The Economic Times

Nifty closed lower, ending FY26 down 5%, with Sensex down 7%, dragged by banking, auto, and IT sectors. India VIX rose, signaling high volatility. Analysts see support near 22,200, with potential for a rebound if levels hold.

Nvidia has invested $2 billion in Marvell Technology as part of efforts to make it easier for customers to use the custom artificial intelligence chips that the smaller company designs with Nvidia's networking gear and central processors.

Biogen will buy Apellis Pharmaceuticals for about $5.6 billion, adding a promising kidney disease drug to broaden its rare-disease portfolio amid efforts to diversify beyond its slowing multiple sclerosis franchise.

U.S. consumer confidence inched higher in March despite soaring energy prices brought on by the war in Iran.

A high P/E ratio reflects stock prices rising faster than earnings, signaling growth expectations or possible overvaluation. A valuation scan highlights large-cap stocks with elevated multiples, urging investors to assess fundamentals, sector trends, and sustainability before making investment decisions.

Unilever will merge its food business with spice maker McCormick, it said on Tuesday, creating a company worth around $65 billion in the second-largest food transaction in history.

Warren Buffett remains actively involved in Berkshire Hathaway investment decisions despite stepping down as CEO. He collaborates with Greg Abel, maintains a cautious market outlook, and oversees significant liquidity deployment in Treasury securities.

Wall Street's main indexes opened higher on Tuesday, as markets welcomed a report signaling potential de-escalation in the Middle East conflict that has set the S&P 500 and the Dow on track for their biggest monthly decline in years.

Nifty may see a rebound from Wednesday as analysts spot hidden bullish signals, with short-term buy ideas on IPCA Labs and DMart offering up to 14% upside.

Dalal Street investors have lost a whopping Rs 51 lakh crore from their wealth since the West Asia conflict began late last month, with the BSE benchmark Sensex tumbling over 11 per cent during this time, as investors fled riskier assets due to the cascading effect of the war on crude oil prices and markets globally.

After an 11% March crash driven by the escalating IranUS conflict, Elara Securities says the Nifty may have limited downside ahead. Historical data shows conflicts typically cap drawdowns near 10%, and with valuations now 7% below long-term averages, the brokerage expects a potential rebound as risks gradually ease.

Sebi passed an interim order against Elitecon International and barred key promoters over alleged misleading disclosures, governance lapses and suspicious trading. The regulator flagged unusual price movements, irregular shareholding changes and discrepancies in operations, signalling possible manipulation and prompting further scrutiny as proceedings continue to determine liabilities and penalties.

The Finance Act 2026 has been notified, bringing changes to tax rules for the upcoming fiscal year. Parliament approved the Finance Bill 2026, completing the budgetary process. The Union Budget 2026-27 outlines significant expenditure and revenue targets. A new 12 percent surcharge on capital gains from company share buybacks will apply to individuals and corporations starting April 1.

Telangana's finances in 2024-25 saw extensive use of RBI's Special Drawing Facility and Ways and Means Advances. The state government borrowed Rs 27,730 crore via SDF and Rs 64,188 crore through WMA. Overdrafts totaling Rs 37,457 crore were also availed. This reliance on short-term borrowing mechanisms highlights financial management challenges. The CAG report detailed these transactions.

Gujarat Victory Forgings has filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with market regulator Sebi for its initial public offering (IPO), which will comprise a fresh issue of 65 lakh shares and an offer for sale of 1.32 crore shares by promoter Vijendrakumar Bishamber Gupta.

Ten foreign-flagged ships carrying energy cargo are stranded in the Persian Gulf, with 18 Indian vessels also in the region, raising concerns over Strait of Hormuz transit. The government prioritizes Indian ships, with two LPG carriers having successfully passed. Insurance costs have significantly increased due to the heightened risk.

India's diesel exports to Southeast Asia hit a seven-year high in March, driven by traders covering short positions and refiners capitalizing on Asian profit margins. This surge, largely by Reliance Industries, helps alleviate supply tightness, with analysts predicting the trend's continuation despite export taxes. The U.S. stance on Russian and Iranian oil purchases enables India to maintain refinery capacity.

India's economy is set for significant growth, aiming for 30 trillion dollars by 2047. However, ongoing global conflicts pose risks. These tensions could reduce India's economic expansion by one percent and increase inflation by 1.5 percent. The nation's reliance on imported energy makes it vulnerable to these disruptions. Despite these challenges, India's economy shows strong momentum.

Sammaan Capital has officially become an International Holding Company group firm after receiving Rs 5,652 crore in the first tranche of a major stake sale. Through affiliate Avenir Investment RSC, IHC will acquire 41.5% now and complete the remaining investment upon warrant conversion, marking one of Indias largest NBFC-sector deals.

Nithin Kamath cautions that AI cannot help retail investors consistently make money in trading due to behavioural biases and lack of informational edge. While AI can improve discipline and execution, it cannot create profitable strategies. Institutional players retain structural advantages, limiting retail investors ability to outperform markets sustainably.

Japan's Nikkei share average fell for the fourth straight day on Tuesday, capping its worst month since the 2008 global financial crisis as the widening Middle East war weighed on sentiment.

European stocks inched up on Tuesday as investors drew some comfort from hopes of de-escalation in the Middle East war, but the benchmark index was still set for its sharpest monthly decline since 2020 amid supply-chain disruptions.

Eutelsat, a key competitor to Elon Musk's Starlink, is in discussions with India's space agency, ISRO, for future satellite launches. This move aims to diversify its launch options beyond SpaceX and European Ariane rockets, following its merger with OneWeb and loss of access to Russian Soyuz. The company is strategically preparing for future growth and market access in India.

In FY26, a select group of Indian stocks delivered exceptional returns. Twenty companies with market caps above Rs 3,000 crore and significant trading volume saw substantial growth. The top ten performers surged dramatically, with gains ranging from 125% to an astounding 1,655%. These stocks became significant wealth creators, more than doubling investor value within the fiscal year.

South Korean markets buckled on Tuesday, with shares sliding toward their worst monthly performance since the global financial crisis and the won sinking to post-crisis lows, as the Middle East war sent investors fleeing worldwide.

Iran War: A persistent Middle East conflict could reduce India's real GDP growth by 1 percentage point and increase retail inflation by 1.5 percentage points from baseline estimates. This impact stems from disruptions to global oil and energy markets, affecting employment-intensive sectors and aggregate demand. The government may need to implement countercyclical policies and augment the Economic Stabilization Fund.

The Sensex has erased two years of optimism, slipping from the 100,000 hype to a two-year low and delivering zero returns. Weak earnings, heavy FII outflows, global tensions, and delayed Fed cuts dragged markets through FY26, leaving investors with caution as FY27 shapes up as a year of selective opportunities.

Blackstone Inc. is exploring a significant Initial Public Offering for its AGS Health Pvt. unit in Mumbai. The deal could raise up to $500 million. This move comes as India's primary market sees renewed interest in the healthcare sector. AGS Health, a provider of billing and analytics services, is seeking a valuation of $3 billion.

Eight stocks, including Adani Power and Hyundai Motor India, will enter the F&O segment from April 1, with NSE announcing position limits. The move is expected to improve liquidity and trading volumes, following SEBIs revised eligibility norms aimed at ensuring higher-quality stocks with sufficient market depth.

US stock futures surged after reports suggested Donald Trump may seek to end the Iran conflict, easing investor concerns over prolonged geopolitical tensions. Gains in Dow, Nasdaq and S&P futures come amid stable oil prices and falling bond yields, although uncertainty remains due to ongoing risks in the Strait of Hormuz.

Bitcoin held near the $67,000 level amid persistent geopolitical tensions and macro uncertainty, while mixed price action reflected cautious sentiment. Altcoins largely declined, and overall market capitalisation edged lower. Despite some recovery attempts, volatility remains elevated as investors assess inflation risks, liquidity conditions, and global policy signals.

Property Share Investment Trust, India's first registered SM REIT, announced its Rs 244.65 crore IPO for PropShare Celestia will open on April 10. The issue, priced between Rs 10-10.50 lakh per unit, aims to acquire seven floors in Ahmedabad's Venus Stratum. This SM REIT's proceeds will fund the acquisition of a fully occupied commercial building with four anchor tenants.

IndiQube Spaces Ltd has secured a significant deal in Bengaluru. The realty firm leased 48,000 sq ft of office space. A health technology firm will establish a global capability centre there. The agreement is valued at Rs 75 crore over five years. This marks a key expansion for IndiQube's managed office solutions.

Housing sales across nine major cities dropped 13% YoY to 98,761 units in Q1 2026, slipping below the 1 lakh mark after 18 quarters amid weak supply and global uncertainties.

The US dollar is surging, becoming the strongest safe asset. War in the Middle East has sent oil prices soaring and other assets tumbling. This situation raises fears of a global recession. The dollar's strength is supported by its status as an energy exporter and rising US Treasury yields. Asian currencies are experiencing significant losses.

India's largest stock exchange is proceeding with its IPO via an offer-for-sale (OFS), allowing eligible existing shareholders to sell their holdings. This move aims to gauge investor interest for a potential Rs 20,000 crore public offer, with a strict one-year holding period for participation.

The Indian rupee experienced a brief appreciation after the RBI's intervention to curb speculative dollar buying. However, structural headwinds like the Middle East conflict, high crude oil prices, FPI outflows, and global rate hikes continue to pressure the currency. The RBI has deployed significant forex reserves, but its ability to intervene indefinitely is limited.

Former R&AW Chief Vikram Sood expressed concern over the West Asia conflict's impact on India, particularly potential oil and fertilizer shortages leading to inflation. He called the attack on Iran and the killing of its Supreme Leader unfortunate, emphasizing India's dependence on the Strait of Hormuz while noting Israel as an ally.

Gold and silver prices rebounded in global markets after a sharp March sell-off, supported by a weaker dollar and easing bond yields. However, sentiment remains cautious as inflation risks, elevated energy prices, and fading expectations of US rate cuts continue to weigh on outlook and keep volatility elevated.

Market expert Sudip Bandyopadhyay urges caution for retail investors. He advises against rushing into the market or investing all cash at once. Value buying should be done in small parts. He highlights aluminium as a strong trade and suggests picking only the biggest bank names very slowly. Defence sector shows promise but valuations are stretched.

Indias IPO market in FY26 has seen a sharp downturn, with nearly two-thirds of listings trading below issue price. Weak market conditions, stretched valuations and cautious investor sentiment have weighed on performance, marking a reversal from earlier gains. Analysts view this as a cyclical correction, with recovery dependent on broader market stability.

FY26 proved turbulent for Indian equities, with the Nifty declining amid geopolitical tensions and volatility. Nearly half of Nifty 50 stocks posted losses, with several heavyweights falling sharply. Weak sentiment, sectoral pressures, and stock-specific challenges defined a difficult year, highlighting broad-based investor pain and market-wide stress.

From April 1, Indian markets face major regulatory changes as higher taxes and stricter funding norms reshape trading. Securities transaction tax (STT) on derivatives is rising sharply150% on futures and 50% on optionswhile new RBI rules require 100% collateral for bank guarantees in proprietary trading, up from 50%.

Consumer electronics retailer Sathya Agencies Ltd has filed preliminary papers with Sebi for a Rs 600 crore IPO. The offering includes a Rs 300 crore fresh issue and a Rs 300 crore offer for sale by promoters. Proceeds will be used for debt repayment, subsidiary acquisition, and general corporate purposes.

Global tensions are creating market dips. Vaibhav Sanghavi, CEO of ASK Hedge Solutions, sees this as a chance for long-term investors. He is bullish on consumer discretionary and staples, data centers, industrials, and private sector banks. Sanghavi advises patience and selectivity for a three- to five-year view. The current volatility presents a window for strategic investments.

Oil prices eased slightly after a sharp rally, with Brent crude falling over 1% to around $111 per barrel. The dip came after reports that Donald Trump is open to ending the Iran war, even if the Strait of Hormuz does not fully reopen immediately, raising hopes of potential de-escalation in the region.

Nasdaq is changing its rules for the Nasdaq-100 index. New large companies can now join faster. This aims to keep the index updated with big firms. The changes will start in May. This move reflects companies staying private longer. It also addresses fewer US companies listing publicly. Faster entry means more visibility and investor interest for new market leaders.

Private equity investments in Indias real estate sector rebounded sharply in 2025, rising 59% to $6.7 billion, led by office, data centres and residential assets. Strong macro fundamentals, easing rates and foreign investor dominance supported inflows, while land investments signal a robust pipeline of future institutional-grade developments.

Investors are flocking to US dividend stocks this year, seeking stability amid global uncertainties and interest rate worries. These income-generating equities are attracting billions, offering a middle ground between stocks and bonds. Higher payouts from energy companies, boosted by geopolitical tensions, further fuel this trend, making dividend funds a popular choice for resilient returns.