Geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly after the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, have impacted their respective equity markets. India's Nifty50 has seen a relatively minor dip, while Pakistan's KSE-100 has experienced a significant plunge.

Essentially, we are coming out of situation where we had earlier tighter liquidity, higher interest rates versus that liquidity conditions have eased, interest rates have come off, crude oil prices have corrected and the domestic demand seems to be yet very resilient.

Yes Bank shares surged over 8% after reports said SBI and Yes Bank boards are in talks to sell a 20% stake to Japans SMBC, potentially marking Indias biggest banking M&A. SMBC plans to gradually raise its stake to a majority. The RBI is likely to permit the deal despite FDI restrictions. SBI could double its investment.

CLSA highlighted that key infrastructure and industrial hubs are concentrated in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujaratbordering Pakistan and now central to rising geopolitical tensions.

Public Sector Undertaking banks are now favourites. Foreign Institutional Investors and Domestic Institutional Investors are showing increased interest. FII stakes in PSU companies rose to 18.1% by March 2025. DII stakes also hit a high of 18.8%. FIIs reduced exposure in private companies. DII holdings in private companies increased. BFSI is a key sector for FIIs.

Of course, shorter-term, immediately, it all depends on how the war situation evolves. But I would say that if the stock market correct meaningfully from here, then investors should buy and that would mean FIIs or domestic both would probably use this dip or correction to buy for the long term.

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, the civil defence directorate will test an air raid siren in ITO on Friday afternoon. The siren, installed on the PWD building, will be tested for 15-20 minutes starting at 3 pm. Authorities urge the public to remain calm and avoid panic during the exercise.

Tensions rise between India and Pakistan following attacks. Swaminathan Aiyar reports escalating engagements, including strikes near Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. The Indian Navy is reportedly involved. Despite international calls for de-escalation, both sides ramp up actions. Washington anticipates restraint from these mature nuclear powers. A military solution is unlikely, with a political resolution expected. China's support mitigates Pakistan's financial concerns.

Rising trade tariff uncertainties are fueling demand for hedging solutions, highlighting a shifting investment landscape across Asia.

Given the current US administration, never say never. But I actually think that a lot of investors who used President Trump's first term as a template have certainly been expecting that after the sound and fury a somewhat more palatable midpoint would be reached.

The U.S. currently has a 145% tariff imposed on Chinese goods, and these talks are widely seen as a potential turning point.

The Indian Army reported that Pakistani forces carried out multiple drone and munitions attacks overnight along the western border. Blasts were heard in Jammu during a missile and drone assault on military installations in the Kashmir region on Thursday night, marking the second day of cross-border hostilities.

Donald Trump also used tariff threats to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, resulting in the USMCA in 2020.

Ravi Infrabuild Projects Limited plans to raise Rs 1,100 crore through an IPO. The company has filed papers with SEBI for approval. The IPO consists of a fresh issue of equity shares. Funds will be used for equipment purchase and debt payment. The construction company focuses on roads, highways, and bridges. Their order book stands at Rs 3,092 crore.

NASDAQ-listed Elbit Systems rose 4.7% over two days, from $400.00 on May 6 to $418.97 on May 8, following Indias initiation of Operation Sindoor, a coordinated cross-border operation involving missiles and loitering munitions.

The Nifty Bank index was trading 1.28 per cent down at 53672.2.

Hotel stocks plummeted, with Indian Hotels Company leading the decline at 6.8%, amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions following drone strikes by Pakistan. India responded with counterstrikes and blackouts in border districts. These events follow India's precision missile strike on terror camps and continued ceasefire violations by Pakistan, further heightening regional instability.

Prashant Khemka of White Oak Capital Management suggests global investors favor stability, especially in regions like India with significant investments. Recent market dips indicate caution, not panic, regarding current events. Opportunities exist across financials, healthcare, consumption, and technology, with a focus on bottom-up stock selection. Global tariff news is positive, offering a favorable backdrop for Indian equity markets.

Indian government bond yields increased early Friday. This happened as traders reduced positions after attacks along India's western border. The benchmark 10-year yield reached 6.4303%. Factors like the India-Pakistan conflict and rising U.S. yields contributed. The Indian rupee, stocks, and bonds also experienced a decline. New Delhi plans to borrow 320 billion rupees via bonds.

FIIs have pumped over Rs 50,000 crore into Indian markets since mid-April, but rising India-Pakistan tensions may test their resolve. Experts warn that a prolonged conflict could hurt inflows and derail fiscal plans. While analysts advise caution and defensive positioning, Indias strong macros and limited trade exposure to Pakistan may shield the economy from major shocks.

Gold and silver futures on MCX experienced profit taking, opening lower due to a rebounding dollar index. This followed a negative settlement in the domestic market on Thursday.

As of 10:10 am IST on Friday, the KSE-100 index climbed 1,940.9 points, or 1.9%, to 105,467.7, as investors cautiously re-entered the market following two days of sharp declines triggered by Operation Sindoor.

After a decade of economic challenges, the UK is showing signs of recovery in early 2025. Factors like resilient GDP growth, robust wage increases, and shifting trade dynamics are supporting a stronger pound. Despite uneven private sector activity and government borrowing, the UK's stability and credibility are attracting investors, fostering optimism for sustained growth.

The Nifty Auto index was trading 0.33 per cent down at 22599.0.

Emkay Global and Nuvama express confidence in L&T, Aarti Industries, and Titan Company, citing strong fundamentals and growth prospects. Emkay maintains a 'Buy' rating for L&T and Aarti Industries, while Nuvama upgrades Titan's target price due to robust jewellery sales. These brokerages anticipate significant upsides, driven by solid performance and positive future outlooks.

The Indian Rupee weakened against the US dollar due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The rupee fell to 85.88, a 30 paise drop. Military actions along the border heightened market concerns. Investors are seeking safe-haven assets. The stock market also experienced a decline.

Foreign investors are bullish on Indian financials, injecting 23,000 crore in April's second half, favoring banks amid improved margins and stable asset quality. While IT, auto, and metals face outflows, capital goods, telecom, and oil & gas attract interest. Experts advise selective optimism, noting potential margin pressures despite a positive outlook for large private banks.

ICICI Securities maintains a Hold call on Polycab India, setting a target price of Rs 6150. The company's Q4FY25 financials reveal a significant surge in consolidated total income and net profit. Strong performance in the FMEG portfolio and cables & wires segment drove growth, while the company gained market share in the domestic organized cables and wires industry.

Shares of Ideaforge Technology jumped 15% on the BSE, topping the gains among Indian drone and defence stocks after reports of Indian forces deploying suicide drones to destroy air defence systems in Lahore and Multan. Droneacharya Aerial Innovations rose 5% to Rs 68.13, ZEN Technologies added 5% to Rs 1406.35.

Pace of recovery will depend on the pace at which profitability sustains and stabilises and volumes improve. But on risk-reward now after a period of three-four years we are now coming to a stage where as a contrarian investor one could start evaluating investing in this stock.

JM Financial maintains a Buy call on Aadhar Housing Finance with a target price of Rs 525, citing its pan-India presence and scalable technology. The brokerage anticipates a 20% AUM CAGR during FY25-27E and values the company at 2.6x FY27E BV. Aadhar reported a consolidated total income of Rs 833.84 crore for the quarter ended March 2025.

HDFC Securities recommends a 'Buy' for Aether Industries, setting a target price of Rs 1197. Aether's Site 4 is set to fulfill a Baker Hughes supply agreement, boosting revenue starting Q1FY26. Expansion at Site 3++ is on track for FY26 completion, while the Panoli project's first phase is expected by December 2025.

Brigade Enterprises has acquired an 11-acre land parcel near ITPL, Whitefield, to develop a premium office project with 1.5 million sq ft of leasable space and a GDV of over Rs 2,000 crore. The company also announced a residential project in Malur. Analysts remain bullish, with a 40% upside target and a 'Strong Buy' rating.

Indian stock markets opened lower on Friday, with Sensex and Nifty declining due to heightened India-Pakistan tensions. Cross-border clashes, including missile strikes and drone attacks, have intensified, impacting investor sentiment and leading to widespread selling across sectors. Power Grid, ICICI Bank, and Reliance Industries experienced losses in early trade.

Larsen & Toubro reported a 25% YoY jump in Q4FY25 net profit to Rs 5,497 crore, with revenue up 11% to Rs 74,392 crore. Annual order inflow hit a record Rs 3.56 lakh crore, led by strong international traction. EBITDA rose 13%, and a final dividend of Rs 34/share was declared. Management hailed the year as outstanding.

Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) reported a significant 54% increase in consolidated net profit for Q4FY25, reaching Rs 135 crore, driven by a 61% surge in revenue. For the entire fiscal year, net profit skyrocketed by 574% to Rs 560.04 crore, fueled by strong operating leverage and a substantial rise in average daily turnover of futures and options.

Biocon shares: The company also reported consolidated revenue of Rs 4,454 crore, reflecting a 15% year-on-year increase on a like-for-like basis. Operating revenue, excluding BFI contributions, rose 15% to Rs 4,417 crore.

ICICI Securities has retained an 'Add' rating for Kansai Nerolac Paints, setting a revised target price of Rs 267. The brokerage highlights the company's strong position in industrial coatings, which provides a buffer against intense competition in the decorative paints segment. While consolidated total income saw a slight dip from the previous quarter, it showed a year-over-year increase.

Kalyan Jewellers reported a robust Q4FY25, with consolidated revenue surging 37% YoY to Rs 6,182 crore and net profit climbing 36% to Rs 188 crore, fueled by strong domestic and international demand. For FY25, revenue reached Rs 25,045 crore, a 35% increase, while net profit rose 20% to Rs 714 crore.

The media giant reported a sharp rise in net profit to Rs 188 crore for the March quarter, a substantial increase from Rs 13.4 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

Some Investors are shifting toward safe-haven assets like gold, U.S. Treasuries, and defensive sectors such as healthcare and consumer staples. Geographic diversification, higher cash holdings, and exposure to real assets like commodities and real estate offer protection.

In this insightful conversation, Kalwani outlines how NRIs can reposition their portfolios with a focus on long-short equity strategies, precious metals like gold and silver, and Indias growing appeal as a manufacturing and investment hub.

The recently concluded Free Trade Agreement between India and the United Kingdom is expected to benefit both nations economically and could also pave the way for similar agreements with other countries such as the United States and the European Union, says a report by Bank of Baroda.

Manish Gunwani of Bandhan AMC suggests Indian equity markets aren't in a bubble, citing reasonable long-term real returns. He sees value in thematic and bottom-up investing, anticipating sustained market appeal driven by potential foreign capital inflows over the next three to five years. Favorable dollar trends and resilient service exports further support a positive outlook for Indian assets.

JM Financial is optimistic about Paytm's future. They predict a target price of Rs 1,070. This is up from their earlier target. The brokerage expects Paytm to sustain its profitability. They also foresee benefits from network effects. JM Financial values Paytm at 60x FY27E PER. Promoters held a stake, FIIs owned 55.39 per cent, and DIIs 14.01 per cent.

Titan Company's shares surged 4.5% following a robust Q4 performance, with net profit rising 13% YoY to 871 crore. Total income increased by 22% to 14,049 crore, and EBITDA grew by 23%. The company also announced a dividend of 11 per share. While one-year returns underperformed benchmarks, long-term returns remain strong.

Following the closure of 27 airports due to the ongoing military situation, aviation stocks are under scrutiny. Airlines like IndiGo and Air India are rerouting flights and offering fee waivers for affected routes. Passengers are advised to arrive at airports at least three hours early due to heightened security measures prompted by ceasefire violations along the LoC.

Biocon reported a significant surge in Q4 net profit, up 153% to Rs 344 crore, with revenue growing 12% to Rs 4,454 crore. The company's biosimilars achieved impressive global sales, and strategic expansions, including a US manufacturing facility acquisition, are underway. Looking ahead, Biocon is focused on growth through innovation, digital augmentation, and operational excellence, including expanding its GLP-1 portfolio.