US Launches New Iran Strikes as Strait of Hormuz Conflict Escalates, Oil Prices Rise 
Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
US Back-to-School Spending Seen Falling as Families Focus on Essentials 
Best Gold Stocks to Buy Now: AABB, GOLD, GDX 
Oil and LNG Tankers Turn Back as Strait of Hormuz Security Risks Escalate 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Launches Task Forces to Overhaul U.S. Monetary Policy Framework 
Bernstein Raises 2026 Nickel Price Forecast as Indonesia Tightens Supply 
US Stock Futures Steady as Oil Prices Ease, Iran Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Japan Eyes Bigger GPIF Investment in Domestic Assets as BOJ Independence Concerns Grow 
US Stock Futures Steady as US-Iran Tensions and Fed Inflation Concerns Weigh on Markets 
State elections in India are likely to dominate the country’s progress on the economic and financial reforms implemented recently.
Over the next five weeks, more than 160 million will vote in five state elections. The elections will be key barometers of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reform agenda, particularly in the wake of the demonetization move last November.
A convincing performance by his National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will give the green light for continued tough albeit necessary reforms ahead of the 2019 general election. A negative outturn may thwart reforms and dent efforts to gain greater control of the Upper House, Commerzbank reported.
The improved macro picture has helped to support INR of late and this should persist. Meanwhile, the 30-share benchmark Sensex traded 0.19 percent lower at 28,385.01, while the 50-share benchmark Nifty futures traded 0.28 percent or 25.20 points down at 8,775.00 by 08:00 GMT.
