On Monday, the Indian stock market is expected to open higher, following a strong performance last week where the Sensex rose by 504.86 points to close at 78,493.54 and the Nifty 50 gained 156.80 points to end at 24,353.55. This positive outlook is supported by Gift Nifty trading at around 24,475, indicating a premium of 107 points from the previous close. However, global markets are experiencing volatility due to escalating tensions between the US and Iran after the US seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, which has raised concerns about stability in the Middle East. In the US, stock futures fell as the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dropped 452 points or 0.9%. Meanwhile, HDFC Bank reported a 9.11% year-on-year profit increase for Q4 FY26, while ICICI Bank's net profit rose by 8.5%. Crude oil prices have surged significantly, with Brent crude up 5.47% to $95.32 per barrel, reflecting the impact of geopolitical tensions. Overall, traders are advised to maintain a cautious yet positive approach, focusing on sectors showing strong momentum.