The Economic Times

Markets are experiencing sharp swings due to global tensions. Experts advise against selling, suggesting this is a time to buy in small parts. Investors should deploy capital gradually over the next few months. Crude supply disruptions will impact corporate earnings in the coming quarter. Volatility is expected to remain high in the near term.

Indian markets face continued downward pressure as technical signals suggest a bearish trend. Analysts highlight that every rise is being sold, with Nifty potentially breaking 22,450 and heading towards 22,000. Global factors and currency concerns are weighing heavily. However, select stocks like Coal India show relative strength, while Ather Energy presents a buying opportunity and BDL is flagged for shorting.

E-marketplace Rentomojo Limited has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus with Sebi for an Initial Public Offering (IPO), aiming to raise Rs 150 crore through fresh equity issuance. The company, a leader in the home furniture and appliance rental segment, plans to utilize the proceeds for debt repayment, lease rentals, and general corporate purposes.

Bitcoin is trading near $66,000, stuck in a range for 50 days. The cryptocurrency market saw a dip of nearly 3% in the last 24 hours. Major altcoins also experienced declines. This weakness is linked to rising Treasury yields and global geopolitical tensions. Experts suggest a sell-on-rise phase unless Bitcoin and Ethereum reclaim key levels.

However, despite the overall slump, six stocks bucked the trend, delivering gains in the range of 20105% over the same period. We also highlighted three newly added stocks in the December 2025 quarter, including Inox, WeWork Management, and Midwest. (Data Source: ACE Equity, Trendlyne)

Online rental platform Rentomojo Ltd has filed preliminary papers with Sebi for an IPO, aiming to raise funds through a fresh issue of Rs 150 crore and an offer-for-sale. The company plans to use the proceeds for debt repayment, warehouse expenses, and general corporate needs. Rentomojo is a leading player in the organized online rental segment for furniture and appliances.

The primary market anticipates a quiet week with no new IPOs. Focus shifts to the listing of Coal India's subsidiary, CMPDI, on Monday. Six companies, including three mainboard and three SME issues, are set to debut. Emiac Technologies' SME IPO continues bidding until Wednesday, while Sai Parenteral and Powerica are expected to list on Thursday.

India has said discussions on including plurilateral agreements within the World Trade Organization framework should move forward only with consensus and proper safeguards to protect non-participating members.

Amidst global market volatility, legendary investors like Warren Buffett offer timeless wisdom. Key traits include independent thinking, emotional discipline, and a long-term perspective. Embracing discomfort, continuous learning, and focusing on quality businesses are crucial. These simple yet powerful qualities, not complex strategies, define success in investing, emphasizing temperament over environment.

Geopolitical shocks like the West Asian conflict can unsettle markets, but history shows resilience. For India, managing oil price spikes and inflation is key. Investors should stick to disciplined plans, rebalancing portfolios and upgrading quality during dips. Long-term growth remains the focus, urging calm, liquidity, and discipline.

GIFT City is transforming global investing for Indians and attracting foreign capital. Its unique IFSC structure offers a unified regulatory framework. NRIs and foreign investors find investing in India simpler with relaxed compliance and tax norms. The city is rapidly scaling as a financial hub, providing regulatory comfort and a stable environment for capital allocation.

Geopolitical tensions have impacted India's housing market, with sales dipping 7% sequentially in Q1 2026, despite a 7% annual rise. New launches outpaced sales, leading to a 4% quarterly increase in unsold inventory. While developers remain confident, global uncertainties and rising costs are affecting buyer sentiment and investment, particularly from Middle Eastern buyers.

Middle East conflict sent oil prices soaring, impacting Indian markets. While valuations have cooled to fair levels, analysts caution against aggressive buying. The market remains fragile, with a durable bottom yet to be confirmed. Investors are advised to adopt a staggered or wait-and-watch approach, as the situation hinges on the war's duration and its effect on India's economy.

India's investment landscape is shifting as investors from smaller towns increasingly drive growth. Digital penetration in these 'Bharat' cities is expanding the investor base significantly. Platforms are adapting product design and education for this new cohort. This trend is set to redefine wealth management and boost India's investor numbers substantially over the next decade.

India's metabolic therapy market is transforming post-semaglutide patent expiry, shifting to a competitive, volume-driven model. With significant price drops and increased launches, demand is surging among millions needing obesity management. Broader specialist adoption and a growing prescriber base are fueling this expansion, promising substantial market growth.

Global markets are ending a turbulent first quarter. War in Iran has significantly impacted stocks and energy prices. Investors are bracing for more volatility with upcoming U.S. jobs data and South Korean trade figures. Euro zone inflation is also expected to rise, potentially pressuring the European Central Bank. The coming week promises crucial economic indicators and continued market uncertainty.

Stock markets are bracing for a volatile week, with investors closely watching the ongoing Iran conflict's impact on oil prices and inflation. A crucial U.S. jobs report is due, with expectations for a positive number after recent weakness. Rising Treasury yields are also pressuring equity valuations, as concerns about AI and credit markets persist.

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi held a productive call discussing the West Asia conflict, the White House said. The talks marked their first conversation since the crisis began. According to a The New York Times report, Elon Musk also joined the call, an unusual move for a private individual during discussions between two heads of state. It remains unclear why he was included or whether he spoke.

Bank of America has agreed to pay 72.5 million dollars to settle a lawsuit. Women accused the bank of facilitating their abuse by Jeffrey Epstein. The settlement avoids a trial. Lawyers for the women stated the deal offers financial relief. Bank of America said the resolution allows them to move past the matter. This follows earlier settlements with other banks.

U.S. stocks plunged Friday, with major indexes hitting seven-month lows as a Middle East war continued to suppress risk appetite. The Dow entered correction territory, down over 10% from its record high. Rising oil prices fueled inflation fears, dampening hopes for Fed rate cuts.

India's Nifty index shows resilience against potential oil price surges from the Gulf conflict. Companies within the Nifty that supply energy like coal and electricity stand to gain. Demand for these energy sources is expected to rise as alternatives to oil and gas. Conversely, smaller companies face greater impact from rising fuel costs.

Specialised equipment maker Kay Bouvet Engineering's Rs 1,000 crore debt is poised for takeover by NARCL. Banks will see a 13% recovery through NARCL's Rs 130 crore offer, which faced no competition in a Swiss challenge auction. This marks a potential final acquisition for the bad loan aggregator this fiscal year.

The yield on India's 10-year government bond rose sharply Friday. This increase follows a cut in fuel excise duty which impacted the fiscal outlook. High state bond sales and rising oil prices also contributed to the jump. The benchmark yield has seen its biggest weekly rise since May 2022.

The Reserve Bank of India's Payments Vision 2028 introduces a shared liability model for unauthorized digital transactions, placing responsibility on both customer and beneficiary banks. This aims to boost fraud detection and inter-bank coordination. The RBI also plans to expand the 'switch on/off' feature, currently for cards, to all digital payment modes, empowering users and enhancing ecosystem trust.

The Reserve Bank of India has mandated all market participants, both resident and nonresident, to obtain a valid Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) code. Entities without an LEI will be ineligible for transactions in RBI-regulated financial markets. Participants in the over-the-counter derivative market must also secure a unique transaction identifier.

The Indian rupee hit a record low against the dollar, breaching 94 and nearing 95, as rising crude oil prices fueled fears of a prolonged Gulf war. Indian equities also suffered significant declines, marking a fifth consecutive week of losses. Analysts warn of further depreciation for the rupee if the conflict persists and central bank intervention remains subdued.

The Indian money market's hawala sector is experiencing an unusual discount on the dollar-rupee exchange rate, a shift attributed to stalled flights and reduced trade with the Gulf. This irregular market, typically seeing a dollar premium, is now operating 1-2% below official rates, impacting informal remittance channels.

U.S. stocks plunged Friday, with major indexes hitting over six-month lows as the Middle East war suppressed risk appetite. Megacap and software stocks led the decline, while rising oil prices fueled inflation fears and dampened rate cut expectations. Markets now anticipate potential Fed rate hikes.

The Reserve Bank of India has set a new limit for banks on their foreign currency dealings in the rupee. This move aims to control speculative trading and stabilize the Indian currency. Banks must now keep their open positions within 100 million US dollars each day. This regulation comes as the rupee faces pressure and has depreciated significantly.

Online furniture rental platform Rentomojo has filed for an initial public offering in Mumbai, according to a draft prospectus dated Friday.

Doha Bank is exiting its branch operations in India. The Qatari bank will close its Mumbai and Kochi branches after more than a decade. It will now operate solely through a representative office in the country. This strategic shift was approved by the bank's board of directors. Doha Bank had launched its India operations in June 2014.

India's foreign exchange reserves dropped significantly last week. Gold prices fell, impacting the overall reserves. The Indian Rupee also weakened against the US Dollar. Oil prices rose due to geopolitical concerns. The Reserve Bank of India's intervention in the currency market was limited. Traders anticipate further Rupee depreciation, with some forecasting levels around 100 against the Dollar.

Small exporters and e-commerce shipments will receive a boost. The government has removed the value limit for exports via courier services. This change takes effect from April 1, 2026. Previously, a limit of 10 lakh rupees per consignment was in place. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade announced this significant update.

India and Europe are strengthening ties following a trade agreement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Oslo for the India-Nordic Summit and Italy for bilateral talks. He will also attend the G-7 Summit in France. These engagements aim to boost collaboration amid global supply chain challenges. India's participation highlights its role in addressing key international issues.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao on the sidelines of the WTO Ministerial Conference. Discussions focused on the proposed India-US bilateral trade agreement and bilateral trade matters with China, amidst India's growing trade deficit with the latter.

The government plans to borrow 8.2 lakh crore in the first half of the next fiscal year. This amount represents 51% of the revised borrowing target. The move aims to stabilize the bond market amid global uncertainties. This strategy allows for flexibility in future borrowing plans. The government will also issue 15,000 crore in green bonds.

A Moody's report warns that India and other Asia-Pacific economies face rising credit stress due to the ongoing Gulf conflict. Higher energy prices and supply disruptions, particularly for fuel, food, and industrial inputs, will impact import-dependent nations. Producers heavily reliant on Middle Eastern oil and naphtha are most exposed.

Indian exports to the US are navigating rocky waters. With consumer confidence waning and policy instability looming, shipments are feeling the pinch. The shrimp and textile sectors are struggling to bounce back from setbacks, and ongoing scrutiny of manufacturing practices raises additional red flags. On a brighter note, gems and jewellery exports are showing glimmers of recovery.

India's farm economy is set for a major transformation. The government is creating farmer IDs and using advanced technology to boost incomes. This integrated farming model aims to make India a developed nation by 2047. Farmers will diversify crops and take up allied activities like livestock and bee keeping. This will ensure financial stability and access to credit and insurance.

Reliance Industries Ltd. is planning a massive IPO for its telecom arm, Jio Platforms Ltd. The company is setting investment banking fees at a competitive 0.65% of the issue size. This move is in line with the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd.'s proposed fees. The Jio IPO could be India's largest ever.

Citigroup has denied a Bloomberg report suggesting it was considering acquiring a U.S. regional bank, stating the speculation is aseless. The bank emphasized its sole focus remains on organic growth and executing its ongoing transformation strategy. This denial comes as Citigroup works to complete regulatory compliance and improve profitability.

The Indian rupee hit a record low of 94.81 against the dollar, nearing 95, as surging crude oil prices and a potentially prolonged West Asia conflict weighed on the currency. Mild central bank intervention offered little respite, with traders now forecasting levels as weak as 97 per dollar.

New rules define beneficial ownership for countries sharing land borders with India. Investors from these nations can hold up to 10% ownership via the automatic route. FDI inflows are at a record high, showing strong returns for foreign capital. Production Linked Incentive schemes have attracted significant investment and created jobs.

Rocket Pharmaceuticals' shares dropped significantly after gaining FDA approval for Kresladi, a gene therapy for a rare childhood immune disorder. Investors are concerned about practical challenges limiting patient access, despite the drug's potential to help those with severe Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I. The company plans a phased launch with limited availability.

Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Anna Paulson said on Friday the Iran war is creating challenges for the U.S. economy, while stopping short of saying what that might mean for near-term changes in monetary policy.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday mandated the use of Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) and Unique Transaction Identifier (UTI) for transactions in financial markets.

The Centre is planning to mobilise Rs 8 lakh crore through dated securities during the April-September period of 2026-27 to fund the revenue gap, the finance ministry said on Friday.

The RBI is set to introduce a shared responsibility framework for unauthorized digital payment transactions. This will involve both customer and beneficiary banks in bearing liability. The regulator is also exploring a switch-on/switch-off facility for all digital payment modes. An open and interoperable card ecosystem will be developed to foster competition and innovation.

Securities and Exchange Board of India approved IPOs of six companies, including Vishvaraj Environment and SAEL Industries. Firms span sectors like renewable energy, chemicals and SaaS, while Jindal Supreme withdrew its draft papers, reflecting active primary market momentum.