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The monthly average ADR reading of all BSE stocks continued to remain strong as the ratio remained above one for two consecutive months. In May, the ratio was at 1.06 while the reading was at 1.5 in April, the highest since June 2020 in nearly six years. In June, the ratio has advanced to 0.86 as of Monday.

“The domestic investors continued to pump money into equities and midcaps typically attract retailers,” said Jay Vora, technical analyst, Mirae Asset Sharekhan. “The large-caps however, bore the brunt of the foreign sell off,” he said.

The Nifty Midcap 100 index hit a record high in May and jumped 3.2% during the month, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 index rose 0.7%. The benchmarks Nifty and Sensex fell 2% and 2.8% respectively.

“Benchmark Nifty and the smallcap index remained 8-9% away from their peaks in May, while the midcap index scaled a fresh new high in the month,” said Nilesh Jain, VP-head of Technical and Derivative Research, Centrum Finverse.

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“This led to the divergence between the advance-decline ratio and benchmark Nifty,” Jain said.

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Jain added that the smallcaps had slumped 24% from peaks but recovered almost 20% signaling that the rebound could sustain.

An advancing Advance-Decline Ratio means more stocks are gaining and points to a strengthening market. While benchmark Nifty is likely to remain in a range, the broader market is expected to relatively outperform.

“The midcap index is holding above its breakout levels in May, and the momentum seems to be picking up in the smallcap index as well,” said Vipin Kumar, AVP Equity Research & PMS (Derivatives & Technical Analyst), Globe Capital Market. For the Nifty Midcap 100, gains could extend to 63,500 levels while the Smallcap 100 index is expected to test its record high around 19,600 in June, he said.

“The midcaps and smallcaps are likely to outperform while the Nifty is anticipated to remain in a range with a negative bias,” said Jain. “The largecaps are not looking promising currently and are likely to remain under pressure,” he said.

NEW YORK — Alphabet Inc. shares slipped 1.60% to $359.89 in early trading on Monday, reflecting typical sector rotation and profit-taking after recent gains, but the internet and AI giant remains one of the most compelling long-term investment stories in technology as it capitalizes on artificial intelligence advancements across search, cloud computing and advertising.

As of June 2026, Alphabet continues to dominate digital advertising while aggressively expanding its AI capabilities through Google DeepMind and Gemini models. The company’s diversified business model — encompassing Google Search, YouTube, Cloud, Android and emerging ventures like Waymo — provides multiple growth engines that have helped it weather economic cycles and competitive pressures.

Alphabet reported solid first-quarter 2026 results, with revenue growth driven by robust performance in Search and Cloud segments. Google Cloud achieved significant year-over-year expansion, benefiting from enterprise adoption of AI tools and infrastructure services. The company’s ongoing investment in AI infrastructure, including data centers and custom chips, underscores its commitment to maintaining leadership in the rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Analysts largely maintain Buy ratings on Alphabet, citing its unmatched data advantage, vast distribution reach through Android and Chrome, and accelerating AI monetization opportunities. Average 12-month price targets suggest meaningful upside potential, with some optimistic forecasts highlighting the transformative impact of AI integration across products.

The bullish case for buying Alphabet centers on its structural advantages in AI. Google Search continues to evolve with AI-powered overviews and multimodal capabilities, enhancing user experience while creating new advertising opportunities. YouTube’s Shorts and AI-enhanced recommendations drive engagement, while Google Cloud emerges as a strong challenger to Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure in the enterprise AI market.

Alphabet’s DeepMind division has delivered breakthroughs in areas ranging from protein folding to advanced reasoning models. The Gemini family of models powers new features across Google products, positioning the company to capture a significant share of the AI services market. Waymo, its autonomous driving unit, continues expanding commercial operations, representing a long-term growth avenue in mobility.

Financially, Alphabet maintains a pristine balance sheet with substantial cash reserves and consistent free cash flow generation. The company has returned capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases while funding ambitious research and development initiatives. This disciplined capital allocation supports both growth and shareholder returns.

Regulatory risks remain a notable consideration for potential buyers. Ongoing antitrust scrutiny in the United States and Europe continues to create uncertainty, with potential remedies that could impact core businesses. However, analysts generally view these challenges as manageable over the long term, given Alphabet’s innovation track record and diversified revenue streams.

For investors considering a sell position or remaining on the sidelines, valuation is a primary concern. Shares trade at premiums that assume continued strong execution in AI and advertising. Any slowdown in cloud growth or adverse regulatory outcomes could pressure multiples. Near-term volatility tied to macroeconomic factors and quarterly earnings also warrants caution for shorter-term traders.

Investment decisions in 2026 should factor time horizon and risk tolerance. Long-term investors bullish on digital transformation and AI adoption may favor accumulation on dips, viewing Alphabet as a core technology holding with durable competitive advantages. Growth-oriented portfolios benefit from its exposure to multiple high-potential markets, while its advertising business provides relative stability.

Broader market context supports a constructive view. Technology spending remains robust, particularly in AI infrastructure and enterprise software. Alphabet’s ability to integrate AI across its ecosystem creates network effects that are difficult for competitors to replicate. The company’s scale in data, talent and computing resources provides a significant moat.

Analyst sentiment has remained positive overall, with recent notes highlighting the company’s progress in monetizing AI features and expanding cloud market share. Institutional ownership stays high, reflecting confidence among professional investors. Earnings momentum and product innovation continue to drive positive revisions.

Diversification remains key for any exposure to Alphabet. While the company’s quality and growth prospects are compelling, concentration risk in technology warrants balancing with other sectors. Pairing it with more defensive holdings or international exposure can help manage volatility.

As the year progresses, key catalysts include quarterly cloud growth metrics, AI product adoption rates and regulatory developments. Alphabet’s ability to convert AI investments into sustainable revenue growth while maintaining margins will be closely watched.

The company continues investing heavily in research and development, infrastructure and talent acquisition to stay at the forefront of technological change. Its focus on responsible AI development, including safety and ethical considerations, aligns with growing societal expectations around emerging technologies.

For retail investors, Alphabet offers an accessible way to participate in the digital economy’s leaders. Its consumer-facing products like Search and YouTube provide everyday relevance, while enterprise offerings drive high-margin revenue. The stock’s liquidity and analyst coverage make it suitable for both core holdings and tactical positions.

Monday’s modest decline fits within normal daily fluctuations and does not alter the longer-term positive thesis. It reflects typical market dynamics rather than fundamental concerns. Alphabet’s consistent innovation and financial strength provide a solid foundation for navigating short-term volatility.

As one of the world’s most valuable companies, Alphabet plays a central role in shaping the digital future. Its products and services touch billions of users daily, influencing how people access information, communicate and conduct business. The company’s ongoing evolution in AI and cloud computing positions it at the heart of technological progress.

Investors evaluating Alphabet should conduct thorough due diligence, consider individual risk tolerance and maintain a long-term perspective. The company’s track record of adaptation and value creation through technological shifts supports optimism for continued success in the AI era.

Overall, Alphabet remains a high-quality growth story with significant upside potential as AI capabilities mature and monetization accelerates. While risks around regulation and competition persist, its scale, innovation culture and diversified businesses make it a compelling consideration for long-term investors seeking exposure to the digital economy’s leaders.

Tech giant Meta on Monday announced that it’s launching a new academy for workers to receive training in a skilled trade at no cost with a job guaranteed for all graduates.

The parent company of Facebook and Instagram is creating the America’s Workforce Academy (AWA) with an initial investment of $115 million in the program’s first year. It will start with pilot locations in Louisiana, Ohio, Indiana and Texas this year.

Graduates of the program will receive a National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) credential as well as an America’s Workforce Certificate – both of which are designed to travel with the worker across employers and industry sectors.

“The AI revolution is bringing change but also historic opportunities. Skilled workers electrified rural America one pole at a time. They manned the factories that built the arsenal that won World War II. Now a new generation will pour the foundations and lay the fiber that secures American strength in this new age,” said Dina Powell McCormick, Meta president and vice-chairman.

META LAYS OFF NEARLY 1,400 WASHINGTON EMPLOYEES IN LATEST TECH WORKFORCE CUT

The AI boom and rapid build out of data centers helped spur Meta in launching America’s Workforce Academy. (Ben Torres/Bloomberg)

Meta said in its announcement that this initiative is the largest private-sector commitment to the skilled trades with a job guarantee in U.S. history. The move comes amid a shortage of workers in the skilled trades that is being exacerbated by the rapid buildout of infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.

Rachel Peterson, vice president of data centers at Meta, said: “The AI infrastructure we’re building today requires an incredible workforce to make it a reality.” 

“America’s Workforce Academy is our commitment to building that workforce with the same ambition and long-term thinking we bring to the technology itself. America needs hundreds of thousands of skilled tradespeople — electricians, mechanics, fiber technicians and more — and this program creates clear, accessible pathways into those careers,” Peterson added.

ZUCKERBERG SAYS META LAYOFFS TIED TO AI SPENDING, WON’T RULE OUT FUTURE CUTS

Mike Rowe, CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, said that the new initiative will help encourage more Americans to pursue careers in the skilled trades while also revolutionizing the way those workers are trained.

“Closing America’s skills gap requires us to not only make a more persuasive case for the skilled trades in general, it requires us to completely rethink the way we train the next generation of skilled workers. America’s Workforce Academy does both,” he explained. 

“Workers are actually paid to learn. There is zero cost to them, no college debt and a fast certification, with a guaranteed job on the other end. This is an important step in the right direction, and one that I hope other companies will be inspired to take,” Rowe added.

META SHIFTS 7,000 WORKERS INTO AI ROLES AS LAYOFFS, MANAGER CUTS LOOM

Meta’s initiative will pilot in four states this year. (Courtesy of Meta / Fox News)

Meta is partnering with the National Urban League, the Associated Builders and Contractors and CBRE in the initiative. 

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Several community partners around the country include the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, STRIVE, Boone County Economic Development Corporation in Indiana, the Richland Parish Chamber of Commerce in Louisiana, Workforce Solutions Borderplex in Texas, and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

Thai consumer protection authorities are increasing scrutiny of ride-hailing platforms after a widely reported assault incident. This move aims to enhance passenger safety and ensure compliance with regulations. The heightened oversight includes monitoring driver backgrounds and improving the overall safety standards of these services to protect users and maintain trust in the ride-hailing industry.

In response to growing concerns over ride hailing safety, authorities are implementing stricter regulations. Recent incidents have prompted a closer look at driver vetting processes and vehicle standards. The move aims to enhance passenger security and ensure that drivers meet stringent safety criteria. By requiring comprehensive background checks and regular vehicle inspections, regulators hope to address the gaps that have previously led to compromised safety.

Moreover, ride hailing companies will now be obligated to install advanced technology in their vehicles to monitor driving behavior. This includes GPS tracking and real-time alerts for potentially dangerous maneuvers. Authorities believe that this approach will not only deter reckless driving but also provide a safeguard for both passengers and drivers during rides.

Passengers have generally welcomed these changes, viewing them as necessary steps towards safer travel. Critics, however, argue that increased regulation could lead to higher costs and reduced availability of services. Despite this, the impending regulations reflect a growing consensus that passenger safety must take precedence. By striking a balance between accessibility and security, authorities hope to create a safer environment for all users of the ride hailing industry.

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NEW YORK — Nvidia Corp. shares rose 1.58% to $208.35 in morning trading on Monday, extending recent gains as investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence infrastructure remained robust amid strong demand for the company’s GPUs and accelerated computing platforms.

The advance added roughly $3.25 per share and reflected broad participation from both institutional and retail investors. Trading volume was elevated as the stock continued to draw attention in a market increasingly focused on AI-related growth themes. Nvidia’s performance has been a key driver of technology sector momentum throughout 2026, with the company maintaining its position as the leading supplier of accelerators for data center AI workloads.

Nvidia has reported exceptional results in recent quarters, with revenue and earnings significantly exceeding expectations. The company’s data center segment, powered by the Hopper and Blackwell architectures, has seen explosive growth as hyperscalers and enterprises expand AI training and inference capabilities. Management has highlighted strong demand across multiple verticals, including cloud computing, automotive and professional visualization.

Analysts maintain overwhelmingly bullish ratings on Nvidia. Consensus price targets suggest substantial upside potential, with many highlighting the company’s dominant market share in AI accelerators and its expanding software ecosystem. The stock’s premium valuation reflects high expectations for sustained growth as the global AI buildout accelerates.

The bullish case centers on structural tailwinds. Global spending on AI infrastructure continues to surge, with Nvidia’s CUDA platform and full-stack offerings providing a significant competitive moat. The company’s ability to deliver cutting-edge performance while scaling production has been a key factor in its success. Partnerships with major cloud providers and enterprise customers further solidify its position at the center of the AI revolution.

Risks for potential buyers include elevated valuations that leave limited margin for error, potential moderation in hyperscaler spending and increasing competition from both established semiconductor players and new entrants. Geopolitical tensions affecting supply chains and export restrictions also remain important considerations.

For sellers or those on the sidelines, the stock’s remarkable run raises questions about near-term sustainability. While fundamentals appear exceptionally strong, high multiples mean any disappointment in growth trajectory or margins could trigger sharp corrections. Near-term volatility tied to macroeconomic factors and quarterly earnings warrants caution for shorter-term traders.

Investment decisions in 2026 should factor time horizon and risk tolerance. Long-term investors bullish on AI adoption may favor accumulation on dips, viewing Nvidia as a core technology holding with durable advantages. Growth-oriented portfolios benefit from its exposure to the most transformative technology trend of the decade.

Broader market context supports a constructive view. Technology spending remains robust, particularly in AI infrastructure. Nvidia’s performance has been a primary driver of major indices, with its influence extending beyond semiconductors to the wider technology ecosystem.

Analyst sentiment remains strongly positive, with frequent upward revisions to price targets and earnings estimates. Institutional ownership is high, reflecting confidence among professional investors. The company’s ability to deliver consistent growth and maintain technological leadership will be closely watched.

Diversification remains important for any exposure to Nvidia. While the company’s quality and growth prospects are compelling, concentration risk in technology and semiconductors warrants balancing with other sectors. Pairing it with more defensive holdings or international exposure can help manage volatility.

As the year progresses, key catalysts include quarterly results, product launches and updates on AI adoption rates. Nvidia’s execution on next-generation platforms and ability to scale production will be critical factors.

The company continues investing heavily in research and development, new manufacturing capacity and ecosystem development. Its focus on software, systems and full-stack solutions differentiates it from pure hardware competitors and creates stickiness with customers.

For retail investors, Nvidia offers an accessible way to participate in the AI megatrend. Its consumer-facing products like GeForce GPUs and professional solutions provide tangible relevance, while data center dominance drives the majority of revenue and profit growth.

Monday’s trading added to positive momentum but also highlighted the stock’s sensitivity to sentiment shifts. The 1.58% gain fits within normal daily movements for a company of Nvidia’s size and influence.

As one of the world’s most valuable companies, Nvidia plays a central role in shaping the AI future. Its chips power much of the world’s most advanced computing, influencing industries from healthcare to autonomous transportation.

Investors evaluating Nvidia should conduct thorough due diligence, consider individual risk tolerance and maintain a long-term perspective. The company’s track record of innovation and value creation through technological shifts supports optimism for continued success in the AI era.

Overall, Nvidia remains a high-quality growth story with exceptional momentum. While risks around valuation and competition persist, its technological leadership, ecosystem strength and massive addressable market make it a compelling consideration for investors seeking exposure to the defining technology trend of this decade.