The Economic Times

The Bank of Japan held its interest rates steady at 0.75% on Thursday, projecting a moderate economic recovery. Despite global uncertainties from the Middle East, the central bank's decision was largely anticipated. However, one board member advocated for a rate hike. Governor Kazuo Ueda is set to address the media later today.

As of March 18, five NSE F&O stocks witnessed a sharp rise in futures open interest, reflecting increased derivatives activity. A rise in open interest typically signals stronger trader participation, as market participants initiate fresh positions or build on existing ones, indicating growing conviction in the near-term price direction of these stocks.

On March 18, three large-cap stocks appeared in the White Marubozu bullish scan on StockEdge. This candlestick pattern indicates strong buying interest, with prices opening at the low and closing at the high. Traders often view it as a signal of sustained momentum and potential continuation of an uptrend.

HDFC Bank faces potential selling pressure as its part-time Chairman, Atanu Chakraborty, resigned citing ethical concerns over recent bank practices. Keki Mistry has been appointed interim chairman. Chakraborty's departure follows a period of significant events, including the merger with HDFC, which has yet to fully yield benefits.

U.S. crude futures rose more than 3% to $99.39 per barrel. Natural gas prices climbed over 5%, while Brent crude touched $111.19 in early trade and extended gains by another 4% this morning to $112 per barrel, moving closer to the initial war peak of $120.

Gold prices saw a slight increase on Thursday after hitting a one-month low. However, a strong dollar and the Federal Reserve's hawkish stance limited further gains. Oil prices surged above $110 a barrel following an attack on Iranian energy facilities. This has raised inflation concerns. The US and Canada central banks held rates steady but warned of persistent inflation risks.

Middle East energy facilities faced Iranian attacks, escalating regional tensions and pushing oil prices up significantly. Brent crude surged over 3%, while WTI also saw gains. These strikes, in retaliation for earlier attacks on Iran's energy infrastructure, have disrupted operations in Qatar and the UAE, with Saudi Arabia intercepting missiles. The conflict shows no signs of de-escalation.

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As long as the stock is priced above the 200-day SMA on the daily time frame, it is generally considered to be in an overall uptrend.

The Japanese yen is nearing a two-year low against a strong dollar. Markets are watching the Bank of Japan's policy decision amidst inflation risks and slowing growth. The US Federal Reserve held rates, projecting higher inflation. Oil prices surged following attacks in the Middle East. Other major central banks also meet today.

NSE BSE Holiday Today: Even as the country celebrates Gudi Padwa today, there will be no market holiday and stock exchanges BSE and the NSE will open for trading at the usual time.

Asian markets fell Thursday as attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East pushed oil prices up. Japan's Nikkei 225 saw a significant drop. Higher oil prices are impacting global markets. Investors are trimming risk as the conflict escalates. The US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged, citing inflation uncertainty.

The Indian rupee hit a record low of 92.63 against the US dollar on Wednesday, driven by high crude oil import costs and corporate demand for dollars. Despite RBI's efforts to defend the 92.50 level, the rupee breached it following the release of oil premium data. Analysts anticipate further weakening if oil prices and geopolitical tensions persist.

Iran is reportedly considering demanding Chinese yuan for oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could challenge the US dollar's dominance in global energy trade. This potential de-dollarization strategy aims to bypass sanctions and bolster ties with China, potentially leading to global financial market volatility and impacting India's crude imports.

Indian markets continued their recovery for a third straight session, with Nifty approaching the 23,800-24,000 resistance zone. Key stocks like Manappuram Finance, Kotak Bank, Nazara Technologies, and United Breweries are in focus due to significant corporate developments, including acquisitions, licensing agreements, and environmental clearances.

Indian equity markets closed strong on March 18, with benchmarks extending their upward trend. Analysts suggest the index holding above Wednesday's low of 23,618 will pave the way for further gains towards 24,000 and 24,300. Volatility eased as India VIX fell sharply below 20.

Bitcoin retreated from a six-week peak as global markets experienced a risk-off sentiment due to escalating Iran tensions. The cryptocurrency fell approximately 4.5% to $71,200, with Ether and Solana also declining. Rising oil prices are fueling inflation concerns, potentially delaying anticipated interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.

UltraTech Cement is set to acquire a significant stake in Sunsure Solarpark Seven. This move aims to secure green energy for UltraTech. The acquisition will help optimize energy costs and meet regulatory demands. The deal is expected to be finalized within 180 days. This strategic investment underscores UltraTech's commitment to renewable energy.

The US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady, defying President Trump's calls for cuts amidst persistent inflation and a shaky economic outlook influenced by the Iran conflict. Officials anticipate a single rate reduction by year-end, acknowledging solid economic expansion but noting subdued job gains and elevated prices. Projections indicate a 2.4% GDP growth for the fourth quarter.

Reliance Industries is preparing to file a draft red herring prospectus for Jio Platforms' IPO by late March or early April, appointing 17 investment banks. The telecom giant's public offering, expected to be India's largest, will likely offer 2.5% to 2.7% equity.

Amundi's CIO Vincent Mortier views the market's reaction to the West Asia conflict as logical and contained, with investors anticipating a resolution within weeks. He notes that while markets haven't corrected enough for a definitive buying opportunity, it may be too late to sell, especially for India, which presents an attractive long-term investment window.

Markets are experiencing a cautious rebound after recent declines. This rally, fueled by short covering and domestic institutional buying, is met with skepticism. Experts suggest a decisive shift depends on a resolution to the West Asia conflict. Foreign institutional investors continue to sell, adding to market unease. Traders await clarity on the geopolitical situation before committing further.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stated he will remain in his position until a successor is confirmed and a criminal investigation into the Fed is resolved. Powell's term as chair ends in May, with Kevin Warsh nominated but not yet confirmed by the Senate.

Spot gold dropped to a one-month low following the Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady, with expectations of higher rates for longer. A stronger dollar and ongoing Middle East conflict, including an escalation involving Iran's Pars gas field, further pressured gold prices.

HDFC Bank chairman Atanu Chakraborty has resigned from the board. He cited practices within the bank that did not align with his personal values and ethics. Keki Mistry has been appointed interim chairman for three months. Chakraborty's tenure saw the significant merger of HDFC Bank with HDFC. His departure raises investor concerns for the systemically important lender.

As of March 17, direct tax collections have surged by 7.2%, totaling 22.80 lakh crore. This upward trend is largely fueled by impressive corporate tax contributions. Although still short of revised projections, officials remain optimistic that last-minute filings will help bridge the difference.

India is focusing on increasing exports to South Asian nations like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. This strategic shift comes as exports to West Asia face potential decline. The government is addressing trade barriers including tariffs and logistics. Efforts are underway to resolve payment issues and enhance trade promotion. Bangladesh remains India's largest export market in South Asia.

The government is deliberating on a new proposal aimed at relieving small enterprises from the requirement of undergoing mandatory audits. This initiative is designed to facilitate compliance, yet it raises alarms regarding potential fraudulent activities and insufficient regulatory supervision. Many stakeholders are anxious that it might result in a rise in the creation of shell companies.

Trade Desk shares dropped significantly after French advertising giant Publicis Groupe advised clients to avoid the platform. An independent audit found Trade Desk violated agreement clauses. Publicis confirmed the findings and will no longer recommend Trade Desk. Trade Desk disputes the audit's conclusions. The company faces strong competition in the ad tech market.

Unilever shares dropped as investors worried about a potential food business split. This comes soon after the company separated its ice cream brands. Analysts suggest the new CEO needs more time before further restructuring. The food business, including Knorr and Marmite, reported profits last year. Investors have long pushed for a sale of the slow-growing food division.

The US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady, balancing moderating economic growth with rising geopolitical tensions and persistent inflation concerns. Indian markets reacted positively, extending gains as the Fed's decision was largely anticipated, with analysts expecting a neutral impact on equities.

Centrum Group has sold its housing finance subsidiary, Centrum Housing Finance. Weaver Services, backed by Premji Invest, acquired a 75% stake. This deal was completed after receiving regulatory approval. Weaver Services also raised Rs 950 crore to fund this acquisition. The capital raise totaled Rs 1,450 crore. Lightspeed Venture Partners co-led the recent funding round.

Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran urged for enhanced intra-state coordination, advocating for an entrepreneurial state to navigate global economic challenges. He stressed a shift from extraction to development, emphasizing innovation, risk-taking, and outcome-focused governance. Nageswaran highlighted the need for participatory governance, viewing it as a feedback loop to build trust and accelerate economic scaling for India.

Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDIL) has raised Rs 470 crore from anchor investors, including LIC and several mutual funds, ahead of its Rs 1,842-crore IPO. The initial share sale, an offer for sale by Coal India, opens for public subscription on March 20 with a price band of Rs 163-Rs 172 per share.

Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has put its multibillion-dollar initial public offering plan on hold, CoinDesk reported on Wednesday, citing two people with knowledge of the matter

Microsoft is considering legal action against its partner OpenAI and Amazon over a $50 billion deal that could violate its exclusive cloud agreement with the ChatGPT maker, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

Indian markets rallied for a third day, led by auto, IT and financial stocks, while easing volatility supported sentiment. Technical indicators signal bullish momentum, with analysts projecting further upside amid global mixed cues and advising cautious, stock-specific strategies.

Nifty rose sharply for a third session, driven by auto, IT and consumer stocks. Technical indicators signal bullish momentum, with analysts projecting upside towards 24,250 and support at 23,500, alongside breakout patterns strengthening sentiment.

India's tax landscape has experienced a remarkable upturn, with net collections reaching an impressive 22.80 lakh crore as of March 17, 2026, marking a notable 7.19% growth compared to the previous year. The surge can be attributed to robust performances in both corporate and non-corporate tax sectors. While gross collections soared, the trend of refunds showed a decline.

Ace investor Ashish Kacholia exited BEW Engineering entirely through a bulk deal, amid prolonged stock underperformance and declining prices, raising concerns about the companys near-term outlook despite its niche presence in pharmaceutical equipment manufacturing and past listing gains.

Investors await Powells signals as the Federal Reserve weighs rates steady amid US-Israeli strikes on Iran, balancing persistent inflation against slowing growth risks, with new projections and policy language expected to reflect geopolitical uncertainty, labor market shifts, and rate cuts.

Macy's said it was taking a prudent approach to its outlook, as it forecast a fall in annual revenue and profit, citing macroeconomic and geopolitical risks that could affect consumer spending.

Markets tumbled as the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged. Officials signaled just one rate cut this year. Rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions added to economic uncertainty. The Producer Price Index also showed an increase. Major stock indexes saw significant declines. Some companies reported gains despite the broader market downturn.

Wall Street's main indexes opened lower on Wednesday after data showed producer prices rose more than expected in February, prompting investors to price out any expectations for an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve this year.

Stanley Druckenmiller champions capital preservation as the cornerstone of successful investing, combined with bold bets on high-conviction opportunities. His strategy of minimising losses, staying patient, and concentrating on home run trades highlights how disciplined risk management and selective aggression can drive superior long-term investment returns.

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The government has approved Rs 1,718.56 crore for Minimum Support Price funding to the Cotton Corporation of India for the 2023-24 cotton season. This initiative provides direct price support to cotton farmers nationwide. The Cotton Corporation of India procures cotton when market prices fall below MSP levels. This ensures farmers receive fair returns and prevents distress sales.