Shares of railway stocks including RVNL, Railtel Corporation, Titagarh Rail and others jumped up to 4% on Monday after the Railway Ministry announced its bullet train plan worth around Rs 16 lakh crore to develop seven dedicated high-speed rail corridors across the country.

Rail Vikas Nigam (RVNL) shares jumped more than 4% to trade at Rs 243.40 apiece on NSE on Monday morning. Titagarh Rail Systems, Ircon International and Railtel Corporation of India shares, meanwhile, rose nearly 4% each. Texmaco Rail & Engineering, Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) and Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) shares gained around 3% each, while those of BEML and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) were up around 2% each.

All about the Railway Ministry’s bullet train plan

The Railway Ministry unveiled its ambitious plan, which includes the Delhi–Varanasi and Varanasi–Siliguri bullet train corridors. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said these routes could reduce travel time between Delhi and Siliguri to nearly six hours, passing through major cities such as Lucknow, Varanasi and Patna. Currently, the fastest train on the route, the Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express, takes more than 20 hours to complete the journey.
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Delhi–Varanasi corridor is currently under review, while work on the DPR for the Varanasi–Siliguri stretch is expected to begin soon, according to a report by Times of India. Along with the under-construction Ahmedabad–Mumbai bullet train project, these corridors are expected to lay the foundation for a nationwide high-speed rail network connecting western, northern, southern and eastern India.

Also read: Delhi to Siliguri in 6 hours? Railways have a Rs 16 lakh crore bullet train plan to connect major cities

BEML is currently building the country’s first domestically manufactured bullet train, designed to operate at speeds of up to 280 kmph. The train is expected to begin trial operations on a 100-km section between Surat and Bilimora on the Ahmedabad–Mumbai corridor in August 2027.

BEML Chairman and Managing Director Shantanu Roy said future versions of these trains could run even faster. According to him, speeds could eventually increase from 280 kmph to 350 kmph as technology advances.
Meanwhile, Vaishnaw earlier said the upcoming bullet train projects will rely heavily on Indian technology and locally manufactured components. Railway officials say efforts are underway to standardise construction methods, signalling systems and rolling stock production. This approach is expected to reduce costs, speed up execution and strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities.

Also read: Why is market rallying today?
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

In a conversation with ET Now, Devina Mehra, Founder & CMD, First Global said that while developments around a potential Iran–US deal may ease global uncertainty, they are unlikely to be the primary driver of Indian equities going forward. According to her, market direction will continue to be shaped more by earnings trends, liquidity cycles, and broader investor positioning rather than geopolitical headlines.

“Don’t depend on geopolitical deals to drive markets”

Responding to a question on whether the Iran–US deal could act as a catalyst for global and Indian markets, Mehra said:

“I do not think we should only depend on the deal. But yes, if it happens, it takes away a big overhang overall on all markets. And I do not think that is what is going to drive the Indian markets up. In March, when I had come on your channel, I had said that the market looks on all our indicators as if it is in the bottom range. I cannot tell you whether it will start moving up in two weeks or two months, but the indicators are all positive. Even now, if you see, it is a very different market from what it was in 2025.”

She pointed out that market breadth has improved significantly compared to last year.

“In 2025, all the Indian indices were up, but the median stock was down, and 40% of stocks were down more than 10%. But midway through the year, the outperforming stocks were only about 15%. The norm is around 40%. Now we actually have a majority of stocks outperforming the indices. So it is completely flipped, which is good news overall for markets, and that is why, as I said in March also, do not be 100% in equity, but whatever is your equity allocation, remain invested. So that remains my advice.”
“Geopolitical risks are not something you should react to”
On whether investors should increase equity allocation given easing global tensions, Mehra cautioned against reacting to geopolitical developments.“The geopolitical risk per se is not something you should react to, and I am not saying this now. There is an early March video of mine which is pinned on my Twitter feed which says exactly that: do not overreact to geopolitics. This is what 125 years of data shows, including the two world wars, the two Gulf wars, the US bombing Libya, 9/11, all of that. The market shrugged it off even when conflicts continued, as has happened with Russia–Ukraine.”

She added that while crude oil movements matter for India, one should avoid building investment decisions around uncertain geopolitical outcomes.

“Of course, in India there is a direct impact because of crude, because that impacts earnings. So you have to take that into account. But I am not betting on geopolitical resolution as far as Indian or global markets are concerned.”

“The dangerous consensus is emotional behaviour”
Discussing investor behaviour, Mehra highlighted how sentiment-driven decisions often lead to poor timing.

“If you look at the markets in the last couple of months, SIP numbers have turned negative. The number of accounts has also turned negative. Indian investors have been very jittery. If you plot long-term data, mutual fund inflows peak around market peaks and bottom out around market bottoms. Humans act out of emotions, which mislead you completely.”

She stressed the importance of staying invested during periods of panic.

“When you are panicking is when you need to remain in the market. That is the superpower: do not get out when your mind is screaming get out.”

Mehra also pointed out the shift in sentiment around India.

“A year-and-a-half ago, every fund manager was selling the India growth story. Now, suddenly, the narrative has flipped and people are only talking about risks. Sentiment is always a contra indicator. When sentiment is extremely negative, future returns tend to be above normal. So probability-wise, we are looking at a better year ahead.”

“US is not the globe: diversification is key”
On portfolio strategy, Mehra reiterated her long-standing view that diversification across geographies and assets remains critical.

“You should always have a diversified portfolio. But the US is not the globe. People think buying a US index or a few well-known stocks is enough, but that is not sufficient diversification. It is better than being in a single market, but not a whole lot better.”

She explained how global positioning has already shifted across regions.

“We have been underweight the US for almost a year-and-a-half. We went overweight Europe and China and added markets like Malaysia and Mexico, which are below the radar for most investors.”

Warning against concentration in a handful of global stocks, she added:

“People think buying the so-called Magnificent Seven will save them. That worked for a couple of years, but in 2025 the leadership narrowed and now several of those stocks are underperforming. The baton has already passed, but investors are still chasing yesterday’s winners.”

“No easy answers in global investing”
Mehra also cautioned against over-simplified global investment products and strategies.

“There are no easy answers. I am sceptical about schemes being launched without expertise in global markets. Many have underperformed because they invested in yesterday’s stocks instead of tracking what is happening today and anticipating what comes next. If you go global, it must be with real expertise.”

Eurozone industrial output rose again in April as factories rushed to meet orders placed by customers anxious to avoid price hikes and shortages stemming from the Middle East conflict.

Industrial output rose 0.1% on month, compared with an upwardly revised 0.4% rise in March, the European Union’s statistics agency Eurostat said Monday.

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Oil prices dropped after the U.S. and Iran reached an interim deal, marking the first major step toward ending a nearly four-month conflict that has roiled global energy markets. However, uncertainty over the pace of recovery is expected to keep crude above prewar levels.

In midmorning European trade on Monday, Brent crude fell 4.9% to $83.07 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate futures were down 5.3% to $80.38 a barrel after sliding to $79.70 earlier. Natural-gas prices also tumbled, with the front-month Dutch TTF contract—the European benchmark—down 5.3% to 44.30 euros a megawatt hour.

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SYDNEY — BHP Group Ltd shares rose sharply on Monday, closing at $65.18 after gaining 2.25 or 3.58%, as strong copper prices and broader commodity sector optimism lifted the mining giant amid a favorable global risk environment.

The advance extended recent gains for Australia’s largest listed company by market capitalization, reflecting investor confidence in BHP’s diversified portfolio and exposure to metals critical for the energy transition. Copper’s sustained strength has been a key driver, with the red metal benefiting from robust demand in electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure and data centers.

BHP has significantly expanded its copper production profile in recent years through acquisitions and organic growth, positioning the company to capitalize on structural supply deficits expected in the coming decade. Iron ore operations continue to provide stable cash flow, while emerging potash projects add further diversification.

Commodity Tailwinds Support Performance

Copper prices have remained elevated, trading near record levels due to supply constraints and accelerating green energy demand. BHP’s copper assets, including operations in Chile and Australia, have delivered strong margins, helping offset any softness in other commodities.

Iron ore prices have shown resilience despite Chinese economic headwinds, supported by steel production needs and limited new supply. Analysts note that BHP’s low-cost, high-quality assets provide a competitive edge in both copper and iron ore markets.

The stock’s movement aligned with a broader rally in mining and resources shares on the ASX, as easing geopolitical concerns and positive global manufacturing data boosted sentiment toward cyclical commodities.

Financial Strength and Strategic Positioning

BHP has maintained robust financial metrics, with strong free cash flow generation supporting dividends, share buybacks and growth investments. The company’s disciplined capital allocation has earned praise from investors seeking both yield and exposure to long-term commodity supercycles.

Recent operational updates highlight progress on key projects, including the Jansen potash development in Canada, which is expected to become a major earnings contributor in the future. This diversification reduces reliance on traditional iron ore and copper revenues while aligning with global food security and agricultural trends.

Technology investments, including automation and artificial intelligence applications across mining operations, are enhancing efficiency and safety. These initiatives position BHP to lower costs and improve sustainability metrics, appealing to environmentally conscious investors and regulators.

Market and Economic Context

Australia’s resources sector remains a cornerstone of the national economy, with BHP serving as a bellwether for commodity cycles. Monday’s share price increase contributed to gains in the broader ASX 200, which benefited from improved global sentiment following positive developments in international relations.

Analysts remain generally positive on BHP’s outlook, citing copper’s favorable supply-demand dynamics. While near-term volatility tied to Chinese economic data and global growth concerns persists, the long-term thesis for metals essential to decarbonization remains intact.

Valuation metrics show BHP trading at levels that balance growth potential with current earnings strength. Dividend yields continue to attract income investors, with the company maintaining a track record of returning capital to shareholders through both dividends and buybacks.

Challenges and Risks

Like other miners, BHP faces operational risks including commodity price fluctuations, regulatory changes, geopolitical tensions affecting trade routes, and rising costs related to labor, energy and environmental compliance. Climate transition pressures require ongoing capital expenditure to reduce emissions while maintaining production.

Competition in the copper space is intensifying, with new projects and expansions by peers potentially impacting market dynamics. BHP’s scale and expertise provide advantages, but execution on major developments remains critical.

Analyst Views and Investor Considerations

Wall Street and local analysts largely view BHP as a core holding for resources exposure. Consensus targets suggest room for further upside, though some caution that current prices already reflect optimistic copper assumptions. Investors are advised to monitor quarterly production reports, commodity price trends and any updates on major projects.

For long-term holders, BHP offers exposure to essential materials for modern economies while delivering shareholder returns through cycles. Diversification across assets and geographies helps mitigate single-commodity risks.

Company Background and Future Outlook

Founded in the 19th century, BHP has evolved into a global resources leader with operations spanning Australia, the Americas and beyond. The company’s portfolio includes iron ore, copper, nickel, coal and potash, serving steel, renewable energy, electronics and agricultural markets.

Looking ahead, BHP is expected to continue focusing on tier-one assets, operational excellence and responsible development. The energy transition and population growth trends support sustained demand for its products, while technological advancements should drive efficiency gains.

As the company navigates evolving stakeholder expectations around environmental, social and governance factors, transparent reporting and community engagement will remain priorities.

Monday’s solid performance underscores BHP’s resilience and appeal in a recovering market environment. While commodity prices will continue to drive short-term movements, the company’s strategic positioning and financial discipline provide a strong foundation for sustained value creation.

Investors will closely watch upcoming economic indicators from China and global manufacturing data for further direction on commodity demand. For now, BHP’s upward move reflects confidence in its ability to deliver through commodity cycles and contribute meaningfully to the global energy transition.