Stock market rallied sharply on Monday, with the Sensex soaring more than 1,000 points and the Nifty reclaiming the 24,000 mark, as easing geopolitical tensions in West Asia and falling crude oil prices boosted investor sentiment globally.The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 1,073.61 points, or 1.42 per cent, to close at 76,488.96, while the NSE Nifty 50 surged 312.40 points, or 1.32 per cent, to settle at 24,031.70.The rally came after optimism grew around a possible agreement between the United States and Iran, following remarks by US President Donald Trump over the weekend that a deal was “largely negotiated”.

Nifty50 top gainers

Sensex top gainers

Nifty50 top losers

Sensex top losers

Oil prices tumble as Iran deal hopes rise

Investor confidence improved as markets increasingly priced in the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough between Washington and Tehran, which could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and ease global energy supply concerns.According to news agency ANI, market expert Ponmudi R said optimism surrounding a potential US-Iran agreement revived risk appetite across global markets.“Investor sentiment improved significantly after Donald Trump stated over the weekend that a deal was ‘largely negotiated’, encouraging markets to increasingly price in the possibility of a near-term diplomatic resolution,” he said.He added that markets would look for the “successful implementation of a lasting peace agreement and the credible reopening of the Strait of Hormuz”.Brent crude prices dropped sharply below the $100 per barrel mark and were trading around $98 per barrel, down more than 5 per cent during the session.The Indian rupee also recovered strongly, gaining 48 paise to trade at Rs 95.21 against the US dollar after recent weakness.

Banking stocks lead market rally

Financial stocks led the gains on Dalal Street. Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro, HDFC Bank, Eternal, Bajaj Finserv and Kotak Mahindra Bank emerged among the top Sensex gainers.Sectorally, Nifty PSU Bank rose 2.73 per cent, while Nifty Private Bank advanced 2.02 per cent, as per ANI. Nifty Auto climbed 1.66 per cent and Realty gained 1.54 per cent.However, FMCG stocks remained under pressure. Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Sun Pharma and Hindustan Unilever were among the laggards.

Global markets gain amid improving sentiment

Asian markets also ended higher on Monday amid improving global risk appetite. Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 2.76 per cent, while Taiwan’s weighted index jumped 3.15 per cent.European markets were trading in positive territory, while US markets had settled higher on Friday.Meanwhile, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 4,440.47 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.

UK high streets and shopping destinations are showing signs of recovery as more than 13 retail stores opened each week over the past year, according to new figures.

However, England and Wales have still seen more than 6,000 retail premises vanish from local communities over the past five years.

Analysis of Valuation Office Agency data by tax firm Ryan, found that there were 507,810 retail premises across England and Wales at the end of 2025.

It said the figures showed that a recent contraction across the sector has appeared to stabilise, with a 723 net increase in the number of retail stores compared with a year earlier.

Property numbers increased across every region of England and Wales, with the exception of the North West, which saw a decline of 41.

It suggests that parts of the sector are now beginning to rebalance following significant structural contraction seen since the pandemic.

The creation of new retail units also comes as many retail real estate firms, such as Hammerson, have turned empty large units, often former department stores, into a greater number of smaller units.

Other retail groups, such as John Lewis, have moved away from ambitions to transform some retail property for other uses such as rental accommodation.

Nevertheless, the retail sector is still facing pressure from higher business rates for many firms, increased labour costs and concerns over consumer sentiment.

The data also shows that there has also been significant decline over the past few years, with a net reduction of 6,045 retail properties since the end of 2020.

London recorded the largest five-year regional reduction, with 1,266 retail premises disappearing over the period, followed by the South East (-1,191), North West (-719) and North East (-672).

The figures show retail premises which have permanently disappeared from communities altogether, having either been demolished or converted for alternative use.

The figures come as Ryan’s 2026 annual business rates review highlighted that the retail sector saw a 9.3% increase in rateable values at the 2026 business rates revaluation despite the major shift in the retail landscape since the pandemic.

Alex Probyn, practice leader for Europe and Asia-Pacific property tax at Ryan, said: “The pandemic accelerated structural changes that were already emerging across the retail sector, including changing consumer behaviour, hybrid working patterns and a reduced reliance on traditional retail floorspace in many locations.

“Many locations were arguably over-retailed before Covid and high streets have evolved towards more mixed-use environments, with retail space being rebalanced alongside growing demand for residential, leisure, hospitality and service-led uses.

“The revaluation outcome does suggest a large proportion of retail premises have seen bigger increases in their assessments than underlying market conditions and rental evidence would have led occupiers to expect.

“Retailers should therefore carefully review and, where appropriate, challenge their assessments.”