Trump Warns Iran of 'Greater Force' as Israel Shuts Airspace; Indian Stocks Brace for Monday Slump

  The escalating Israel-Iran conflict, now intensified by U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, has sent shockwaves through global markets. U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking from the White House, warned Iran of “greater force” if it retaliates, labeling the nation a “Middle East bully” and urging peace. With Israeli airspace closed and U.S. B-2 stealth bombers deployed to Guam, the situation is precarious. This article analyzes the potential negative impact on the Indian stock market come Monday, as geopolitical tensions threaten economic stability. Escalation of the Israel-Iran Conflict The conflict entered its second week with the U.S. confirming strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities. These targeted attacks follow heightened hostilities between Israel and Iran, with Trump’s remarks signaling a hardline U.S. stance. The closure of Israeli airspace underscores the severity of the situation, disrupting regional trade and aviation routes. Iran’s potent...
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Stock Market YearEnder 2024: A Year of Highs and Lows in the Market

 

As 2024 comes to a close, the Indian stock market wraps up an eventful year. With only four trading sessions left before we usher in 2025, it’s time to reflect on the market’s performance. While the Nifty 50 has gained over 9% this year, it is still trading more than 9% below its all-time high, which was achieved in late September. On September 27, the Sensex touched an intraday high of 85,978.25, and the Nifty came close to 26,300. Currently, they stand at 78,472.87 and 23,727.65, respectively.

Top Gainers and Losers of 2024

At the stock level, Trent emerged as the standout performer on the Nifty, delivering a staggering 130% return, effectively doubling investors' money. Following Trent, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) and Bharat Electronics offered impressive returns of 70% and 59%, respectively.

On the Sensex, Zomato, which was recently added, led the pack with a 122% return, followed by M&M at 70% and Bharti Airtel, up by more than 53%.

On the flip side, some stocks underperformed significantly. IndusInd Bank and Asian Paints were the worst-hit, losing 41% and 24%, respectively. These two were also the biggest laggards on the Sensex.

Midcap and Smallcap: Robust Performance Amid Volatility

The broader market also saw substantial action this year.

Nifty Midcap 100

The Nifty Midcap 100 Index maintained its positive streak for the fifth consecutive year, rising 20% in 2024. It reached an all-time high of 60,925.95 but is currently trading at 56,988.20. Key performers include:

  • Dhani Services, which surged by 138%.
  • Jubilant Pharmova, which doubled with a 100% gain.

However, RBL Bank and Rajesh Exports saw steep declines of over 30%, while AU Small Finance Bank and Dalmia Bharat fell by more than 20%.

Nifty Smallcap 100

The Nifty Smallcap 100 Index outperformed with a 21% gain this year, currently at 18,703.65, after hitting a record high of 19,716.2 earlier in the year. Standout stocks in this segment include:

  • Wockhardt, which delivered an exceptional 251% return.
  • Aegis Logistics, up by 131%.
  • Kalpataru Projects International, which gained 77%.

On the downside, Spandana Sphoorty Financial dropped over 72%, followed by CreditAccess Grameen (down 49%) and DishTV (down 43%).

Looking Ahead: Resilience in 2025?

If the market avoids significant shocks in the remaining sessions of the year, the Nifty 50 is poised to end in positive territory for the ninth consecutive year. This resilience underscores the market's long-term growth potential despite intermittent volatility.

As we step into 2025, the focus will remain on macroeconomic factors, corporate earnings, and global cues. Investors would do well to keep a diversified portfolio and stay alert to emerging trends.

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