The Economic Times

Indian stock markets saw a significant rise on Monday. This surge followed a drop in oil prices after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a postponement of strikes on Iran. Despite Iranian denials of talks, Trump's statements created optimism. Oil prices fell over 10 percent. Cyclical sectors led the gains. Investors are now awaiting Federal Reserve speakers and economic data.

Amir Chand Jagdish Kumar (Exports) Ltd has secured Rs 60 crore from anchor investors. This precedes their Rs 440 crore initial public offering opening on March 24. The company, known for its Aeroplane basmati rice brand, plans to use the funds for working capital and general corporate needs. The IPO will see a fresh issue of shares.

Sai Parenteral's Ltd has raised over Rs 122 crore from anchor investors ahead of its IPO opening on March 24. The Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical company allotted equity shares at Rs 392 apiece to prominent investors like Morgan Stanley Asia and Kotak Lifesciences Fund.

Coal India's board has approved divesting up to 25% of its stake in South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL) via Offer for Sale, alongside a fresh issuance of up to 10% equity through an IPO or other market routes. This move, along with a similar divestment in Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, aims to raise capital and explore overseas opportunities in critical minerals.

Powerica Ltd secured Rs 329.40 crore from anchor investors. The company's Rs 1,100-crore IPO opens for subscription on March 24. Funds will be used to reduce debt and for general corporate purposes. This is Powerica's second attempt to go public. The company is an integrated power solutions provider. Its stock market debut is scheduled for April 2.

Nifty 50 and Sensex fell sharply, dragged by banks, auto, and consumer stocks amid Iran-Israel tensions, high crude prices, and rupee lows, with bearish momentum persisting and volatility elevated.

In the wake of the HDFC Bank crisis triggered by chairman Atanu Chakraborty's surprise quitting, Sebi chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey on Monday said independent directors need to act responsibly, and back up any insinuations with evidence.

Nifty 50 ended lower, dragged by banks, auto, and consumer stocks amid Iran-Israel tensions, rising crude prices, and rupee lows, with key support breached at 22,930 and bearish momentum prevailing.

Ashish Kacholia sold his entire 1.44% stake in Brand Concepts via a bulk deal worth 3.9 crore. The sale follows weak microcap performance, with the stock down 36% over a year and 6% today.

Somerset Indus Capital Partners closed its third fund at $288 million, exceeding targets, to invest in affordable healthcare across India. Focus areas include delivery, pharma, diagnostics and medtech, targeting underserved tier I and II cities with scalable, impact-driven platforms.

Embassy Office Parks REIT raised 9,800 crore debt at low rates, targeting growth and refinancing. Strong leasing, embedded redevelopment, and GCC demand support a 50% NOI upside, while disciplined acquisitions and capital recycling aim to sustain long-term returns despite concentration risks.

Copper prices jumped on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump said he will order the U.S. military to postpone any military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure.

Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran said on Monday it's premature to draw conclusions about how surging oil prices will affect the U.S. economy, as he stuck to his guns and argued a softening jobs market requires more rate cuts from the central bank.

Realtors' bodies CREDAI and NAREDCO on Monday said developers have started to feel the pinch of the ongoing conflict in West Asia due to the short supply of some building materials, and said construction costs could rise if tensions continue for a longer period.

Wall Street's main indexes opened higher on Monday as risk appetite returned to markets after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would order the military to postpone strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure.

HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra, and 10 other Sensex stocks hit 52-week lows amid sharp market sell-off.

Securities and Exchange Board of India relaxed foreign investor settlement norms, allowing net trade settlement to cut costs amid heavy outflows. It also introduced simplified IPO prospectus summaries, QR access, and approved stricter conflict-of-interest disclosure rules for officials to improve transparency and investor confidence.

HDFC Bank, Hindustan Zinc, and FirstCry led the market decline, while Gujarat Alkalies and HCL Technologies gained amid sharp index movements on Monday.

Gold pared some earlier losses on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would delay any strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure.

Nine penny stocks have delivered impressive gains ranging from 10% to 430%, including three multibaggers. These outperformers were identified using specific filters: a market capitalisation below Rs 1,000 crore, a share price under Rs 20, and a minimum trading volume of 5 lakh shares.

Indian stock markets ended Friday in positive territory. However, investors should brace for continued volatility. Key factors influencing market direction include escalating Middle East conflicts, fluctuating crude oil prices, foreign investor activity, and the Indian rupee's performance. Global economic signals will also play a crucial role in shaping market sentiment.

Markets ended the week marginally lower, with the Nifty breaching key support levels and slipping below moving averages. Rising volatility and oversold RSI indicate continued weakness. While some sectors like Energy and Pharma show relative strength, a cautious approach is advised until stabilization emerges.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authoritys India portfolio rose 7% in FY26, with six stocks delivering gains of up to 110%. However, performance remained uneven as several holdings declined sharply. The sovereign fund added three new stocks in Q3, highlighting selective positioning amid volatile market conditions and divergent stock performance.

Indian stock markets closed higher Friday, boosted by IT, auto, and metal sectors, though banking stocks capped gains. Analysts express caution due to ongoing West Asian conflict, elevated oil prices, and persistent FII outflows. Nifty and Bank Nifty face resistance, with support levels identified. Auto and IT sectors show weakness, while specific stock recommendations are provided.

A Financial Action Task Force report backs Indias concerns that the real risk in crypto lies in offshore, non-compliant virtual asset service providers (VASPs), not the asset class itself.

The Indian rupee experienced its sharpest single-day fall since late 2022, plummeting to a historic low of 93.73 against the dollar. Surging oil prices, driven by escalating West Asian conflicts, coupled with overseas investor outflows, significantly pressured the currency.

Despite weak broader markets and rising geopolitical tensions, select smallcap stocks delivered sharp gains this week, with some surging over 40%. The rally highlights pockets of strength in sectors like chemicals, energy, and industrials, even as inflation concerns and global uncertainties continue to weigh on overall market sentiment.

Gold prices have unexpectedly fallen despite escalating geopolitical tensions, a departure from their safe-haven status. A strong U.S. dollar, rising Treasury yields, and profit-taking after a prior rally are suppressing bullion. While the near-term outlook is choppy, long-term prospects remain constructive due to persistent geopolitical risks and inflation concerns.

Amid global market volatility, NSE's Harish K Ahuja advises retail investors against panic selling, urging patience and a long-term perspective. He highlighted that India's market fundamentals remain strong with positive GDP growth and industrial indicators, despite short-term fluctuations. Ahuja emphasized that disciplined, patient investors are likely to be rewarded.

Metal stocks have plunged recently due to geopolitical tensions and hawkish Fed commentary. However, experts anticipate a near-term surge in metal prices, driven by the Iran-US conflict and rising oil costs. Supply disruptions in the Middle East are particularly impacting steel and aluminum markets, with potential implications for Indian producers.

Global real estate investment is shifting. Geopolitical tensions are making investors cautious about Dubai. Capital is now flowing towards India's stable markets like Gurugram and Mumbai. Domestic demand is driving growth in India. Investors are prioritizing long-term fundamentals and quality assets. Dubai remains an option for rental income, but India is seen as a wealth creation hub.

Indian markets witnessed a broad-based sell-off amid escalating Middle East tensions and rising crude oil prices. Several stocks, including IDBI Bank and SpiceJet, declined sharply during the week. Geopolitical risks, inflation concerns, and regulatory developments weighed on investor sentiment, dragging multiple sectors lower despite selective resilience in parts of the market.

Bitcoin traded in a narrow range amid cautious derivatives positioning, even as large holders continued accumulating. Institutional inflows into ETFs and stable price action indicate a consolidation phase. Analysts expect a decisive move once macro conditions improve, with $70,000 emerging as a key level for confirming any sustained upward momentum.

Nikhil Advani of LGT Wealth India advises investors to prioritise resilience amid rising geopolitical risks and market volatility. He recommends global diversification, defensive sector allocation, and phased investing, while highlighting opportunities in infrastructure and AI. ETFs and multi-asset strategies can help manage risk and capture long-term growth across global markets effectively.

Foreign portfolio investors pulled out Rs 52,703 crore from Indian equities in the first half of March, with financials bearing the brunt. Broad-based selling, rising crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions weighed on markets, while select inflows into capital goods and metals indicate continued interest in domestic capex and infrastructure themes.

Mirae Asset ShareKhans Somil Mehta advises investors to stay disciplined amid rising volatility driven by global tensions and crude oil prices. He recommends balanced portfolios, a focus on large-cap and quality sectors, and avoiding overvalued mid- and small-cap stocks, while maintaining a long-term investment approach to navigate uncertain market conditions.

Saurav Ghosh of Jiraaf advises investors to stay calm amid geopolitical volatility and use bonds as a strategic buffer. He highlights short-duration fixed income as a stable allocation and suggests deploying capital into equities during corrections, while closely tracking oil prices, inflation, and volatility indicators to navigate uncertain market conditions effectively.

Fourteen stocks from the BSE SmallCap index declined continuously over five trading sessions ending March 20, with losses of up to 23%. Despite the Sensex remaining largely flat, sharp volatility during the period highlights continued pressure in broader markets, particularly in smallcap stocks witnessing sustained selling across consecutive sessions.

The US has allowed a temporary waiver on Iranian oil sales to ease surging crude prices amid escalating geopolitical tensions. However, analysts warn that supply disruptions and the Strait of Hormuz crisis could keep prices elevated, with forecasts suggesting oil may rise further despite short-term relief measures from policy actions.

Amid rising geopolitical tensions, oil price volatility and uncertain interest rate outlook, Guy Spiers value investing principles offer timely guidance. His focus on discipline, intrinsic value, long-term thinking and avoiding market noise highlights how investors can navigate turbulence and make rational decisions in increasingly volatile global financial markets.

JP Morgan Chase Bank has agreed to pay 34 lakh rupees to Sebi following violations related to foreign portfolio investor laws. Their missteps include issuing FPI licenses to firms lacking proper UK registration and not accurately verifying the status of certain entities. Compounding these issues were significant delays in merger reporting, which further illuminated the compliance shortcomings.

India's financial hub is looking to introduce real-time euro foreign-exchange settlements. This move aims to boost financial ties with the European Union as a trade deal progresses. The regulatory body, IFSCA, has requested government approval for euro settlements alongside the US dollar. This follows the successful implementation of real-time dollar settlements, which significantly reduced transaction times and risks.

In a dramatic shift, global equity funds experienced a staggering exit of billions as investors reacted to rising inflation fears and escalating tensions in the Middle East. This selloff marked the most significant retreat in three months, prompting major central banks to hint at tightening their monetary policies.

In a striking turn of events, early March witnessed foreign investors withdrawing an unprecedented sum from India's financial landscape. This wave of selling, spurred by mounting global economic unease, has had ripple effects on the Bank Nifty, while sectors such as automobiles and telecom also faced significant capital outflows. This trend underscores a growing wariness among international investors.

The Indian stock markets experienced a positive turn on Friday, bouncing back from a sharp drop earlier in the week, buoyed by decreasing oil prices that eased investor anxiety. Nevertheless, both top indices wrapped up the week just below their starting points. Foreign investors took a step back, selling off shares, while domestic buyers remained active in the market.

In a dramatic turn of events, the Indian Rupee plunged sharply in a single trading session, marking its most significant drop since late 2022. This decline was fueled by soaring oil prices amid growing tensions in West Asia, pushing the currency to a new record low.

Oil prices have surged to their highest in nearly four years. Iraq declared force majeure on oilfields. The U.S. is deploying more troops to the Middle East amid escalating Iran tensions. Attacks on energy infrastructure continue. The Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted. Analysts expect prices to stay elevated. Restoration of oil flows could take months.

Goldman Sachs and ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund acquired significant stakes in DLF Limited via block deals worth Rs 231 crore, even as the stock lags benchmarks and trades below key moving averages.

Ashish Kacholia bought shares worth Rs 9.3 crore in Aelea Commodities via a bulk deal as the stock trades below key averages after a sharp correction, with the seller fully exiting its stake.