Stock Market Live Today: Sectoral insights: Corporate banking profitability at an all-time low

The heightened pricing war in the corporate or wholesale lending market is beginning to pinch banks more than what was anticipated. According to senior executives in the industry, NIM or net interest margin, which is the measure of profitability, is at a all-time low of 1.5-1.75 per cent for the wholesale banking business. Read more

Stock Market Live Today: Index Outlook: Nifty 50, Sensex: Crucial resistance ahead

Nifty 50 and Sensex made new highs last week in line with our expectation. Nifty made a high of 20,222.45 while the Sensex touched 67,927.23.

The Nifty Bank index has risen and closed well above 46,000 as expected. Sensex and Nifty were up about 1.9 per cent each, while the Nifty Bank surged about 2.4 per cent last week. Read more

Commodities Market Live Update: Gold prices flat ahead of Federal Reserve meeting

Gold prices remained stable as investors anticipated the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting and potential interest rate decisions. Spot gold traded at $1,924.29 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures were steady at $1,946.10. The SPDR Gold Trust reported a slight increase in holdings, while speculators reduced their net long positions in COMEX gold. Meanwhile, spot silver, platinum, and palladium showed mixed movements. – Reuters

Commodities Market Live Updates: Oil prices rise on supply deficit forecast and China’s demand recovery

Oil prices edged higher as Saudi Arabia and Russia extended production cuts, creating a supply deficit outlook for Q4. Optimism about China’s demand recovery, supported by its stimulus policy and robust U.S. economic data, contributed to the rise. Brent crude futures increased by 5 cents to $93.98 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose by 15 cents to $90.92 per barrel. Both benchmarks have surged for three consecutive weeks, marking their highest levels since November, and are set for their largest quarterly gain since early 2022. – Reuters

Asian markets off to a slow start in central bank packed week

Asian shares started cautiously on Monday in a week packed with central bank meetings that include the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan, which will be closely scrutinised for the global interest rate outlook.

Both S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures rose 0.2% in early Asia.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.1% after gaining 1.2% last week. Japan’s Nikkei is closed for a holiday. – Read More