US stock futures fell, led by tech. US to unveil new economic measures against Iran. FIIs and DIIs were net buyers in Indian equities. US Treasury may…
1/6US markets| US stocks opened lower on Monday, August 24, as a sell-off in semiconductor shares weighed on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, while easing Treasury yields offered some relief. The S&P 500 fell 0.4% and Nasdaq declined 1%, while the Dow rose 0.2%. Micron, AMD and Broadcom fell sharply. Investors remained cautious ahead of Nvidia’s earnings, the Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole symposium and July PCE inflation data, while developments around US-Iran tensions added to market uncertainty.
2/6US-Iran war| The US is preparing to unveil fresh economic measures against Iran. The campaign could target companies, financial institutions and other entities in countries trading with Iran, particularly China, its biggest buyer of Iranian oil. Washington faces a challenge in escalating pressure without provoking Beijing, disrupting global oil supplies or hurting countries such as India. Any retaliation by Tehran could also push up crude prices and inflation, adding to concerns over global energy markets and inflationary pressures.
3/6Institutional flows strengthen: Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers in Indian equities worth ₹1,181.66 crore on Monday, August 24, on a provisional basis. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) also remained buyers, recording net purchases of ₹2,493.41 crore. The combined institutional buying provided some support to the market even as benchmark indices ended lower after giving up early gains. Weakness in financial stocks, particularly PSU banks, weighed on the frontline indices, while metal stocks and midcaps offered relative strength during the session.
4/6Treasury buyback boost: The US Treasury could tap its nearly $950 billion cash balance to fund expanded government bond buybacks, CNBC reported, citing two senior Treasury officials. The move could give Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent greater firepower to influence long-term borrowing costs. The Treasury last week doubled planned purchases of older, less-traded long-term securities to at least $4 billion from $2 billion. Officials said the Treasury General Account is available for the programme, though no decision has been made on how much could be used.
5/6Crude oil outlook| Crude oil prices slipped as concerns over demand and higher future supplies weighed on sentiment, although geopolitical risks kept Brent near $90 a barrel. Brent has gained nearly 52% in 2026 but is facing profit-taking as the IEA and OPEC lower demand expectations, Chinese buying remains weak and US inventories surprise on the upside. Expectations of higher supplies in 2027 are also capping prices, while US-Iran tensions, Strait of Hormuz disruptions and tighter Venezuelan output continue to support crude.
6/6Hindustan Copper OFS| The Government of India will sell a 3% stake in Hindustan Copper through an Offer for Sale, with a 3% green-shoe option, at a floor price of ₹514 per share, a 9.5% discount to Monday’s close. If fully subscribed, the sale could raise nearly ₹3,000 crore and reduce the government’s stake to around 60%. The stake sale follows a strong June quarter, with Hindustan Copper’s net profit more than doubling to ₹353 crore and revenue rising 81.4% year-on-year.
