Good morning and welcome to Markets Desk, your opening bell briefing for the week ahead.
Asian equities are broadly in the green this Monday as crude oil prices pull back sharply on hopes of a US-Iran truce, easing both inflation fears and geopolitical risk premiums that had been weighing on sentiment. The move is giving regional markets room to breathe after weeks of pressure from elevated energy costs.
Indian shares are among the direct beneficiaries, with the market expected to open higher after oil and US Treasury yields both retreated on Friday. Lower crude is particularly meaningful for India, which imports the vast majority of its energy needs, so any sustained pullback in oil translates almost immediately into improved current account and inflation expectations for the country.
On the quantum computing front, investors considering Rigetti Computing should proceed with clear eyes. The company's revenue remains heavily dependent on pilot programs, grants, and early-stage collaborations rather than scaled commercial contracts. That profile means genuine upside potential, but also meaningful execution risk and a long runway before profitability becomes a realistic near-term conversation.
That's the tape. Markets Desk, signing off the floor.
