The Economic Times

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.

Indian markets look set for a rebound as GIFT Nifty surged 3.6% on Monday following US President Trumps announcement to delay strikes on Iranian power plants. Investor optimism grew amid expectations of ceasefire talks, easing oil prices, and sharp Wall Street futures gains after days of steep market selloffs.

Sula Vineyards CEO Rajeev Samant raises stake to 23.27% with Rs 3 crore share purchase, marking his first buy since the 2022 listing. The shares bought by the promoter would be worth more than Rs 2.7 crore.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) reduced their stakes in several companies during the December 2025 quarter, coinciding with declining sales and profit growth. This trend, observed in 48 stocks exceeding Rs 2,500 crore market cap, signaled potential underlying issues. Nine of these stocks experienced significant price corrections of 25%-45% in the preceding three months.

Vedanta Ltd on Monday announced a third interim dividend of Rs 11 per share for FY26. The board approved the payout earlier in the day and informed the exchanges during market hours. The company has set Saturday, March 28, as the record date to determine shareholders eligible to receive the payout.

Escalating Iran tensions and oil above $110 have triggered a risk-off selloff in Indian markets, with Sensex crashing and Rs 13 lakh crore wiped out amid FII outflows, rupee weakness, and rising inflation fears.

Airline stocks fell sharply Monday. Experts predict a significant rise in jet fuel prices from April 1. This follows recent declines due to Middle East conflict concerns. International fuel prices have nearly tripled. Indian fuel prices may increase substantially. Discussions are underway to manage costs. Airlines are introducing fuel charges to offset expenses. This situation impacts operations and passenger fares.

The Nifty Bank index slumped over 3% to an 11-month low as selling hit major lenders, including State Bank of India and HDFC Bank. A weaker rupee, persistent FII outflows and geopolitical tensions kept sentiment bearish, with analysts warning that volatility and downside risks may persist.

HDFC Bank's chairman resigned over ethical differences, sparking market turmoil. The rift reportedly stemmed from disagreements on accountability for client losses tied to Credit Suisse bonds and Dubai branch restrictions. The former chairman sought greater responsibility for senior officials, clashing with management's approach.

Despite recent stock dips, Jefferies maintains a positive outlook on Paytm and Pine Labs, citing strong growth forecasts and attractive valuations. Both companies are targeting over 20% revenue growth and margin expansion, driven by network expansion and new initiatives. Jefferies reiterates 'Buy' ratings, though target prices are adjusted.

Global markets see investors moving to cash. Rising oil prices and inflation fears are causing this shift. Money market funds are attracting record amounts of money. Traditional safe havens like gold and bonds are losing appeal. Investors are adopting a cautious wait-and-watch approach. This defensive positioning prioritizes capital preservation over seeking returns.

Vedanta shares fell after the Supreme Court upheld a ruling denying concessional diesel rates under Form C, citing misuse beyond mining purposes. The verdict adds regulatory pressure amid ongoing legal challenges and corporate developments, including its move against Adanis Jaiprakash Associates deal and an upcoming board meeting on dividend consideration.

HDFC Bank share price tumbled for the fourth consecutive day, losing 10% and erasing Rs 1.35 lakh crore in market cap following a key executive's resignation. The bank's leadership is now set to review past decisions and strengthen controls to address concerns raised. Technical indicators suggest a potential rebound despite a bearish trend.

Hindustan Zinc shares saw a significant drop on Monday. This decline followed a sharp fall in silver prices. Rising global tensions and inflation fears are impacting commodity markets. Higher crude oil prices are also contributing to these concerns. The company's stock has experienced a notable decrease over the past month. This situation affects industrial costs and potentially demand for silver.

Indias solar manufacturing sector is set for structural change as ALMM expands to include wafers, driving backward integration and consolidation. Analysts see Waaree Energies and Premier Energies as key beneficiaries due to strong capacities and integration strategies, with policy support and localisation efforts expected to boost long-term growth and competitiveness.

Indian stock markets experienced a significant downturn on Monday, with Sensex and Nifty both plummeting. This sharp selloff, wiping out substantial market capitalization, was driven by escalating geopolitical tensions, a weakening rupee, and broad-based losses across all sectors. Investors reacted negatively as major indices and most individual stocks traded in the red.

Metal stocks have plunged recently due to geopolitical tensions and hawkish Fed commentary. However, experts anticipate a near-term surge in metal prices, driven by the Iran-US conflict and rising oil costs. Supply disruptions in the Middle East are particularly impacting steel and aluminum markets, with potential implications for Indian producers.

Indian markets witnessed a broad-based sell-off amid escalating Middle East tensions and rising crude oil prices. Several stocks, including IDBI Bank and SpiceJet, declined sharply during the week. Geopolitical risks, inflation concerns, and regulatory developments weighed on investor sentiment, dragging multiple sectors lower despite selective resilience in parts of the market.