Indian shares muted as easing US rate concerns, domestic earnings counter oil worries

Indian shares remained relatively stable on Monday, buoyed by strong domestic earnings and eased concerns over potential near-term U.S. interest rate hikes. The Nifty 50 index climbed 0.05% to 24,583.80, while the BSE Sensex rose 0.06% to 78,542.44, both indices fluctuating between modest gains and losses throughout the day. Ten out of the 16 major sectors experienced losses, with small-caps declining 0.3% and mid-caps rising 0.6%.

The broader small-cap sector saw a slight drop of 0.3%, while mid-cap stocks gained 0.6%. Asian shares managed to edge higher as the likelihood of a near-term increase in borrowing costs diminished, boosting confidence in foreign investments in emerging markets. However, Brent crude oil prices surged 1.3%, reaching approximately $84.6 per barrel, due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz's reopening.

Rajesh Palviya, head of research at Axis Direct, commented on the cautious optimism in the market, noting that any significant easing of tensions in the Middle East could further benefit domestic equities. Notable stock gains included Titan Company, which surged 3% to set a new record high, Hero MotoCorp, which increased 2.4% following its 3.1% rise on Friday, and Oil India, which climbed 2.3% post-issuance of positive quarterly results.

Paytm saw a remarkable 9.9% rise, reaching a 56-month high, after Bernstein raised its target following potential UPI fee expansions that could enhance margins and earnings. However, State Bank of India experienced a 2.4% decline, erasing some of its recent gains, despite strong June-quarter loan growth, possibly due to profit-taking after the rally.

Ola Electric faced a 4.3% drop as weak sales overshadowed a narrower quarterly loss, while Power Finance Corporation slipped 8.3% amid concerns about growth prospects flagged by several brokerage firms, even after achieving a quarterly profit beat.