Latest Economy Stock Market News

BaaS has low adoption despite lowering upfront EV costs by 35-40%. BaaS excludes battery costs from purchase price, allowing payment through a usage-based subscription fee. It accounts for just 2-5% of the market, with Tata Motors estimating less than 5% and MG seeing 12-15% of their sales. Industry views BaaS as a financing tool rather than a core ownership model.

Brent futures rose to $112.04 a barrel, up $4.66 or 4.3%, on Iran's attack on Middle East energy facilities. US West Texas Intermediate crude increased to $97.28 a barrel. Shares of oil marketing companies BPCL and HPCL traded 3% and 4% lower, respectively, while airlines and food delivery platforms were also impacted due to expected higher overheads.

Amara Raja's arm develops indigenous naval sonar PCC with 61% localisation and cost efficiency. The innovation targets the broader ecosystem amid Indian Navy investments. The company's shares are in focus as it expands into defence electronics, offering comprehensive solutions in the Energy & Mobility space.

India can replicate Norway's success by building an institution that leverages its demographic dividend. With 900 million working-age citizens and a growing services export engine, India needs to adopt policy discipline to harness its advantages. This requires a fundamentally different policy architecture, institutional investment, and structural protections to outlast individual administrations.

The Nifty Bank index declined 3% to 53,774 after HDFC Bank shares crashed 9% in morning trading. Other banking stocks like Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, and AU Small Finance Bank also fell around 3% each, breaching support levels and erasing gains from an earlier rally. HDFC Bank's sharp decline was influenced by US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's hawkish commentary.

Crude oil prices surged above $110 per barrel after missile attacks on Qatar and the UAE, prompting a 2-4% decline in airline, paint, and tyre stocks. US President Donald Trump warned Iran not to attack Qatari LNG facilities again. Brent crude rose to $111, impacting India's macroeconomic indicators and GDP growth.

HDFC Bank may have erred in handling former chairman Atanu Chakraborty's resignation, missing an opportunity to address concerns alongside the announcement. A delayed response risks prolonging uncertainty and keeping investor sentiment under pressure. Experts also question governance standards at the lender, citing senior management exits and whistle-blower letters.

Indian real estate companies, including Godrej Properties, DLF, Brigade Enterprises, and Lodha, are trading with losses of up to 4% due to worries about secondary effects from the US-Iran war. Real estate sector is impacted by tile shortages, with 20-35% of tile production costs from gas, and QatarEnergy declaring Force Majeure due to gas infrastructure attacks.

ACME Solar and NTPC Green Energy shares gain up to 5% on Thursday, March 19. The US-Iran war's escalation puts renewable energy in focus, particularly in India where the government emphasizes the sector. India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy expands the approved list of solar manufacturers to boost domestic production, reduce imports, and enhance supply chain resilience.

Nazara Technologies acquired a 50% stake in gaming studios Bluetile and BestPlay for $100.3 million (Rs 918 crore), with an option to acquire the remaining 50 percent by 2028. Bluetile generates revenue of Rs 1,400-1,500 crore per year and has integrated AI well, making it an attractive acquisition. Nazara aims to accelerate next-generation casual and social gaming titles.

Indian Public Sector Banks (PSBs) are set to report a record ₹2 lakh crore in aggregate profitability for the financial year 2026, with a return on equity of 14.5% and return on assets above 1.1%. Their Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratios (CRARs) exceed 16%, with multi-pronged reforms and recapitalisation contributing to the turnaround.

Bharti Hexacom Ltd shares rise 1.45% on Thursday after the brokerage CLSA upgrades the stock to 'hold' from 'underperform'. CLSA has a ₹1,510 price target, suggesting a 7% downside, citing strong growth prospects for Bharti Airtel, which CLSA prefers due to higher growth visibility and lower valuation.

The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) net-short dollar book has reached a record level, nearing $100 billion, as it intervenes in offshore markets to defend the rupee against the strong dollar. RBI's FX reserves stood at near-record $717 billion in March. The RBI has used short-dated contracts and buy-sell swaps to influence the exchange rate, signaling policy intent and steadying the currency.

Norway's foresight in managing oil wealth can be India's model to achieve $10 trillion GDP by 2040. India's demographic dividend, services export engine, and AI talent pool hold significant potential. However, India must reform education, R&D, and regulatory infrastructure to sustain economic growth and outlast political cycles.

Macquarie removed HDFC Bank from its buy list due to governance concerns. The bank's fundamentals remain strong but near-term performance may be impacted by Chakraborty's resignation and uncertainty around CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan's reappointment. Macquarie retained its 'Outperform' rating with a ₹1,200 target and cited potential growth slowdown and governance issues as key risks.

Asian technology stocks fell on Thursday due to Iran's attacks on Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City and surging oil prices, affecting supply chains and electronics manufacturing. Key stocks declined: SK Hynix (-2.23%), Samsung Electronics (-1.8%), Seoul Semiconductor (-2.53%), Advantest (-4%), Tokyo Electron (-1.99%), and Taiwan's TSMC (-2.1%).

BaaS has low adoption despite lowering upfront EV costs by 35-40%. BaaS excludes battery costs from purchase price, allowing payment through a usage-based subscription fee. It accounts for just 2-5% of the market, with Tata Motors estimating less than 5% and MG seeing 12-15% of their sales. Industry views BaaS as a financing tool rather than a core ownership model.

Brent futures rose to $112.04 a barrel, up $4.66 or 4.3%, on Iran's attack on Middle East energy facilities. US West Texas Intermediate crude increased to $97.28 a barrel. Shares of oil marketing companies BPCL and HPCL traded 3% and 4% lower, respectively, while airlines and food delivery platforms were also impacted due to expected higher overheads.

Amara Raja's arm develops indigenous naval sonar PCC with 61% localisation and cost efficiency. The innovation targets the broader ecosystem amid Indian Navy investments. The company's shares are in focus as it expands into defence electronics, offering comprehensive solutions in the Energy & Mobility space.

India can replicate Norway's success by building an institution that leverages its demographic dividend. With 900 million working-age citizens and a growing services export engine, India needs to adopt policy discipline to harness its advantages. This requires a fundamentally different policy architecture, institutional investment, and structural protections to outlast individual administrations.

The Nifty Bank index declined 3% to 53,774 after HDFC Bank shares crashed 9% in morning trading. Other banking stocks like Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, and AU Small Finance Bank also fell around 3% each, breaching support levels and erasing gains from an earlier rally. HDFC Bank's sharp decline was influenced by US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's hawkish commentary.

Crude oil prices surged above $110 per barrel after missile attacks on Qatar and the UAE, prompting a 2-4% decline in airline, paint, and tyre stocks. US President Donald Trump warned Iran not to attack Qatari LNG facilities again. Brent crude rose to $111, impacting India's macroeconomic indicators and GDP growth.

HDFC Bank may have erred in handling former chairman Atanu Chakraborty's resignation, missing an opportunity to address concerns alongside the announcement. A delayed response risks prolonging uncertainty and keeping investor sentiment under pressure. Experts also question governance standards at the lender, citing senior management exits and whistle-blower letters.

Indian real estate companies, including Godrej Properties, DLF, Brigade Enterprises, and Lodha, are trading with losses of up to 4% due to worries about secondary effects from the US-Iran war. Real estate sector is impacted by tile shortages, with 20-35% of tile production costs from gas, and QatarEnergy declaring Force Majeure due to gas infrastructure attacks.

ACME Solar and NTPC Green Energy shares gain up to 5% on Thursday, March 19. The US-Iran war's escalation puts renewable energy in focus, particularly in India where the government emphasizes the sector. India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy expands the approved list of solar manufacturers to boost domestic production, reduce imports, and enhance supply chain resilience.

Nazara Technologies acquired a 50% stake in gaming studios Bluetile and BestPlay for $100.3 million (Rs 918 crore), with an option to acquire the remaining 50 percent by 2028. Bluetile generates revenue of Rs 1,400-1,500 crore per year and has integrated AI well, making it an attractive acquisition. Nazara aims to accelerate next-generation casual and social gaming titles.

Indian Public Sector Banks (PSBs) are set to report a record ₹2 lakh crore in aggregate profitability for the financial year 2026, with a return on equity of 14.5% and return on assets above 1.1%. Their Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratios (CRARs) exceed 16%, with multi-pronged reforms and recapitalisation contributing to the turnaround.

Bharti Hexacom Ltd shares rise 1.45% on Thursday after the brokerage CLSA upgrades the stock to 'hold' from 'underperform'. CLSA has a ₹1,510 price target, suggesting a 7% downside, citing strong growth prospects for Bharti Airtel, which CLSA prefers due to higher growth visibility and lower valuation.

The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) net-short dollar book has reached a record level, nearing $100 billion, as it intervenes in offshore markets to defend the rupee against the strong dollar. RBI's FX reserves stood at near-record $717 billion in March. The RBI has used short-dated contracts and buy-sell swaps to influence the exchange rate, signaling policy intent and steadying the currency.

Norway's foresight in managing oil wealth can be India's model to achieve $10 trillion GDP by 2040. India's demographic dividend, services export engine, and AI talent pool hold significant potential. However, India must reform education, R&D, and regulatory infrastructure to sustain economic growth and outlast political cycles.

Macquarie removed HDFC Bank from its buy list due to governance concerns. The bank's fundamentals remain strong but near-term performance may be impacted by Chakraborty's resignation and uncertainty around CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan's reappointment. Macquarie retained its 'Outperform' rating with a ₹1,200 target and cited potential growth slowdown and governance issues as key risks.

Asian technology stocks fell on Thursday due to Iran's attacks on Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City and surging oil prices, affecting supply chains and electronics manufacturing. Key stocks declined: SK Hynix (-2.23%), Samsung Electronics (-1.8%), Seoul Semiconductor (-2.53%), Advantest (-4%), Tokyo Electron (-1.99%), and Taiwan's TSMC (-2.1%).

CLSA has maintained positive views on Indian IT stocks, citing no evidence of increased deflation in renewal contracts due to AI tools. CLSA rates 'Outperform' on Infosys, Tech Mahindra, TCS and LTIMindtree, while maintaining 'High-conviction Outperform' on Persistent Systems and Coforge. CLSA sees vertical-wise demand intact, with BFSI seeing tailwinds for all four companies.

Morgan Stanley warned investors to sell into this week's Asian equities rally due to a potential deeper market downturn. Energy prices surged, with Brent crude near $120 per barrel, posing a threat to Asia as strategists expect a 15%-20% drop below current levels, citing vulnerability to oil and LNG disruptions.

Sensex plunged 1,953 points to 74,751 and Nifty 50 declined over 580 points to 23,198. Key factors behind the market decline include soaring crude prices above $110, hawkish Fed commentary, sharp selloff in HDFC Bank shares, global markets in red, US bond yield soaring, FII selling continuing, and profit booking. The NSE saw 2,192 stocks decline, 256 advance, and 62 remain unchanged.

Qatar Foreign Ministry stated Iranian missiles caused "extensive damage" to Ras Laffan Industrial City, home to the world's largest LNG export facility. The attack was deemed a "dangerous escalation," a "flagrant violation" and a direct threat to Qatar's national security and regional stability, prompting a potential Qatar response under international law.

Smaller mutual fund distributors will likely face financial and operational impacts under new regulatory changes effective April 1. The shift affects commissions, with GST-registered distributors receiving 0.85% base commission and 0.15% GST, and unregistered distributors receiving 0.85%, losing the earlier tax portion. The change may see 15% income decline for some.

Rajputana Stainless shares listed at a 1.6% premium on BSE at Rs 123.95 and at par on NSE. The Rs 255 crore IPO was subscribed 1.12 times, with institutional investors showing stronger interest and retail participation being weak at 0.27 times. The company reported steady profitability but faces growth challenges with modest margins and valuation concerns at a 21x price-to-earnings multiple.

HPCL shares are trading around 6% lower, near their 52-week low, due to rising crude oil prices. Brent crude is near $113 while US crude is near $100 per barrel. Brokers Kotak Institutional Equities and HSBC have downgraded OMCs, cutting price targets for IOC to ₹100, BPCL to ₹240, and HPCL to ₹235, maintaining a "sell" recommendation.

HDFC Bank shares declined, losing about Rs 60,000 crore in early trade, following chairman Atanu Chakraborty's sudden resignation. Analysts view the correction as a buying opportunity, citing HDFC Bank's strong governance, processes, and fundamentals. Valuations have entered a "deep value" zone, with some analysts not seeing the development as a fundamental concern.

South Pars-North Dome gas field, the world's largest, has been attacked. The field holds 25% of global proven gas reserves, with Ras Laffan's 20% of global LNG trade also targeted. The Habshan Gas Processing Plant has halted operations. Oil prices have risen to $115 per barrel, with LNG market tightening. Disruptions impact 25% of gas reserves and 20% of LNG trade, constraining supply for months.

Bharat Electronics' steady disclosure of incremental orders worth around Rs 1,011 cr signals India's long defence modernization cycle translating into predictable business visibility. The company's revenue growth averaged 15% over 3 years, with profit growth significantly higher, driven by established technological capability, and a stable order book providing revenue visibility for several years.

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady at 3.5-3.75%, its second pause since three rate cuts last year. The FOMC voted 11-1 with Governor Stephen Miran dissenting in favour of a 25 basis point cut. The economy is expanding, but job gains have slowed and inflation remains elevated due to tensions in the Middle East and rising fuel prices. One rate cut is still projected in 2026 and 2027.

Oil markets are underestimating supply shock and repricing, with a widening gap between physical crude prices and benchmark futures. Benchmark futures hover near $100 a barrel, while physical cargoes into Asia trade at $130 to $170. Analysts, including Jeff Currie and Charles Myers, warn of potential price spikes to $150 or higher due to supply constraints and geopolitical tensions.

The Strait of Hormuz's disruption impacts global markets, highlighting the vulnerability of the economy to geopolitical shocks. Oil prices spike due to potential supply disruptions, affecting nearly every sector, including energy, manufacturing, agriculture, and electricity. Higher oil prices increase inflation expectations, forcing central banks to balance energy prices and economic growth.

Iranian missile strikes damaged Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, the world's largest LNG export facility, causing extensive damage and fires. Emergency crews contained the blaze with no reported casualties. Oil prices rose 3-4% with Brent crude at $111.80 and US West Texas Intermediate at $99.47 due to supply concerns in the Middle East.

US Federal Reserve keeps policy rates unchanged, with inflation expected to be 2.7% by the end of 2026. Higher energy prices and tariff-driven inflation contribute to the increase. The rate decision impacts Indian IT companies, which derive a major portion of revenue from the US economy, potentially hurting their margins due to higher inflation and reduced consumer spending.

Since February, five recent IPOs in India have shown weak participation from retail investors, being undersubscribed in most cases, as volatile secondary markets prompt caution. Key figures include Omnitech Engineering's 1.14 times subscription, SEDEMAC Mechatronics' 2.68 times subscription, and GSP Crop Science's 1.2 times subscription, with retail participation undersubscribed in all five.

Indian stock markets crashed on Thursday morning with Sensex plummeting 1,953 points to open at 74,751 and Nifty 50 declining over 580 points to begin at 23,198. Key factors were soaring crude prices above $110, hawkish Fed commentary with higher inflation projections, a sharp selloff in HDFC Bank shares, global market red, and profit booking. Over Rs 7 lakh crore were wiped off in a few minutes.

BaaS has low adoption despite lowering upfront EV costs by 35-40%. BaaS excludes battery costs from purchase price, allowing payment through a usage-based subscription fee. It accounts for just 2-5% of the market, with Tata Motors estimating less than 5% and MG seeing 12-15% of their sales. Industry views BaaS as a financing tool rather than a core ownership model.

Brent futures rose to $112.04 a barrel, up $4.66 or 4.3%, on Iran's attack on Middle East energy facilities. US West Texas Intermediate crude increased to $97.28 a barrel. Shares of oil marketing companies BPCL and HPCL traded 3% and 4% lower, respectively, while airlines and food delivery platforms were also impacted due to expected higher overheads.

Amara Raja's arm develops indigenous naval sonar PCC with 61% localisation and cost efficiency. The innovation targets the broader ecosystem amid Indian Navy investments. The company's shares are in focus as it expands into defence electronics, offering comprehensive solutions in the Energy & Mobility space.

India can replicate Norway's success by building an institution that leverages its demographic dividend. With 900 million working-age citizens and a growing services export engine, India needs to adopt policy discipline to harness its advantages. This requires a fundamentally different policy architecture, institutional investment, and structural protections to outlast individual administrations.

The Nifty Bank index declined 3% to 53,774 after HDFC Bank shares crashed 9% in morning trading. Other banking stocks like Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, and AU Small Finance Bank also fell around 3% each, breaching support levels and erasing gains from an earlier rally. HDFC Bank's sharp decline was influenced by US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's hawkish commentary.

Crude oil prices surged above $110 per barrel after missile attacks on Qatar and the UAE, prompting a 2-4% decline in airline, paint, and tyre stocks. US President Donald Trump warned Iran not to attack Qatari LNG facilities again. Brent crude rose to $111, impacting India's macroeconomic indicators and GDP growth.

HDFC Bank may have erred in handling former chairman Atanu Chakraborty's resignation, missing an opportunity to address concerns alongside the announcement. A delayed response risks prolonging uncertainty and keeping investor sentiment under pressure. Experts also question governance standards at the lender, citing senior management exits and whistle-blower letters.

Indian real estate companies, including Godrej Properties, DLF, Brigade Enterprises, and Lodha, are trading with losses of up to 4% due to worries about secondary effects from the US-Iran war. Real estate sector is impacted by tile shortages, with 20-35% of tile production costs from gas, and QatarEnergy declaring Force Majeure due to gas infrastructure attacks.

ACME Solar and NTPC Green Energy shares gain up to 5% on Thursday, March 19. The US-Iran war's escalation puts renewable energy in focus, particularly in India where the government emphasizes the sector. India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy expands the approved list of solar manufacturers to boost domestic production, reduce imports, and enhance supply chain resilience.

Nazara Technologies acquired a 50% stake in gaming studios Bluetile and BestPlay for $100.3 million (Rs 918 crore), with an option to acquire the remaining 50 percent by 2028. Bluetile generates revenue of Rs 1,400-1,500 crore per year and has integrated AI well, making it an attractive acquisition. Nazara aims to accelerate next-generation casual and social gaming titles.

Indian Public Sector Banks (PSBs) are set to report a record ₹2 lakh crore in aggregate profitability for the financial year 2026, with a return on equity of 14.5% and return on assets above 1.1%. Their Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratios (CRARs) exceed 16%, with multi-pronged reforms and recapitalisation contributing to the turnaround.

Bharti Hexacom Ltd shares rise 1.45% on Thursday after the brokerage CLSA upgrades the stock to 'hold' from 'underperform'. CLSA has a ₹1,510 price target, suggesting a 7% downside, citing strong growth prospects for Bharti Airtel, which CLSA prefers due to higher growth visibility and lower valuation.

The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) net-short dollar book has reached a record level, nearing $100 billion, as it intervenes in offshore markets to defend the rupee against the strong dollar. RBI's FX reserves stood at near-record $717 billion in March. The RBI has used short-dated contracts and buy-sell swaps to influence the exchange rate, signaling policy intent and steadying the currency.

Norway's foresight in managing oil wealth can be India's model to achieve $10 trillion GDP by 2040. India's demographic dividend, services export engine, and AI talent pool hold significant potential. However, India must reform education, R&D, and regulatory infrastructure to sustain economic growth and outlast political cycles.

Macquarie removed HDFC Bank from its buy list due to governance concerns. The bank's fundamentals remain strong but near-term performance may be impacted by Chakraborty's resignation and uncertainty around CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan's reappointment. Macquarie retained its 'Outperform' rating with a ₹1,200 target and cited potential growth slowdown and governance issues as key risks.

Asian technology stocks fell on Thursday due to Iran's attacks on Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City and surging oil prices, affecting supply chains and electronics manufacturing. Key stocks declined: SK Hynix (-2.23%), Samsung Electronics (-1.8%), Seoul Semiconductor (-2.53%), Advantest (-4%), Tokyo Electron (-1.99%), and Taiwan's TSMC (-2.1%).

CLSA has maintained positive views on Indian IT stocks, citing no evidence of increased deflation in renewal contracts due to AI tools. CLSA rates 'Outperform' on Infosys, Tech Mahindra, TCS and LTIMindtree, while maintaining 'High-conviction Outperform' on Persistent Systems and Coforge. CLSA sees vertical-wise demand intact, with BFSI seeing tailwinds for all four companies.

Morgan Stanley warned investors to sell into this week's Asian equities rally due to a potential deeper market downturn. Energy prices surged, with Brent crude near $120 per barrel, posing a threat to Asia as strategists expect a 15%-20% drop below current levels, citing vulnerability to oil and LNG disruptions.

Sensex plunged 1,953 points to 74,751 and Nifty 50 declined over 580 points to 23,198. Key factors behind the market decline include soaring crude prices above $110, hawkish Fed commentary, sharp selloff in HDFC Bank shares, global markets in red, US bond yield soaring, FII selling continuing, and profit booking. The NSE saw 2,192 stocks decline, 256 advance, and 62 remain unchanged.

Qatar Foreign Ministry stated Iranian missiles caused "extensive damage" to Ras Laffan Industrial City, home to the world's largest LNG export facility. The attack was deemed a "dangerous escalation," a "flagrant violation" and a direct threat to Qatar's national security and regional stability, prompting a potential Qatar response under international law.

Smaller mutual fund distributors will likely face financial and operational impacts under new regulatory changes effective April 1. The shift affects commissions, with GST-registered distributors receiving 0.85% base commission and 0.15% GST, and unregistered distributors receiving 0.85%, losing the earlier tax portion. The change may see 15% income decline for some.

Rajputana Stainless shares listed at a 1.6% premium on BSE at Rs 123.95 and at par on NSE. The Rs 255 crore IPO was subscribed 1.12 times, with institutional investors showing stronger interest and retail participation being weak at 0.27 times. The company reported steady profitability but faces growth challenges with modest margins and valuation concerns at a 21x price-to-earnings multiple.

HPCL shares are trading around 6% lower, near their 52-week low, due to rising crude oil prices. Brent crude is near $113 while US crude is near $100 per barrel. Brokers Kotak Institutional Equities and HSBC have downgraded OMCs, cutting price targets for IOC to ₹100, BPCL to ₹240, and HPCL to ₹235, maintaining a "sell" recommendation.

HDFC Bank shares declined, losing about Rs 60,000 crore in early trade, following chairman Atanu Chakraborty's sudden resignation. Analysts view the correction as a buying opportunity, citing HDFC Bank's strong governance, processes, and fundamentals. Valuations have entered a "deep value" zone, with some analysts not seeing the development as a fundamental concern.

South Pars-North Dome gas field, the world's largest, has been attacked. The field holds 25% of global proven gas reserves, with Ras Laffan's 20% of global LNG trade also targeted. The Habshan Gas Processing Plant has halted operations. Oil prices have risen to $115 per barrel, with LNG market tightening. Disruptions impact 25% of gas reserves and 20% of LNG trade, constraining supply for months.

Bharat Electronics' steady disclosure of incremental orders worth around Rs 1,011 cr signals India's long defence modernization cycle translating into predictable business visibility. The company's revenue growth averaged 15% over 3 years, with profit growth significantly higher, driven by established technological capability, and a stable order book providing revenue visibility for several years.

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady at 3.5-3.75%, its second pause since three rate cuts last year. The FOMC voted 11-1 with Governor Stephen Miran dissenting in favour of a 25 basis point cut. The economy is expanding, but job gains have slowed and inflation remains elevated due to tensions in the Middle East and rising fuel prices. One rate cut is still projected in 2026 and 2027.

Oil markets are underestimating supply shock and repricing, with a widening gap between physical crude prices and benchmark futures. Benchmark futures hover near $100 a barrel, while physical cargoes into Asia trade at $130 to $170. Analysts, including Jeff Currie and Charles Myers, warn of potential price spikes to $150 or higher due to supply constraints and geopolitical tensions.

The Strait of Hormuz's disruption impacts global markets, highlighting the vulnerability of the economy to geopolitical shocks. Oil prices spike due to potential supply disruptions, affecting nearly every sector, including energy, manufacturing, agriculture, and electricity. Higher oil prices increase inflation expectations, forcing central banks to balance energy prices and economic growth.

Iranian missile strikes damaged Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, the world's largest LNG export facility, causing extensive damage and fires. Emergency crews contained the blaze with no reported casualties. Oil prices rose 3-4% with Brent crude at $111.80 and US West Texas Intermediate at $99.47 due to supply concerns in the Middle East.

US Federal Reserve keeps policy rates unchanged, with inflation expected to be 2.7% by the end of 2026. Higher energy prices and tariff-driven inflation contribute to the increase. The rate decision impacts Indian IT companies, which derive a major portion of revenue from the US economy, potentially hurting their margins due to higher inflation and reduced consumer spending.

Since February, five recent IPOs in India have shown weak participation from retail investors, being undersubscribed in most cases, as volatile secondary markets prompt caution. Key figures include Omnitech Engineering's 1.14 times subscription, SEDEMAC Mechatronics' 2.68 times subscription, and GSP Crop Science's 1.2 times subscription, with retail participation undersubscribed in all five.

Indian stock markets crashed on Thursday morning with Sensex plummeting 1,953 points to open at 74,751 and Nifty 50 declining over 580 points to begin at 23,198. Key factors were soaring crude prices above $110, hawkish Fed commentary with higher inflation projections, a sharp selloff in HDFC Bank shares, global market red, and profit booking. Over Rs 7 lakh crore were wiped off in a few minutes.