The Economic Times

Nifty closed lower, ending FY26 down 5%, with Sensex down 7%, dragged by banking, auto, and IT sectors. India VIX rose, signaling high volatility. Analysts see support near 22,200, with potential for a rebound if levels hold.

Nvidia has invested $2 billion in Marvell Technology as part of efforts to make it easier for customers to use the custom artificial intelligence chips that the smaller company designs with Nvidia's networking gear and central processors.

Biogen will buy Apellis Pharmaceuticals for about $5.6 billion, adding a promising kidney disease drug to broaden its rare-disease portfolio amid efforts to diversify beyond its slowing multiple sclerosis franchise.

U.S. consumer confidence inched higher in March despite soaring energy prices brought on by the war in Iran.

A high P/E ratio reflects stock prices rising faster than earnings, signaling growth expectations or possible overvaluation. A valuation scan highlights large-cap stocks with elevated multiples, urging investors to assess fundamentals, sector trends, and sustainability before making investment decisions.

Unilever will merge its food business with spice maker McCormick, it said on Tuesday, creating a company worth around $65 billion in the second-largest food transaction in history.

Warren Buffett remains actively involved in Berkshire Hathaway investment decisions despite stepping down as CEO. He collaborates with Greg Abel, maintains a cautious market outlook, and oversees significant liquidity deployment in Treasury securities.

Wall Street's main indexes opened higher on Tuesday, as markets welcomed a report signaling potential de-escalation in the Middle East conflict that has set the S&P 500 and the Dow on track for their biggest monthly decline in years.

Nifty may see a rebound from Wednesday as analysts spot hidden bullish signals, with short-term buy ideas on IPCA Labs and DMart offering up to 14% upside.

Dalal Street investors have lost a whopping Rs 51 lakh crore from their wealth since the West Asia conflict began late last month, with the BSE benchmark Sensex tumbling over 11 per cent during this time, as investors fled riskier assets due to the cascading effect of the war on crude oil prices and markets globally.

After an 11% March crash driven by the escalating IranUS conflict, Elara Securities says the Nifty may have limited downside ahead. Historical data shows conflicts typically cap drawdowns near 10%, and with valuations now 7% below long-term averages, the brokerage expects a potential rebound as risks gradually ease.

Sebi passed an interim order against Elitecon International and barred key promoters over alleged misleading disclosures, governance lapses and suspicious trading. The regulator flagged unusual price movements, irregular shareholding changes and discrepancies in operations, signalling possible manipulation and prompting further scrutiny as proceedings continue to determine liabilities and penalties.

Gujarat Victory Forgings has filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with market regulator Sebi for its initial public offering (IPO), which will comprise a fresh issue of 65 lakh shares and an offer for sale of 1.32 crore shares by promoter Vijendrakumar Bishamber Gupta.

Sammaan Capital has officially become an International Holding Company group firm after receiving Rs 5,652 crore in the first tranche of a major stake sale. Through affiliate Avenir Investment RSC, IHC will acquire 41.5% now and complete the remaining investment upon warrant conversion, marking one of Indias largest NBFC-sector deals.

Nithin Kamath cautions that AI cannot help retail investors consistently make money in trading due to behavioural biases and lack of informational edge. While AI can improve discipline and execution, it cannot create profitable strategies. Institutional players retain structural advantages, limiting retail investors ability to outperform markets sustainably.

Japan's Nikkei share average fell for the fourth straight day on Tuesday, capping its worst month since the 2008 global financial crisis as the widening Middle East war weighed on sentiment.

European stocks inched up on Tuesday as investors drew some comfort from hopes of de-escalation in the Middle East war, but the benchmark index was still set for its sharpest monthly decline since 2020 amid supply-chain disruptions.

In FY26, a select group of Indian stocks delivered exceptional returns. Twenty companies with market caps above Rs 3,000 crore and significant trading volume saw substantial growth. The top ten performers surged dramatically, with gains ranging from 125% to an astounding 1,655%. These stocks became significant wealth creators, more than doubling investor value within the fiscal year.

South Korean markets buckled on Tuesday, with shares sliding toward their worst monthly performance since the global financial crisis and the won sinking to post-crisis lows, as the Middle East war sent investors fleeing worldwide.

The Sensex has erased two years of optimism, slipping from the 100,000 hype to a two-year low and delivering zero returns. Weak earnings, heavy FII outflows, global tensions, and delayed Fed cuts dragged markets through FY26, leaving investors with caution as FY27 shapes up as a year of selective opportunities.

Blackstone Inc. is exploring a significant Initial Public Offering for its AGS Health Pvt. unit in Mumbai. The deal could raise up to $500 million. This move comes as India's primary market sees renewed interest in the healthcare sector. AGS Health, a provider of billing and analytics services, is seeking a valuation of $3 billion.

Eight stocks, including Adani Power and Hyundai Motor India, will enter the F&O segment from April 1, with NSE announcing position limits. The move is expected to improve liquidity and trading volumes, following SEBIs revised eligibility norms aimed at ensuring higher-quality stocks with sufficient market depth.

US stock futures surged after reports suggested Donald Trump may seek to end the Iran conflict, easing investor concerns over prolonged geopolitical tensions. Gains in Dow, Nasdaq and S&P futures come amid stable oil prices and falling bond yields, although uncertainty remains due to ongoing risks in the Strait of Hormuz.

Bitcoin held near the $67,000 level amid persistent geopolitical tensions and macro uncertainty, while mixed price action reflected cautious sentiment. Altcoins largely declined, and overall market capitalisation edged lower. Despite some recovery attempts, volatility remains elevated as investors assess inflation risks, liquidity conditions, and global policy signals.

Property Share Investment Trust, India's first registered SM REIT, announced its Rs 244.65 crore IPO for PropShare Celestia will open on April 10. The issue, priced between Rs 10-10.50 lakh per unit, aims to acquire seven floors in Ahmedabad's Venus Stratum. This SM REIT's proceeds will fund the acquisition of a fully occupied commercial building with four anchor tenants.

IndiQube Spaces Ltd has secured a significant deal in Bengaluru. The realty firm leased 48,000 sq ft of office space. A health technology firm will establish a global capability centre there. The agreement is valued at Rs 75 crore over five years. This marks a key expansion for IndiQube's managed office solutions.

Housing sales across nine major cities dropped 13% YoY to 98,761 units in Q1 2026, slipping below the 1 lakh mark after 18 quarters amid weak supply and global uncertainties.

The US dollar is surging, becoming the strongest safe asset. War in the Middle East has sent oil prices soaring and other assets tumbling. This situation raises fears of a global recession. The dollar's strength is supported by its status as an energy exporter and rising US Treasury yields. Asian currencies are experiencing significant losses.

India's largest stock exchange is proceeding with its IPO via an offer-for-sale (OFS), allowing eligible existing shareholders to sell their holdings. This move aims to gauge investor interest for a potential Rs 20,000 crore public offer, with a strict one-year holding period for participation.

The Indian rupee experienced a brief appreciation after the RBI's intervention to curb speculative dollar buying. However, structural headwinds like the Middle East conflict, high crude oil prices, FPI outflows, and global rate hikes continue to pressure the currency. The RBI has deployed significant forex reserves, but its ability to intervene indefinitely is limited.

Gold and silver prices rebounded in global markets after a sharp March sell-off, supported by a weaker dollar and easing bond yields. However, sentiment remains cautious as inflation risks, elevated energy prices, and fading expectations of US rate cuts continue to weigh on outlook and keep volatility elevated.

Market expert Sudip Bandyopadhyay urges caution for retail investors. He advises against rushing into the market or investing all cash at once. Value buying should be done in small parts. He highlights aluminium as a strong trade and suggests picking only the biggest bank names very slowly. Defence sector shows promise but valuations are stretched.

Indias IPO market in FY26 has seen a sharp downturn, with nearly two-thirds of listings trading below issue price. Weak market conditions, stretched valuations and cautious investor sentiment have weighed on performance, marking a reversal from earlier gains. Analysts view this as a cyclical correction, with recovery dependent on broader market stability.

FY26 proved turbulent for Indian equities, with the Nifty declining amid geopolitical tensions and volatility. Nearly half of Nifty 50 stocks posted losses, with several heavyweights falling sharply. Weak sentiment, sectoral pressures, and stock-specific challenges defined a difficult year, highlighting broad-based investor pain and market-wide stress.

From April 1, Indian markets face major regulatory changes as higher taxes and stricter funding norms reshape trading. Securities transaction tax (STT) on derivatives is rising sharply150% on futures and 50% on optionswhile new RBI rules require 100% collateral for bank guarantees in proprietary trading, up from 50%.

Consumer electronics retailer Sathya Agencies Ltd has filed preliminary papers with Sebi for a Rs 600 crore IPO. The offering includes a Rs 300 crore fresh issue and a Rs 300 crore offer for sale by promoters. Proceeds will be used for debt repayment, subsidiary acquisition, and general corporate purposes.

Global tensions are creating market dips. Vaibhav Sanghavi, CEO of ASK Hedge Solutions, sees this as a chance for long-term investors. He is bullish on consumer discretionary and staples, data centers, industrials, and private sector banks. Sanghavi advises patience and selectivity for a three- to five-year view. The current volatility presents a window for strategic investments.

Oil prices eased slightly after a sharp rally, with Brent crude falling over 1% to around $111 per barrel. The dip came after reports that Donald Trump is open to ending the Iran war, even if the Strait of Hormuz does not fully reopen immediately, raising hopes of potential de-escalation in the region.

Nasdaq is changing its rules for the Nasdaq-100 index. New large companies can now join faster. This aims to keep the index updated with big firms. The changes will start in May. This move reflects companies staying private longer. It also addresses fewer US companies listing publicly. Faster entry means more visibility and investor interest for new market leaders.

Private equity investments in Indias real estate sector rebounded sharply in 2025, rising 59% to $6.7 billion, led by office, data centres and residential assets. Strong macro fundamentals, easing rates and foreign investor dominance supported inflows, while land investments signal a robust pipeline of future institutional-grade developments.

Investors are flocking to US dividend stocks this year, seeking stability amid global uncertainties and interest rate worries. These income-generating equities are attracting billions, offering a middle ground between stocks and bonds. Higher payouts from energy companies, boosted by geopolitical tensions, further fuel this trend, making dividend funds a popular choice for resilient returns.

Multi-asset allocation funds are gaining prominence in Indian mutual fund portfolios, attracting significant inflows and growing assets. These funds offer a diversified approach by investing in equity, debt, and commodities, providing resilience across market cycles. Investors are increasingly recognizing their value as a strategic core holding for long-term wealth creation.

Despite geopolitical shocks, Abakkus Mutual Fund's Sanjay Doshi remains bullish on India's long-term growth story, viewing market consolidation as an opportunity. He identifies manufacturing, financials, and premium consumption, alongside new-age themes like EVs and defence, as key drivers for India's next growth phase.

The Trump administration proposed allowing alternative assets like private equity and crypto in U.S. retirement plans, aiming to broaden investment options and unlock capital. While supporters cite diversification benefits, critics warn of risks like high fees and illiquidity for retail investors. The rule places fiduciary responsibility on plan managers to evaluate these complex assets.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated the central bank is in no rush to adjust interest rates, preferring to wait for clearer economic signals amidst the Iran conflict. Rising fuel prices present a complex challenge, but Powell noted stable long-term inflation expectations, allowing for patience as the Fed monitors incoming data.

Indian stock markets are poised for a potential rebound tomorrow following a significant sell-off, buoyed by positive signals from GIFT Nifty and declining oil prices. Reports suggest a potential de-escalation in US-Iran tensions, while a dip in US bond yields offers further support. Despite this optimism, foreign investor outflows and a weakening rupee warrant caution.

Gold prices saw a slight uptick on Tuesday, buoyed by a weaker dollar. However, the precious metal is on track for its worst monthly performance in over 17 years. Soaring energy prices have dampened expectations for a U.S. interest rate cut this year, impacting gold's trajectory.

The Indian Rupee experienced a significant drop, breaching the 95 per dollar mark. This marked the steepest decline in 14 years, with the last month being particularly challenging. Despite early gains, strong dollar demand from oil companies and importers pushed the currency to record lows. The Reserve Bank of India intervened to help the rupee close at 94.

The US dollar is surging globally, driven by Middle East conflict and rising oil prices. This makes it the strongest safe asset as global recession fears grow. Other currencies like the Yen, Euro, Australian, and New Zealand dollars are weakening. Investors are seeking safety in the dollar amid geopolitical uncertainty.