Business

European gas and power markets are set for a dramatic expansion, ending years of trading within a narrow daytime window. The trading hours are permanently set to stretch to 21 hours, a shift that arrives amidst intense market volatility driven by geopolitical tensions.Despite recent ceasefire announcements, European gas contracts remain elevated, trading almost 40% above pre-conflict levels. This backdrop adds significant complexity to the preparations for the longer trading day.Drivers Behind Extended Trading Hours and Market Complexity The market's evolving landscape has necessitated a global structure. Europe's departure from a single energy supplier has deeply embedded the region in global LNG markets. This exposure means prices...

Delhi-NCR Leads Retail Revival as Leasing Activity Soars Retail leasing across shopping malls and high streets in the Delhi-NCR region has seen a significant surge, reportedly climbing by 45 per cent during the January-March period. According to data from Cushman & Wakefield, the total leasing volume reached nearly 6 lakh sq ft for this quarter. This marks a considerable uplift compared to the 0.41 million square feet recorded in the same period the previous year.The data provides a clear split in retail appetite. Shopping malls accounted for 64 per cent of the total leasing volumes. Meanwhile, high streets contributed the remaining 36 per cent, indicating strong sustained demand across both key formats within the NCR market.Sector...

Understanding the Market Hiatus: Trading Suspension Next Week Indian traders and investors should note a significant pause in market activity next week. Trading on both the NSE and the BSE will remain suspended for one full day. This means investors should anticipate only four trading sessions next week.The closure is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2026. This day of suspension is marked for Dr Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti.Specific segments will see varying levels of closure. Trading in the Equity Segment and the Equity Derivative Segment will be completely suspended on Tuesday. Currency Derivatives Segments, NDS-RST, and Tri Party Repo segments will also remain closed that day.However, commodity markets will see a...

In New Delhi, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, on Saturday, called for a comprehensive overhaul of the legal system to meet the demands of a growing economy. He stated that transforming India into a $10 trillion economy cannot be achieved solely through capital or policy, and that the quality of the legal system would be a crucial factor.CJI Kant emphasized the need for predictability, specialization, and a culture of good faith in commercial law to help the country achieve this goal. He highlighted that this requires capital with commitments that unfold over time, and investor confidence is essential.He asserted that mechanisms like mediation would be more effective for India's economic competitiveness than many reforms that...

The precious white metal continues its upward trajectory, fueled by persistent macro uncertainty. Silver registered a significant rally, climbing from ₹ 2,32,600 per kg to ₹ 2,43,300 per kg on April 11, 2026. This marks a substantial weekly gain of ₹ 10,700 per kg, equating to 4.60%.This sharp movement confirms that safe-haven demand remains a dominant factor supporting the silver market. Although the current rate is ₹ 2,43,300 per kg, it remains considerably below the MCX record high established on January 29, 2026.Drivers Fueling Silver's Safe-Haven Rally Market experts attribute the recent upward momentum to evolving global economic cues. The recent ceasefire extension in the US-Iran conflict, for instance, has caused a sharp...

New Delhi, April 11 – India is increasingly signing free trade agreements (FTAs) with economies where trade corridors are already expanding and supply chains are already forming, according to a new report.These FTAs are acting as accelerators of existing economic momentum, the report in Trade Finance Global states.In a fragmented global trading system, this targeted approach appears to be particularly resilient.“While tariff threats become commonplace elsewhere in the world, India is focusing on approaching trade with care and commitment, expanding its services provisions and translating its investment pipelines into new industrial capacity,” writes Anna Mahjar-Barducci.The report states that between the fiscal years 2020-21 and...

New Delhi, April 11 – India has set a major goal to expand its nuclear power capacity to at least 100 GW by 2047, marking the centenary of its independence, as it seeks to strengthen long-term energy security and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, according to a new report.According to a report by Khaleej Times, the country currently operates 24 nuclear reactors with a combined capacity of 8,780 MWe (Megawatt electric), while eight more reactors with a capacity of 6,028 MWe are under construction.Government projections indicate that installed nuclear capacity will rise to around 22 GW by the early 2030s before expanding sharply to meet the 100 GW target.To achieve this more than eleven-fold increase, India is pursuing a...

New Delhi, April 11 – Despite the global slowdown, India remains one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world, with an expected growth rate of 6.6% in FY27. This is primarily due to higher energy prices resulting from the Middle East conflict and disruptions in supply chains, which are weighing on economic activity.According to the latest World Bank economic update, despite significant downside risks stemming from the conflict, the economy's strong macroeconomic fundamentals and policy buffers provide some insulation.Substantial foreign reserves, low inflation, predominantly rupee-denominated public debt, a healthy financial sector, and efforts to diversify trade play a major role in providing resilience against external...

New Delhi, April 11 – American billionaire and investor Ray Dalio has stated that the most critical and consequential phase of the Iran conflict is yet to come, warning that a decisive "final battle" for control of the Strait of Hormuz will determine not just the outcome of the current war, but also the long-term credibility of American power and the stability of the dollar-led financial order that underpins it.The founder of Bridgewater Associates, Dalio, shared an article on X, highlighting that all parties involved understand that the final battle has not yet been fought."Both sides know that the final battle, which will clearly determine which side won and which side lost, is still ahead," he said.He dismissed the prospect of...

Mumbai, April 11: Market breadth indicates that domestic stock indices have crossed an "Extreme Stress Zone" and present a rewarding entry point for investors, with a historical median one-year forward return of over 17.5 per cent, according to a report released on Saturday.The "Extreme Stress Zone" is reached when over 70 per cent of Nifty 500 stocks trade below their 200-day moving average, indicating that fear has overwhelmed fundamentals in the market, according to the Vallum Capital report.The Indian markets are in the "Extreme Stress Zone" or "Capitulation Zone" because over 71.3 per cent of Nifty 500 stocks are trading at this level.The report stated that the recent correction has seen a clear divergence in risk sentiment...

New Delhi, April 11 Digital investment platform 5paisa Capital has closed its ₹468.8 crore rights issue, which was oversubscribed by 1.24 times.The issue, which opened on March 27 and closed on Friday, received bids for approximately 1.93 crore shares against 1.56 crore shares offered, according to stock exchange data.The rights issue was priced at ₹300 per share, with eligible shareholders entitled to subscribe to one rights share for every two equity shares held.Shares of 5paisa Capital closed 1.53 per cent higher at ₹305.11 on the NSE.The allotment date is April 15, 2026, after which the equity shares are expected to be credited to demat accounts on the same day, and listed on the NSE and BSE on April 16, 2026. MUFG Intime...

New Delhi, April 11 – As India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) celebrates its 10th anniversary on Saturday, the government announced that the country now accounts for 49% of global real-time payment transactions.The instant payments system processed 21.70 billion transactions in January 2026 alone, with a total value of Rs 28.33 lakh crore. UPI accounted for 81% of all retail digital transactions in India.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has hailed UPI as the world's largest real-time payment system by volume, and it was built in under 10 years, according to an official statement.Since its launch, UPI has grown 12,000-fold in volume and over 4,000 times in value. The government stated that UPI's real impact extends beyond...

New Delhi, April 11 – The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairman, Tuhin Kanta Pandey, stated that India continues to be an attractive and compelling destination for global capital, supported by strong macroeconomic fundamentals, a rapidly expanding investor base, and a reform-oriented policy environment.Pandey was speaking at an interactive session – jointly organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Consulate General of India (CGI) – with global investors and venture capital leaders in San Francisco, US.The event brought together industry leaders and members of the Silicon Valley venture capital ecosystem to discuss investment opportunities and the evolving India-US economic partnership...

New Delhi, April 11 The Delhi government on Saturday asked all stakeholders, including the general public, to submit their feedback and comments via email and online platforms within 30 days on the draft Delhi Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2026.The draft policy, uploaded on the official website of the Transport Department and applicable until 2030, aims to curb vehicular pollution and promote the adoption of electric vehicles."All stakeholders, including the general public, are invited to submit their feedback/comments within 30 days from the date of publication through the following modes: By email: evpolicy2026@gmail.com and by post: Joint Commissioner (EV), Transport Department, Government of NCT of Delhi, 5/9 Underhill Road...

Mumbai, April 11: Indian equity benchmarks closed in green for the second consecutive week, driven by heavy short covering following the US-Iran ceasefire.Nifty gained 5.89% during the week and added 1.16% on the last trading day, closing at 24,050. The Sensex closed at 77,550, up 918 points or 1.20%, after gaining 5.77% during the week.Both indices showed strong momentum and improved investor confidence.Bank Nifty outperformed the broader market, closing at 55,912, up 1.99% on Friday. It posted a significant weekly gain of 8.47%.On the weekly timeframe, the Bank Nifty index formed a strong bullish candle, suggesting continued strength and potential for further gains if the momentum continues.The index is likely to find...

Seoul, April 11 – The government announced on Saturday that cash assistance for the bottom 70% of income earners will begin being rolled out later this month, as part of efforts to ease the financial strain caused by rising oil prices.The aid will first reach the most vulnerable within that income bracket starting April 27 and expand to the broader eligible group on May 18, according to Yonhap news agency.Approximately 32.5 million people are eligible for the aid, with payments ranging from 100,000 won (US$67.30) to 600,000 won per person, depending on income level and region.The National Assembly passed a 26.2 trillion-won extra budget bill the previous day to address the economic fallout from the ongoing Middle East conflict...

US Market Action Pauses Ahead of Middle East Developments U.S. stocks closed mixed on Friday, with investors adopting a cautious stance. Market participants are keeping a close watch on ongoing peace negotiations in the Middle East.This indecision was set against the backdrop of an inflation report. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed consumer price growth accelerating, which was attributed to price pressures stemming from the conflict involving Iran.On the index front, the Dow and the S&P 500 both posted lower readings. However, technology stocks provided a significant lift, pushing the Nasdaq to register gains for the session.Geopolitical Friction Underpins Market Volatility Market attention remains fixed on the fragile truce...

For decades, conducting basic financial transactions in India demanded significant time, effort, and physical presence. Paying bills often meant long queues, while sending money required bank visits and waiting days for confirmation. This reality left millions outside the formal banking system entirely. That era, however, is now firmly in the past.India’s financial history is one of continuous evolution, moving from barter systems to cheque-based payments. While modern banking introduced formal methods, their reach was traditionally limited to urban centers, leaving vast rural and remote populations underserved.The introduction of systems like RTGS in 2004 and IMPS in 2010 marked critical steps forward. Nevertheless, the...

Global Investors Pull Out $18.84 Billion from Indian Equities Amid Energy Shock Warnings Global institutional funds are exiting Indian equities at a record velocity. This selling pressure is significantly heightened by energy shocks stemming from the US-Iran conflict. The crisis threatens to derail the growth outlook for what is considered one of the world's fastest-growing major economies.In the last quarter alone, global funds have withdrawn a cumulative $18.84 billion from local Indian shares. This figure surpassed the full-year record outflow of $18.79 billion recorded in 2025, according to Central Depository Services India Ltd.The sustained selling has kept market sentiment subdued. Even a modest rebound following a temporary...

A fragile Middle East ceasefire sparked a sharp rally in risk assets this week, pushing the S&P 500 Index up 3.6%, marking its largest jump since late November. Emerging-market equities surged, Bitcoin climbed back past $70,000, and Treasury yields dipped as the dollar tracked oil prices lower.However, that initial momentum stuttered by Friday afternoon. Mounting apprehension regarding potential failures in weekend peace talks cast a shadow, forcing a widespread recalibration among major Wall Street strategists regarding the 2026 outlook.The Impact of Geopolitical Volatility on Global Markets The current market sentiment reflects a profound disconnect between temporary diplomatic optimism and underlying structural risks. The fallout...