26/03/26, Precious Metals price fall

 Just as the markets thought that gold and silver prices may hold steady, reports emerged that Tehran rejected the Trump administration's ceasefire plan and insisted on sovereign control over the crucial waterway passage of the Strait of Hormuz.

The precious metals markets reacted to the same, as gold prices once again dropped below the important $4,500/oz mark, hitting an intra-day low of $4,413/oz. Silver too faced selling pressure, dropping below the $70/oz level and trading near the $67/oz mark.

Crude surge caps gains for gold and silver

Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil, which saw some price relief in yesterday’s trade, has once again climbed back to the $100/bbl mark as escalating tensions between the US and Iran continue to disrupt global energy markets. The US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate, also rose to the $93/bbl mark on fears of supply disruptions.

The rise in fuel prices has once again heightened inflationary concerns, limiting the upside for precious metals. The safe-haven appeal of gold has again taken a toll, prompting a hawkish shift among major central banks and capping the gains for precious metals.

Currently, markets price in no rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve for this year, in contrast to February, when markets were expecting at least two rate cuts. High interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-interest-yielding assets.

“In the next 24 to 48 hours, (gold prices) will just be about reacting to headlines about negotiations,” Reuters quoted Kyle Rodda, a senior financial market analyst at Capital.com, as saying.

Dollar index rises again

As per media reports, the US is preparing to deploy thousands of troops in the Gulf region, further increasing fears of significant escalation in the Iranian conflict, which has now entered its fourth week. This is likely to weigh on investor sentiment, with the dollar emerging as a safe-haven winner.

The dollar index, which extended some declines from its record high yesterday, is once again trading at monthly record high levels. A strong dollar makes precious metals like gold and silver more expensive for other currency holders, thereby denting demand.

Domestic prices to react to global cues

Experts said that Wednesday’s rise in gold and silver was more of a relief rally and short covering. On the domestic front, MCX will likely react to these global cues in the evening session today, as the exchange observed partial closure on the occasion of Shree Ram Navami.

"As long as geopolitical uncertainty and inflation concerns persist, gold is likely to remain volatile. The near-term range for gold is seen between Rs 1,35,000-s 1,55,000," said Jateen Trivedi, VP, Research Analyst – Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities.

Report by Financial Express 

source:Dailyhunt

26/03/26, IRGC navy chief died

The development marks a major escalation in the ongoing tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

Bandar Abbas lies along the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route through which nearly 20% of the world's oil and gas supplies pass. The reported killing of Tangsiri, who headed Iran's naval operations under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is seen as a significant blow to Tehran's maritime strategy in the region.

Amid the conflict, Iran has been tightening its control over the vital waterway. Reports suggest Tehran is enforcing a system requiring ships to share cargo and crew details, with some vessels allegedly paying transit fees. Iranian officials have defended the move, calling it a justified measure for ensuring security.

The situation has raised concerns in global energy markets, with oil prices surging sharply since the conflict began. Meanwhile, the United States has stepped up its military presence in the region, deploying additional forces, including Marines and paratroopers, as part of a broader strategic posture.

The conflict has also seen continued exchanges of attacks. Sirens were reported in Israel amid missile alerts, while explosions were heard in major cities. Incidents linked to missile interceptions were also reported in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Diplomatic efforts remain uncertain. While US President Donald Trump claimed Iran is willing to negotiate, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied any such talks.

26/03/26, Iran has threatened to block the Bab al-Mandeb Strait-- a narrow waterway that controls sea traffic toward the Suez Canal-- if the United States and Israel escalate the war by attacking its islands, including Kharg.

Tehran already has the Strait of Hormuz-- through which a fifth of the world's oil is normally shipped-- in a chokehold. Any disruption at Bab al-Mandeb could further the economic impact of the conflict in the Middle East.

About 12 per cent of global seaborne oil passes through the passageway connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, making it the world's fourth-largest shipping route. It is located southwest of Yemen, where the Iran-backed Houthis are based.

"If the enemy wants to take action on land in the Iranian islands or anywhere else in our lands or to inflict costs on Iran with naval movements in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman," Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported, citing Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps sources.

"We will open other fronts for them as a surprise so that their action will not only be of no benefit to them but will also double their costs," sources added.

Houthis To Enter War

Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency has reported that the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen would also join the ongoing fight against the US and Israeli forces to help Tehran take control of the Bab al-Mandeb, which is located at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula near Yemen.

According to the source quoted by Tasnim, controlling the strait becomes necessary to further "discipline" the US and Israeli forces. It claimed that not only does Iran have the capability to generate a "credible threat" in the waterway, but the "heroic forces" of Ansarullah, or the Houthi movement, are also "fully prepared to play a skillful role."

Iran supports and arms the Houthi rebel group in Yemen, which greatly reduced Red Sea traffic in October 2023 when it began attacking vessels in retaliation for Israel's bombardment of Gaza.

Iran's Warning

Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has also warned that Tehran has intelligence indicating "enemies" were preparing to seize one of Iran's islands, possibly Kharg, with support from  a regional country.

"Our forces are monitoring all enemy movements, and if they take any step, all vital infrastructure of that regional state will be targeted with continuous, relentless attacks," Ghalibaf said in a post on X but without naming the state.

Report by NDTV

Happy Sri Rama Navami... today's holiday rescued our market from free fall nose dive

Domestic equity markets will remain closed on Thursday on the occassion of Ram Navami, marking a scheduled pause in trading activity following a period of strong gains...due to 5 days cease fire announcement from Mr Donald Trump...which causes sharp rise in stock price and fall in precious metal prices... 

26/03/26, war related snaps

source:Dailyhunt

26/03/26, Because of Modi leads BJP Government's failure in Foreign Policy

 The central government has announced an all-party meeting on March 25, at 5 pm, to discuss the West Asia conflict's impact on India's energy security, trade routes, and overall preparedness.

An energy lockdown is likely to be announced in India. The energy lockdown or lockdown-like situation started to trend in India after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his speeches in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on the Middle East conflict, recalled the COVID-19 pandemic and associated global supply chain disruptions. The energy lockdown might be announced today after the all-party meeting. In this energy lockdown, the government might announce fuel rationing measures that could include work-from-home and vehicular movement restrictions.

What will be the situation in India if an energy lockdown is announced?
Vehicular movement and transportation might be affected as the energy lockdown leads to fuel rationing.
The government might announce work-from-home guidelines for employees in the public and private sectors.
Schools and colleges might be asked to go back to teaching online and conducting online classes.
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) dates have been announced, the government might not allow spectators to visit the stadium for matches.
The government might advise people to avoid non-essential travel.

Current Situation in India:

• People across several states are waiting in kilometers-long queues to fill gas in their vehicles at the gas stations.
• LPG gas cylinder supply: In several cities, residents are facing delivery delays, long queues, and even a temporary halt on new LPG connections. In many areas, people are waiting for days to receive cylinders, while black-market prices have sharply increased.
• Hotels and food joints are unable to run their businesses as they do not have cooking gas to prepare and serve meals to their customers.
• To manage the situation, the government has prioritised domestic consumption over exports and reduced gas supply to industries to conserve fuel. It has also ramped up LPG production, redirected shipments, and urged citizens not to engage in panic buying.

Fuel Rationing Begins Globally

• Governments across different countries are prioritising demand reduction, rationing, and some are exploring alternatives like biofuels. Here are key examples from recent reports (focusing on implemented actions; measures can evolve quickly):
• South and Southeast Asia (heavily impacted as major importers)
• Sri Lanka: Four-day workweek; mandatory public holidays for schools, universities, and non-essential government staff; weekly petrol limit of 15 litres per private vehicle via QR-code national fuel pass.
• Bangladesh: All educational institutions shifted online; five-hour daily rotational power cuts for households (to protect export industries like textiles); strict fuel rationing (e.g., motorcycles limited to 2 litres/day, cars with daily quotas) and monitoring of pumps to stop hoarding.
• Pakistan: Four-day workweek for government employees; 50% cut in departmental fuel allocations; temporary school closures and encouragement of remote work.
• Philippines: Four-day workweek for civil servants (aiming to cut government energy use by ~20%); non-essential official travel banned; offices must switch off computers during lunch and keep AC no lower than 24°C (75°F).
• Vietnam: Strong push for businesses to enable remote work and citizens to use public transport; special task force monitoring fuel; promotion of biofuels.
• Thailand: Officials urged to take stairs instead of elevators; fuel exports halted to protect reserves; price supports for households.
• Myanmar: Odd-even fuel rationing based on vehicle plates; many petrol pumps closed.
• East Asia
• Japan: Released ~45 days' worth of oil from strategic reserves to stabilise prices.
• South Korea: Coordinated release of millions of barrels from reserves as part of IEA effort.
• Middle East/Africa
• Egypt: Malls and restaurants must close by 9 pm; government buildings by 6 pm; advertising billboards, lights switched off.
• Bhutan: Sales of fuel in jerry cans are banned to prevent hoarding; prioritised rationing for emergency services.
• Kenya: Fuel exports banned; direct rationing introduced.
• South Africa: Industry-wide controlled diesel allocation to prevent panic buying.

In the United States, the focus has been on price increases (e.g., +80 cents/gallon in some areas) and potential strategic reserve releases, with less direct rationing so far.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to chair today's all-party meeting, whereas External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is likely to attend. The move comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed Parliament about the situation.

Report by Lokmat Times 

25/03/26, PostMarket Report

 The Indian benchmark indices, SENSEX and NIFTY50, closed in positive territory on Wednesday, March 25, for the second consecutive session, tracking gains in global markets as crude oil dropped below $95 per barrel on hopes of de-escalation in West Asia.

On Tuesday, the foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold shares worth ₹8,009.56 crore, while the domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought equities worth ₹5,867.15 crore on a net basis, according to exchange data.

The SENSEX rallied by as many as 1,781.31 points to an intraday high of 75,849.76. Meanwhile, the NIFTY50 touched the session's peak of 23,465.35.

The SENSEX advanced by 1,205 points, or 1.63%, to end at 75,273.45, while the NIFTY50 closed at 23,306.45, up by 394.05 points or 1.72%.

NIFTY50 top gainers and losers

Shares of Shriram Finance contributed to the NIFTY50 pack, closing 5.78% higher.

It was followed by Titan Company (4.63%), Grasim Industries (4.15%), UltraTech Cement (4.05%), and Larsen and Toubro (4.04%), which were among the top gainers.

Titan shares rose after international gold prices rose over 4%, supported by a drop in oil prices and a weaker US dollar. Gold had come under heavy selling pressure in the last few trading sessions as rising oil prices and bond yields fueled inflation fears and strengthened the dollar, triggering a broad selloff in precious metals.

Shares of L&T surged as its water and effluent treatment (WET) business vertical has secured a "significant" design-build-operate order from the Guwahati Metropolitan Drinking Water & Sewerage Board in Assam, for a water management project. According to L&T's classification, a significant order translates to a project ranging between ₹1,000 and ₹2,500 crore.

On the flip side, the top losers included Tech Mahindra (-2.04%), Power Grid Corporation of India (-1.40%), Tata Consultancy Services (-0.87%) and Bharat Electronics (-0.28%).

NIFTY Midcap 100 top gainers and losers

The NIFTY Midcap 100 closed 2.30% or 1,244.05 points higher at 55,331.05 on March 25. Out of its 100 constituents, only six declined, while the rest advanced.

It was supported by gains in Godfrey Phillips India, which ended 7.25% higher. Motilal Oswal Financial Services (5.77%), Kalyan Jewellers India (5.41%), Voltas (5.30%) and PI Industries (5.26%) were among the other top winners.

On the contrary, Oil India (-1.24%), Indraprastha Gas (-0.59%), Indus Towers (-0.44%), Max Financial Services (-0.15%) and Oracle Financial Services Software (-0.01%) were among the top laggards.

NIFTY Smallcap 100 top gainers and losers

NSE's small-cap gauge, the NIFTY Smallcap 100, ended at 15,896.55, reflecting a 401.35-point or 2.59% jump.

Its top gainers included PCBL Chemical (13.66%), Deepak Fertilizers And Petrochemicals Corporation (8.14%), Sagility (6.78%), Affle (6.67%) and Reliance Power (5.98%).

On the other hand, the top losers were Trident (-2.99%), Zensar Technologies (-1.85%), Aegis Vopak Terminals (-1.78%), Inventurus Knowledge Solutions (-1.14%) and Capri Global Capital (-0.89%).

source: Upstox

25/03/26, Green Opening

The benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty extended gains in Wednesday's trade on hopes of US-Iran ceasefire after US President Donald Trump said that Washington was making progress toward negotiating an end to the war.

At 9:30 am, the Sensex jumped 926.05 points or 1.25 percent at 74,990.45, while the Nifty advanced to 23,216.55, up 304.15 points or 1.33 percent.

Asian equities rose 1.4%, while oil slipped below $100 per barrel on expectations that any move toward a ceasefire could ease supply disruptions. Reports said the US is seeking a month-long ceasefire in its war with Iran and has presented Tehran with a 15-point plan, raising hopes that the conflict may ease.

25/03/26, according to MINT report, stock market prediction for today:

Following strong global market sentiment on news of de-escalation in the US-Iran war, the Indian stock market bounced back strongly on Tuesday after a sharp sell-offthe previous session.

The Nifty 50 index skyrocketed 445 points or near 2% and closed at 22,958. The BSE Sensex shot up 1,372 points or 1.89% and ended at 74,068. The Bank Nifty index surged 1,305 or 2.54% and finished at 52,743.

Sectoral participation was broadly positive, reflecting a strong recovery across the board. Most major sectors ended in the green, with banking, auto and financials leading the rebound. The recovery was also evident in broader markets, where the mid- and small-cap indices gained over 2.5% each.

What Gift Nifty live chart signals?

The Gift Nifty opened higher today and is currently trading at a premium of over 200 points from yesterday's close.

Expecting a gap-up opening for the Indian stock market today, Hariprasad K, SEBI-registered Research Analyst and Founder, Livelong Wealth, said the Indian equities are likely to open on a positive note, with Gift Nifty indicating an upside start above the 23,175 level, supported by favourable global cues.

Asian markets today

Asian markets traded higher, buoyed by comments from Donald Trump suggesting the possibility of negotiations between the United States and Iran. This potential for diplomatic engagement has provided some relief to global investors, raising hopes of a de-escalation in Middle East tensions.

The Japanese Nikkei index has risen by around 3%, the Shanghai stock market is up by around 0.65%, the South Korean KOSPI is up by over 3.25%, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index is trading at a 0.90% premium.

Gold and silver rates today

Gold and silver rates today snapped their nine-day losing run on Wednesday, March 25, gained as much as 7% on reports that the US is pursuing a diplomatic resolution to the conflict with Iran, even as it continues to deploy additional troops to the Middle East.

COMEX gold rate today jumped around 4% to $4,600 per ounce, while COMEX silver prices surged 7% to $74.42 per ounce, during the Asian trading hours on Wednesday.

Speaking on the outlook for gold rates today, Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, said that a sustained move above $4,550 could push the COMEX gold rate toward $4,700-$4,750.

On the gold rate outlook in India, the Enrich Money CEO said, "Immediate resistance is placed at ₹1,39,000 to ₹1,40,000. A breakout above this zone can trigger a move toward ₹1,43,000 to ₹1,46,000. On the downside, ₹1,34,000 to ₹1,35,000 acts as immediate support. A break below this can extend the fall toward ₹1,30,000."

"The COMEX silver rate today is in the $68 to $78 range. On MCX, the silver rate today is in ₹2,00,000 to ₹2,35,000 per kg. On breaking above ₹2,35,000, the white metal may try to touch ₹2,45,000," said Anuj Gupta, a SEBI-registered market expert.

India VIX today

On the domestic front, volatility has shown early signs of cooling, with the India VIX easing below 25. However, the decline remains modest, and volatility remains elevated relative to recent trends. A meaningful drop in VIX would require stronger directional conviction in the market. Until then, option premiums are expected to remain elevated, making risk-reward unfavourable for option sellers in the absence of a clear trend.

FII-DII data

FIIs remained net sellers by offloading Indian shares worth ₹8,009.56 crore in the cash market. In the index futures segment, FIIs sold out shares worth ₹772.28 crore, while in the Index Options segment, they exited shares worth ₹30,102.15 crore. However, DII remained net buyers, adding shares worth ₹5,867.15 crore in the cash market.

"The recent changes in OI data point towards a strengthening short-term bearish sentiment across both segments, reinforcing a sell-on-rise strategy for the upcoming sessions," said Hariprasad of Livelong Wealth.

USD vs INR

The Indian rupee dropped 35 paise to 93.88 (provisional) against the US dollar on Tuesday as a strengthening greenback against major crosses and elevated global crude prices spooked investors.

Foreign fund outflows amid uncertainties over the West Asia crisis further weighed on the local unit, forex traders said.

Speaking on the outlook of the Indian National Rupee (INR) against teh US Dollar (USD), Jateen Trivedi, VP Research - Commodity & Currency at LKP Securities, said the Indian Rupee traded weak near 93.90, down 0.36%, as persistent West Asia tensions and rising crude prices continue to weigh on sentiment, with higher oil costs worsening India's import outlook. Despite some positive signals on de-escalation, the currency remains under pressure amid sustained global uncertainty.

"The rupee is expected to trade in a weak range of 93.25-94.25, with downside bias likely to persist until clear progress in Iran peace talks emerges," the LKP Securities expert added.

Stock market today

Speaking on the outlook of the Nifty 50 today, Ajit Mishra, SVP - Research at Religare Broking Ltd, said the index may face immediate resistance around 23,200, with a stronger hurdle in the 23,400-23,600 zone. On the downside, the 22,700-22,500 band is likely to act as an immediate support area if the correction resumes.

"Given the still-elevated volatility and event-driven global backdrop, participants are advised to continue with a hedged approach and maintain positions on both sides until there is greater clarity on the next directional move," said Ajit Mishra of Religare Broking Ltd.

On the outlook for the Bank Nifty today, Vatsal Bhuva, Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, said the index ended the session on a positive note and is currently positioned in an oversold zone across multiple timeframes. On the daily chart, a positive divergence is visible in the RSI, which is on the verge of a bullish crossover. This technical setup suggests a potential pullback towards its short-term mean, with the 10-day SMA near the 54,000 level.

"The immediate target is seen at 53,000; a sustained move above this level could lead the index towards 54,000, while support is positioned at 51,500 levels," said Vatsal Bhuva of LKP Securities.

Stocks to buy today

Regarding stocks to buy today, market experts - Sumeet Bagadia of Choice Broking, Ganesh Dongre, Senior Manager - Technical Research at Anand Rathi, and Shiju Koothupalakkal, Senior Manager - Technical Research at Prabhudas Lilladher, recommended these eight buy-or-sell stocks for intraday trading: HUL, Infosys, HDFC Bank, BSE, ONGC, TVS Motor, Paytm, and Syrma SGS Technology.

Sumeet Bagadia's stock recommendations today

1] HUL: Buy at ₹2091, Target ₹2240, Stop Loss ₹2017; and

2] Infosys: Buy at ₹1278, Target ₹1368, Stop Loss ₹1233.

Ganesh Dongre's buy or sell stocks

3] HDFC Bank: Buy at ₹765, Target ₹810, Stop Loss ₹740;

4] BSE: Buy at ₹2805, Target ₹3200, Stop Loss ₹3600; and

5] ONGC: Buy at ₹268, Target ₹285, Stop Loss ₹262.

Shiju Koothupalakkal's intraday stocks for today

6] TVS Motor Company: Buy at ₹3479, Target ₹3600, Stop Loss ₹3400;

7] Paytm: Buy at ₹1035, Target ₹1100, Stop Loss ₹1010; and

8] Syrma SGS Technology: Buy at ₹790, Target ₹840, Stop Loss ₹766.

source:Dailyhunt

Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts or broking companies. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

25/03/26, An 18-month-old Palestinian toddler was allegedly held in detention for ten hours and tortured by Israeli soldiers using burning cigarettes and nails, to force a confession out of the child's father, local and international media reported on Monday.

 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWOczVFE6fZ/?igsh=OWlhMzZud283NTI3

Source: New Indian Express 

24/03/26, United Spirits share price

 Shares of United Spirits (USL) will be in the spotlight on Wednesday, March 25, as the company on Tuesday announced the sale of IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in a ₹16,660 crore all-cash deal to a consortium of Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone.

In a regulatory filing, USL said pursuant to the meeting of its Board of Directors, it has entered into definitive agreements for the sale of the 100% equity stake held in its wholly owned subsidiary Royal Challengers Sports Private Ltd (RCSPL) to a consortium comprising Aditya Birla Group (ABG), The Times of India Group (Times), Bolt Ventures (Bolt), and Blackstone's perpetual private equity strategy, BXPE (Blackstone).

"The all-cash transaction is for a total consideration of ₹16,660 crore," USL, part of multinational alcoholic beverages company Diageo, added.

RCSPL owns and operates Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchises that participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women's Premier League (WPL), it added.

What the CEO said

Commenting on the transaction, USL MD & CEO Praveen Someshwar said this transaction marks an important milestone for the company "as we sharpen focus on our core beverage alcohol business to unlock its true potential with sustained growth and to continue delivering on long-term value creation for our stakeholders."

RCB has grown into the most prominent and commercially successful franchise in the IPL and WPL, he said, adding it has built a globally recognised brand and a passionate fan base.

"We are excited for the future of RCB under the stewardship of the new owner. As sports enter a new phase of growth in India and globally, we believe this is in the best interest of the franchise and our stakeholders," said Someshwar.

What the consortium said

The acquiring consortium stated, "RCB's championship-winning culture, its deep connection to Bengaluru, and one of the most passionate fanbases in world sport make this an extraordinary opportunity. We are committed to taking RCB to new heights, on the pitch and beyond."

The acquiring consortium comprises the Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures (a private investment platform of David Blitzer, one of the world's most prominent sports investors), and Blackstone, the world's largest alternative asset manager.

In November of last year, USL announced that it would conduct a strategic review of its investment in Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL), the entity that owns the IPL T20 team, the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

RCSPL's business comprises ownership of the "Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)" franchise teams that participate in the Men's Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women's Premier League (WPL) cricket tournaments hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) annually.

United Spirits Q3 FY26 earnings

Diageo-controlled liquor maker United Spirits reported a 24.77% rise in its consolidated net profit to ₹418 crore for the December quarter of FY26 (Q3 FY26).

The company had posted a net profit of ₹335 crore in the October-December quarter a year ago, according to a regulatory filing by United Spirits Ltd (USL).

Its revenue from operations rose 2.71% to ₹7,942 crore in the December quarter under review. It was ₹7,732 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.

USL's total expenses stood at ₹7,442 crore, up 2.56% in the December quarter.

The net sales value (NSV) of USL was ₹3,683 crore, up 7.3% in the third quarter of FY26.

This was "driven by solid performance in the top half of the portfolio, partly offset by the adverse policy-led impact in Maharashtra and lapping the one-time retail pipeline fill in Andhra Pradesh in the prior year comparative," said USL in its earnings statement.

Its EBITDA was ₹599 crore, up 5.5% in Q3/FY26, driven by the standalone business of the company, it added.

source:Upstox

25/03/26, Mohammad bin Salman behind Middle East conflict

 The ongoing conflict in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran continues to escalate. It all started on February 28 when the United States and Israel attacked Iran, which resulted in the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In response, Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting the US and Israeli facilities, regional capitals, and allied forces in West Asia. March 25 marks the twenty-sixth day of the ongoing tensions.

Is Saudi Arabia directly involved or influencing the war from behind the scenes?

On the 26th day of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, a surprising report has emerged. Based on a New York Times report, it was stated that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia has encouraged President Trump to continue the military campaign against Iran.

Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, even called this present conflict a potential "historic opportunity" for the future of that region. Furthermore, it was reported by the New York Times that in the past week, the Crown Prince has communicated with Trump on many occasions to discuss how best to maintain pressure on Iran.

What are experts saying about MBS's 'bigger game' in the conflict?

According to the people familiar with the discussions, as cited by the New York Times, Prince Mohammed has stressed that the current Iranian regime poses a long-term threat to the Gulf region, and as such, the regime must be removed to resolve this problem. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also considers Iran a long-term threat; however, experts say that Israeli officials would likely perceive a failed Iranian state as a victory, since it would be unable to threaten Israel due to its internal problems. Conversely, Saudi Arabia would categorize a failed state in Iran as an immediate, grave, and serious security risk.

The surprising report comes at a time when tensions in the Middle East are at their peak. The escalation of the conflict has deepened concerns over regional stability, the global energy market, and the possibility of a prolonged war.

US President Trump has been relatively open to the idea of ending this conflict; however, according to people briefed on the conversations as cited by The New York Times, Crown Prince Mohammed has said it would be a mistake. Furthermore, he has continued to advocate attacks on energy infrastructures inside Iran as a way to weaken the Tehran government.

25/03/26, Gold&Silver rates

Gold and silver rates today snapped their losing run on Wednesday, March 25, gained as much as 7% on reports that the US is pursuing a diplomatic resolution to the conflict with Iran, even as it continues to deploy additional troops to the Middle East.

COMEX gold rate today jumped around 4% to $4,600 per ounce, while COMEX silver prices surged 7% to $74.42 per ounce, during the Asian trading hours on Wednesday.

Why are gold and silver prices rising today?

According to a Bloomberg report, US President Donald Trump indicated that Iran had offered a "present" to demonstrate goodwill in negotiations, saying it was linked to energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

Washington and regional mediators are exploring the possibility of high-level peace talks as early as Thursday, though they are still awaiting a response from Tehran, the report said.

However, the conflict showed no signs of easing, with Iran maintaining firm control over Hormuz and Israel continuing its strikes on the Islamic Republic. The Trump administration has directed the Army's 82nd Airborne Division to deploy around 2,000 troops to the Middle East, adding to nearly 5,000 personnel expected to arrive in the region in the coming days.

The surge in energy prices due to the conflict has heightened inflation risks, prompting investors to anticipate higher interest rates. This has weighed on non-yielding assets like gold. At the same time, declines in global equities and bonds have forced investors to liquidate gold holdings to raise cash, further deepening losses in bullion since the conflict began over three weeks ago.

There have also been indications that central banks are offloading gold to support their currencies. The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey is reportedly preparing additional measures to stabilise the lira amid war-driven volatility, including potentially utilising its substantial gold reserves. The bank has also discussed possible gold-for-foreign-currency swap arrangements in the London market, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Gold and silver prices outlook

According to Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency at LKP Securities, precious metals are expected to remain highly sensitive to geopolitical headlines, with volatility likely to persist as markets react to further developments in the ongoing conflict.

"Gold remained highly volatile, with prices recovering from a weak opening, largely driven by short covering and easing geopolitical risk sentiment. However, the upside remains capped because the broader macro environment remains unsupportive. Despite temporary relief, markets continue to factor in inflation risks from elevated crude prices and uncertainty around the interest rate trajectory, which keeps gold sentiment fragile," Jateen said.

On the gold prices outlook, Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, said that the broader trend remains bearish, but geopolitical uncertainty continues to provide intermittent safe-haven support.

"COMEX Gold is trading within the $4,300-$4,380 range after a sharp correction, staying below key short-term moving averages. On the upside, $4,470-$4,500 is the immediate resistance band. A sustained move above $4,550 can push prices toward $4,700-$4,750. On the downside, a break below $4,250 may accelerate selling toward $4,100-$4,150. The structure remains weak unless key resistance levels are reclaimed," Ponmudi said.

Meanwhile, on the silver prices outlook, he added that the industrial demand is offering limited support, but momentum remains weak.

"COMEX Silver is holding above $64 after a corrective phase, but continues to trade with a bearish undertone. The $68-$70 zone is a strong resistance band. A breakout above $70 is required for a bullish reversal toward $72-$74. Failure to hold above $65 can push prices toward $64-$61, with deeper support at $57-$59. The trend remains weak unless resistance is broken," he said.

Report by Mint

Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts or broking companies. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

24/03/26, Stocks Performance

Benchmark indices, SENSEX and NIFTY50, continued trading in the green zone during the afternoon session on Tuesday, March 24, driven by positive global cues and easing geopolitical tensions.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump, on Truth Social, announced that the United States will postpone "any and all" military strikes against Iranian power plants and infrastructures for a period of five days.

The US President said that both sides over the last two days engaged in "very good and productive" conversations regarding a "complete and total resolution" of hostilities in the Middle East.

He noted that the conversations will continue through the week and added that the five-day halt in military strikes was subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions.

The SENSEX rallied by as many as 1,667.28 points to an intraday high of 74,363.67, while the NIFTY50 touched the session's high of 23,026.10.

At 12:54 PM, the S&P BSE SENSEX was trading higher by 1,610.45 points, or 2.32%, at 74,306.84. NSE's NIFTY50 stood at 23,012.40, reflecting a 499.75-point, or 2.22% surge.

On Monday, the foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold shares worth ₹10,414.23 crore, while the domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought equities worth ₹12,033.97 crore on a net basis, according to exchange data.

The NIFTY50 index was bolstered by buying in the shares of Shriram Finance (6.03%), Eternal (5.37%), InterGlobe Aviation (4.96%), Larsen & Toubro (4.12%) and Apollo Hospitals Enterprise (3.96%).

On the other hand, Coal India (-2.05%) and Power Grid Corporation of India (-0.88%) were the only two constituents in the index trading in the red.

Buzzing stocks on March 24: Check list

Auto stocks

Shares of auto companies were trading in positive territory on Tuesday, March 24, amid an across-the-board buying in markets following Trump's hints at de-escalation in the war with Iran after the conflict entered the fourth week.

The NIFTY AUTO index jumped as much as 2.4% to hit a high of 24,509.65 levels on the NSE in early trade.

The announcement by the US president that the country has decided to halt strikes on Iran temporarily provided a much-needed boost to the investor sentiment across the globe, including India.

The announcement triggered a sharp decline in crude oil prices, a key input for several sectors, offering broad cost relief across the economy.

Tata Power

The stock of Tata Power surged as much as 2.08% to hit an intraday high of ₹395 per unit, before trading flat on the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

This comes as the Tata Group firm's arm, Coastal Gujarat Power Ltd (CGPL), which operates the Mundra plant, signed supplementary power purchase agreements (PPA) with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL).

According to a regulatory filing dated Tuesday, the company said that it will also sign similar supplementary PPAs with Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana.

"With reference to the temporary suspension of company operations of its units located at Mundra, we hereby inform you that the Company has executed a Supplementary Power Purchase Agreement for Tata Power Mundra Plant with GUVNL (Gujarat)," Tata Power said.

Suzlon Energy

Suzlon Energy shares gained 3.4% to touch an intraday high of ₹41.30 apiece, as the firm bagged its sixth order from GAIL.

"Enhancing its strategic focusing the PSU segment, Suzlon Group, India's leading renewable energy solutions provider, today announced its sixth wind energy project of ~100 MW from Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL)," the company said in a regulatory filing.

Suzlon Energy said it is the firm's fourth PSU order for the financial year 2026.

Asian Paints

Asian Paints stock rallied as much as 4.42% to the session's peak of ₹2,215 per equity share, following reports that suggested that the company is likely to undertake price hikes going ahead.

Asian Paints will undertake a price hike in the range of 6% and 8% in two phases across its product range starting April 10, CNBC TV18 reported.

The company has undertaken a price hike to mitigate higher crude oil prices, as petroleum products are among the key raw materials required to manufacture paints.

Global investment bank Macquarie in a note said that the first price hike will take effect from April 10 for emulsions, enamels, primers, distempers and neo Bharat range. Price hike has also been taken in thinners effective April 10 and is significantly higher.

Further, another price hike of 6-8% will be effective from April 21 across the rest of the portfolio. This includes categories of smart care waterproofing, tile adhesives, wood finishes, etc., Macquarie noted.

HDFC Bank

Shares of HDFC Bank advanced as much as 2.5% to an intraday high of ₹762.70 per unit on the NSE, after the company appointed external domestic and international law firms to review the resignation letter of non-executive chairman Atanu Chakraborty, who had quit abruptly citing differences over "values and ethics".

The bank, in an exchange filing on March 24, said that Chakraborty, in his resignation letter, did not mention any happenings and practices which were "not in congruence with his personal values and ethics".

"To reinforce the robust governance standards of the Bank, the Board of Directors of the Bank at its meeting held on March 23, 2026, took a proactive step and approved the appointment of external law firms (domestic and international), to conduct review regarding Mr. Chakraborty's resignation letter," HDFC Bank said.

Kalpataru Projects

The stock of Kalpataru Projects gained as much as 5.4% to the day's high of ₹1,073.10 per equity share on Tuesday, after the company secured a ₹4,439 crore power transmission order.

In a regulatory filing, the company said it "secured notification of awards / comfort letters / confirmation of consummation of contract of approx. ₹ 4,439 crores in the Transmission and Distribution (T&D) business."

IRFC

Shares of Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited (IRFC) climbed as much as 4% to ₹93.10 apiece on the NSE, as it signed a major rupee term loan agreement with Hindustan Urvarak and Rasayan Limited (HURL) for the refinancing of its existing long-term debt up to ₹12,842 crore.

IRFC said in its press release that this transaction represents one of IRFC's largest refinancing initiatives and marks a significant step forward in advancing its strategic vision under IRFC 2.0, anchored in a whole-of-government approach.

The refinancing is expected to deliver substantial value to HURL through competitive financing terms and an optimised repayment structure aligned with its operational cash flows.

source:Upstox

24/03/26, PostMarket REPORT

Indian stocks saw renewed buying interest in Tuesday's session, March 23, as tensions in West Asia showed signs of de-escalation, bringing back demand for riskier assets, which were heavily sold off in recent sessions amid concerns of prolonged inflation, driven by stubbornly high energy prices.

The Nifty 50 surged 1.65% to the 22,883 level, recovering most of the previous day's losses, while the S&P BSE Sensex also climbed 1.87% to 74,059. The broader markets, too, staged a sharp recovery, with the Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 indices each concluding with gains of 2.7%.

All major sectoral indices finished in the green, with Nifty Media leading the gains with a 3.40% surge, followed by Nifty Auto, Nifty Private Bank, Nifty Metal, and Nifty IT, all rising over 1.7%. Others such as Nifty PSU Bank, Nifty Realty, Nifty Oil & Gas, and Nifty FMCG also advanced between 1.3% and 1.7%.

US President Trump on Monday signalled a delay in strikes on energy infrastructure for five days, which was seen as a potential step toward de-escalation. He also said that the US and Iran have had very good and productive conversations over the last two days regarding a complete and total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East.

Shortly after Trump's statement, crude oil prices crashed nearly 11% in the previous session. The drop has boosted buying in crude-sensitive stocks such as paints, chemicals, airlines, and OMCs.

Report by Mint

24/03/26, Crude oil prices in the global market climbed back near the $100 per barrel (bbl) psychological mark during the early trading hours on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, after the commodity witnessed a brief relief from US President Donald Trump's announcement amid the West Asia conflict.

On Monday, President Donald Trump announced that the United States is imposing a five-day halt period for "any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure." However, oil prices rebounded again after a cooling period on Monday evening over Trump's further comments on the conflict.

After Trump's halt, Brent crude oil prices dropped more than 10% during the intraday trading session, hitting a low of almost $91.70 per bbl from its average trading price of $107 per bbl during the early market hours on Monday. Since midnight, the crude oil prices have been rising due to the heightened investor sentiment on the West Asia developments.

The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices also lost more than 9% during the trading session on Monday, dropping to a low of $84.59 per bbl after the postponement of the military strike on Iran's key energy infrastructure.

Crude oil prices today

Brent crude oil prices nearly hit the $100 per bbl psychological mark after surging to $99.99 per bbl at 7:15 a.m. (IST) on Tuesday, March 24, compared to the previous market close level of $96.5 per bbl on Monday.

As of 7:37 a.m. (IST), Brent crude oil was trading 4% higher at $99.78 per bbl, compared to the previous market close, over the cautious investor sentiment from Trump's recent comments on the US-Iran conflict.

The US-based WTI crude oil prices were trading 4.06% higher at $91.67 per bbl as of 7:37 a.m. (IST), compared to the previous market close level of $88.13, according to Investing.com data.

Why are crude oil prices rising today?

Crude oil prices were rising on Tuesday's market after US President Donald Trump, speaking at an event in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, said that Iran has 'one more chance' at peace without providing any details of the deal, according to a BBC report.

"My whole life has been a negotiation but with Iran, we've been negotiating a long time," said Trump in his speech. "This time, they mean business," he said. Trump also said that he believes Iran has agreed they will not have a nuclear weapon.

Trump added that he hopes Iran takes the deal, but "Either way, America and the entire world will be much safer and [it] will be a much safer planet."

These comments come after Trump, via his Truth Social post, said that Iran and the US are engaged in talks to resolve the ongoing West Asia conflict and stop the hostile attacks on in the region.

"I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions," said Trump in his post.

Global gold prices today

The New York Mercantile Exchange-based COMEX gold prices were trading 1.79% lower at $4,328.30 per ounce as of 10:03 p.m. (EDT) on Monday, March 23, compared to $4,407.30 per ounce at the previous market close, according to the official data.

The data showed that the gold prices surged to $4,450.50 per ounce near the afternoon market session on Monday. However, the gold prices remained trading lower due to the strong demand for the US dollar in the market.

According to the Bloomberg US dollar spot index, the greenback was trading 0.39% higher at 99.3380 as of 10:23 p.m. (EDT) on Monday, March 23, amid the dynamic developments over the West Asia crisis.

US stock market snapshot

The benchmark US stock market indices closed in the green zone after surging on Monday's trading session due to the positive investor sentiment of a near term end to the US-Iran conflict.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 1.38% higher at 46,208.47 points on Monday, compared to 45,577.47 points at the previous market close, according to MarketWatch data. 3M Co., Sherwin-Williams, Home Depot, Caterpillar, and IBM were among the gainers, while UnitedHealth Group, Walt Disney, Travelers Cos, and P&G were among the losers.

The S&P 500 index closed 1.15% higher at 6,581 points, compared to 6,506.48 points in the previous market close. Albemarle Corp., Smurfit Westrock, Qnity Electronics were among the gainers, while Ulta Beauty, Huntington Ingalls Industries and Darden Restaurants were among the losers.

The Nasdaq Composite closed 1.38% higher at 21,946.76 points, compared to 21,647 points at the previous market close. Urban-gro, Mangoceuticals, and PTL were among the gainers, while Hitek Global, Linkers Industries, and Ambitions Enterprise were among the laggards.

Disclaimer: This article is purely for informational purposes and should not be considered investment advice. Please consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

24/03/26, Market Graphs

 SENSEX

NIFTY 50

NIFTY BANK 

24/03/26, Aid to Iran

 Srinagar: In an extraordinary display of unity, Kashmiris across sectarian lines are rallying to aid war-hit Iran, donating cash, jewellery, utensils, livestock, and even children's savings; transforming grief and faith into a sweeping humanitarian campaign across the Valley.

For the second consecutive day, donation drives were organized in Srinagar's Zadibal, Hassanabad, Shalimar, Harwan, Qamarwari, Lawaypora, FateKadal and Bemina localities, with similar efforts reported in Budgam, Bandipora and Baramulla.

Contributions ranged from cash and cheques to gold ornaments, silverware, copper utensils, tipper truck, motor bikes, and livestock. Women parted with treasured heirlooms, while children brought their piggy banks to collection centres.

One widow donated gold kept as a memento of her husband who died 28 years ago; a gesture the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi described as "the greatest source of comfort" for the people of Iran.

Shia leader Imran Ansari urged authorities to allow this "collective act of faith and solidarity to continue with dignity" without unnecessary restrictions. The Embassy, in a statement on X, thanked Kashmiris for their heartfelt support, saying, "Your tears and pure emotions are the greatest source of comfort for the people of Iran and will never be forgotten."

Locals emphasized that the campaign is driven by humanitarian concern rather than politics. "People have gathered here in large numbers, and it's not just the Shia community; the Sunni community is also showing strong support. Many feel other countries have not done enough, so this is our way of contributing," said Syeda Hurmat, a resident of Hawal.

Community groups estimate that donations may have already crossed more than 600 crores in just 2 days.

"Valley is responding with a generosity that is both overwhelming and deeply moving. Iran has endured unimaginable devastation, and from here, we feel compelled to act on humanitarian grounds. What touches me most is seeing children break open their piggy banks, offering their tiny savings with immense sincerity. This is not charity alone; it is solidarity in its purest form, a testament to the conscience of Kashmir," said Syed Aijaz Mosavi.

"To stand with Iran is to stand with humanity itself. This effort is not defined by sectarian lines but by compassion and conscience. Watching children break open their piggy banks, offering their tiny savings with pride, is profoundly moving. What we are witnessing is not just generosity; it is unity, a collective heartbeat of Kashmir reaching out to those in pain," said Kifayat Rizvi.

Meanwhile, authorities have issued new regulations under "Regulation, Monitoring and Vigilance over the Collection of Donations during the Holy Month of Ramadan-2026", requiring mosque committees and NGOs to seek prior permission and maintain transparency in fundraising.