The Economic Times

The rupee, which has lost 6.4% against the US dollar so far in FY26, had closed at 90.98/$1 Friday (February 27), while sovereign bond yields remained relatively unmoved.

Citigroup offloaded 70 crore worth shares in Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions at a 20% discount to its IPO price after a weak debut on National Stock Exchange of India. The stock ended sharply lower amid muted retail participation despite institutional interest.

The change has prompted at least three investor lawsuits - against AT&T, Axon Enterprises and PepsiCo - and potentially more to follow. By stepping back, the SEC injected uncertainty into the engagement process, said Giovanna Eichner, shareholder advocate at Green Century Capital Management, a climate-focused Boston asset manager.

The United States and Israel launched their most ambitious attacks on Iran in decades on Saturday, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Oil and natural gas prices surged on Monday as the strikes and retaliation by Tehran forced shutdowns of oil and gas facilities across the Middle East and disrupted shipping in the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Dubai, the world's busiest international hub, and Doha remained shut for a third day, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded as aviation faced its biggest test since the COVID pandemic. Jordan on Monday became the latest country in the region to partially close its airspace.

Wall Street's main indexes opened lower on Monday as investors braced for a prolonged Middle East conflict that threatened to disrupt global trade routes and reignite inflationary pressures.

Securities and Exchange Board of India fined Coffee Day Enterprises and nine officials 38 lakh for misstating financials between FY20 and FY25. The regulator cited unreported interest expenses, governance lapses, and violations of disclosure norms, while rejecting settlement pleas after adjudication proceedings.

Domestic gold prices surged Rs 7,600 per 10 gram, nearly 5%, as the Iran-Israel/US conflict intensified, triggering safe-haven demand. MCX April futures hit Rs 1,69,679 amid rupee weakness and global risk-off sentiment, with technical indicators signalling sustained bullish momentum and buy-on-dips opportunities.

European gas prices extended gains on Monday after state-run energy firm QatarEnergy halted liquefied natural gas production following Iranian attacks on facilities at two of its main gas processing bases.

True contrarian investing isn't about opposing the crowd, but about independent thought rooted in first principles. Genuine contrarians analyze fundamentals, not just market sentiment, to uncover overlooked risks or opportunities. This disciplined approach, demanding intellectual humility and emotional resilience, is crucial for navigating volatile markets and achieving significant wealth creation.

Eight key stocks including big movers like Tejas Networks, Adani Ports, L&T and Indigo saw sharp swings on Monday as escalating Middle East tensions, rising crude prices and defence orders drove intense sector-wide volatility.

Gold prices could surge to USD 6,000 per troy ounce and rupee may weaken to 92-92.5 against USD if the Middle East conflict escalates further, according to a report by Elara Capital.

Conflict in the Middle East has moved from a fringe risk to a top worry for investors unsettled by the prospect of a power struggle in Iran and a protracted regional war, with ramifications for everything from global trade to inflation.

On Monday, the benchmark Sensex tumbled nearly 1,048 points, closing at 80,238. Amid the broader market decline, five stocks in the BSE 100 LargeCap TMC index hit fresh 52-week lows.

India's five major listed real estate firms' sales bookings rose 20 per cent to nearly Rs 84,000 crore in the first nine months of this fiscal, driven mainly by strong demand for luxury homes.

Market expectations for Japanese bond yields and the central bank's next rate increase have been thrown into disarray as investors fear an extended conflict in the Middle East will have knock-on effects on the yen and domestic inflation.

The rupee fell to its weakest in a month, while the cost of hedging against further depreciation against the dollar rose, as the escalating military conflict in the Middle East kept financial markets across the globe on edge.

Amidst Middle East tensions, Ajay Srivastava advocates a 33-33-33 portfolio of precious metals, Indian equities, and international stocks. He advises against FMCG and domestic consumption, favoring hard assets like gold, silver, and base metals due to currency depreciation and industrial demand. Srivastava also highlights export-driven auto opportunities and overseas defence investments.

Larsen & Toubro shares fell nearly 5% amid Middle East tensions, but an analyst believes it's too early to cut earnings estimates. While the company has substantial exposure to the region, its diversified project footprint and strong order pipeline offer resilience. Investors are advised to watch for L&T's upcoming strategic plan, which could serve as a positive catalyst.

Global markets face geopolitical risks and trade disruptions. Investors are increasingly seeking stability in portfolios. Fixed income instruments offer predictable cash flows and diversification. India's economic growth necessitates a stronger role for fixed income. A balanced tax structure between equity and debt could boost fixed income investing. This shift is crucial for long-term wealth creation.

Chris Wood of Jefferies sees gold potentially hitting $10,000 in five years, backed by geopolitical tensions, central bank accumulation and structural shifts in global reserves. He flags short-term consolidation risks but maintains a long-term bullish view, citing golds role as a hedge amid rising uncertainty and evolving monetary dynamics.

Adani Ports shares fell sharply as the IranIsrael conflict intensified, raising concerns over potential disruptions at its Haifa Port operations. While the company said all assets remain secure, escalating retaliatory strikes and rising geopolitical risks in the Middle East have heightened worries about trade impact and operational continuity.

Pakistan's KSE-30 Index experienced its largest-ever plunge, falling 7.3% after geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalated due to US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Pro-Iran protests across the country, resulting in at least 30 deaths, further fueled market declines. Escalating tensions with Afghanistan also contributed to the index briefly entering bear-market territory.

Shanghai stocks closed at a 10-year high on Monday, bucking regional weakness in the wake of the Iran conflict as investors snapped up energy, gold and defence shares.

Indian stock markets, BSE and NSE, will be closed on Tuesday, March 3, for the Holi holiday. The Multi Commodity Exchange of India will have a partial closure. The National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange will remain shut all day. The article also lists other upcoming trading holidays for the year 2026.

Short-dated euro zone government bond yields nudged above multi-month lows on Monday, as concern mounted over the impact of prolonged conflict in the Middle East on global growth and inflation.

Christopher Wood advises caution for leveraged gold investors, suggesting a 6-18 month consolidation period but sees gold reaching $10,000 in five years. He highlights gold and oil stocks as key hedges against geopolitical risks. Wood also discusses Bitcoin's four-year cycle and its existential threat from quantum computing, while expressing strong confidence in India's economic prospects for entrepreneurs.

European markets tumbled Monday as Middle East tensions escalated, pushing energy and defense stocks higher. The STOXX 600 saw a significant drop, its lowest since mid-February. Airlines and banks bore the brunt of the sell-off, while oil prices and defense firms surged amid fears of wider conflict and increased military spending.

FIIs boosted stakes across 300+ stocks in Q3 FY26doubling exposure in six namesthough returns since January have diverged sharply.

Japanese shares and the yen fell on Monday,while government bonds rose, after military strikes by the U.S. and Israel killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

U.S. stock index futures slid more than 1% on Monday as the Middle East conflict showed no signs of cooling, prompting a rush toward safe-haven assets ahead of a busy week of U.S. economic data.

Oil prices could exceed USD 100 per barrel if tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is not swiftly restored, as the waterway's closure threatens to disrupt 15 per cent of global oil supply and 20 per cent of global LNG supply, consultancy Wood Mackenzie said.

Rice exporter stocks fell sharply on Monday as the IsraelIran conflict intensified, raising fears of trade disruption in key Middle East markets. Iran, Indias second-largest basmati buyer, is central to the risk. Exporters face potential freight spikes, insurance cost surges and delayed shipments amid uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz.

Veteran investor Ramesh Damani advises investors to view market dips as buying opportunities, highlighting defence, commodities, and pharmaceuticals as safe havens. He stresses IT sector adaptability amidst AI's transformative impact. Damani sees significant potential in India's defence sector and consumption trends, urging a forward-looking investment approach.

Gold prices have dramatically surged, reaching Rs 1.68 lakh per 10 grams on MCX following major strikes in Iran. This escalation has fueled safe-haven demand amid rising global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions. Analysts predict further price increases as a new era of instability dawns, with investors closely watching economic data for future direction.

Global markets are experiencing volatility due to Middle East tensions. Indian equities are bracing for this uncertainty. Analysts suggest certain stocks in energy, metals, IT, pharma, defence, and banking could offer relative safety. Investors are advised to watch for opportunities amidst the current market movements. Oil prices and currency fluctuations are key factors to monitor.

Australian shares ended flat as Middle East conflict dampened investor sentiment. While miners and energy stocks surged on safe-haven demand, financials and airlines tumbled. The S&P/ASX 200 index saw minimal movement, reflecting geopolitical risks and concerns over global growth and potential supply disruptions. Investors are closely watching the evolving situation.

Jefferies sees the Israel-Iran conflict as a potential buying opportunity but warns of macro risks if crude prices spike due to Hormuz disruption. India faces exposure through oil imports, exports and remittances, with sectors like aviation and OMCs vulnerable, while defence and select exporters may benefit from sustained geopolitical tensions.

India's market regulator, SEBI, is clarifying the debate on derivatives trading. Chairperson Tuhin Kanta Pandey emphasizes that futures and options are distinct. The real concern lies with short-dated options and expiry-day speculation, not the entire derivatives market. SEBI is promoting transparency and awareness through data disclosure and statutory warnings to guide investors.

More than 30 listed Indian companies face rising geopolitical risk as the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the US threatens supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Exposure spans infrastructure, aviation, energy, logistics and consumer sectors, with crude volatility and trade disruption emerging as key pressure points for Corporate India.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India has removed over 1.2 lakh misleading posts by unregistered financial influencers. Using an AI tool named Sudarshan, Sebi tracks violations in the digital space. The regulator is also warning retail investors about the high risks of options trading, noting that most lose money. SEBI emphasizes a calibrated approach to market development.

Global oil markets are experiencing unprecedented turbulence as Brent crude sees wild price swings due to geopolitical developments in the Middle East. Uncertainty dominates energy markets, with potential disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz threatening significant oil and LNG flows. Investors brace for continued volatility as diplomatic efforts and supply route security remain critical.

Global markets opened this week with limited declines despite Middle East tensions, as investors had largely anticipated the escalation. Crude prices eased from initial jumps, with the Strait of Hormuz's future being a key factor for energy prices.

Paint stocks like Asian Paints and Indigo Paints plunged up to 6% as crude oil prices surged due to escalating Middle East tensions following attacks on Iran. The conflict, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, has raised concerns about oil supply disruptions, directly impacting paint companies reliant on petroleum-based derivatives and pressuring their profit margins.

Tejas Networks shares soared over 15% to Rs 503, marking a 60% surge in four sessions, driven by strong volumes and a new manufacturing deal with NEC for 5G massive MIMO radios. Despite a recent quarterly loss and revenue dip, the company anticipates converting significant inventory into finished goods. This partnership signals international expansion hopes.

Global markets opened cautiously as geopolitical tensions escalated, boosting demand for safe-haven assets like the U.S. dollar and Treasury bonds. Oil prices experienced a 'shock trade' due to uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy chokepoint. India and China face significant challenges, potentially impacting their trade and economic stability.

Indian stock markets face three closures in March 2026. Holi, Shri Ram Navami, and Shri Mahavir Jayanti will halt trading. This marks the highest monthly holiday count for the year. Investors are questioning the March 3 Holi closure, as the festival falls on March 4. A fund manager suggested a two-day holiday to account for geopolitical events.

Bitcoin saw a dip to $63,000 over the weekend amid geopolitical tensions following an attack on Iran. The cryptocurrency has since recovered near $66,500. Major altcoins also experienced drops, though some saw gains. Experts note market resilience despite volatility. Investors are watching US market reactions for future crypto direction.

Indian markets fell sharply as US-Israel strikes on Iran triggered geopolitical tensions, pushing crude oil higher and weakening the rupee. Analysts warn of macro risks if the conflict prolongs, with energy, defence and IT stocks seen as relative beneficiaries, while OMCs, airlines and export-linked firms face immediate pressure.

President Trump's delay in formally submitting Kevin Warsh's Federal Reserve nomination has created uncertainty, with a Republican senator vowing to block it amid a DOJ probe into Jerome Powell. This pause highlights the delicate balance between political pressure and the Fed's independence, impacting financial markets.