The Times of India

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex rallied in opening trade on Wednesday on hopes of an end to the US-Iran war. While Nifty50 went above 22,800, BSE Sensex was up over 1,600 points.

The selloff by foreign institutional investors (FIIs) has been particularly pronounced. Rupee has seen its worst financial year in over 14 years, breaching the 95 per dollar mark in trade on the last trading day (March 30) of the fiscal year.

IndiGo Airlines has appointed former British Airways chief William Walsh as its new CEO, effective August 3, 2026. This strategic move follows the resignation of Pieter Elbers earlier this month. Walsh, currently with IATA, brings extensive global aviation experience and a customer-focused leadership style to guide IndiGo's next phase of growth and transformation.

Several changes are expected to reduce the tax burden for the salaried class in general. We take a look at top 10 things salaried taxpayers should know going into the new financial year 2026-27:

Escalating Middle East tensions and a potential near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz could drive crude oil prices to $150-$200 a barrel. Millions of barrels of daily supply are already cut, with energy experts warning of astronomical losses and market choke if disruptions persist. Physical supply realities, not political statements, will dictate the surge.

Across major firms such as TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCLTech and Tech Mahindra, the number of employees on the bench has dropped by around 75,000, falling from nearly three lakh to about 2.25 lakh.

Banks across India will observe several closures in April 2026 due to national and state-specific holidays, including year-end finalization and Good Friday. Several states will also see branches shut for regional festivals and observances like Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti and Bengali New Year. Digital banking services will remain operational for routine transactions.

Although crude prices have surged amid the near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, the effect has differed across fuels. Crack spreads for diesel and jet fuel have climbed to new highs, whereas those for petrol have remained broadly stable.

Gold price prediction today: Gold is trading as a risk asset and not a safe haven asset, says Praveen Singh, Head Currencies and Commodities, Mirae Asset ShareKhan.

Asian markets witnessed their sharpest decline since 2022 as the Middle East conflict enters its second month, sparking fears of escalating inflation and economic slowdown. Investors are increasingly risk-averse, with oil prices soaring and bond markets facing pressure from expectations of sustained high interest rates. The US dollar and gold are seeing gains as safe-haven assets amid global uncertainty.

Many banks across India are closed today for Mahavir Jayanti, impacting customers in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. However, agency banks handling government transactions will remain open on March 31st to facilitate financial year-end dealings. Digital banking services are unaffected, but check with your bank for specific details.

This holiday is the fifth among the 16 market closures planned for 2026. Trading will remain suspended again on April 3 (Friday) for Good Friday, followed by another holiday on April 14 (Tuesday) to mark Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti.

Oil prices have jumped significantly. Brent crude is over $110 and WTI is above $100. Supply worries are growing due to the conflict in the Middle East. Iran's actions and Houthi missile strikes are impacting key shipping routes. This situation threatens global energy flows. Saudi Arabia is rerouting its oil. The US has warned Iran about its energy infrastructure.

Year of records: Foreign investors sell Rs 1.8L Cr Equities | IPOs raise Rs 2L Cr

According to forex market participants, the domestic unit remains under pressure due to persistent outflows by foreign investors and the strengthening of the US dollar, driven by ongoing uncertainty linked to the West Asia conflict.

The Finance Ministry has released the latest interest rates for the first quarter of the new financial year FY 2026-27 from April to June. The interest rates for all small savings schemes have been kept unchanged.

Rs 7,104 crore approvals cleared, but Vaishnaw warns funds may be withheld without local design push