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...
0

Smart Investment Moves in Volatile Markets: This Sector Holds Strong Profit Potential

 

The domestic equity markets experienced a mixed session today, with the benchmark indices struggling amid renewed concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariff threat. The NSE Nifty 50 ended the day slightly lower by 26 points or 0.11%, closing at 22,906.75. Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex declined by 222.76 points or 0.29%, settling at 75,716.42.

However, despite the overall downtrend in large-cap stocks, the midcap and smallcap indices saw robust buying interest. The Nifty Midcap 100 outperformed significantly, surging by 647.90 points or 1.28%, closing at 51,175.15. This divergence suggests that investors are looking beyond large-cap stocks and favoring opportunities in the broader market segments.

Banking and Financial Stocks Under Pressure

The banking and financial services sector bore the brunt of the sell-off, with the Nifty Bank closing 0.48% lower at 49,334.55 and the Nifty Financial Services index dropping 0.75% to 23,281.40. However, PSU bank stocks remained resilient and bucked the trend, trading higher as investors found value in these stocks amidst market uncertainty.

Gold ETFs Shine Amid Market Volatility

For those looking at safer investment options, Gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) have emerged as an attractive avenue. Over the past year, Gold ETFs have delivered impressive returns of up to 40%, driven by global economic uncertainty, U.S. trade tariff tensions, and inflation concerns. Inflows into Gold ETFs have surged 486% on a monthly basis, reflecting growing investor interest in the asset class.

Top Performing Gold ETFs (1-Year Returns)

  • UTI Gold ETF: 39.75%

  • HDFC Gold ETF: 38.90%

  • Kotak Gold ETF: 38.87%

  • Axis Gold ETF: 38.41%

  • Aditya Birla SL Gold ETF: 38.11%

  • Nippon India ETF Gold BeES: 37.98% (largest in terms of AUM)

  • DSP Gold ETF: 37.87%

Given these stellar returns, investors seeking safe-haven assets amidst global market uncertainty may consider allocating a portion of their portfolio to Gold ETFs.

How Investors Can Profit Amid Market Volatility

While the broader market remains under pressure due to geopolitical and trade-related concerns, the resilience shown by midcaps and smallcaps signals that selective stock picking can still yield positive results. Meanwhile, with gold prices continuing to surge, Gold ETFs remain a compelling option for those looking to hedge against market volatility.

Going forward, market participants will keep a close watch on further developments regarding U.S. trade policies and their impact on global markets. Investors should remain cautious, adopt a diversified approach, and focus on sectors that exhibit strong fundamentals and growth potential.

Comments

Post a Comment