Stock Market Today Live Updates: Dalal Street ends flat; BSE Sensex up 40 points

Domestically, investors will closely monitor the July CPI inflation print, WPI inflation, and the latest foreign exchange reserves data for fresh insights into inflation trends and external sector stability. The Q1 FY27 earnings season will gather further momentum, with several companies, including HAL, Bharat.

Benchmark indices managed to end the previous week on a positive note despite heightened volatility. The gains reflected a market that remained relatively resilient despite several competing factors, including geopolitical uncertainty, monetary policy developments and changes in the trading framework.

What Happened

Rather than a broad-based surge, the performance indicated a measured improvement in sentiment, with investors continuing to respond to developments across domestic and global markets. The weekly movement also came against the backdrop of increased attention on institutional flows and corporate developments.

• BSE Sensex gained 404.53 points, or 0.51 per cent, while NSE Nifty advanced 187.05 points, or 0.76 per cent.

• Foreign portfolio investors maintained a positive stance towards Indian equities, investing ₹12,921 crore during the first week of August.

• Oil prices climbed more than 1% as uncertainty over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz continued to weigh on markets.

Key Details

The performance of the two benchmark indices provided a relatively positive starting point for investors assessing the market's broader trajectory. The inflow adds to the importance of overseas institutional activity in determining the direction of Indian markets, particularly in large-cap stocks.

• Brent crude rose 1.32% to $84.65 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 1.04% to $78.99 a barrel.

• The gains came after both benchmarks dropped more than 7% in the previous week, as expectations grew that Iran and Oman could reach an agreement to facilitate the resumption of shipping through the strategic.

• The interaction between oil prices and geopolitical developments is consequently an important consideration when assessing the broader market environment.

Why It Matters

Foreign flows can influence liquidity as well as sentiment, with sustained buying often providing support to benchmark indices. At the same time, these flows remain sensitive to global interest-rate expectations, geopolitical developments, currency movements and valuations.

• For India, sustained increases in crude prices could raise concerns over import costs and inflationary pressures, while a more stable energy market could provide some relief.

• Broader negotiations involving Iran are therefore also being closely watched by investors.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by The Times of India as more details emerge