The Economic Times

Goldman Sachs and ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund acquired significant stakes in DLF Limited via block deals worth Rs 231 crore, even as the stock lags benchmarks and trades below key moving averages.

Ashish Kacholia bought shares worth Rs 9.3 crore in Aelea Commodities via a bulk deal as the stock trades below key averages after a sharp correction, with the seller fully exiting its stake.

Two Federal Reserve officials said on Friday the Iran war and its impact on energy markets were clouding the outlook for the economy and monetary policy, as one policymaker laid out an outlook calling for notably more interest rate cuts than most U.S. central bank officials currently support.

The Reserve Bank of India on Friday said it will conduct an overnight variable rate repo (VRR) auction of Rs 1 lakh crore on March 23.

Super Micro shares sank 27% on Friday after U.S. prosecutors charged three people linked with the company, including its co-founder, with helping smuggle billions of dollars worth of AI technology to China.

US Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller on Friday said he was concerned about the impact of the US-Israel war on Iran on inflation due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

India's Zetwerk plans to confidentially file draft papers for an initial public offering within the next one to two weeks, aiming to raise up to $550 million at a valuation of about $4 billion, two people with direct knowledge said.

FedEx shares surged about 7% in morning trading on Friday, after the package-delivery giant raised its full-year profit forecast and signaled steady shipping demand despite geopolitical tensions and surging fuel costs.

Aluminium prices steadied on Friday as investors balanced the competing impacts of the Iran war and lower supply from disrupted operations in the Middle East against weaker demand from a spike in oil prices.

Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said on Friday she's notably more in the way of interest rate cuts relative to her colleagues.

Wall Street's main indexes opened lower on Friday as the Iran war approached its fourth week, roiling energy markets and prompting investors to aggressively reprice bets on the Federal Reserve's interest-rate cuts.

India's benchmark 10-year bond yield logged its biggest weekly jump in 15 weeks on Friday, as surging oil prices sent the rupee plunging to record lows and stoked fears of inflation and hawkish central bank policy outlook.

India's central bank has boosted its secondary-market government bond purchases significantly since the Iran war broke out, data showed on Friday.

Warren Buffett rejects market forecasting and instead focuses on identifying undervalued businesses. His philosophy emphasises fundamentals, rational thinking and intrinsic value, helping investors avoid emotional decisions. By ignoring short-term noise and trusting long-term value, investors can build wealth as markets eventually recognise a companys true worth.

HDFC Bank fired three senior executives, including Sampath Kumar, over alleged mis-selling of Credit Suisse AT-1 bonds to NRIs. The controversy follows Atanu Chakrabortys resignation and a sharp market value erosion, raising governance and investor trust concerns.

Indian markets closed higher Friday, led by IT gains. Top movers: GMDC, Firstcry, Vodafone Idea, Happiest Minds, HDFC Bank, Acme Solar, and Petronet LNG.

Realty firm Max Estates Ltd expects Rs 3,000 crore revenue from a new housing project in Noida.

Realty firm Paranjape Schemes Construction Ltd will invest Rs 700 crore to develop four projects in Pune as part of its expansion plan.

U.S. stock index futures slipped in choppy trading on Friday as the Iran war approached its fourth week, roiling energy markets and prompting investors to aggressively reprice bets on interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Gold headed for the biggest weekly loss in six years, as war in the Middle East boosted energy prices and reduced expectations for interest-rate cuts.

On Friday, the benchmark Sensex surged 325 points, closing at 74,532. During this broader market rally, seven BSE 1000 stocks reached 52-week highs, marking their highest levels in the past year.

The Indian rupee has hit a record low against the US dollar. This decline is driven by worries over global energy supply disruptions caused by the Iran war. Higher crude oil prices are impacting India's economy. Foreign investors are pulling money out of Indian stocks. The rupee faces further pressure as the conflict continues.

Cryptocurrencies, led by Bitcoin, have shown remarkable resilience amid geopolitical turmoil, outperforming traditional assets like equities and gold. This surge, nearing 14% since late February, is attributed to institutional buying and traders unwinding bearish options bets, pushing Bitcoin past $75,000. However, some analysts caution that this momentum may be temporary.

Eternal shares surged 3% after Zomato increased its platform fee by Rs 2.40 per order, bringing it in line with rival Swiggy. This move follows a significant correction in Eternal's stock, which has underperformed broader indices over the past six months.

Firstcry operator Brainbees Solutions shares surged 20% amid heavy volumes, recovering after recent declines. Despite the rally, the stock remains 47% below its IPO price. The companys expansion into quick delivery and recent financial performance continue to shape investor sentiment amid ongoing volatility in the stock.

Indian equity markets are poised for a short-term bounce from the 23,000 Nifty 50 level. Technical analysts anticipate a recovery towards 23,500-23,600. However, the broader trend signals caution, with a medium-term target of 22,750. Investors should focus on specific sectors like Power, Pharma, and IT for potential opportunities. The upcoming truncated week may see increased volatility.

Vodafone Idea shares rose after TRAI data showed a slowdown in subscriber losses. The telecom firm lost 4.11 lakh users in Januarysignificantly lower than Decembers 9.41 lakh declinebringing its total base to 19.84 crore.

HDFC Bank shares have plunged 21% in early 2026 following the sudden resignation of former chairman Atanu Chakraborty over ethical concerns. Despite this, analysts remain largely constructive, focusing on the bank's long-term fundamentals and attractive valuations, though governance uncertainty could impact near-term upside.

The Indian rupee is at a critical point, falling past 93 against the US dollar. Crude oil prices and foreign investor outflows are pressuring the currency. Geopolitical risks, especially concerning the Strait of Hormuz, are a major factor. The Reserve Bank of India is intervening to manage volatility. The rupee's future direction depends on easing energy prices and global stability.

Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) shares rose sharply on Friday, adding Rs 2,000 crore in market value after reports of its inclusion in the FTSE GEIS index and a new MoU with NMDC to explore rare earth opportunities, boosting sentiment despite recent weak quarterly earnings.

Mutual funds have sold Indian government bonds at a record pace in March so far, as the Iran war drove up oil prices, heightening inflation risks, pushing the rupee to record lows and prompting a broad selloff across the debt market.

The top six laggards have fallen in the range of 2540%, while the top six gainers have surged between 40-130% in FY26 among these high-priced stocks.

Investors face a volatile market. Discipline and risk management are crucial now. Capital preservation is key for future gains. Defensives offer some protection but are not foolproof. A bottom-up approach is advised. Banking, especially PSU banks, looks promising. Governance is a key differentiator. Auto sector demand impact will be delayed. A balanced strategy is essential.

Bitcoin hovered near $70,000 amidst geopolitical tensions, a hawkish Fed outlook, and ETF outflows. Markets await CPI data for direction, with $70,000 acting as a key support level. Analysts suggest a consolidation phase, with the broader bullish structure intact despite short-term selling pressure.

India's market faces multiple shocks. Crude oil prices surge, foreign investors exit, the rupee weakens, and inflation rises. Consumers are yet to feel the full impact of fuel price hikes. Some private banks and IT companies show resilience. Domestic-focused businesses are best positioned. Investors should watch crude derivative sectors closely.

Pharma stocks rose up to 4% as Novo Nordisks semaglutide patent nears expiry, raising expectations of cheaper generics in India. Strong growth potential in GLP-1 drugs, low penetration, and aggressive pricing by domestic players like Natco Pharma are driving investor interest in the sector.

Polite Powertech has filed its DRHP with Sebi to launch an IPO comprising fresh issuance and an offer for sale. The power EPC firm has shown sharp growth in revenue and profitability, supported by a strong order book and newly secured projects, strengthening visibility for future expansion.

Bajaj Finance shares have plunged over 20% in a month, eroding more than Rs 1 lakh crore in market value amid escalating Iran-US tensions. Rising oil prices, inflation concerns and macroeconomic risks flagged by Moodys have weighed on sentiment, dragging financial stocks lower and keeping investors cautious amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

Global markets are volatile due to Middle East conflict. India's energy security provides a strong position. Experts advise patience for retail investors. A relief rally is expected once tensions ease. Domestic consumption remains a key theme. Investors should time their entries carefully. Disciplined investing is crucial for navigating this uncertain phase.

Tata Power shares surged after Gujarat approved a new power supply deal. This allows the company to restart its 4-gigawatt Mundra plant. The agreement aims to boost power output amid potential summer gas shortages. It requires federal approval and takes effect from April 2025. Tariffs will align with other states. This development offers relief to India's energy sector.

Markets face turbulence in March 2026. Energy strikes in the Middle East cause oil prices to surge, impacting European and US gas prices. Analysts warn of inflation and stagflation risks. The advice is to stay patient, build watchlists, and review existing holdings. Quality stocks are recommended for weathering the storm and participating in future recoveries.

Shares of State Bank of India (SBI) rose sharply after its subsidiary SBI Funds Management filed draft IPO papers with Sebi for a pure offer for sale of 20.37 crore shares. Proceeds will go to selling shareholders, including SBI and Amundi India Holding.

Indian markets are experiencing a significant downturn, with banking stocks leading the decline and pushing the Nifty below 23,000. Experts warn of further downside, suggesting a potential drop to 22,000 for the Nifty and 52,000 for the Bank Nifty. Investors are advised to focus on value-driven sectors like non-banking PSUs and energy, while avoiding stretched valuations in IT and defense.

Accenture reports strong AI deal wins. This indicates a major shift in the IT sector where artificial intelligence is now essential. While revenue growth is moderate, experts believe Accenture may exceed expectations. The company has stopped reporting AI revenue separately, reflecting its integration into core services. This trend will likely shape future performance for IT companies.

The Iran-Israel/US war has triggered a broad sell-off in Indian equities, with 83% of BSE 500 stocks trading in the red. Rising energy prices and the US Federal Reserve holding interest rates have compounded market woes, alongside a falling rupee. Company-specific issues, like IDBI Bank's divestment concerns, have also impacted sentiment.

Shares of Hindustan Petroleum, Indian Oil, and Bharat Petroleum saw significant gains on Friday. This surge followed a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicating a de-escalation of conflict with Iran. Crude oil prices eased as a result. The rally also reflects a technical rebound after recent declines. Investors are watching geopolitical developments closely.

Middle East tensions are impacting the U.S. housing market. Mortgage rates have reached a three-month peak. This rise complicates efforts to improve housing affordability. The spring selling season may see reduced buyer demand. Higher borrowing costs present challenges for buyers and sellers. This development adds to political concerns about housing affordability ahead of elections.

Wall Street traders face a massive $5.7 trillion options expiry, the largest March event on record, potentially increasing market volatility. This riple-witching event occurs amid geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns, with volatility indicators already showing investor anxiety. The scale of the expiry, representing 8.4% of the Russell 3000's market cap, suggests significant positioning-driven flows.