The Economic Times

Fairfax Financial and OMERS have extended by 12 months the timeline for the planned IPO of Anchorage Infrastructure, the holding company owning a stake in Bengalurus Kempegowda International Airport. The revised deadline is September 2026, giving investors more time to secure approvals and create a monetisation route for OMERS investment.

Crude oil prices have surged to near one-year highs as escalating conflict in West Asia threatens key supply routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz. Rising geopolitical risks, refinery disruptions and tanker delays are pushing prices higher, raising inflation concerns and creating economic vulnerabilities for major Asian importers, including India, China, Japan and South Korea.

The combined market valuation of eight of the top-10 most-valued firms eroded by Rs 2,81,581.53 crore last week, with the State Bank of India taking the biggest hit, in tandem with a weak trend in equities.

CSIR organized a national workshop in Kumarakom, Kerala, focusing on smart agro-technologies for soil and crop health. The event showcased AI, IoT, and remote sensing innovations aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability for farmers.

Indian markets face volatility due to global tensions. Investors often desire stability but markets respond to real risks like rising oil prices and geopolitical events. Success hinges on disciplined behavior, not predictions. Staying invested through downturns allows for long-term compounding. Those who manage risk and resist panic selling will be rewarded over time.

Women are increasingly shaping Indias mutual fund landscape, with one in four investors now being female. As financial decision-making shifts, many women are adopting structured approaches to investing. Passive strategies such as index funds and ETFs are emerging as practical, low-cost tools for building diversified portfolios and achieving long-term financial goals.

Indias primary market will see five IPOs open next week, including four mainboard issues and one SME offering, but weak grey market premiums indicate cautious investor sentiment amid volatile markets.

Despite a volatile week driven by geopolitical tensions and rising crude prices, several smallcap stocks bucked the broader market trend. While nearly 900 smallcap counters declined, a select group delivered strong weekly gains of up to 25%, with Jindal Poly Films leading the rally among outperformers.

Foreign investors are pulling money from Indian stocks. Geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices are causing concern. This selling pressure has led to market volatility. Experts believe foreign investors will stay away until global uncertainty eases and oil prices fall. Domestic investors are currently supporting the market. The outlook for Indian equities remains cautious in the near term.

Despite a volatile start to 2026 with Middle East tensions and pressure on technology stocks, several Nifty 50 blue-chips have outperformed. SBI leads gains with a 22% rise year-to-date, followed by Tata Steel and ONGC. Ten index heavyweights, including NTPC, Power Grid and Axis Bank, have delivered positive returns in the year.

Indian equities fell over 1% as escalating Middle East tensions pushed crude oil prices higher, weighing on sentiment. Analysts warn sustained oil gains could impact inflation, deficits and monetary policy. Technical analysts recommend Data Patterns and NALCO as potential trades for Monday based on breakout patterns and bullish momentum.

Indian stock markets experienced a significant downturn. The Sensex and Nifty saw sharp declines in the first four March sessions. This selloff wiped out substantial market capitalization. Key factors influencing market sentiment included the escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict, surging crude oil prices, foreign investor outflows, and disappointing US jobs data. Technical indicators also pointed to a bearish outlook for the markets.

India's energy imports are flowing smoothly from non-Hormuz routes, ensuring citizens' needs are met amidst global market uncertainty. Qatar has guaranteed LNG supply continuity, and the country holds surplus LNG stock with offers from numerous nations. Cargo movements near the Strait of Hormuz may resume soon following Iran's pledge.

US President Donald Trump said he is not interested in negotiating with Iran and suggested the war could end only if Tehrans military and leadership are eliminated. Speaking aboard Air Force One, he said the ongoing air campaign might make talks irrelevant if Irans leadership structure collapses.

Exporters receive significant relief from the government. Authorisations under Advance and Export Promotion Capital Goods schemes are automatically extended. This applies to authorisations expiring between March 1 and May 31, 2026. The extension is granted without any composition fee. This move supports exporters facing international shipping challenges. It ensures India's export performance remains strong.

India has secured the best trade deal with the United States among its competitors. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the strong relationship between the two nations. He emphasized that the US economy is the world's largest and cannot be overlooked. India is actively building a global network of trade partnerships.

India's agricultural exports to West Asia are under serious threat due to escalating regional conflicts. The turmoil is thwarting shipping routes and skyrocketing insurance costs, putting a staggering $11.8 billion in food products on the line. Key exports, including rice, bananas, and spices, are especially at risk, creating a climate of anxiety for Indian farmers and food processors.

Indian markets experienced a sharp downturn this week, with the Nifty closing significantly lower and testing a crucial 100-week moving average support. Rising volatility and weakening market breadth signal caution for investors. While some sectors like Infrastructure and Pharma show relative strength, others are under pressure, suggesting a defensive approach is advised.

India has secured the best trade deal with the United States. Minister Piyush Goyal stated this at the Raisina Dialogue 2026. He highlighted the strong relationship between the two nations. The deal provides India preferential access over competitors. This partnership extends beyond trade to critical minerals and defense. The agreement framework has been finalized.

India's farm exports to West Asia, a vital market, are at risk. Ongoing conflict threatens shipping routes and raises costs. Products like rice, bananas, and meat face significant exposure. This could impact farmers and exporters across India. Diversifying markets is now crucial for India's agricultural sector.

BlackRock shares fell sharply after the asset manager restricted withdrawals from its flagship private credit fund, HLEND, following a surge in redemption requests. The move has intensified concerns about liquidity risks in the fast-growing private credit industry, even as investors shift towards safer assets amid global economic and geopolitical uncertainty.

Indian exporters receive relief from the government. Export obligation periods are extended automatically. This measure addresses challenges from the West Asia crisis impacting shipping routes and supply chains. The extension aims to support exporters facing disruptions. This move comes as global trade faces geopolitical headwinds. The government seeks to maintain India's export competitiveness.

Global attention is on the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran conflict. Beyond oil, a fertilizer supply shock looms. This could disrupt agriculture, leading to food shortages and price hikes. India faces increased import costs and subsidy burdens. The impact on food security and inflation is a significant concern for the coming months and years.

Women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership roles at Indias listed companies despite improvements in boardroom diversity. A Primeinfobase report shows women hold only 5% of CEO or MD positions and just 10% of executive directorships, highlighting persistent structural barriers and a widening gender gap in senior corporate leadership and pay.

Several stocks on the BSE 200 index have seen sharp declines at the start of CY2026 as volatility grips markets. Technology and new-age companies dominate the list of laggards. Coforge, LTIMindtree and Persistent Systems lead the fall, reflecting pressure on IT stocks amid global uncertainty and concerns around rapid advances in artificial intelligence.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that multiple state governments will raise a total of Rs 45,960 crore through the auction of State Government Securities (SGS), scheduled to be conducted on March 10, 2026.

Bitcoin slipped below $70,000 as a broad crypto market sell-off triggered $329 million in liquidations across leveraged positions. Ethereum and major altcoins also declined amid geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic uncertainty, while analysts say traders remain cautious despite recent positive momentum in the cryptocurrency market.

Women's participation in crypto surged by 116.8%, with women now holding four digital assets on average. This growth is evident across metro and non-metro regions, with over 15% of the total investor base being women. They are adopting a research-driven, diversified, and long-term investment strategy.

Women demonstrate superior investment skills, achieving better risk-adjusted returns. However, a lack of financial autonomy and literacy hinders their investment participation. Despite this, women's financial awareness is growing, leading to increased asset share in investments. Addressing these gaps will empower women to build greater wealth.

Commodity derivatives offer dynamic trading opportunities on exchanges like MCX. Modern traders must understand price drivers, employ a defined trading system, and prioritize risk management over profit chasing. Leveraging technology and staying updated on contracts and regulations are crucial for navigating volatility and achieving long-term success.

Women's roles in production, processing, and knowledge transmission are increasingly recognized, driving efforts to empower them as leaders and innovators. Strengthening women's access to resources and institutions is vital for resilient and inclusive agri-food systems.

India's capital goods sector shows robust growth in 3Q FY26, driven by strong demand in energy, renewables, defense, and rail. Despite execution slowdowns, profitability remains resilient. Healthy order inflows, boosted by public capex and export opportunities, signal a positive medium-term outlook. Companies are expanding capacity to meet rising domestic and international needs.

Oil prices are moving closer to $100 per barrel as escalating tensions in the Middle East threaten global energy supply routes. Analysts warn that a prolonged disruption, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, could push crude higher and trigger volatility in Indian equities, raising inflation risks and pressure on corporate margins.

In a strategic move to bolster food security, the government has established an ambitious wheat procurement goal of 30.3 million tonnes for the upcoming 2026-27 Rabi Marketing Season. This decision emerged from a gathering of State Food Secretaries, reflecting a proactive approach towards higher wheat output, which is projected to surpass last year's impressive yield.

Sunil Gold India Ltd is preparing for its initial public offering. The company plans to raise funds through a combination of new share issuance and an offer for sale by its promoters. Proceeds will support working capital and general corporate needs. Sunil Gold India designs and supplies gold jewellery, serving domestic and international markets.

Despite the volatile backdrop, InCred Equities has identified 11 stocks that it believes could perform well in the coming quarters. Heres the full list.

IIT Bombay's entrepreneurship arm, SINE, is witnessing significant wealth creation as its incubated startups, like ideaForge and Sedemac Mechatronics, head towards public markets. These companies' successful IPOs and potential listings are translating into substantial financial returns for the institute, showcasing the growing impact of academic incubation on India's startup economy.

Investor Mukul Mahavir Agrawals portfolio remains closely tracked by market participants. In FY26 so far, four of his holdings have turned multibaggers while several others delivered strong gains. The analysis also highlights fresh additions made in the December 2025 quarter as the seasoned investor reshapes his equity portfolio.

Oil prices surged as the Israel-US-Iran conflict entered its eighth day, pushing Brent close to $100 per barrel amid fears of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts warn prolonged tensions could add a geopolitical premium to crude, with some projections pointing to potential prices of $150 per barrel.

Bitcoins correlation with equities has climbed to its highest level this year as global volatility returns. The digital asset is increasingly moving in tandem with stocks rather than acting as a hedge, highlighting its growing sensitivity to broader risk sentiment amid geopolitical tensions, weak economic data and continued uncertainty around crypto regulation.

A sharp decline in the Sensex over the last five sessions has dragged several large stocks lower. Ten companies from the BSE 200 index recorded losses in each of the past five trading sessions, reflecting broad based market weakness as benchmark indices slipped more than 4% during the period.

India's primary market gears up for a busy week with five IPOs aiming to raise over Rs 6,578 crore, led by Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust's Rs 6,000 crore offering. Despite the influx, investor sentiment remains cautious due to recent weak listings and muted grey market premiums, signaling a challenging period for new issuances.

Brent crude futures rose to the highest since July 2024 at $87.66 a barrel, recording a 20% weekly risethe largest since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Qatar's energy minister Saad al-Kaabi told the Financial Times that global oil prices could surge to as high as $150 a barrel if the conflict in the Middle East intensifies and disrupts energy supplies from the Gulf.

Indian stock markets are experiencing a significant wealth hemorrhage, with investors losing Rs 19 lakh crore in market capitalization due to escalating US-Iran tensions and surging crude oil prices. The broad-based selloff has led to a 3,330-point plunge in the Sensex, raising concerns about a potential bear market.

Market volatility in 2026 has left investors grappling with uncertainty. Timeless investing principles from John Bogle offer guidance, emphasising discipline, diversification, compounding and cost control. The seven rules highlight how long term thinking and avoiding emotional decisions can help investors stay focused despite market turbulence.

Global financial markets face a volatile week as the U.S.-Iran conflict drives oil and gas prices sharply higher, potentially overshadowing crucial U.S. inflation data. Investors are closely watching central bank reactions, with a growing likelihood of rate hikes. China's economic data and Colombia's pre-election political landscape also remain key market influences.

Markets are closely watching the escalating Middle East conflict and its potential impact on energy supplies and inflation. Investors are grappling with uncertainty, as oil prices have surged, impacting asset volatility. Upcoming inflation data will be crucial in assessing the economic outlook and the Federal Reserve's potential interest rate decisions.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that more sanctions on Russian oil could be lifted, following a recent 30-day waiver that permits Russian crude stranded at sea to be sold to India. Bessent shared these remarks during an interview with Fox Business network.