US Stock Market: Rising equity financing costs cast shadow over Wall Street’s rally

US stock markets are facing a new hurdle as borrowing costs for financing equity positions surge. Record demand for leveraged investments and derivatives activity are straining bank capacity, pushing up financing expenses. This trend, particularly concentrated in tech and semiconductor stocks, raises questions about the sustainability of the current rally, even as the broader Treasury…

India’s next stock market headache isn’t oil but a bigger storm brewing in the skies

India’s stock market faces a new challenge as a severe “Super El Niño” threatens the monsoon, impacting 56% of GDP tied to consumption. This follows a decade-low monsoon start, with rainfall deficits exceeding previous El Niño years. Analysts warn of domestic demand destruction, range-bound markets, and downgrades in consumer sectors, despite easing oil prices. The…