Railway stocks surged on Monday, with some counters rallying up to 9% on heavy volumes. Ircon International led the gains, followed by RVNL, Titagarh Rail, Texmaco Rail, and IRFC, while IRCTC saw modest growth. The sector’s rally was driven by strong buying interest.

Bitcoin rose 4.4% to $116,031 over the past week, driven by rate cut expectations and technical patterns. Analysts eye resistance near $117,500, with support around $115,000. Ethereum consolidates near $4,650, while Solana shows momentum. Fed guidance ahead may trigger further volatility in crypto markets.

Jefferies initiates coverage on Indian spirits firms United Spirits, Radico Khaitan, and Allied Blenders with “Buy” ratings, citing premiumisation as a key growth driver. Radico is the top pick, while Allied is called a “dark horse” with potential for a turnaround.

SEBI’s board didn’t announce changes to derivative contracts but plans to release a consultation paper soon. Potential tweaks, such as altering expiries or contract sizes, could impact exchange earnings, especially for BSE, according to a Nuvama report.

Oyo s unlisted shares have surged 26% in the past month amid IPO buzz, outperforming listed peers. This surge is attributed to robust Q1 earnings, potential bonus shares, and aggressive expansion. While analysts are divided on valuation, some anticipate continued revenue growth, supported by industry tailwinds, despite concerns about lower PAT margins compared to industry averages.

Indian government bond yields edged higher, mirroring U.S. Treasury yields and oil price increases, as investors anticipate the Federal Reserve s policy decision. Traders are cautiously awaiting commentary from Fed Chair Jerome Powell to assess the U.S. interest rate path. Market participants also await cues on the Reserve Bank of India s rate easing trajectory for further direction.

Jaiprakash Toshniwal of LIC MF Asset Management sees a positive turn for Indian stocks. Festive demand and a resilient economy are key factors. He favors IT, banking, and retail NBFCs. He advises caution on overvalued staples. He notes improved conditions in the metals sector. Domestic factors and steady foreign investment should support markets.

Indian defence stocks continue to attract investor attention amid optimism over long-term sector growth and major deals like the Rafale project. Experts highlight strong order books at HAL, Mazagon Dock, and Cochin Shipyard, while cautioning that near-term valuations may be elevated. Government initiatives like Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat support the structural growth story and indigenous defence production.

Global markets are focused on upcoming central bank actions, especially a possible US Federal Reserve rate cut. Rajeev Agrawal highlighted uncertainty around capital flows and equity valuations. With the Bank of England and Bank of Japan also set to decide, shifting interest rate policies are expected to guide investor sentiment worldwide.

Shakti Pumps’ shares surged after farmers in Maharashtra fully booked the second tranche of solar pumps under the state’s subsidy scheme. With orders for 22,451 pumps worth ₹616.30 crore across two tranches, the company is well-positioned to deliver, backed by its strong presence and track record.