The Economic Times

While urging the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to reclaim spectrum held by telecom companies undergoing insolvency, Trai proposed halving the networth criteria for new entrants from Rs 100 crore to Rs 50 crore per licensed service area (and from Rs 50 crore to Rs 25 crore for Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast) to encourage more participation.

Real estate stocks tumbled on Tuesday as sharp IT selloff renewed worries about commercial property demand and urban housing appetite. The Nifty Realty index dropped 3%, with Prestige Estates, Lodha, Signatureglobal and Godrej Properties among the biggest losers, reflecting the sectors broader underperformance in 2026.

India's unlisted giants are poised for public markets. A new ranking highlights 100 companies with strong revenue and growth. Reliance Retail and Flipkart lead this group of future IPO contenders. These firms show significant financial performance and scaling strategies. This list reveals the next wave of major Indian businesses preparing for stock exchanges.

Investors are advised to be selective with NBFCs. Valuations are high, and earnings growth premiums over banks are shrinking. Margin pressures are a key risk. Digital lending will transform the sector in the coming years. Larger, diversified NBFCs with strong liability advantages are better positioned for stable earnings growth.

Japan's Nikkei share average rose on Tuesday as trading resumed after a long holiday weekend, with AI-related stocks rallying on expectation of further investment in AI infrastructure after a report of a possible Nvidia-OpenAI deal.

Indian IT stocks experienced a sharp decline on Tuesday. This selloff is driven by concerns over artificial intelligence disrupting the sector. Analysts are divided on whether to invest now or wait. Some believe the market is overreacting and valuations are becoming attractive.

Equity markets opened lower, with the Nifty falling over 1% below 25,500. Analysts anticipate strong support around 25,200, aligning with the 200-day moving average and a key retracement level. Despite Nifty's weakness, Bank Nifty is outperforming, and stock-specific action is expected to continue.

US markets' long-held exceptionalism is facing a reality check, according to Jim Walker. Trade tariff chaos is creating prolonged uncertainty, hindering investment and economic growth. He points to the dollar's weakening confidence, mirrored by gold prices, and Big Tech's ambitious capital plans facing insurmountable physical constraints like electricity and skilled labor shortages. Markets may soon confront these fundamental issues.

IT stocks slumped on February 24, falling up to 8%, after IBM plunged 13% on Wall Streetits worst drop in 25 yearsamid concerns that Anthropics Claude AI tool could streamline COBOL code and disrupt IBMs legacy business. The weakness spilled over to Indian IT names.

South India's cement sector is witnessing a promising price recovery, with sustained hikes and a shift towards value over volume. Experts anticipate significant price increases in the coming months, driven by a focus on profitability and a projected 7-8% volume growth next fiscal year, largely fueled by rural demand. This trend signals a potential for improved industry performance.

Gold prices are experiencing significant volatility, driven by narratives of global risk and uncertainty rather than traditional fundamentals. Central bank purchases and investor demand, particularly from China, have fueled this surge. Traditional valuation models are now irrelevant as gold trades at a significant premium. The rally's continuation depends on ongoing liquidity and investor belief in the prevailing narratives.

Nidhi Chhibber has taken over as the Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog. She holds the additional charge following the completion of BVR Subrahmanyam's three-year term. Chhibber is also the Director General of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office. This transition marks a new phase for the NITI Aayog leadership.

India's economy is set for robust growth. GDP is expected to expand by approximately 8.1 percent in the third quarter of fiscal year 2026. This strong performance is fueled by resilient domestic demand and steady economic activity across various sectors. Rural and urban consumption show positive trends. India's GDP is projected to grow at 7.

India is set to revise its real GDP calculation methodology this week, incorporating a more granular approach using 500-600 price items from CPI and WPI to enhance accuracy. This overhaul addresses economists' concerns about outdated methods and aims to improve data reliability, particularly for manufacturing. A new GDP series with a 2022/23 base year will be released on February 27.

Shree Ram Twistex IPO was subscribed 30% on Day 2, with the retail portion oversubscribed more than two times while QIBs remained absent. The grey market premium rose to 9%, indicating a potential listing around Rs 113. The Rs 110 crore issue closes on February 25.

US President Trump's proposed 15% tariff would ease duties for some Asia-Pacific nations that had faced higher levies, while Japan and South Korea would see only minor changes. A Supreme Court ruling adds complexity to trade talks with India and Indonesia. With potential alternative tariff routes on the table, uncertainty persists and businesses should prepare for ongoing trade volatility.

Australian shares saw little change as cautious investors awaited key domestic inflation data and clarity on trade tariffs. Losses in heavyweight banks offset gains in miners, with financials, technology, and real estate sectors declining. Miners and energy stocks provided support, with BHP hitting a record high.

Corporate earnings in India are poised for a stronger FY27, driven by nominal GDP growth and rupee depreciation, according to Manish Gunwani. While AI disruption is currently influencing market sentiment more than earnings, domestic and export-oriented sectors are expected to benefit from the overall economic uptick.

Bitcoin hovered around $63,000 as global risk aversion impacted crypto markets, with Bitcoin and Ethereum seeing declines. Major altcoins also slipped, contributing to a 2% drop in the global crypto market cap. Analysts suggest consolidation is underway, with institutional caution and liquidations in derivatives markets reflecting ongoing uncertainty.

India's asset monetisation initiative, NMP 2.0, is set to boost the economy significantly. The plan aims to unlock value from public assets, generating substantial investment. This initiative is projected to increase India's GDP by around Rs 40 lakh crore over the next decade. It will drive infrastructure development and encourage private sector participation, strengthening the nation's economic growth prospects.

Cybersecurity stocks in India and the US fell sharply after Anthropic launched Claude Code Security, raising concerns about AI-driven disruption in legacy systems and vulnerability management. Indian counters dropped up to 20%, while global peers also declined, as analysts cautioned that the sell-off may be narrative-driven.

Shares of four companies backed by ace investor Vijay Kedia tumbled up to 20% on Tuesday after investors reacted to AI startup Anthropics new security tool, Claude Code Security, which detects and fixes vulnerabilities in open-source software. TAC Infosec, where Kedia holds a 9.58% stake, hit a 20% lower circuit, while TechD Cybersecurity fell over 14%.

India has quietly raised the cost of exporting -- halving RoDTEP rebates that refund embedded taxes -- at a time when global demand is weak and competition is tightening, squeezing margins and testing exporters pricing power.

US President Trump enacted a new 10% global tariff, a day after the Supreme Court struck down his previous duties. This move, authorized under the 1974 Trade Act, aims to maintain his trade policy despite growing uncertainty among major trading partners like India and the EU, who have paused trade talks.

Indian markets face uncertainty driven by US tariff concerns and geopolitical factors, leading to cautious sentiment. AI's impact on IT services remains unclear, while digital lending platforms show potential for financial services. The auto sector exhibits mixed but positive momentum, with ferrous metals also showing promise.

Shares of IBM plunged 13.2% Monday, marking their steepest single-day drop in over 25 years, after AI startup Anthropic said its Claude Code tool can modernise COBOL, the legacy programming language running on IBM systems, raising concerns of AI-driven disruption in IT and cybersecurity stocks.

India's equity market faces a holding pattern due to a prolonged earnings downgrade cycle, with valuations remaining elevated. While domestic inflows have buffered FII outflows, they've also delayed a necessary valuation reset. A turn in the earnings revision cycle, particularly with FY28 projections, is crucial for the market's next upward move.

Indian government bonds are trading in a narrow band. Investors are cautious due to significant state borrowing plans. Softer U.S. Treasury yields are providing some stability. The market awaits the outcome of state debt auctions. A large federal government bond sale is also scheduled. Global factors like U.S. yields and crude prices are being closely watched.

A top Federal Reserve official sees little impact on monetary policy from the Supreme Court's tariff ruling, despite acknowledging new economic uncertainties. While potential cost relief could modestly aid growth, ongoing trade policy shifts and upcoming labor data will heavily influence interest rate decisions, keeping markets on edge.

Shares of textile companies, including Gokaldas Exports, Pearl Global, and Trident, dropped sharply on Tuesday after the government cut RoDTEP duty benefits by 50%. Exporters urged the government to review the decison citing higher costs and slowing demand. The RoDTEP scheme refunds taxes and duties that are not rebated under any other scheme.

Wall Street experienced a sharp downturn as renewed trade policy uncertainty and concerns over the technology sector's outlook prompted a defensive market shift. Investors moved capital into safe-haven assets like gold and U.S. Treasuries, reflecting heightened global caution. Private credit market anxieties, particularly regarding U.S. software exposure, further amplified market stress.

Aditya Shah of Hercules Advisors believes IT sector sentiment is overly negative, presenting buying chances. He advises caution on banks like IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank due to recent issues. Cigarette stocks face policy risks. Shah favors private banks, seeing potential in SBI, ICICI Bank, and HDFC Bank.

India is set to raise a significant 1.79 trillion rupees from IPOs of state-run firms by 2030, part of a larger $183.7 billion asset monetisation drive. Key sectors like railways, power, petroleum, aviation, and coal will see stake sales. This initiative aims to boost government revenue and streamline operations across vital public enterprises.

India is set to raise a significant 1.79 trillion rupees from IPOs of state-run firms by 2030, part of a larger $183.7 billion asset monetisation drive. Key sectors like railways, power, petroleum, aviation, and coal will see stake sales. This initiative aims to boost government revenue and streamline operations across vital public enterprises.

Software companies are delaying debt fundraising due to rising borrowing costs and increased lender scrutiny, driven by AI's potential to disrupt traditional business models. This caution is evident in credit markets, with wider spreads for riskier borrowers and a slowdown in new financing deals as firms await market stability.

MobiKwik shares surged up to 13% after its subsidiary received BSE approval to commence stock broking operations, completing key regulatory steps. The move marks the companys expansion into financial services. Despite the rally, the stock remains significantly below its IPO and listing price levels.

India's economy is experiencing strong GDP growth, driven by fiscal and monetary stimulus and new trade deals with the US and EU. While past growth didn't translate to corporate earnings, improving inflation and nominal GDP are expected to boost profits, attracting foreign investment and signaling a positive market outlook for the longer term.

Investors are advised patience with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) despite its strong order book, as recent sentiment shifts and current valuations warrant caution. In the IT sector, selective opportunities exist in midcap players like KPIT, Mphasis, and Datamatics, driven by AI adaptability. IDFC First Bank requires trust repair and regulatory clarity before fresh exposure.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has allocated an initial 50 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to Tamil Nadu. This proactive security measure is in preparation for the 2026 state assembly elections, with the CAPF expected to be inducted on March 10, 2026, for area domination and confidence-building.

Stock Market Crash Today: Indian benchmark indices Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex experienced a sharp decline on Tuesday, with IT and auto stocks leading the fall. Investor wealth plummeted by Rs 6.3 lakh crore. Concerns over AI's impact on COBOL systems and renewed tariff threats from former US President Trump contributed to the market downturn.

India is actively pursuing stronger economic ties with Canada and the United Kingdom. Discussions are underway for comprehensive economic partnership agreements. These agreements aim to significantly boost bilateral trade and investment. Regular engagements are planned to build sustained momentum in these crucial partnerships. New avenues for collaboration are expected to unfold, benefiting both nations.

The US administration is preparing new national security investigations that could allow President Donald Trump to impose fresh tariffs after the Supreme Court struck down his country-specific emergency levies last week.

The Reserve Bank of India is closely monitoring a 590 crore fraud case linked to IDFC First Bank, with Governor Sanjay Malhotra stressing that it does not pose a systemic risk to the banking sector. The RBI is preparing updated projections for retail inflation and is actively managing liquidity in the financial system.