The Economic Times

Goldman Sachs has identified seven quality stocks with stable earnings and strong balance sheets that appear attractively priced. These selections are within the brokerage's preferred sectors. However, Goldman Sachs has adopted a cautious stance on Indian equities overall, downgrading its market view.

Global stock markets, including Dalal Street, experienced sharp downturns in March due to the Iran-US war and soaring oil prices. Ten stocks, including BPCL and IDBI Bank, have seen significant drops, with some falling up to 54% as geopolitical tensions impact various sectors.

Stock Market Crash: Stock markets fell sharply on Friday, with the Sensex and Nifty declining significantly. The Indian rupee also hit a fresh record low against the US dollar. These movements were primarily driven by fading hopes for a de-escalation in the Iran-US conflict and continued FPI outflows.

Oil marketing company shares are in focus after the government reduced excise duty on petrol and scrapped it on diesel. This move follows a surge in global crude oil prices and a price hike by private retailer Nayara Energy. Brokerages, however, remain cautious, citing potential margin pressures and elevated oil prices.

Tata Motors PV share price fell 3% on Friday. Production at its luxury unit, Jaguar Land Rover, might be impacted. The Solihull plant faced a temporary shutdown due to supplier issues. This follows a prior cyberattack that disrupted JLR's operations and finances. The company's stock has seen a decline recently. Investors are watching these developments closely.

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) shares declined 2% after the company disclosed an income tax demand order of Rs 7,100 crore for FY21-22. The demand includes Rs 6,147 crore in tax and Rs 953 crore in interest, stemming from various alleged violations. LIC stated the order is appealable and will not materially impact operations.

Indian equity investors faced losses while international funds delivered triple-digit returns in FY26, driven by global tech growth and commodity price surges. While domestic schemes struggled, international investments showcased the benefits of global diversification, though experts advise against chasing past performance and advocate for a balanced portfolio allocation.

Mankind Pharma share price surged 2% after Morgan Stanley initiated coverage with an 'Overweight' rating and a Rs 2,500 target price, citing strong growth potential. The brokerage anticipates robust revenue and EPS growth driven by domestic business recovery and the BSV segment, favoring Mankind Pharma for its favorable risk-reward profile.

Eight Nifty 500 stocks that gained over 5% on March 25 appeared in the RSI Trending Up scan. Their RSI moved above the 50 mark from lower levels, signalling strengthening price momentum. Such indicators are often tracked by traders to identify improving sentiment and potential bullish opportunities across select counters in the broader market.

Infosys share price gained over 1% rose after announcing the acquisition of two US-based firms, Optimum Healthcare IT for $465 million and Stratus for $95 million. These all-cash deals aim to bolster Infosys' presence in healthcare and insurance sectors, bringing in over 2,000 professionals and enhancing its digital transformation capabilities.

Five stocks from the Nifty500 universe closed over 1% above their VWAP on March 25, signalling strong intraday accumulation and improving sentiment. A close above VWAP indicates prices strengthened during the session and is often viewed as a short-term bullish signal, suggesting sustained buying interest and potential continuation of upward momentum.

As long as the stock is priced above the 200-day SMA on the daily timeframe, it is generally considered to be in an overall uptrend.

Hind Rectifiers is issuing bonus equity shares. Shareholders owning stock on March 27 will receive free shares. This corporate action increases share count without changing total value. The company reported strong profit and revenue growth. Its stock has seen significant gains over various periods. This move signals financial strength and growth prospects for Hind Rectifiers.

The S&P 500 Index faces its worst month in a year. Technical analysis points to a potential 9% drop before finding support. This level, known as the 50% Fibonacci retracement, is a key indicator for traders. Geopolitical events and oil prices add to market uncertainty. Investors watch for resolutions to global conflicts and inflation pressures.

Indian stock markets saw a strong rally on Wednesday, with the Nifty and Sensex closing higher for the second consecutive session. Gains in banking, auto, and consumer stocks boosted market sentiment. The market experienced a pullback after a recent decline. Volatility is expected to continue due to global factors. The Indian Rupee saw a slight weakening.

President Trump's delay of air strikes against Iran's energy assets triggered a market rebound, with equities jumping and oil sliding. However, many investors remain cautious, maintaining defensive strategies and hedges due to ongoing unpredictability. Fund managers are sticking to reduced risk exposure, awaiting clearer signs of de-escalation or a significant market dip.