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Indian equity benchmarks staged a notable intraday comeback on Monday, snapping a streak of weakness as investor sentiment improved following comments on India-US trade engagement. Both the Sensex and the Nifty climbed off their session lows, aided by buying interest in heavyweight stocks and short-covering after last week’s sharp decline.

By early afternoon, the Sensex had erased nearly 900 points from its lows to trade near 83,751, while the Nifty recovered to around 25,747. The rebound came after markets slipped below key psychological levels earlier in the day.

Market participants cautioned that the recovery appears tactical rather than structural. Analysts noted that the bounce was largely fuelled by short-covering after indices slipped below the 25,500 mark on the Nifty.

Kranthi Bathini, Director of Equity Strategy at WealthMills Securities, said that aggressive selling in previous sessions had pushed markets into oversold territory, attracting bottom-fishing around key support zones. This, in turn, triggered short-covering in index heavyweights.

Investor mood also benefited from comments by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who struck a positive note on ongoing trade discussions. Adding to optimism, Gor indicated that President Donald Trump could visit India within the next one to two years, raising hopes of improving bilateral ties.

This geopolitical undertone helped stabilize sentiment after five consecutive sessions of losses.

Despite the headline indices moving into positive territory, underlying market breadth remained weak  a signal that the rally lacks broad-based participation.

Across major indices, declining stocks significantly outnumbered advancers:

• On the Nifty Midcap 100, nearly three-fourths of stocks were in the red

• The Nifty 200 saw more than 120 stocks trading lower

• In the Nifty 500, declines outpaced gains by nearly three to one

• Similar weakness was visible across the BSE 200 and BSE 500 indices

This imbalance suggests that sellers continue to dominate beneath the surface, even as benchmarks attempt a recovery.

Technical analysts remain cautious. Ruchit Jain, Vice President at Motilal Oswal Financial Services, pointed out that short-term momentum indicators have slipped into oversold zones, typically leading to brief pullbacks like the one seen today.

However, he emphasized that the Nifty has recently broken below its 50-day exponential moving average  a key support level. For the rally to sustain, the index would need to reclaim and hold above this zone. Resistance is expected near the 25,900–26,000 range.

Adding to the cautious tone is the upcoming earnings season, particularly results from major IT companies such as TCS and HCL Tech. Ajit Mishra, Senior Vice-President (Research) at Religare Broking, noted that uncertainty around earnings may be prompting traders to book profits or reduce exposure.

He warned that the rebound should not be mistaken for a confirmed trend reversal, stressing that a sustained move above 25,600 is needed to validate any meaningful recovery.

The sharp intraday rebound comes after a punishing week for markets. Over the past five trading sessions, the Sensex has dropped more than 2,180 points, while the Nifty has shed over 645 points, reflecting persistent selling pressure.

A Boeing E-4 aircraft operated by the United States Air Force was spotted landing at Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday, quickly becoming a focal point of online discussion. The sighting gained traction after videos of the aircraft circulated on social media, with users questioning the timing and purpose of its arrival.

Often nicknamed the “Doomsday Plane,” the E-4 is designed to serve as a mobile command center for senior US leadership during extreme emergencies. Its presence outside of expected military bases naturally drew curiosity, particularly at a moment of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.

The E-4 fleet is built to maintain command and control of US forces in the event of a national crisis. Outfitted with hardened communications systems and extended flight endurance, the aircraft allows leaders to operate even if ground-based infrastructure is compromised.

Despite its dramatic reputation, aviation experts note that E-4 aircraft regularly conduct training missions, maintenance relocations, and logistical flights. These movements are part of routine readiness protocols and do not automatically signal a developing crisis.

As videos spread, online users began linking the aircraft’s appearance to global political developments, fueling speculation without supporting evidence. Posts ranged from measured curiosity to dramatic interpretations, reflecting how quickly military imagery can be misread in the absence of official context.

No verified information has emerged suggesting the flight was connected to an emergency response or a change in national alert status.

US authorities have not issued a public statement regarding the aircraft’s landing. However, there has been no indication from the White House or the US Air Force that the flight was anything other than a routine operation.

Military aviation analysts point out that large civilian airports are occasionally used for logistical or maintenance reasons, especially for specialized aircraft that require specific ground support.

Requests for clarification have been submitted to both the White House and the Air Force. As of publication, no response has been provided.

Why Such Sightings Capture Public Attention

The E-4’s rare public visibility, combined with its association with national emergency planning, makes it a magnet for speculation. In an era of instant video sharing and global anxiety, even standard military movements can take on exaggerated significance.

Experts caution against drawing conclusions from isolated sightings, emphasizing that readiness aircraft are designed to be active and mobile during peacetime precisely so they are effective during crises.