The Economic Times

US retail sales declined by 0.2 percent in January, according to delayed government data released on Friday, missing some analysts' expectations amid persistent concerns that consumption in the world's biggest economy is slowing.

The Securities Appellate Tribunal granted partial relief to Kotak Mahindra AMC in the fixed maturity plan case by setting aside Sebis fee disgorgement order but upheld monetary penalties. The ruling relates to delayed investor payouts linked to recoveries from underlying investments.

New signs of labor weakness and oil-driven inflation concerns may saddle U.S. Federal Reserve officials with a choice they'd hoped to avoid between ensuring prices remain contained or keeping a possibly wobbly job market on track.

The U.S. economy unexpectedly shed jobs in February amid a strike by healthcare workers and harsh winter weather, while the unemployment rate increased to 4.4%.

The world's biggest bond markets were headed for their worst week since at least last April as concerns that war in the Middle East will renew upward pressure on inflation and force central banks to start hiking interest rates soon.

Wall Street's main indexes opened lower on Friday as the conflict raging in the Middle East threatened to fuel inflation through higher energy costs and data showed the economy unexpectedly shed jobs in February.

Oil prices jumped further on Friday after US President Donald Trump said only unconditional surrender of Iran will end the Middle East war, as fresh strikes hit the Islamic republic.

PB Fintech shares witnessed block deals worth Rs 695 crore, with Goldman Sachs, mutual funds, and foreign investors acquiring shares from Tencent Cloud Europe, signaling sustained institutional interest in the company.

Sebi has cleared IPOs for Bonbloc Technologies, Eastman Auto and Power, and Milestone Gears. The companies plan fresh equity and offers for sale, targeting NSE and BSE listings amid steady primary market activity.

Shares of oil marketing companies ended lower on Friday after a day's breather amid surging crude oil prices due to the deepening conflict in West Asia.

For decades, the Gulf's sovereign wealth funds have preserved and amplified the riches from oil and gas, investing in overseas assets and international markets to create a $5 trillion pot for a rainy day.

Following Indias ban on real-money online gaming, offshore betting apps are rapidly growing. Nithin Kamath warns they target Indian users, raise fraud risks, and suggests blocking domestic payment access to curb their spread.

The Sensex fell sharply by 1,097 points to close at 78,918 on Friday. Despite the broad market decline, seven BSE 200 stocks touched 52-week highs, signaling strong momentum and investor optimism for further potential gains.

Indian women are experiencing a significant transformation, excelling in education and increasingly participating in the workforce and entrepreneurship. This rise in financial independence is making them influential investors, with growing bank account ownership and stronger credit behavior than men, signaling profound implications for India's economy.

IIT Bombays incubator SINE is set to turn a Rs 4,080 investment in Sedemac Mechatronics into Rs 55 crore as the companys IPO nears closure. Early backers and founders are monetising stakes, while Sedemac continues its strong growth in automotive electronics, with revenue and profitability rising sharply over recent years.

The Indian rupee ended a tad lower on Friday and logged its worst weekly fall in over a month as the U.S.-Israel war on Iran sparked a surge in oil prices, jolting global markets and sparking a dash for safe-haven assets.

Qatar has warned crude oil could surge to $150 a barrel if the Middle East conflict escalates, threatening Gulf energy exports and global supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Higher oil prices could fuel inflation, weaken growth, pressure currencies, and trigger risk-off reactions in stock markets worldwide, including India.

Mutual funds increased their holdings in several mid and large-cap companies during the December 25 quarter, with stakes exceeding 20% in 11 stocks. While many of these stocks have delivered negative returns since January 26, the higher institutional ownership indicates continued long-term confidence among fund managers.

Europe's STOXX 600 edged higher Friday but was set for its worst weekly performance in almost a year due to the escalating Middle East conflict. Defense stocks provided a boost, though gains were limited by declines in the healthcare sector. Investors await key economic data and central bank speeches.

India's central bank has aggressively defended the rupee, reportedly deploying around $12 billion to counter market turmoil from the escalating Middle East conflict. This intervention, spanning various markets, aims to curb volatility as oil prices surge and foreign investors pull back. Despite the significant outflow, India's substantial foreign exchange reserves provide a strong buffer.

Bybit said it intercepted and recovered over $300 million in scam linked cryptocurrency withdrawals in Q4 2025 using an artificial intelligence driven risk control framework. The system flagged suspicious transactions across multiple risk tiers and helped prevent losses for thousands of users amid rising global crypto fraud.

Equity markets are experiencing renewed volatility as brief optimism fades, pushing benchmark indices back into consolidation. Investors remain cautious, with the Nifty's primary trend seen as bearish, trading below key moving averages. However, selective sectors like defence and power, particularly PSUs, show resilience and offer stock-specific opportunities.

Shares of liquor makers like United Spirits, United Breweries, and Tilaknagar Industries rose sharply after Karnataka Budget 2026 proposed a major overhaul of the state's excise system, including tax rates based on actual alcohol content and deregulation of pricing. CM Siddaramaiah, presenting the state Budget, also announced that the government will no longer fix liquor prices.

Nifty 50s back-to-back gap downs of over 1% signal more than short-term volatility, historical data shows. Across nine such events, markets rarely rebound immediately, reflecting institutional selling and macro pressures. Experts advise investors to stay disciplined, avoid aggressive bottom-fishing, and wait for clearer market signals before taking positions.

Japanese shares marked their steepest weekly drop in almost a year on Friday, as the Middle East war heavily disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, choking oil supply and pushing investors out of risk and into cash.

Australian stocks endured their worst week in almost a year, plummeting 3.8% as Middle East tensions fueled inflation fears. Heavyweight banks and miners bore the brunt of the sell-off, with over A$133 billion wiped out. Despite the downturn, some analysts remain optimistic about the economy's underlying strength.

Devina Mehra of First Global asserts that equity markets consistently recover from geopolitical shocks, citing a 50-plus year study. She advises investors with a long-term horizon to deploy cash during market dips, as non-geopolitical events pose greater risks. Mehra also highlights Iran's strategic approach to oil markets and remains optimistic about India's corporate earnings.

Shares of InterGlobe Aviation, parent of IndiGo, fell after UBS cut its target price to Rs 5,480 while retaining a Buy rating. The brokerage warned that ongoing geopolitical tensions, higher crude prices and a weaker rupee could hurt airline capacity and earnings in the near to medium term.

Mukesh Ambani's ambitious Jio Platforms IPO faces potential delays due to the Indian government's slow formalization of new listing rules. Reliance aims to file the draft prospectus before April, contingent on government notification. This mega IPO, potentially India's largest, could be impacted by the regulatory wait, despite the regulator's approval of rule changes.

Foreign institutional investors dumped nearly Rs 17,000 crore worth of Indian IT stocks in February amid rising concerns that artificial intelligence could disrupt the traditional software services model. While brokerages warn of further downside and earnings risks, some analysts believe AI could eventually expand the industrys long-term growth opportunities.

Orkla India shares surged nearly 10% after Citi Research initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a target price of Rs 750. The brokerage expects steady revenue and earnings growth driven by product mix improvement, distribution expansion and international demand, although the stock remains below its listing price.

With the Iran-Israel war underway, the Strait of Hormuz has once again become important for India, reviving older oil-related tensions for energy-importing nations across Asia. Heres what it means for Indian retail investors.

Market experts advise caution despite a brief equity rebound, citing ongoing global uncertainties and geopolitical tensions. Analysts believe the market has not fully absorbed the impact of recent events, with potential for prolonged volatility and supply-driven inflation. Investors are advised to focus on domestic-oriented sectors like banking, infrastructure, and automobiles, while maintaining a long-term positive outlook on defence stocks.

A nationwide CoinSwitch survey shows rising interest among Indian women in crypto investing, with 62% saying they are very likely to invest over the next 612 months and another 23% somewhat likely. Bitcoin remains the preferred entry asset, while most women allocate a small share of their income to digital assets.

Indian government bonds saw an early dip as traders braced for a crucial auction, seeking to gauge continued investor support amidst global economic pressures. Despite rising crude oil prices and U.S. Treasury yields, domestic bonds have shown resilience, partly due to consistent buying from a key investor group.

IRCON and RVNL shares surged significantly on Friday following reports of a proposed merger initiated by the Ministry of Railways. This consolidation aims to create a larger, more efficient railway entity by combining specialized expertise and enhancing execution capacity. The proposal now awaits approval from various government ministries and the CCEA.

Stock broking firm Shreni Shares is planning an Initial Public Offering. The company has filed preliminary papers with Sebi. The public issue includes a fresh share sale and an offer for sale by existing shareholders. Proceeds will fund working capital and repay borrowings. Shreni Shares serves over 2,620 clients and operates across India.

Shares of defence shipbuilders surged despite broader market weakness, with Mazagon Dock rising 18% in two days and Cochin Shipyard gaining 9%. The rally follows escalating geopolitical tensions and reports of a naval strike near Sri Lanka, raising expectations of higher maritime defence spending and improved order prospects for Indian shipyards.

According to Christopher Wood, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) may return strongly to India equities if the global semiconductor cycle peaks or if the domestic market sees a sharp correction. In his GREED & Fear note for Jefferies, he said investors currently lack conviction that the semiconductor cycle has topped.

Global markets are on edge due to ongoing geopolitical tensions. Investors face uncertainty about equities and the global economy. Sharp market swings are occurring as headlines shift. Experts suggest the situation may continue for some time. Concerns about inflation and supply disruptions are rising. Crude oil flow disruptions are a key worry. Investors are advised to remain cautious.