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Global equity markets, led by the US, have recovered strongly, reaching new highs despite ongoing geopolitical tensions. However, volatile oil prices, influenced by conflicting US-Iran relations, are a major concern, impacting the global economy and investor sentiment. This uncertainty makes market navigation difficult, with potential effects on food prices.

Indian equity markets concluded last week with a third consecutive gain, driven by improving sentiment and sustained buying. Market expert Rajesh Palviya noted a strong bullish Marubozu candle on the weekly chart, indicating robust buying action. He advised a 'buy on decline' strategy as Nifty holds above 24,100, with potential rallies towards 24,600–24,700 if it breaks 24,400.

Markets brace for renewed turmoil as Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices soaring. This sharp reversal follows Friday's optimism after the maritime channel's opening. Stocks and the rupee face challenges, with the rupee expected to weaken against the dollar due to rising crude prices.

The FMCG sector anticipates a steady March quarter, buoyed by stable rural demand and urban recovery, despite subdued pricing in some segments. While raw material costs were supportive for most of the quarter, recent increases in crude-linked inputs may impact margins. Companies with strong execution and premium portfolios are expected to lead performance.

Dalal Street's recent rebound is gaining strength. Technical signals indicate a shift from a corrective phase to a sustained uptrend. Improving momentum and selective buying are supporting this move. However, the market faces crucial resistance zones. Analysts are watching closely to see if the recovery can overcome these challenges and establish a firm upward trajectory.

India's primary market anticipates a strong showing in 2026 with several large IPOs. Companies like Jio Platforms, National Stock Exchange, Zepto, PhonePe, Manipal Hospitals, and SBI Funds Management are set to launch. These issuances could collectively raise around ₹1 lakh crore. While deal numbers may decrease, the overall value is expected to remain robust.

Iran's Civil Aviation Organization announced that international flights will resume from Mashhad Airport starting Monday. This marks the beginning of a phased reopening of Iranian airspace, with transit flights and eastern airports being prioritized. Travelers can now purchase tickets for international routes to and from Mashhad.

London police are probing potential Iranian involvement in recent arson attacks targeting Jewish sites. The UK Chief Rabbi warns of a growing campaign of violence. A pro-Iranian group has claimed responsibility for some incidents. Counter-terrorism units are actively investigating these threats. Authorities are vigilant about hostile Iranian activity within the UK. These events highlight a concerning escalation of tensions.

Global business surveys this week will reveal the escalating impact of seven weeks of Middle East conflict on growth and inflation. Initial data from Australia to the US is expected to show deterioration, particularly in Europe, raising concerns about potential stagflation. Policymakers are cautiously awaiting these figures to inform interest rate decisions.

Iran will now prioritize ships that pay fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. This comes after Tehran reimposed strict military control over the vital shipping lane. Iran cited repeated breaches of trust by the United States regarding a ceasefire agreement. Vessels not paying the new fees will face postponed passage.

Indian exporters are calling on the government to lift the cap on interest subvention. They state current support is insufficient to counter rising global trade uncertainties. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations believes the subsidy scheme needs revision. This aims to provide more substantial relief to businesses facing higher borrowing costs and fluctuating export demand.

Concerns grow over China's global surveillance technology and repression of Uyghurs. The World Uyghur Congress highlighted these issues. Activists marked 36 years since the Baren Uprising, a key moment of Uyghur resistance. Demonstrations called for justice. China's new economic security framework also raises global unease.

India's economic growth for FY27 is projected at 6.6 percent. The World Bank notes potential risks from the Gulf conflict impacting global energy prices. However, India's economy is strong, supported by reserves and low inflation. Growth is expected to average 7.1 percent from FY28 to FY29. Boosting private sector growth is key for job creation and achieving Viksit Bharat.

China has stated it made "own efforts" to push for a ceasefire between the US and Iran, following reports of its pivotal role in brokering a two-week pause in hostilities. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning detailed Beijing's diplomatic engagements aimed at deescalating regional tensions and achieving long-term stability.

The Reserve Bank of India maintained its key policy rate at 5.25% due to ongoing West Asia tensions, warning of supply chain disruptions impacting inflation and growth. Projections for GDP and inflation remain within targets, though geopolitical uncertainty poses downside risks. Markets reacted positively to the news.

The Reserve Bank of India is widely expected to maintain interest rates and its policy stance unchanged due to global economic uncertainties, including the US-Israel conflict impacting energy prices and fiscal deficit concerns. Policymakers will closely monitor the rupee's performance and potential capital outflows, with the RBI possibly considering measures to support the currency without an aggressive immediate response.

Japan's Foreign Ministry is launching a new center to help Japanese companies invest in India. This initiative aims to overcome challenges like complex regulations and tax systems. The center will also foster cooperation in AI, startups, and critical minerals. This move supports a goal of 10 trillion yen in private sector investment by 2035.

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is boosting efforts to raise funds and control the fiscal deficit. The government is protecting citizens from rising crude oil prices. Lockdowns are not planned. She urged leaders to avoid spreading rumors. Excise duty on petrol and diesel has been cut to manage domestic inflation and volatility.

Oil prices have surged past $100 per barrel amid escalating Iran–Israel tensions and fears of a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy chokepoint. Analysts warn crude could climb to $150 if disruptions persist, raising inflation risks and pressuring Indian equities, which have already seen sharp declines amid foreign outflows, rupee weakness and energy supply concerns.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the seat-sharing deal for the upcoming assembly elections is complete. The NDA alliance, including BJP, AGP, UPPL, and BPF, has finalized its contest plan. The state leadership will present the candidate list to Union Home Minister Amit Shah soon. Elections for the 126-member assembly are anticipated in March-April, following a recent delimitation exercise.

As global markets outperform India, diversification is gaining urgency. Subho Moulik explains why a 70:30 India global portfolio improves risk adjusted returns, reduces concentration risk, and provides access to long term global growth themes such as AI, defence, and quantum computing.

Kaynes has plunged 43.5% from its October peak, with Friday’s 12.5% drop marking the steepest single-day decline. Momentum indicators remain bearish, signaling a risk of further slide toward the year’s low of Rs 3,825. However, being nearly 26% below its 200-day SMA suggests potential mean-reversion, with a contrarian recovery target at Rs 4,541 and downside below Rs 4,300.

Warren Buffett and Michael Burry are taking opposing stances on the AI boom, highlighting investor uncertainty. Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has added a major stake in Alphabet, signaling confidence in the AI-driven growth, while Burry shorts Palantir and Nvidia, criticizing Big Tech accounting practices. Their contrasting positions coincide with transitions in their careers and growing debate over whether AI hype is justified or a bubble.

SoftBank-backed digital-commerce ecosystem AceVector Ltd has filed updated draft papers with markets regulator Sebi for an initial public offering (IPO), which will include a fresh issue of shares worth Rs 300 crore.

The combined market valuation of five of the top-10 most valued firms surged by Rs 72,284.74 crore last week, with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys emerging as the biggest winners.

The Election Commission's 'Special Intensive Revision' of Bihar's electoral rolls has ignited political debate, differing from past revisions. While intensive revisions aren't new, the timing of Bihar's SIR, months before assembly elections, is unusual. Unlike previous 'de novo' exercises, it builds upon the 2002-03 roll, incorporating new enumeration forms and document submission.

BJP has accused Arvind Kejriwal of orchestrating hoax calls to mislead voters, alleging that the AAP is claiming votes are being cut by the BJP to support AAP. They also allege distribution of money in slum areas and raised concerns about voter data confidentiality, demanding an investigation.

Lok Sabha election 2024: ​​The BJP-Shiv Sena won 41 of the 48 seats in the 2019 polls, but the Sena has split since and a vast majority of the Bal Thackeray-founded party is now allied with the BJP. The Nationalist Congress Party also split as well with Ajit Pawar joining the ruling alliance in the state, led by Eknath Shinde. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP emerged the top party with 23 seats, followed by the undivided Sena with 18.

Gujarat's upcoming Lok Sabha elections are influenced by PM Narendra Modi's charisma, anti-incumbency, unemployment, inflation, education, healthcare challenges, and BJP's endeavor to secure all 26 seats. ​​Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat will be held in a single phase on May 7. Counting of votes will be held on June 4. Anti-incumbency, unemployment, inflation, education and healthcare facilities are some of the other important issues in the election, where the ruling BJP in Gujarat will attempt to retain all the 26 Lok Sabha seats it won in 2019.

The BJP, riding high on its growing voter base in Telangana, is now aiming to win over 12 out of the total 17 seats and 35 per cent vote share, in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The party doubled its vote share to nearly 14 per cent resulting in eight seats in the assembly elections held on November 30, last year. BRS, which ruled the state for about a decade since its emergence, is low on morale following the defeat, even as its founder and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K Kavitha was arrested on the eve of poll dates announcement, adding insult to the injury.

Anita Nariani Schulze is part of the Sindhi minority. Her complaint alleges that her senior and direct managers, both male, consistently excluded her from meetings while inviting her male counterparts, criticised her, micromanaged her work and deprived her of bonuses, despite positive performance evaluations and significant team contributions.

But two senior envoys who attended said there was no direct response from the ministers gathered in Brussels when Blinken said: "We must push back on China together and show strength in unity."

This comes as the San-Francisco based firm is at the receiving end of the Indian government over an issue of blocking and unblocking certain handles tweeting about farmer protests.

Foreign companies looking for incentives under the scheme may have to invest Rs 500 crore over four years, while the threshold for domestic firms is likely to be around Rs 20 crore for five years, the source who did not wish to be named said.

Growth More than in MetrosAccording to companies like Aisle and Truly Madly, which have millions of users and position themselves as “serious” dating apps, and bespoke high-end dating services like Sirf Coffee, a lot more users from such places are not only keen on using these apps, but also willing to pay for it.

“Indian companies need to re-skill, train, and acquire more relevant talent, if they are to successfully integrate AI technologies. Most importantly, they should be willing to make the continued investment. It is an uphill race in which there will be winners and losers,” said Deloitte India CEO N Venkatram.

Ambassador Joao Cravinho, head of the EU delegation, led Ambassadors of various European countries to a quiet lunch with Modi at the capital last year.

"It is the collective wisdom of the marketplace that there is action and we will move with speed. That improves the confidence level of industry."

Directives from the Centre have to be executed at the state level. So, there are many things that are not in Modi’s hands, says Raamdeo Agrawal.

"The fact that we are the world’s largest democracy and we are all aware that power and a role in global affairs for a nation comes from economic strength."

"Now there is a stage three and stage four of digitisation, we will take a call on this only after taking all things into account."

"There is a leadership vacuum in the company, because they made the wrong choice of CEO three years ago and that is playing out right now."

Rupee#CAD#Economic crisis#Food Bill

The team behind The Artist will have spent the first day of the rest of their lives conforming to the grandest, and most lucrative, of Hollywood traditions.

It's the World Book fair, which comes around once every two years sprawling across the giant halls of Pragati Maidan. This is the fair's 20th edition.

An elephant figurine gifted by the then HM LK Advani to US Secretary of State Colin Powell in 2002, has made its way to the State Department hall.

Statistical models used by IMD will still be used for monsoon forecast, but the ministry of earth sciences is putting more emphasis on dynamic models.

Newly discovered documents have revealed the first telegraph messages and joy when England was linked for the first time with India on 23 June, 1870.

Hundreds of worried fans of ailing Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan today performed a yagna here to pray for his speedy recovery.

Alfa Laval (India) today said its parent firm has raised the delisting offer price to Rs 2,850 a share.