The Economic Times

In several cases, individuals working in technology and consulting sectors allegedly received part of their compensation in Stablecoins or other cryptocurrencies that were parked in wallets linked with accounts outside India, in low-tax jurisdictions, sources said. The probe also flagged residents investing in overseas crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) through offshore brokerage accounts without reporting holdings or gains.

Sequentially, retail inflation increased 0.1%, while food inflation fell 0.2%. Core inflation remained steady at 3.4%. The uptick was almost entirely led by the food and beverages (F&B) segment, which accounted for as much as 44 basis points of the 47 bps rise in the headline print between these months, said Aditi Nayar, chief economist at ICRA. One basis point is 0.01 percentage point.

Canada's TMX Group is pushing for a shift to semi-annual earnings reports for all listed companies. This move mirrors efforts in the United States and aims to revitalize Canada's IPO market. The Toronto Stock Exchange anticipates a surge in mining IPOs, driven by global demand for critical minerals and geopolitical shifts.

Large bank capital requirements will fall slightly under revised drafts of sweeping bank capital rules, Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said Thursday, in a major victory for Wall Street lenders that had faced capital hikes under previous drafts.

Pulsar International is exploring a strategic expansion into AI-led Internet of Things technologies for precision farming and advanced agricultural supply chain management. The company plans to scale AI-driven IoT solutions for farm-level applications and enhance agricultural logistics, traceability, and supply chain transparency.

Innovisions IPO has been extended to March 17 after 32% subscription, reflecting weak investor interest; the price band was revised lower, while revenue growth is strong but margins remain thin.

When stock markets are as manic as they've been recently, it's natural to want to do something to protect your retirement savings. Historically, though, staying calm has usually been best.

Indian indices declined for the second day as Iran-Israel tensions and rising crude prices spooked investors; auto, consumer, and financial stocks led losses amid high market volatility and bearish sentiment.

BofA Securities acquired 1.16 lakh Kaynes Technologies shares via a block deal, while the stock continues a multi-month downtrend despite rising revenue and quarterly profit growth

Nifty fell for the second consecutive day amid Iran-Israel/US tensions, dragging auto, consumer, and financial stocks. Commodity stocks saw selective buying. Analysts suggest bearish sentiment dominates, with support at 23,40023,200.

The U.S. Federal Reserve will cut interest rates for the first time this year in June, according to economists polled by Reuters who are clinging to their views despite the risk that disruption of energy markets resulting from the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran boosts already-elevated inflation.

Securities and Exchange Board of India has proposed simplifying transmission of securities to heirs by raising documentation thresholds, introducing straight-through processing for small claims and standardising procedures, aiming to reduce paperwork and speed up asset transfer for families of deceased investors.

Bumble shares jumped more than 40% in early trading on Thursday after the company posted upbeat fourth-quarter revenue and unveiled an AI-driven overhaul of its apps to lure back younger users.

Oil prices soared Thursday, briefly trading above $100, and stock markets extended losses as fresh attacks against Gulf energy targets offset the release of crude reserves by major economies.

Hazel Infra, the promoter entity of shipbuilder Swan Defence and Heavy Industries, is looking to part sell their holding in the company through the offer for sale (OFS) route next week, people aware of the development said on Thursday.

Wall Street's main indexes opened lower on Thursday as oil prices surged to nearly $100 a barrel, fanning inflation worries and forcing traders to dial back expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts.

Data from financial empowerment platform Zavo shows that women account for a disproportionately larger share of repayments relative to their presence on the platform. Of the more than 3 million users on Zavo, about 948,000 or 31.6% are women. Yet they contribute 35% of the Rs505.7 crore repaid through the platform, amounting to Rs176.9 crore in cleared loan and credit card dues.

The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits fell last week, which could help to assuage fears of a labor market deterioration after an unexpected decline in employment in February.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Thursday global oil prices are unlikely to hit $200 a barrel even as crude tankers remained stalled in the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran widened.

Several Nifty 200 companies including Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, JSW Steel and Asian Paints reported lower promoter pledges in the December quarter, a signal of improving financial stability and stronger promoter confidence in business prospects.

Legendary investor Carl Icahn warns against two major pitfalls: rash decisions and complete inaction. He emphasizes that while hasty moves can be disastrous, prolonged hesitation allows opportunities to vanish. Successful leaders and individuals must find a balance, gathering sufficient information for thoughtful choices and then acting decisively.

Despite the BSE Sensex falling 829 points to close at 76,034, four BSE 200 stocksAurobindo Pharma, Coal India, ABB India and NTPCscaled fresh 52-week highs, signalling strong momentum and resilience amid broader market weakness.

Indian government bonds fell on Thursday, snapping a two-session rally, as an escalating Middle East war kept oil prices elevated, pressuring the rupee and dampening demand for bonds.

Realty firm Aurum PropTech Ltd has sold two commercial buildings in Navi Mumbai for Rs 112 crore and will use funds to prepay debt and strengthen Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities.

Real estate company Assotech Realty will invest Rs 200 crore to develop a hotel in Shirdi, Maharashtra, and has tied up with hospitality chain Atmosphere Core for management.

Retail inflation climbed to 3.21% in February, primarily driven by a surge in food and beverage prices. This uptick, the second under the revised CPI series, saw food inflation rise significantly, with personal care and precious metals also contributing to the increase. Future inflation may be impacted by Middle East tensions and rupee depreciation.

Tata Power, Adani Total Gas, TTK Prestige and other top movers saw sharp gains and losses on Thursday as geopolitical tensions and seasonal demand influenced Indian markets.

Raymond Realty on Thursday said it has launched a 9-acre housing project in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) with an expected revenue of Rs 2,000 crore.

Despite private banks lagging the Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex recently, market veteran Gurmeet Chadha sees strong value in banking stocks, citing attractive valuations and a shift from LDR to LCR that could boost credit growth by 37%.

Bank of Baroda on Thursday said it has raised USD 500 million five-year syndicated term loan facility through its IFSC Banking Unit in GIFT City, attracting participation from investors across key Asian markets.

The Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) said average import price for crude sunflower oil rose 17 per cent to USD 1,420 per tonne in February from USD 1,216 a year earlier, while the rupee's 4.2 per cent depreciation over the past year compounded costs for importers and refiners.

India has launched an investigation into claims that saccharin imports from China are being rerouted through Thailand to avoid existing duties. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies is examining if Chinese-origin saccharin is being falsely declared as originating from Thailand. If confirmed, India may extend countervailing duties to imports from Thailand. This probe impacts industries like food, beverage, and pharmaceuticals.

The Indian rupee plunged to a record low as Middle East tensions fueled a surge in crude oil prices. This significant rise in energy costs is expected to prompt central bank intervention to stabilize the currency. Analysts warn of amplified rupee volatility and potential growth slowdown and inflation if oil prices remain elevated, overshadowing domestic economic data.

India's retail inflation rose to 3.21% in February, driven by geopolitical tensions impacting global oil supplies. This marks the second reading under a revised CPI framework with a 2024 base year, reflecting updated consumption patterns. While food and fuel inflation figures are pending, economists monitor potential imported inflation risks.

Indian exporters face production challenges due to fuel disruptions. FIEO has requested the government for priority allocation of LPG and natural gas to export-oriented manufacturing units. This is crucial for maintaining production schedules and timely deliveries to international buyers. Ensuring fuel availability will protect existing orders and boost India's reliability as a sourcing destination.

Tile makers are facing production disruptions as the Iran Israel crisis triggers gas shortages in Morbi, forcing several plant shutdowns. While stocks of Cera, Kajaria and Somany have fallen up to 26%, analysts say organised players with higher inventories may weather the disruption better and could raise tile prices.

NSE on Thursday said that it has appointed 20 merchant banks to manage its upcoming IPO.

India's National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) withdrew its planned seven-year bond issue after bids came in higher than expected, three bankers said on Thursday.

Euro area benchmark Bund yields hit their highest level in almost 2-1/2 years on Thursday, as Middle East conflict fuelled inflation fears and expectations for interest rate hikes.

Buyer demand in Britain's housing market has significantly weakened, with a sharp drop in new enquiries attributed to concerns over the Middle East conflict and potential mortgage rate hikes driven by rising energy prices. Near-term sales expectations and house price gauges also declined, reflecting a cautious sentiment among surveyors.

Portfolio management strategies delivered mixed returns in February, with a few quantitative and multicap portfolios outperforming while several small cap strategies declined. Nirmal Bang Securities multi cap strategy led the performance chart with an 11.21% gain, followed by Purnartha Investment Advisers and Valcreate Investment Managers.

Shares of Indian power companies rose sharply as early summer heat pushed electricity demand higher. Limited solar output and supply constraints from LNG and hydro plants boosted thermal generation. Temperatures across key cities have been above normal. Rajkot in Gujarat recorded 42C on Tuesday, the highest so far this year.

Corporate India faces a margin headwind in FY27, with Crisil Intelligence forecasting a 50 basis point shrinkage due to rising crude and gas prices. Sectors with dual exposure to revenue and cost risks, like ceramic tiles and airlines, are most vulnerable. The duration of West Asia tensions will significantly determine the extent of margin erosion.

Recent stress in global private credit markets is seen as isolated to a few developed market funds, not posing a systemic threat. India's private credit market, still in its early stages with tight covenants, minimal leverage, and closed-ended structures, remains well-insulated from global turbulence and offers compelling investment opportunities.

After a deep AI-driven selloff, US software stocks are showing signs of recovery. The S&P 500 Software Index posted its strongest weekly gain since May, supported by strong earnings growth, undervalued multiples, and large share buybacks. Investor sentiment is improving as fears of AI disruption ease.

The ongoing Iran-Israel conflict has disrupted LPG supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, impacting India's imports and leading to long queues for cylinders. JM Financial anticipates these shortages to persist for about a month, affecting Aegis Logistics and Aegis Vopak Terminals' logistics volumes, with potential price increases for LPG.

Mutual funds show strong belief in 253 stocks. Many of these have seen significant gains since the start of FY26. Over 100 schemes invested in these companies. Some stocks have delivered impressive returns, even becoming multibaggers. This indicates potential strength in these fund-backed companies.