The Economic Times

The regulator last year proposed to halve the minimum amount of shares large companies had to offer in their IPOs, allowing those valued at above Rs 5 lakh crore ($57 billion) after listing to sell just 2.5% of their paid-up capital. This has now been formally notified by the government

US stocks experienced a downturn on Friday, with major indices set to end the week lower amid mixed economic data and escalating Middle East conflict. Investors are now anticipating fewer Federal Reserve rate cuts this year, as rising energy costs and slowing economic growth fuel stagflation fears.

The rupee hit a fresh closing low of 92.46 against the dollar on Friday, driven by concerns over rising crude oil prices and geopolitical worries in the Middle East. Sustained foreign fund outflows and importer demand further pressured the currency, with the Reserve Bank of India intervening to slow its fall.

India is set to shelve the bids it received for a majority stake in its state-owned IDBI Bank , as the amounts were below the minimum price sought, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

The Reserve Bank of India injected Rs 50,000 crore into the banking system via an open market operation to manage liquidity ahead of tax payments. This move supported India's benchmark 10-year bond yield, which remained flat. The RBI has infused a total of Rs 3.50 lakh crore through OMOs this calendar year.

After a strong rally this year, U.S. consumer staples stocks are falling out of favor, with investors starting to question the high valuation as earnings prospects dim, analysts said.

The surge in energy prices triggered by the conflict in the Middle East has significantly strengthened the dollar, paradoxically undermining US President Donald Trump's economic objectives.

Radhakishan Damani sold 16 lakh shares worth 52 crore in Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles through a block deal with Derive Trading and Resorts Private Limited. The sale comes as the stock has plunged over 50% in a year amid weak earnings and a cyber incident impact.

The US Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge came in slightly lower than expected in January, registering 2.8 percent growth over a year ago, according to data released Friday ahead of a key central bank rate-setting meeting next week.

World markets, rocked by a Middle East war that could trigger another inflationary shock, are looking back at the play book from Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 for clues on what's next.

Adobe's battered shares fell another 6% on Friday as news that the Photoshop maker's long-time CEO will step down cast fresh doubts over its strategy to battle mounting AI competition.

Investors' wealth eroded by Rs 33.68 lakh crore since the beginning of the West Asia conflict, which has now entered its 14th day.

Wall Street's main stock indexes opened mixed on Friday, after sharp losses in the previous session, while investors assessed a set of economic data releases to gauge the interest rate outlook as the Middle East conflict widens.

Indias market regulator Sebi fined Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers 10 lakh after inspections found multiple regulatory violations, including delayed glitch reporting, excessive capacity utilisation, weak password policies, patch management failures and inadequate data leakage prevention systems during 20232024.

The Reserve Bank of India stepped up its government bond purchases from the secondary market to a record level in the week ended March 6, data showed on Friday, as the central bank tried to stabilize the market roiled by the Middle East war.

India's National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) plans to raise 80 billion rupees ($866.12 million) through the sale of bonds maturing in three years and four months, three bankers said on Friday.

Indian government bonds came under heavy selling pressure this week as oil prices soared, though the benchmark 10-year bond showed resilience, supported by likely robust purchases by the central bank.

Godrej Properties Ltd's promoters have increased their stake in the company by 5 per cent this fiscal through purchases of public shares worth Rs 2,674 crore in the open market, as they are bullish on the growth prospects amid robust demand for residential properties and a strong launch pipeline.

Indian benchmark indices fell sharply for a third straight session as escalating Iran-Israel/US tensions hurt sentiment. Nifty dropped over 2% and Sensex nearly 1,500 points, with metals, auto and oil stocks leading losses, while select stocks like LTTS and IFCI gained.

Innovisions IPO saw weak investor response, with overall subscription around 30% even after extending the bidding period and lowering the price band. Retail and NII participation stayed muted, while institutional demand remained stronger. The company aims to raise Rs 323 crore through the issue.

India's sugar industry faces a crisis as policy shifts and frozen prices threaten its decade-long diversification into ethanol. Cooperative mills in Maharashtra are hit hardest, risking farmer discontent and a return to cyclicality. While export opportunities exist, stabilizing finances is crucial for mills to capitalize on global demand, says Praful Vithalani.

Investors in World Liberty Financial, the crypto venture co-founded by President Trump and his sons, have secured what the company described on its website as guaranteed direct access to certain members of its team for those who lock up $5 million worth of their tokens for a six-month period in exchange for voting rights.

On Friday, the benchmark Sensex dropped 1,471 points, closing at 74,563. During the broader market sell-off, six stocks from the BSE Sensex index hit their 52-week lows.

The Indian rupee fell to a record low on Friday on concerns that the Iran war-induced surge in oil prices could disrupt the South Asian nation's growth-inflation dynamics and dent capital flows, with traders also pointing to elevated offshore dollar bids.

The consultancy arm of Coal India, Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI), will open its IPO on March 20. The offer for sale of 10.71 crore shares will list on BSE and NSE, with 50% reserved for QIBs and 35% for retail investors. As the issue is entirely an OFS, CMPDI will not receive any proceeds from the offer, and the funds raised will go to the selling shareholders.

Jefferies has added Wipro, Hyundai Motor India and Cipla to its latest underperform list, citing weak growth outlook, rising competition and earnings risks. The brokerage flagged slow deal ramp ups at Wipro, market share losses for Hyundai and US revenue pressure at Cipla as key concerns for investors.

Metal stocks, including NALCO and Hindustan Copper fell sharply on Friday as a surging US Dollar Index and ongoing IranIsrael/US conflict dented demand. Analysts advise caution, noting that global commodity prices and infrastructure trends will shape near-term metal sector performance.

Indian equities are suffering their worst month since the Covid crash as the Iran war, $100 crude and heavy FII selling hammer sentiment. Despite the slide, fund houses like Bajaj Finserv AMC and Axis Mutual Fund say strong earnings and resilient fundamentals in India may steady markets once geopolitics stabilise.

Adobe's stock dropped significantly following the announcement of CEO Shantanu Narayen's retirement. This leadership change comes as the company navigates the evolving landscape of AI in software. Investors are watching closely to see how Adobe adapts to these technological shifts.

European shares fell on Friday and were headed for a second weekly loss, as escalating conflict in the Middle East and inflation worries dented risk appetite.

Global crude oil prices could surge to as high as USD 150 per barrel if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed for the next four to eight weeks, according to a report by Nuvama.

Despite a Rs 10 lakh crore market wipeout triggered by the Iran conflict, nearly 50 stocks showed resilience. Select gainersincluding ACME Solar Holdings, L&T Technology Services and IFCIoutperformed even as benchmark indices and broader markets sank under geopolitical and crude-driven pressure.

Indian equity markets are experiencing significant volatility due to geopolitical tensions and global economic uncertainties, with FII selling exacerbating the downturn. Experts advise a 'sell on rise' approach, emphasizing selective investing in resilient sectors like pharma and metals, while cautioning against banks, IT, autos, and real estate.

Crude oil above $100 has wiped out Rs 20 lakh crore in equity wealth, hammering markets in India as the Iran conflict escalates. The rupee hit a record low, and FIIs continue to sell, yet experts and Axis Mutual Fund argue the panic may be creating a rare long-term buying window.

UBS initiated coverage on Eureka Forbes with a 'Buy' call, identifying it as a 'steady earnings compounder' with under-appreciated scale advantages in water purifiers and services. The brokerage set a target price of Rs 640, citing market growth driven by health awareness and expanding consumer base.

Indian equity markets are currently under pressure due to rising geopolitical tensions, particularly the escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The benchmark Nifty 50 has declined nearly 10% from its 52-week high, while the broader market has been hit even harder, with the Nifty Microcap 250 index falling around 18%. Notably, about 26 microcap stocks have dropped more than 50% from their 52-week highs.

Shares of eClerx Services appeared to plunge 50% after turning ex-date for its 1:1 bonus issue, but the decline was only about 6% as the price adjusted for the corporate action. The stock opened sharply lower on the NSE before extending losses amid broader market weakness.

Muthoot FinCorp is raising up to Rs 600 crore by selling bonds to retail investors. The bonds offer yields between 8.70% and 9.10%. This fundraising will support business growth, lending activities, and debt repayment. The issue is open until March 23. The bonds carry high safety ratings from Crisil and Brickwork Ratings.

Japan's Nikkei closed lower on Friday and posted a second consecutive weekly decline of 3.2%, as escalating tensions in the Middle East fuelled inflation concerns and prompted investors to dump riskier assets.

Australian shares ended slightly lower on Friday as losses in miners outweighed gains in financials, while the Middle East conflict stoked inflation concerns and lifted expectations of a central bank rate hike next week.

Honda Motor's stock plummeted nearly 6% in Tokyo after the automaker announced its first annual loss in nearly 70 years. The company is facing up to $15.7 billion in restructuring costs, primarily due to cancelling three planned electric vehicle models in the US and writing down its China business.

Japanese government bond yields are rising across the board. Higher crude oil prices and a weaker yen are fueling inflation worries. The benchmark 10-year JGB yield has increased. The Bank of Japan is expected to keep interest rates unchanged at its upcoming meeting. Market participants are watching the BOJ's stance on inflation pressures.

Jefferies has updated its analyst top ideas, adding seven new stock recommendations across various sectors. These picks include State Bank of India, Groww, Star Health & Allied Insurance, Bharat Forge, JSW Steel, Eternal, and Max Healthcare, with significant upside potential highlighted for each.

Escalating Middle East tensions and soaring crude oil prices are significantly impacting India's banking sector, pushing the Nifty Bank index down nearly 11% in March. Concerns over rupee depreciation, rising inflation, and potential disruptions to trade routes are fueling investor worries and leading to substantial FII selloffs, creating a bearish outlook for bank stocks.

Indian equity markets are experiencing significant volatility due to global uncertainties, rising crude oil prices, and consistent FII selling. Market expert Amnish Aggarwal advises caution, noting that supply chain disruptions and potential impacts on corporate earnings will take time to normalize. He suggests investors remain on the sidelines until the situation stabilizes.

The Hormuz Strait crisis poses a significant risk to India's energy and fertilizer supplies. DAM Capital's Nandan Chakraborty advises investors to focus on the duration of the disruption, not just oil prices. His strategy involves maintaining liquidity, identifying undervalued growth stocks, and avoiding value traps. Sectors like NBFCs, consumer discretionary, defense, and renewables are highlighted as potential investment areas.

Indian government bonds are falling. Oil prices remain high, fueling inflation worries. This impacts India's economic growth and interest rate expectations. The rupee has hit a new low against the dollar. The Reserve Bank of India is intervening to support bond yields. Traders are cautious due to ongoing Middle East conflict. Analysts predict higher inflation if oil prices stay elevated.

The Indian rupee has reached a historic low. Worries about rising oil prices due to the Iran conflict are impacting the economy. Analysts predict further weakening if oil prices remain high. Foreign investors are selling Indian stocks. The central bank is intervening to support the currency. The situation is expected to continue under pressure.

IFCI shares surged over 11% after the National Stock Exchange (NSE) appointed 20 merchant bankers and eight law firms for its upcoming IPO. IFCI holds an indirect stake in NSE through its subsidiary, Stock Holding Corporation of India, which could be a selling shareholder in the offer-for-sale.

Bitcoin surged towards $72,000 after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent addressed market concerns. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum saw significant gains. Major altcoins also experienced strong upward movement. This rally added billions to the crypto market cap. Investors are watching upcoming Federal Reserve meetings and economic data for further direction. The market sentiment is improving despite some caution.