Latest Stock Market News

Berkshire Hathaway has issued an official statement refuting false claims on social media that Warren Buffett endorsed certain investment products and political candidates, including former President Donald Trump. The company emphasized that Buffett does not endorse financial instruments or political figures, countering misinformation from a viral video.

Bitcoin remains prominent in the cryptocurrency market, but altcoins are emerging with innovative solutions for transaction speed and energy efficiency. Altcoins like Ethereum, Solana, and Cardano are revolutionizing DeFi and real-world asset tokenization, attracting institutional interest and mainstream adoption. Investors should consider balancing their portfolios with both established and emerging altcoins for long-term potential.

Indian pharmaceutical stocks took a hit as Trump s threat of imposing tariffs on pharma imports spooked investors. Despite India s strong presence in the US generics market, potential tariffs may increase costs for US consumers and create supply chain challenges.

IndusInd Bank faced a 2% decline in term and low-cost deposits due to discrepancies in forex derivatives accounting. Retail deposits fell by Rs 3,550 crore, and total deposits grew marginally. Loan advances dropped 5.2%, with corporate loans leading the decline. The RBI approved a CEO extension, and an independent audit was initiated for the derivatives portfolio.

LIC has refuted US claims of receiving special treatment from the Indian government and regulators, stating it operates in a competitive market with other insurers. The insurer emphasized that it is treated like any other insurance company and the guarantee from 1956 has never given it an undue advantage.

This past week witnessed severe turmoil in the global economy, driven by escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China. Significant losses in U.S. stock markets, the highest tariffs in over a century, and rising recession fears characterized this pivotal period, prompting investors and policymakers to brace for further volatility.

Metal shares experienced a significant decline on Friday, with the Nifty Metal index dropping 6.6%. Concerns about a potential global trade slowdown due to US tariffs on Indian imports and other countries diverting exports to India were the main reasons. Experts advise caution in the sector until the situation becomes clearer, with domestic-focused companies potentially better positioned.

The dollar index declined to 101.27, but mildly strengthened to 102.66 later during the day. The rupee moved in the range of 84.95-85.33 to a dollar.

Yields of the 10-year US T-bill were trading at 3.92% on Friday, a day after the US announced reciprocal tariffs, against 4.05% the previous day. Market participants expect the new 10- year paper to be auctioned on May 2.

NSE Nifty fell 1.5%, or 345.65 points, to finish at 22,904.45. BSE Sensex dropped 1.2%, or 930.67 points, to 75,364.69. The slump wiped out ₹10 lakh crore in market value Friday.