Foreign selling in Indian equities surged in the first half of March, led by financials, marking the heaviest fortnightly selling in 17 months and dragging the Nifty 50 to its worst fortnight since the COVID-19-led rout in March 2020.
European shares slipped on Thursday as an intensifying conflict in the Middle East sapped risk appetite while markets awaited the European Central Bank's monetary policy verdict.
Japanese stocks and bonds fell on Thursday and the yen remained fragile as investors weighed the economic impact of the prolonged Middle East conflict.
Karnataka's new excise policy is set to benefit United Breweries significantly. The state is shifting to a global taxation standard, deregulating alcohol pricing. This move is expected to lead to price corrections in the economy beer segment, where United Breweries holds a substantial market share. Analysts predict a positive impact on the company's revenue and earnings.
Indian markets experienced a pullback after recent gains. Analysts note the market's stability and suggest this presents a buying opportunity. Nifty ETFs are recommended for accumulation. ONGC and Tata Power are highlighted as stocks with potential upside. Investors are advised to watch key levels for Nifty's recovery.
HDFC Bank's chairman has resigned, causing a stir in the stock market. However, a major shareholder believes this is a power struggle at the top. He remains confident in the bank's fundamentals and sees a potential buying opportunity if the market overreacts. The Reserve Bank of India is closely monitoring the situation. The bank's operations are considered strong.
Oil prices saw a sharp rise Thursday. Brent crude reached over $116 a barrel. This followed Iran's attacks on energy facilities across the Middle East. Israel had previously struck Iran's South Pars gas field. These events mark a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The U.S. Federal Reserve maintained steady interest rates.
Shares of HDFC Bank slumped nearly 9% after part-time Chairman Atanu Chakraborty resigned, citing value misalignment, prompting interim replacement Keki Mistry. The selloff marks the fifth 8%-plus single-day crash since 2020, even as the RBI flagged no governance concerns.
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