News Overview

Indian equity markets ended higher on May 22, 2026, supported by easing geopolitical tensions, declining crude oil prices, and a sharp recovery in the rupee. Banking and financial stocks led the rally, while Pharma, IT, and Media sectors remained under pressure amid selective profit booking and earnings reactions.

Chinese AI firms Zhipu AI and MiniMax rallied sharply after emerging as top candidates for inclusion in the Hang Seng Tech Index. Analysts believe Stock Connect eligibility and passive ETF inflows could drive billions in capital inflows, although lock-up expiries and weak fundamentals remain key risks.

LIC share price jumped nearly 5% after the insurance giant posted a 23% YoY rise in Q4 FY26 profit, announced its maiden 1:1 bonus issue, and declared a final dividend of ₹10 per share. The strong earnings and shareholder rewards boosted investor sentiment around the stock.

Honasa Consumer stock hit a 52-week high after reporting record Q4FY26 results. Strong revenue growth, margin expansion, and the announcement of its first-ever dividend boosted investor sentiment.

MTAR Technologies stock surged nearly 6% to hit a fresh all-time high after the company announced a ₹467 crore international order win. The company expects its FY27 order book to reach ₹5,000 crore amid strong momentum in nuclear, aerospace, and oil & gas businesses.

JSW Cement posted a massive jump in Q4 FY26 profit, supported by higher cement volumes and improving industry demand. The company also announced a ₹430 crore capacity expansion at its Nagaur plant in Rajasthan and recommended a dividend for FY26.

Varun Beverages share price jumped over 3% after PepsiCo extended the company’s exclusive bottling agreement till 2049. Investors also cheered the removal of restrictions on non-bottling business operations.

Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd (SAMIL) touched a new 52-week high following strong Q4 FY26 results, record quarterly revenue, improved margins, and ambitious expansion plans. The auto components major also announced major capex and fundraising initiatives, strengthening optimism around its long-term growth strategy and Vision 2030 targets.

Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd shares touched a new 52-week high of ₹8,330 after the company reported robust Q4 FY26 results, supported by strong profit growth, higher hospital occupancy, improved operating margins, and positive healthcare demand trends. Investor sentiment also strengthened following the Cloudnine deal, merger approval, and dividend announcement.

Wall Street rebounded sharply on May 21, 2026, with the Dow Jones reclaiming the 50,000 mark as easing oil prices, falling Treasury yields, and optimism around a potential US-Iran agreement boosted investor sentiment globally. Nvidia’s strong earnings, SpaceX’s IPO filing, and improving risk appetite lifted US and European markets, while lower crude prices emerged as a major positive for India’s economy, inflation outlook, and foreign investment sentiment.