The Times of India

Bank customers must check holiday schedules before visiting branches this week. Closures will occur due to festivals and state holidays. RBI guidelines also mean branches will be shut on the second and fourth Saturdays of March. Plan your banking needs accordingly. Digital platforms like mobile apps and UPI remain active for everyday transactions. Services requiring branch visits will be unavailable.

Investors can note that Dalal Street will observe a holiday on March 26 for Ram Navmi, as per the exchange's official calendar. This early pause in the trading week means equity markets will be closed. The article also lists upcoming stock market holidays for 2026, including Shri Mahavir Jayanti and Good Friday.

Unstable weather in the UAE prompts questions about mandatory remote work for private sector employees. While not automatically mandated, authorities strongly encourage companies to prioritise worker safety, offering flexibility like remote or hybrid options. Employers must ensure safe conditions, with a focus on protecting outdoor workers, reflecting a balance between business continuity and employee wellbeing.

Indian refiners have significantly increased purchases of Russian crude, securing around 60 million barrels for the upcoming month amidst Middle East conflict-driven supply disruptions. This surge is supported by a US waiver allowing imports of Russian oil loaded before March 12, with refiners also diversifying with Venezuelan and previously Iranian crude.

A large portion of the refinerys output is sold within the domestic market, with exports having declined after the sanctions last year. A considerable share of production is supplied to state-run refiners.

The Middle East crisis is severely impacting Pakistan's already fragile economy, triggering soaring oil and LNG prices. This energy shock is fueling inflation, raising travel costs, and straining household budgets. Experts warn of deepening vulnerabilities, with potential collapse if the conflict escalates and reserves dwindle, disproportionately affecting the poor.

The company is also exploring partnerships with global energy majors such as BP, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies and Petrobras as part of its strategy to reduce risks that are associated with exploration in capital-intensive frontier areas.

Government has debunked false reports circulating on social media about revised LPG refill booking timelines. Existing booking periods of 25 days in urban and 45 days in rural areas remain unchanged. Authorities assure sufficient fuel stocks amidst Middle East tensions and urge the public to avoid panic buying and misinformation.

Major oil companies have debunked claims of a fuel shortage, assuring the public that supplies are normal and sufficient. Despite global supply tensions due to the Middle East crisis, firms like BPCL, HPCL, and Indian Oil emphasize no panic buying is needed. They are committed to uninterrupted service, with real-time updates confirming smooth operations at retail outlets.

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are likely to see movement based on inflation projections and rate cut expectations, says Maneesh Sharma, AVP - Commodities & Currencies at Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers.

The Indian rupee continued its downward trend, falling to 93.96 against the US dollar amid persistent foreign fund outflows and global crude oil price hikes. Forex traders attribute the sustained weakness to uncertainty surrounding the West Asia crisis. Despite the rupee's decline, Indian stock markets showed strength, with benchmark indices trading higher.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex continued their rally on Wednesday rising over 1.5% in trade. While Nifty50 went above 23,400, BSE Sensex rose over 1,500 points intraday.

Stock market recommendations: Aurobindo Pharma, Infosys, and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) - these are the stocks that Mehul Kothari, DVP - Technical Research at Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers has recommended as top stocks to buy today (March 25, 2026):

Analysts are bullish on Fractal Analytics and Tata Power, citing strong growth prospects and positive developments. UBS maintains a buy on ITC, expecting it to beat expectations despite pricing strategy impacts. However, Nuvama and Kotak Institutional Equities express caution on Coal India and Power Grid Corp, respectively, due to potential headwinds and saturated valuations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured India of sufficient crude oil storage and uninterrupted supply amidst the West Asia war's global fuel crunch. He highlighted the nation's strategic oil reserves and increased refining capacity, while emphasizing India's commitment to peace through dialogue and diplomacy in the region.

India's strategic oil reserves can cover approximately 9.5 days of supply during disruptions, with current reserves at two-thirds capacity. This announcement comes amid rising global crude oil prices due to the Middle East conflict. The nation, heavily reliant on imports, is diversifying its crude sourcing to mitigate supply risks.

The manufacturing sector was hit the hardest, with its PMI dropping to a four-and-a-half-year low of 53.8 from 56.9. Heightened uncertainty and volatility linked to the Middle East conflict weighed on sentiment.

The timing of these trades mirrors earlier instances in recent months where large and highly profitable bets were placed on prediction platform Polymarket ahead of US military actions involving Iran and Venezuela.

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are likely to remain range-bound in the near future, says Praveen Singh, Head Currencies and Commodities, Mirae Asset ShareKhan

Experts have indicated that if oil prices stay elevated for the remainder of the month, particularly above $100 per barrel, the currency could move into the 9495 per dollar range over the next one to two weeks.

Stock market today: Indian equity benchmarks Nifty50 and BSE Sensex rallied in opening trade on Tuesday after a day of massive selloff. Hopes of an early halt to the US-Iran war led to the stock market rebounding.

Asian markets surged Tuesday, mirroring Wall Street's optimism after President Trump hinted at productive talks with Iran regarding Middle East hostilities. Despite Tehran denying negotiations, oil prices rebounded amid Strait of Hormuz concerns. Toyota announced a significant US investment, boosting its shares. Global markets remain watchful for any escalation impacting vital energy routes.

Brokerage firms are updating their views on Indian stocks. Morgan Stanley has an equal weight rating on ITC. HSBC upgraded Max Healthcare to buy. UBS initiated a neutral rating on Coforge. Macquarie has an outperform rating on L&T. Goldman Sachs maintained a buy rating on InterGlobe Aviation. These updates reflect analyst expectations for future growth and potential challenges.

Stock market recommendations: Crompton, Hero Moto Corp, and JSW Steel are the top stocks that Somil Mehta, Head of Retail Research, Mirae Asset ShareKhan has recommended for selling on March 24, 2026.

Sebi's board has greenlit significant disclosure rule changes for its top brass, including public asset declarations for chairmen and whole-time members, aligning with conflict-of-interest committee recommendations. These officials will now be classified as 'insiders' with investment restrictions similar to employees. The regulator also approved netting benefits for foreign portfolio investors in equity trades.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has introduced significant amendments to the Companies Act, aiming to decriminalize procedural defaults and boost flexibility in share buybacks. The proposed changes also introduce new executive compensation instruments and streamline merger processes. Special benches for the National Company Law Tribunal are planned, alongside relaxations for small companies regarding CSR requirements.

India's economy shows resilience, but the Reserve Bank of India notes rising price risks. A severe global conflict in West Asia has disrupted oil and commodity markets, causing price surges and volatility. This geopolitical shock is impacting financial systems, leading to equity market sell-offs and pressure on emerging market currencies, including the Indian Rupee.

Lakshmi Mittal has launched his most ambitious greenfield project in India, breaking ground on an 8.2 million-tonne steel plant in Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh. ArcelorMittal will invest over Rs 70,000 crore in the facility, expected to begin operations by early 2029. This marks a significant renewed push into India for the steel magnate, following earlier unmaterialized greenfield plans.

India Inc's private sector capital expenditure is projected to dip by nearly 17% next year, signaling a more cautious approach from large firms amid global uncertainties. While final spending might exceed current conservative estimates, a slight stabilization is expected after a strong 2025-26. Emerging sectors like green energy and robotics also see planned investment declines.

Global markets surged Monday as President Trump announced talks with Iran and a delay in planned strikes, easing fears of Middle East conflict. US stocks rallied significantly, oil prices tumbled, and European markets reversed earlier losses. However, Iran challenged the negotiation claims, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the de-escalation.

In times of geopolitical uncertainties, gold is the go to investment - its a time-tested safe haven that investors rush to. Then why are gold prices plunging amidst the ongoing war? Does this mean that golds safe haven appeal is fading?

The Indian rupee hit an all-time low against the dollar, breaching 94 for the first time amid Middle East tensions, significant foreign fund outflows, and soaring crude oil prices. This sharp decline, extending since the regional conflict began, has put pressure on Asia's third-largest economy, highly reliant on imported energy. The Reserve Bank of India is reportedly offering mild support.

IndiGo has appointed Aloke Singh, former Air India Express MD & CEO, as its Chief Strategy Officer. This move, by interim CEO Rahul Bhatia, signals an aggressive talent acquisition strategy. Singh's expertise in aviation strategy and operations is expected to drive IndiGo's global expansion and enhance its competitive edge in a dynamic market.

What does this latest disruption mean for the growth prospects of Asian economies that are in large part dependent on oil and energy imports. Since the start of the Middle East conflict, passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz has been curtailed.

Indian stock markets experienced a severe downturn Monday, mirroring a global sell-off. Escalating Middle East tensions, rising crude oil prices, consistent foreign investor withdrawals, and a record-low rupee significantly impacted investor confidence, leading to broad-based losses across major indices and sectors.

Oil prices experienced a sharp decline as President Trump ordered a five-day halt to planned military strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, easing fears of Middle East conflict escalation. Brent crude fell over 13%, and WTI slid significantly, reversing earlier gains driven by concerns over disrupted oil transit routes.

As the Middle East conflict disrupts global energy supplies, Saudi Arabia has activated its 1,200-kilometer East-West pipeline to maintain oil exports. This crucial inland route, rerouting crude to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, is now a pivotal alternative to the closed Strait of Hormuz, ensuring continued market access despite escalating tensions and past attacks.

PM Modi pointed out that cargo movement through the Strait of Hormuz has been challenging since the conflict began, but the government is taking steps to ensure that supplies of gas and fuel face minimal disruption.