informist have a 'buy' rating on the stock and an average target price of INR 921. The shares have fallen nearly 7% since the company announced its March quarter earnings.  (Akshat Saksena)

Equity Alert: NMDC Steel at 2-mo high; co turns profitable first time in Q1

MUMBAI--1232 IST--Shares of NMDC Steel skyrocketed 19% to a two-month high of INR 42.70 after the demerged entity of NMDC turned profitable for the first time ever during the June quarter. At 1229 IST, the stock was 18.1% higher at INR 42.34 and was by far the biggest gainer in the Nifty 500.

The company posted a net profit of INR 255.60 million in the June quarter, compared to a loss of INR 5.47 billion a year ago. Its revenue also surged 66% on year to INR 33.65 billion. An increase in prices and ramp-up in capacities resulted in increased operating leverage and contributed to the steel maker's financial performance during the quarter.

At 1229 IST, 66.80 million shares of the company were traded on the NSE, sharply higher than the 723,622 shares traded till the same time Tuesday.  (Akash Mandal)

Equity Alert: Vishal Mega Mart rises 3% ahead of Apr-Jun earnings

MUMBAI--1216 IST--Shares of Vishal Mega Mart rose almost 3% to an intraday high of INR 143.90 ahead of its earnings for the June quarter later Wednesday. The hypermarket chain, with over 600 stores spread across the country, is expected to report robust earnings for the quarter with both its bottom line and top line improving on a sequential basis. At 1216 IST, shares of the company were at INR 142.78, up almost 2%. 

The company's consolidated net profit is expected to rise around 88% on quarter to INR 2.16 billion, Kotak Institutional Equities said in an earnings preview note. The brokerage expects the company to report consolidated net sales of INR 30.90 billion, up over 21% on quarter. Data on the company's earnings for the year-ago quarter is not available for a year-on-year comparison. The company's shares listed on the stock exchange in December.

Kotak sees the company's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation for the June quarter at INR 4.51 billion, up from INR 3.57 billion reported in the trailing quarter. The three brokerage reports on the company available with Informist have a 'buy' or equivalent rating on the stock with an average target price of INR 135. So far Wednesday, over 6.2 million shares of the company have changed hands on NSE, lower than around 9.4 million shares traded till the same time Tuesday.  (Arya S. Biju)

Equity Alert: Mkt stays up as heavyweights rise; Apollo Hosp at record high

MUMBAI--1119 IST--Benchmark indices remained higher after gains in many heavyweight stocks such as Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, State Bank of India, and Bharti Airtel. At 1114 IST, the Nifty 50 was up 0.4% at 24585.40 points and the BSE Sensex was up 0.3% at 80446.35 points. Apollo Hospitals Enterprises and Hindalco Industries were the top gainers in the Nifty 50, with the former hitting an all-time high of INR 7,719.

Automobile stocks also rose with Hero MotoCorp, Tata Motors, and Eicher Motors gaining 2-3% each. On the other hand, IndusInd Bank was the biggest loser in the 50-stock index, down 2%. All sectoral indices barring the Nifty IT and Nifty FMCG were trading higher. Broader market indices were also in the green, with the Nifty Midcap 50 up almost 1%.

FSN E-Commerce Ventures was up over 4% after announcing its June quarter earnings. Global brokerages Morgan Stanley and Jefferies maintained a bullish stance on the stock with Jefferies hiking the target price on the stock by 4%. FSN E-Comm, which sells products under the brand Nykaa, reported an on-year rise of 142% in net profit at INR 233.20 million for Apr-Jun, but missed analysts' estimate of INR 258.40 million. Morgan Stanley said both the beauty and fashion segments continue to deliver industry-leading growth and gain market share. Honasa Consumer, which operates the brand Mamaearth, was up 9% after Jefferies maintained a bullish call on the stock citing "surprise on margins". 

Sonata Software, Coromandel International, and Waaree Energies were down 4-5%, the worst hit in the Nifty 500.  (Akash Mandal)

Equity Alert: Hindalco up 6%; Jefferies ups price view post Apr-Jun earnings

MUMBAI--1052 IST--Shares of Hindalco Industries rose nearly 6% to a high of INR 704.15, its highest level since Jul. 24. The company had reported its June quarter earnings during market hours Tuesday, wherein its top line and bottom line were above analysts' estimates. Many brokerages were also positive on the stock after the earnings, with Jefferies raising its target price on the stock. At 1044 IST, the stock traded 5.2% higher at INR 701.80 and was among the top gainers among the Nifty 50 constituents.

Global brokerage Jefferies raised its target price on the stock to INR 735 from INR 690 and maintained a "hold" rating. The brokerage said higher aluminium prices are likely to aid the company's domestic operations, NDTV Profit reported the brokerage as saying. Macquarie maintained an 'outperform' rating on the stock with a target price of INR 709, with the brokerage saying that its upstream segment is likely to expand by 2027-28 (Apr-Mar).

Nuvama Institutional Equities said earnings of Hindalco's subsidiary Novelis have bottomed out but are likely to remain weak until the December quarter. "Domestically, higher aluminium prices shall help enhance earnings in Q2FY26," it said.

At 1044 IST, 5.87 million shares of the company were traded on the NSE, similar to the 5.76 million shares traded till the same time Tuesday.  (Akash Mandal)

Equity Alert: Apollo Hospitals up 7% at record high; Q1 PAT, sales beat view

MUMBAI--1020 IST--Shares of Apollo Hospitals Enterprises soared nearly 7% to a record high of INR 7,708.50 after both its top line and bottom line for the June quarter beat analysts' estimates. At 1018 IST, the stock was trading 6.2% higher at INR 7,686.50 and was the top gainer among the Nifty 50 constituents.

The healthcare provider's consolidated net profit surged 42% on year in the June quarter to INR 4.33 billion, higher than the consensus of INR 3.70 billion. Its consolidated revenue also rose 15% on year to INR 58.42 billion, coming in above analysts' expectations of INR 57.2 billion. There was growth across all segments, with its hospitals business revenue growing 11% on year to INR 29.74 billion and its diagnostics services arm, Apollo Health and Lifestyle, reporting a 19% growth in revenues to INR 4.40 billion. 

The company also plans to double its investment in artificial intelligence capabilities over the next two to three years, Reuters reported its chief executive officer as saying. At 1018 IST, 866,725 shares of the company were traded on the NSE, sharply higher than the 42,221 shares traded till the same time Tuesday.  (Akash Mandal)

Equity Alert: Indices open up as index heavyweights push Nifty 50 higher

MUMBAI--0935 IST--Indices opened higher Wednesday with financial services and oil and gas stocks as the biggest gainers. Heavyweights HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries, and Infosys aided the rise of the Nifty 50. India's headline CPI inflation falling to an eight-year low of 1.55% in July also likely pushed the indices higher.  

At 1007 IST, the Nifty 50 was 0.4% higher at 24594.40 points and the BSE Sensex was up 0.3% at 80500.99 points. All sectoral indices were in positive territory. Nifty IT and Nifty FMCG swung between gains and losses and were marginally lower. The Nifty Metal index was the top gainer, up nearly 2%, followed by Nifty India Defence and Nifty Healthcare, which rose over 1% each. All broader market indices were higher in early trade, with the Nifty Midcap 50 as the top gainer, rising over 1% and the small-cap indices rising 0.5-0.7%. 

Shares of Apollo Hospitals Enterprises were over 6% higher and the stock was the biggest gainer on the Nifty 50 after the company reported better-than-expected June quarter earnings post market hours Tuesday. Shares of Hindalco Industries were up over 4% after the company's consolidated net profit for the June quarter surpassed Street's view. Bharat Electronics snapped a four-session falling streak and was up over 1%. IndusInd Bank fell 0.7% and it was the worst-hit Nifty 50 constituent. 

One97 Communications was up over 3% and was among the top performers on the Nifty 200. The company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Paytm Payments Services Ltd., received an in-principle approval Tuesday from the Reserve Bank of India for an online payment aggregator licence. Shares of FSN E-commerce Ventures were over 3% higher despite the company reporting a lower-than-expected consolidated profit for the June quarter.  (P. Madhu Kumar)

Equity Alert: Mkt seen tad up at open likely on fall in CPI; ONGC in focus

MUMBAI--0855 IST--Benchmark indices are likely to be range-bound with stock-specific action Wednesday due to lack of triggers. The Nifty 50 is likely to open 40–50 points higher, possibly because India's headline CPI inflation slipped to an eight-year low of 1.55% in July. Investors continue to be uncertain about US trade tariffs on India for buying Russian crude oil and the US-India trade deal. A meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, which is scheduled to be held in Alaska on Friday, will be closely watched. A truncated week due to the Independence Day holiday on Friday has kept investor sentiment muted. 

"There are no major triggers for the market to react sharply, so it will be down to flat today (Wednesday)," Anshul Jain, head of research at Lakshmishree Investments, said. The market will be flat throughout the session with a negative bias but there are slight chances of some short covering in the second half of the session, he said.

At 0829 IST, the GIFT Nifty's August contract on the NSE International Exchange was up 0.1% at 24649.50, over 162 points higher than the Nifty 50's closing level on Tuesday. This indicates a slightly positive start to the market. Benchmark indices closed lower Tuesday after choppy trade. The Nifty 50 ended 0.4% lower at 24487.40 points and the BSE Sensex closed 0.5% lower at 80235.59 points. Support for the Nifty 50 is seen at 24400–24350 points for the near term and resistance at 24750–24800 points.

Oil and Natural Gas Corp. will be a key stock to monitor after the company's top line and bottom line both fell on year in the June quarter but beat the Street's expectations. These metrics managed to exceed estimates on the back of a fall in expenses during the quarter. While the bottom line fell due to lower oil price realisations during the quarter, the pace of decline was the slowest on year in three quarters.

In the US, benchmark equity indices closed sharply higher Tuesday, with the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 closing at record highs, as a better-than-expected inflation print for July boosted sentiment. US CPI increased 0.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis in July. Most Asian indices were higher in early trade, tracking the strong gains in the US market overnight, with Japan's indices again hitting record highs.  (Simran Rede)

Equity Alert: Most Asia mkts rise on US rate cut hopes; Japan at record high

MUMBAI--0806 IST--Most Asian indices were higher in early trade, tracking the strong gains in the US market overnight. A softer-than-expected inflation print in the US, which boosted hopes of a rate cut by the Federal Reserve in September, also buoyed investor sentiment in the region.

The Japanese market hit fresh highs again, with the Nikkei 225 and Topix up around 1% each. Electronics and automobile stocks led the gains in the Japanese market. Advantest and Subaru Corp. stocks were up 4% and 2%, respectively. "Recent Japanese asset appreciation reflects positive steps the government is taking to improve capital markets and corporate governance, especially corporate sensitivity to equity values," CNBC reported Fitch Solutions as saying. 

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.7%, the only index in the red across the region. The index was weighed down by bank stocks, with Commonwealth Bank of Australia down nearly 5%. The lender, which is considered one of the most expensive banks in the world in terms of price-to-earnings ratio, reported a record annual profit, but analysts said its bottom line was boosted by a lift in trading income which can be volatile, Mint reported. National Australia Bank and Westpac were also down around 2% each.

Following are the levels of key Asian indices at 0759 IST:

(Akash Mandal)

Equity Alert: US mkt notches record highs on softer-than-view Jul CPI print

MUMBAI--0749 IST--US indices ended sharply higher Tuesday, with the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 closing at record highs, as a better-than-expected inflation print for July boosted sentiment. Expectations for a rate cut in September soared following the print, with the CME Fedwatch tool showing a 94% probability of a 25-basis-points cut compared to an 86% probability a day ago.

The US CPI increased 0.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis in July and 2.7% on a 12-month basis, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Dow Jones had expected the CPI to rise 0.2% last month  and 2.8% on an annual basis. "The CPI data is supportive for equities overall, getting some good news with the Fed looking more on track to cut (rates) in September and potentially more transitory inflation," Reuters reported Katherine Bordlemay, co-head of client portfolio management, fundamental equities at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, as saying.

Among stocks, Alphabet rose over 1% after Perplexity made a $34.5 billion cash offer to buy the company's Chrome browser, Reuters reported. Intel Corp. surged nearly 6% after US President Donald Trump met and praised Chief Executive Officer Lip-Bu Tan and called the meeting "very interesting." This comes after Trump had demanded the resignation of Tan over the latter's investments in Chinese firms.

Analysts are now increasingly confident on the bull market sustaining even in the face of a weakening economy. "A potentially more relevant question for investors is whether fundamental weakness is likely to matter to financial markets over the next six-to-twelve months...we are beginning to lean toward the conclusion that it won't, provided it unfolds slowly," CNBC quoted analysts at BCA Research as saying. In fact, overall weakening of the economy could even be "celebrated as a catalyst" for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, BCA said. 

Following are the closing levels of US indices Tuesday:

(Akash Mandal)

US$1 = INR 87.44

End

Edited by Nishant Maher

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