The Economic Times

India and the US have announced a trade deal, reducing reciprocal tariffs to 18% and easing concerns that have impacted Indian markets. This development is expected to trigger a strong opening on Dalal Street, with export-oriented sectors poised to benefit from improved competitiveness and reduced costs.

The surge in GIFT Nifty came following the news that India and the US agreed to a trade deal. Donald Trump, on his Truth Social platform, said that he spoke with Prime Minister Modi about trade and ending the war in Ukraine and that the new deal reduces US tariffs to 18%.

Tata Chemicals reported a wider consolidated net loss of Rs 93 crore for the December quarter, impacted by oversupplied soda ash markets and low export prices. Despite these headwinds, the company's standalone performance showed resilience, and it announced the acquisition of Novabay Pte. Limited to bolster its specialty chemicals business.

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank reported a significant widening of its net loss to Rs 375 crore in the third quarter, a substantial increase from Rs 168 crore in the previous year. The bank also experienced an operational loss of Rs 44 crore, contrasting with a profit in the prior year.

Chalet Hotels reported a robust third quarter with a 28.5% year-on-year increase in net profit to Rs 124 crore and a 27.1% rise in revenue to Rs 581.6 crore. The company's EBITDA grew by 29% to Rs 272.6 crore, driven by strong traction in key operating metrics and double-digit RevPAR expansion.

Kevin Warsh, tapped to become the next Federal Reserve chair, may want to significantly contract the central bank's multi-trillion-dollar balance sheet, but experts agree that financial realities strongly indicate accomplishing this goal will be difficult and slow, if it can be done at all.

Markets rebounded after volatility triggered by the STT hike and higher borrowing plans, aided by policy continuity and falling crude prices. Analysts warn sentiment remains cautious below the 200-day average, advising selling rallies despite medium-term confidence amid global tensions ongoing.

Warner Bros Discovery is likely to hold a shareholder vote on the $82.7 billion deal to sell its streaming and studio assets to Netflix in March, CNBC reported on Monday.

Warner Bros Discovery is likely to hold a shareholder vote on the $82.7 billion deal to sell its streaming and studio assets to Netflix in March, CNBC reported on Monday.

U.S. factory activity grew for the first time in a year in January, with new orders rebounding sharply, but manufacturing is still not out of the woods as import tariffs raised raw material prices and strained supply chains.

Oracle shares gained 2.5% on Monday after Wall Street analysts said the software company's $50 billion fundraising plan allays worries over its ability to finance a massive data-center expansion with OpenAI.

Wall Street's main indexes opened lower on Monday, as a violent selloff in precious metals unsettled investors at the start of a week packed with corporate earnings and major economic data.

Nifty surged after the Budget-day slump, led by auto, energy, and metals. Analysts caution broader trend remains weak below 200-DMA, advising cautious trading and selective stock entries.

The government is actively considering further reducing its stake in insurance behemoth LIC through a public offering in the next financial year, Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju said on Monday.

Hyundai Motor India reported a 6.3% net profit increase to Rs 1,194.9 crore in Q3FY26, driven by strong SUV sales, rural demand, operational efficiency, and positive effects of GST 2.0 and tax cuts.

Real estate firm Awfis Space Solutions Ltd on Monday reported a 43 per cent increase in its consolidated net profit to Rs 21.65 crore in the quarter ended December.

UPL Ltd on Monday posted a 43 per cent drop in consolidated net profit to Rs 490 crore for the December quarter on higher base effect.

Bajaj Housing Finance posted a strong Q3FY26, with net profit rising 21% and NII up 19%. Healthy loan and AUM growth, controlled costs and stable asset quality supported earnings, despite a one-time gratuity-related exceptional charge.

Indian e-scooter manufacturer Ather Energy posted a narrower quarterly loss on Monday, helped by a jump in sales during the year-end festive period.

U.S. stock index futures fell on Monday, as a violent selloff in precious metals unsettled investors at the start of a week packed with corporate earnings and major economic data.

Indian markets rebounded sharply after the Budget-day plunge. Autos, metals and energy led gains, while action was seen in Power Grid, Latent View, Sundaram Finance & others.

Promoter shareholding declined across 12 Nifty 500 stocks during the December 2025 quarter, according to StockEdge data. While stake reductions may reflect strategic or fundraising decisions, such moves are closely tracked by investors for signals on promoter confidence and alignment with minority shareholders.

The Indian rupee logged its best single-day gain in over a month on Monday, boosted by likely dollar sales by the central bank and modest inflows that dulled the spillover from global market volatility.

Bajaj Finance is expected to post a steady Q3FY26, with brokers forecasting around 21% NII and 20% PAT growth. Strong loan expansion, stable margins, easing credit costs and healthy asset quality should support earnings despite slower growth in some segments.

Gold's volatility has surged past Bitcoin's, reaching its highest level since the 2008 financial crisis. This dramatic shift follows a significant price plunge after a rapid rally, driven by economic uncertainty and geopolitical concerns. Despite this, gold remains a stronger safe-haven asset, outperforming Bitcoin over the past year.

The rebound came despite proposals to raise transaction taxes on derivatives and the absence of fresh measures aimed at drawing foreign investment. The BSE Sensex rose 943.5 points, or 1.17%, to close at 81,666.46, while the Nifty 50 advanced 261 points, or 1.06%, to 25,088.4.

Power Grid shares saw a sharp surge on Monday after the PSU raised its FY26 capex guidance to Rs 32,000 crore and increased capitalisation targets, signalling strong execution visibility. The company posted an 8% YoY rise in Q3 net profit to Rs 4,185 crore, with revenue up 10% and expenses moderating sequentially.

Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath criticised the STT hike on equity derivatives, saying it wont curb speculation as most activity is in options. He warned higher taxes could hurt futures volumes, liquidity and price discovery, and suggested suitability norms as a better solution.

Union Budget 2026 outlines a confident and fiscally disciplined growth roadmap, with emphasis on sunrise sectors, infrastructure, digital capacity and inclusive development. The Budget aims to deepen capital markets, strengthen manufacturing, empower women entrepreneurs and improve urban funding, while maintaining macroeconomic stability and supporting long term, resilient growth.

Gold and silver prices extended a sharp correction after a speculative, momentum-driven rally, pressured by profit-taking, a stronger dollar, rising US yields and higher global margins. Analysts say the broader trend remains bullish, with current declines seen as consolidation rather than reversal, offering selective accumulation opportunities amid near-term volatility.

Sovereign Gold Bond prices plunged on the NSE after the government withdrew capital gains tax exemption for bonds bought in the secondary market. The Budget 2026 move restricts tax-free gains only to original RBI subscribers holding SGBs till maturity, triggering sharp selloffs across multiple bond series and raising concerns among retail investors.

Hyundai Motor Q3 Results: Auto major Hyundai Motor India reported a 6.3% YoY jump in its December quarter consolidated net profit at Rs 1,234 crore compared to Rs 1,161 crore reported in the year ago period.

Hyderabad-based Marri Retail has filed its DRHP with Sebi for an IPO comprising a Rs 522-crore fresh issue and a promoter OFS. The company plans to use the proceeds for debt reduction, new store expansion and capex. Marri Retail currently operates 34 stores across four states under multiple apparel and jewellery brands.

Safe-haven euro zone government bond yields were steady on Monday as a rout in precious metals gripped markets at the start of a week that will also see an interest rate decision from the European Central Bank. Silver and gold extended last week's declines, sliding around 10% and 6%, respectively, prompting investors to sell other assets like stocks to cover losses.

Veteran investor Raamdeo Agrawal warns that recent derivatives trading cost hikes may reduce strategy profitability and temporarily impact market liquidity. While the budget is praised, the timing of these increased costs adds to market jitters amid moderating earnings growth and global uncertainties. Agrawal believes strong earnings will ultimately drive market direction.

FIIs reversed their two-quarter selling streak by raising stakes in several beaten-down smallcap stocks, signalling renewed confidence despite sharp one-year declines.

SBI Securities has identified five stocks that could benefit from the capex focused Union Budget 2026, which raised government spending to Rs 12.2 lakh crore. The brokerage sees upside of up to 17%, driven by infrastructure push, banking growth and global demand trends.

Raamdeo Agrawal hails the government's 100% tax holiday for data centres until 2047 as a ransformational policy. This move is expected to significantly boost India's participation in the global AI infrastructure race, leveraging cost advantages.

Bitcoin fell below $76,000 and Ethereum hovered near $2,200 as nearly $2 billion in liquidations triggered a broad crypto selloff. Major altcoins slid sharply, global market cap dropped over 4%, and analysts warned that thin liquidity, ETF outflows and rising macro risks could keep crypto markets volatile.

Gold, silver and equities tumbled together in a rare cross-asset slide, with leveraged unwinding, a stronger dollar and expectations around Kevin Warshs Fed outlook triggering a sharp selloff. Analysts warn against chasing rallies, suggesting disciplined asset allocation as precious metals consolidate and large-cap equities offer relatively steadier opportunities.

India's Union Budget prioritizes continuity amid global uncertainty, with fiscal discipline largely achieved. While borrowing targets raise concerns, the focus shifts to proactive liquidity management to ensure fiscal discipline translates into lower borrowing costs and supports economic growth.

Bitcoin slid to a 10 month low in Asian trading as market sentiment weakened amid broader asset volatility. The cryptocurrency has logged four consecutive monthly declines, its longest losing streak since 2018, with investors rattled by global market turmoil and shifting US monetary policy expectations.

India's budget received cautious optimism, but reversing foreign investor outflows remains uncertain. While capital expenditure plans align with expectations, higher taxation on derivatives and a significant premium over other emerging markets deter FIIs. Analysts suggest sustained earnings growth and valuation corrections are needed to attract renewed foreign interest.

Prashant Jain said Union Budget 202627 ticks all the right boxes and offers a reasonable investment opportunity over the next three to four months despite market volatility. He believes large-cap stocks are fairly valued, long-term returns should track nominal GDP growth, and policy stability and fiscal discipline support sustained economic expansion.

Temasek Holdings and Life Insurance Corporation of India are poised to be major sellers in the National Stock Exchange of India's potential $2.5 billion IPO. State Bank of India and SBI Capital Markets are also expected to participate in the offering, which will consist of existing shareholders selling 4% to 4.5% of the company's equity.

Indian IT firms are likely to favor share buybacks over dividends following recent tax reforms. Market expert Sushovan Nayak believes the new rules make buybacks more tax-efficient for both companies and many shareholders. This shift is expected to encourage cash-rich IT giants like Wipro, LTIM, and TCS to continue returning capital to investors through buybacks in the coming period.

Latent View Analytics shares jumped nearly 8% after the company posted a 19% year-on-year rise in Q3FY26 profit and strong revenue growth. Improved margins, new client additions and rising institutional participation supported sentiment, while management reiterated focus on scaling AI and Agentic AI capabilities.

Despite a sharp post-Budget market sell-off, brokerages remain bullish on structurally strong themes ranging from defence and infrastructure to data centres, EVs and rare earths. With capital expenditure rising and policy continuity intact, analysts have identified 35 stocks positioned to benefit from Indias long-term growth strategy.

Indias defence stocks enter a volatile phase despite a 22% jump in Budget capex, as valuations run ahead of fundamentals. Brokerages remain bullish on BEL, HAL and Mazagon Dock, citing strong order pipelines and indigenisation tailwinds, but warn that execution risks and lofty expectations could cap near-term upside.

India's central bank intervened to strengthen the rupee after the federal budget announcement, which negatively impacted government bonds and equities. While the budget prioritized manufacturing, it lacked the bold reforms investors sought. Analysts predict continued rupee weakness and rising local currency rates due to the budget's conservative approach and a global risk-off sentiment.