The Economic Times

Investors are offloading software loans in debt vehicles at a discount, in the latest sign of pain in the software industry, which is being upended by AI.

Delta Air Lines raised its first-quarter revenue forecast in light of robust travel demand, offsetting a hit from spiking jet fuel costs due to the Middle East war.

Smartphone chip designer Qualcomm on Tuesday unveiled a $20 billion stock buyback program as it looks to take advantage of a steep drop in its share price, which has been hit by a global memory supply crunch that is expected to slow handset manufacturing.

Wall Street's main indexes opened higher on Tuesday with financial stocks in the lead, while investors weighed the impact of the Middle East conflict on energy costs, putting inflation risks back in focus ahead of the Federal Reserve's two-day meeting.

The Sensex surged 568 points to close at 76,070 on Tuesday, driving a broader market rally. Four BSE 1000 stocksJindal Poly Films, Acutaas Chemicals, Vardhman Textiles and Ipca Laboratorieshit 52-week highs, signaling bullish momentum and potential gains ahead.

India Glycols declared an interim dividend of Rs 7.5 per share for FY2025-26, with March 23 set as the record date. According to Trendlyne, the company has issued 23 dividends so far. Over the past year, it paid Rs 5 per share, translating to a dividend yield of 0.59% at the current stock price.

Markets ended higher Tuesday, driven by banks, auto and metals. Lloyds Metals surged on expansion, while Ola Electric and IDBI Bank fell on brokerage cuts and divestment concerns. IT stocks stayed under pressure amid fresh fears of AI-led disruption.

Muthoot FinCorp, a prominent gold loan lender, is reportedly planning an Initial Public Offering (IPO) that could raise up to $300 million. The company is in discussions with bankers for the offering, which is expected to be a mix of new and existing shares. This move comes despite a challenging market environment for new listings.

Crude oil prices surged over 4% on MCX as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East disrupted supply expectations. Analysts expect continued volatility but maintain a bullish outlook, citing tight supply conditions. Religare suggests initiating long positions, with potential upside driven by sustained disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.

10 companies in the NSE large-cap segment reported December 2025 quarterly profits that were at least 15% higher than their previous peak profits over the past ten quarters.

European shares were little changed on Tuesday as investors assessed the economic damage from a prolonged Middle East conflict.

Escalating US-Iran tensions are disrupting India's oilmeal exports, with significant portions to the Middle East and Europe facing logistics challenges due to Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz instability. Shipping detours and increased costs are impacting overall export volumes, while a surge in Chinese demand for Indian rapeseed meal faces renewed competition following tariff suspensions.

Nomura has cut its Nifty target by 15% to 24,900, warning of a further 5% downside amid geopolitical tensions, rising oil prices and weakening flows. The brokerage sees risks to earnings and valuations, though it believes deeper corrections could create long-term buying opportunities for investors.

Indian equity markets experienced sharp intraday swings, with Nifty finding support near 22,950 but facing resistance at 23,560. Market analyst Vinay Rajani suggests a potential pullback rally to 23,70023,800, recommending long positions in Nifty with a stop loss at 23,200. He also highlighted stock-specific opportunities in Linde India and MCX.

Oil prices rose around 3% on Tuesday, clawing back some of the previous session's losses on renewed supply fears, with the Strait of Hormuz largely shut and U.S. allies rejecting calls to deploy warships to escort tankers through the key chokepoint.

Japan's Nikkei index fell on Tuesday, ending a four-day decline. Chip-related stocks and rising oil prices impacted the market. Early gains were erased as crude prices rebounded. Technology shares weakened after Nvidia's presentation. Investors reacted to the lack of major surprises from Nvidia. Kawasaki Kisen and Daiichi Sankyo saw significant gains.

Australian stocks closed higher on Tuesday. The Reserve Bank of Australia increased interest rates by 25 basis points. This move was anticipated by the market. A close vote on the decision reduced expectations for another immediate rate hike. Miners and financial companies saw significant gains. Global markets also showed stability.

A distant war is impacting India's economy. Soaring oil prices and gas shortages are affecting homes and businesses. This energy crisis threatens economic growth and raises inflation concerns. Industries are halting operations. The situation is creating strain for everyday citizens and impacting employment. The external sector faces significant risks as well.

Over 10 mutual funds increased exposure to stocks like Multi Commodity Exchange of India, GE Vernova T&D India and National Aluminium Company in February, with three turning multibaggers and delivering up to 140% returns in FY26.

Indian rupee options trading has surged since the Iran war began, reflecting heightened speculative and hedging activity, with flows skewed toward short-term bets on rupee weakness - signalling the Asian currency will stay under pressure.

Markets have fallen nearly 9% in a month amid geopolitical tensions, but PL Capitals wealth arm sees volatility as an opportunity. It advises gradual investing in quality stocks, with focus on financials, infrastructure and defensives, while maintaining diversification and gold exposure to navigate near-term uncertainty and capture long-term growth.

Former RBI Deputy Governor Michael Patra advocates for India to build foreign exchange reserves to at least $1 trillion. This substantial buffer is crucial for market intervention, covering external debt obligations and cushioning against portfolio investment outflows. Recent sharp declines highlight the pressure on reserves amid global uncertainties.

Fuel pump owners across India are now required to pay in advance for gasoline and gasoil. State-owned fuel companies are facing significant revenue losses. This change impacts dealers who also operate on credit. The move comes as global oil prices surge, but retail prices remain unchanged to protect consumers. This situation is creating challenges for fuel station operators nationwide.

India's food service industry faces temporary LPG supply constraints. Smaller restaurants are feeling the pinch, while major quick-service restaurant chains are largely unaffected. Experts suggest QSRs are adapting by rationalizing menus and increasing reliance on electric equipment. The overall impact on the food business is currently modest, with quick commerce valuations also a point of concern.

Indian stock markets, including the Sensex and Nifty, experienced a significant downturn, erasing early gains and falling sharply. Initial optimism surrounding the Strait of Hormuz traffic resumption quickly dissipated, leading to intensified selling pressure and pushing indices into negative territory.

Indian exporters are facing significant challenges due to global shipping route disruptions. The Bharat Chamber of Commerce has requested the Reserve Bank of India to provide crucial banking support. This includes enhanced working capital, flexible credit, and extended repayment periods. The aim is to safeguard exporters from financial strain and ensure continued trade flow amidst these global uncertainties.

Indian equities remain under pressure amid West Asia tensions, with Nifty slipping sharply from recent highs. Analysts see the 21,00022,000 zone as a potential bottom, backed by technical patterns, valuations, and Fibonacci levels. While short-term rebounds are possible, weak momentum, FII outflows, and rising oil prices suggest volatility may persist, prompting investors to adopt a phased, long-term approach.

Eternal shares have corrected sharply, but JM Financial sees the decline as an opportunity, maintaining a bullish stance. The brokerage believes concerns around the LPG crisis and competition are overstated, and expects steady growth in Zomato and Blinkit businesses, with potential upside driven by improving margins and long-term demand trends.

The WTO landscape is heating up as India encounters objections from the US, Australia, Paraguay, and Ukraine regarding its agricultural support practices. These nations contend that India's reported market price support for rice and wheat is misleadingly low, pointing to substantial discrepancies.

Bitcoin surged past the $75,000 mark, propelled by strong technical indicators and significant derivatives activity, including short liquidations. The cryptocurrency experienced a notable rally, with Ethereum and several altcoins also showing gains, contributing to a rise in the global crypto market capitalization.

Indian equity markets face persistent uncertainty, prompting experts to advise a cautious, selective investment approach. Despite revised earnings growth expectations, the Nifty index's current multiple offers a comfortable entry point for staggered investments. Defence, metals, and auto sectors show promise, while banking and NBFCs warrant caution.

The stock has now declined over 19% in just two sessions and is nearing its 52-week low of Rs 72 per share. Its market capitalisation stands at around Rs 80,224 crore, down sharply from Rs 99,116 crore on Friday.

Shares of Adani Power rose on Tuesday, extending a weekly gain of 13% and hitting a four-month high. The rally is driven by strong technical momentum, rising summer power demand expectations, and a 1,600 MW thermal power supply order from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company.

Indian government bonds saw a decline early Tuesday due to substantial state debt supply nearing the financial year's end and oil prices remaining above $100 a barrel. States are set to raise a record 584.20 trillion rupees, while Brent crude hovers near $103 amid supply concerns. Traders are also monitoring the Reserve Bank of India's liquidity operations.

Rising crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions are fueling investor caution, leading to scaled-back risk exposure. Central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, are expected to hold steady on policy as they assess inflation and economic growth impacts. Expectations for near-term rate cuts have faded amid this uncertainty.

Shares of Dalmia Bharat Sugar, Shree Renuka Sugars and other sugar companies rose sharply on Tuesday after the government approved an additional export quota of 87,587 tonnes for 202526. The move is expected to ease surplus concerns, support domestic prices, and improve realisations for mills amid firm global trends.

Amidst geopolitical tensions, Sanjay H Parekh of Sohum Asset Managers advises investors to accumulate quality stocks during market corrections, highlighting attractive valuations in large Nifty names. He favors domestic-focused sectors like financials, telecom, and infrastructure, while remaining underweight on IT due to long-term headwinds.

Indian IT stocks saw a significant drop on Tuesday. New artificial intelligence announcements from Nvidia sparked concerns about disruption in the sector. Investors are also awaiting the US Federal Reserve's meeting outcome. Several major IT companies experienced declines, with some hitting new yearly lows. Analysts suggest valuations are now attractive despite these worries.

Global markets face new uncertainty as the Middle East conflict impacts U.S. monetary policy. Bond investors are moving to short-term Treasuries ahead of the Federal Reserve's decision. Rising oil prices and inflation concerns are key factors. The Fed is expected to hold rates steady. Investors await clarity on the conflict's economic effects.

Market volatility is a natural part of investing, and experts advise against impulsive decisions driven by fear or optimism. Sticking to a long-term strategy, diversification, and disciplined investing are key to navigating downturns and benefiting from eventual recoveries. Emotional discipline and periodic portfolio reviews are crucial for sustained success.