Tame US CPI eases rate-hike fears, lifts risk appetite

U.S. equities slipped for a second session as investors turned defensive ahead of the July CPI print, with weakness in mega‑cap tech dragging the Nasdaq lower. Alphabet fell on AI‑unit restructuring concerns, while Intel’s upsized USD 20bn equity raise weighed on sentiment. Crude oil spiked toward USD 90 amid stalled U.S. & Iran negotiations, supporting energy stocks.

The rupee weakened on higher oil and risk aversion, though RBI intervention helped contain volatility. Domestically, Nifty extended its decline toward the 24,384 200‑DEMA; a break below this risks a move to 24,000, while 24,630–24,750 remain key resistances.