Business

Gold and silver markets witnessed pronounced volatility on Monday, fueled by the sudden collapse of US-Iran negotiations. This geopolitical instability has kept sentiment fragile among market participants, directing attention toward major bullion price fluctuations. Experts noted that investors will now closely monitor expected negotiations between Israel and Lebanon next week in Washington for crucial directional cues.Globally, the trend mirrored this anxiety. Spot gold fell 0.6% to $4,723.55 an ounce in Singapore. Similarly, silver slid 2% to $74.36 an ounce, reflecting global pressure points on commodity pricing.Navigating Domestic Price Variations Across Indian Cities The local bullion market exhibits significant regional...

NSE, BSE Shut Tomorrow: Decoding the Full 2026 Market Holiday Calendar Ahead of Ambedkar Jayanti Indian stock markets are bracing for a holiday-shortened trading week, with the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) set to remain closed tomorrow, April 14. The closure is observed on account of Dr BR Ambedkar Jayanti.Investors will note that trading has already seen suspensions in the previous week due to Good Friday and Mahavir Jayanti. The market's holiday schedule for 2026 requires careful attention.Upcoming Market Closures for 2026 Market participants can plan for the remaining festive closures throughout the year. A total of 16 market holidays are scheduled for 2026, and six have already been observed...

The fresh geopolitical tensions emerging from the Middle East are significantly impacting the Indian consumer durable sector. White goods manufacturers are facing mounting cost pressures, forcing them to implement substantial price hikes across multiple product categories.Major players like Blue Star, Voltas, LG Electronics, Hitachi, and Whirlpool are navigating these volatile markets. The escalating situation in the region has kept market volatility high, directly affecting the cost of essential raw materials for these giants.Commodity Inflation Fuels Cost Crisis for White Goods The ongoing tensions related to the conflict have caused a pronounced spike in global metal and crude oil prices. Following the latest escalation and...

Fertilizer Sector Faces Double Whammy: China Ban and Iran Conflict Stoke Cost Inflation Fears Fertilizer stocks, including major players like Coromandel International, Paradeep Phosphates, Chambal Fertilisers, GSFC, RCF, and FACT, are under intense scrutiny. The sector is navigating a significant supply shock driven by simultaneous global disruptions. These concerns center on China curbing sulphuric acid exports and geopolitical tensions compounding the raw material crunch.The double blow threatens to drastically inflate input costs for Indian manufacturers. The industry faces a confluence of factors, including escalating global commodity prices and constrained supply chains.Sulphuric Acid and Sulphur Supply Shock Threatens...

Goldman Sachs Bets on 67% Blinkit Growth, Lowers Target for Eternal Despite Swiggy Competition Multinational brokerage Goldman Sachs has recently revised its 12-month share price target for Zomato’s parent, Eternal Ltd. The firm maintained a positive 'buy' rating on the stock, suggesting confidence despite reducing the target price from Rs 380 to Rs 350. This revised target still implies a significant upside potential of 45% over the previous closing price on the NSE.Analysts highlighted that concerns regarding Blinkit’s total addressable market (TAM) may be overstated from a valuation standpoint. While the food delivery market shows high penetration—remaining above 50% in India's multi-touchpoint unit (MTU)—the underlying TAM for...

Dividend Surge Alert: HDFC Bank and ICICI Lead Blue-Chip Payouts This Week Dividend payouts are driving significant interest across Indian markets this week. Several major companies are scheduled to report their quarterly earnings, with dividend announcements triggering focused trading activity. Investors are closely tracking record and ex-dividend dates to assess potential income opportunities and shareholder returns.Major Banks and Blue Chips Expected to Announce Payouts Banking and financial services remain a core focus for dividend hunters. HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank are key names among the blue-chip stocks expected to announce payouts during the week. These announcements follow the release of the March quarter results.The list of...

Gold, Silver Prices Plunge as Ceasefire Uncertainty Shadows Global Markets Gold and Silver Drop Amid Tensions Following US-Iran Truce Precious metals continued their downward trend on early trading Thursday, driven by lingering geopolitical uncertainty. Gold saw the international spot price decline 0.95 percent, settling at $4,741.80 per ounce. Similarly, silver edges lower, falling 2.75 percent to $74.37 per ounce during early Comex trading.The shift comes as investors digest the complexity surrounding the two-week US-Iran ceasefire, which entered its fifth day. While the truce provides some immediate relief, concerns remain about its long-term durability.Indian Bullion Markets See Mixed Signals Domestically, the physical bullion...

PL Capital expects the capital goods coverage universe to report a mixed performance in Q4 FY26. This forecast is influenced by a blend of domestic strengths and mounting international headwinds. The sector faces headwinds stemming from geopolitical tensions and lingering supply chain disruptions.These macro pressures are resulting in execution slippage and delays in order finalisations, particularly impacting the export business of numerous firms in the coverage universe. Despite the mixed outlook, healthy momentum in T&D-led products and domestic execution remains a key positive driver.Mixed Outlook Looms for Capital Goods Sector in Q4 FY26 Overall, the brokerage anticipates a challenging period for the sector. The Middle East...

Today marks the final bidding day for the Om Power Transmission IPO. The issue, which opened on April 9, saw significant momentum build across its two days of bidding. The final subscription level indicated sustained investor interest, with the overall IPO being subscribed 71 percent by the second day.The strong uptake was visible across investor segments. Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) remained highly active, subscribing the portion 1.18 times. Non-Institutional Investors (NIIs) and Retail Individual Investors (RIIs) also showed marked improvement in traction, booking 0.38 times and 0.58 times, respectively.The IPO allocation structure is designed to cater to a diverse investor base, earmarking up to 50 percent for QIBs, at...

Chinese assets are experiencing a rare and significant synchronization, with stocks and bonds moving in lockstep. This alignment reflects the increased appeal of Chinese markets acting as a relative safe haven amid global geopolitical uncertainty, specifically the ongoing tensions involving the US and Iran.The financial data confirms a major shift. According to Bloomberg-compiled metrics, the 90-day correlation between the equities benchmark CSI 300 Index and the Bloomberg China Treasury Total Return Index turned positive starting March 18.Drivers Behind the Positive Market Correlation The convergence of Chinese stocks and bonds is fueled by several structural factors. Beijing’s proactive measures to shield its economy from...

Power and Core Industrials Sector Gains Momentum Brokers have issued fresh calls on key power players, signaling a strong rebound in India's electricity demand. Jefferies noted that while March 2026 power demand rose 2% year-over-year (YoY), the growth is expected to be muted at 1% YoY in FY26 due to strong monsoon conditions. However, demand is anticipated to rebound to approximately 6% YoY in FY27E.Top picks highlighted for the sector include JSW Energy and NTPC. The demand growth trajectory is further supported by a 60% probability of an El-Nino event, which could drive additional upside. Peak demand, in particular, is expected to rise 10% YoY, reaching 270 GW in FY27E.Strong Tailwinds for Banking and Financial Services (BFSI)...

ICICI Prudential AMC, a key player in the asset management sector, is poised for significant growth. The AMC is projected to post over 18 percent year-on-year (YoY) growth in its topline revenue for the quarter ending March 2026. This robust performance is attributed to strong inflows and consistent gains in market share.Despite the encouraging topline picture, the company faces challenges. Analysts point out that yields may come under pressure due to the sharp market correction experienced during March.Topline Growth and AUM Momentum Revenue from operations in Q4FY26 is expected to grow by more than 18 percent YoY during the quarter. However, this growth is anticipated to fall nearly a percent compared to the previous quarter on a...

Sensex & Nifty Brace for Gap-Down Amid US-Iran Tensions and Global Dip Fears Indian equity markets are set to face a cautious start today, April 13. The outlook is subdued, tracking recent losses visible in the GIFT Nifty index, which was trading around the 23,763 level. Traders are closely monitoring global cues as instability from the Middle East continues to weigh heavily on Asian indices.Just days ago, Indian benchmarks had shown strong momentum. The Sensex had rallied by 918.60 points or 1.20 percent at 77,550.25, while the Nifty appreciated by 275.50 points or 1.16 percent at 24,050.60. Today, however, global uncertainty is dampening that positive momentum.Geopolitical Tensions Fuel Global Market Weakness The primary catalyst...

Australian markets fell sharply on Monday as investor risk appetite weakened following the collapse of peace talks between the U.S. and Iran. The turmoil was exacerbated by reports that the U.S. Navy was preparing to blockade the critical Strait of Hormuz, deepening global uncertainty.The S&P/ASX 200 index declined 0.4% to 8,925.60 by 0038 GMT, marking a significant retreat after recording a strong 4.4% gain just last week. Market participants remained highly cautious as clarity on the Middle East conflict remained elusive.Geopolitical Turmoil Drives Market Decline The decline underscores the market's acute sensitivity to geopolitical instability. Weekend talks between the U.S. and Iran failed to produce a breakthrough, keeping...

Crisis Hits Asia: Nikkei, Kospi Plunge Amid US Blockade Warning, Oil Soars Past $103 Asian financial markets plummeted on Monday, fueled by escalating geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran. Global optimism surrounding peace in the Gulf dissolved after US President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of the critical Strait of Hormuz. This move, coupled with Iran adopting a defiant tone following the collapse of weekend peace talks, sent shockwaves across global equity indices.The sheer uncertainty surrounding energy supply continues to drain market confidence worldwide. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index dropped 0.7% immediately after the market opened, signaling widespread investor panic.Geopolitical Tensions Fuel Global Market Panic...

Sensex, Nifty Brace for Sharp Dip as US-Iran Tensions Trigger Global Market Jitters The Bearish Outlook: Geopolitical Tensions Drive Monday Dip The Indian stock market is bracing for a potentially negative start on Monday, April 13, 2026. Global sentiment remains weak as investors assess the fallout from failed US-Iran ceasefire talks. Concerns are heightened by reports of a US naval blockade on Iranian ports, intensifying geopolitical uncertainty.Market data suggests a subdued opening for domestic equities. Gift Nifty is indicating a notable gap-down, positioning the index near the 23,700 zone. This reflects deteriorating global sentiment following fresh escalations in the Middle East conflict.Weekly Market Performance Recap: Rally...

Despite sharp volatility and supply fears in global energy markets, petrol and diesel prices in several major Indian metropolitan areas held steady on April 13. This stability comes amid heightened global tensions following reports of a potential blockade targeting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The oil price freeze and differential rates across states continue to dominate the domestic narrative.Current Fuel Prices Across India's Major Cities At the retail level, petrol rates in Delhi were reported at ₹94.77 per litre, while diesel remained at ₹87.67 per litre. Mumbai witnessed higher pricing, with petrol selling at ₹103.54 per litre and diesel at ₹90.03 per litre.Other key metros also showed distinct rates. Kolkata recorded...

Asian Markets Plunge as US-Iran Talks Fail, Sending Crude Oil Prices Soaring Asian equity markets plunged sharply on Monday, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions. The failure of the US-Iran ceasefire talks in Pakistan has reignited deep concerns over the global energy supply, causing crude oil prices to surge.The uncertainty has rattled major indices across the continent, as fears that the Middle East conflict will prolong have put immense pressure on financial assets.Regional Markets Reel After Ceasefire Talk Failure Asian trading saw dramatic declines across the board following the failed diplomatic efforts. The talks, intended to conclude the Middle East war, failed to reach any resolution or agreement.The immediate...

Geopolitical Instability Triggers Commodity Spikes Global agricultural markets saw sharp upward movements in key grains on Monday. The surge was predominantly fueled by escalating tensions in the Middle East. Specifically, fears surrounding a potential U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz proved to be the key catalyst.The instability was heightened by the collapse of U.S.-Iran talks, leaving a fragile two-week ceasefire hanging in the balance. This renewed geopolitical friction immediately raised significant concerns over both global fuel availability and essential fertilizer supplies.Key Grains React to Oil Shock and Supply Jitters Commodity futures reflected the heightened risk premium. Chicago wheat futures climbed by nearly 2%...

Gold Plummets, Silver Slips Amid US-Iran Tensions and Oil Price Surge Gold and Silver Prices Tumble as Geopolitical Fears Spark Energy Crisis Jitters Precious metals experienced significant pressure on Monday, driven by deteriorating diplomatic talks and escalating concerns over global energy supply. Gold and silver rates reportedly tumbled by as much as 3% amid heightened fears stemming from the breakdown of US-Iran ceasefire negotiations.COMEX gold rates dropped by up to 2.2%, falling below the $4,650 mark an ounce, wiping out gains seen over the preceding week. Simultaneously, COMEX silver prices slid 3.29% during Asian trading hours, reaching $74 per ounce.These sharp movements were fueled by the failure of weekend talks, which...