03/02/26, why market is closed today

Indian stock exchanges will be closed on Tuesday for Holi, even as parts of the country will celebrate the festival on Wednesday (March 4).

The holiday has triggered some confusion among traders, with many noting that Holika Dahan fell late on March 2 and Holi will be marked across several states on March 4.

Both the National Stock Exchange and the Bombay Stock Exchange have declared a full trading holiday today (March 3). There will be no activity in the equity, derivatives and securities lending and borrowing (SLB) segments. However, trading will resume on Wednesday when major parts of the country will play colours.

The country's largest non-agricultural commodity bourse, the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX), will remain shut in the morning session between 9 am and 5 pm on Tuesday, but will reopen for the evening session from 5 pm to 11:55 pm. On the other hand, The National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) will remain closed for the entire day.

Holiday Date Sparks Debate

With Holika Dahan observed in many regions on March 2 and Holi festivities scheduled for March 4 in several states, some market participants questioned why the trading holiday falls on Tuesday this year.

"What is the use of holidays made for festivals, if its given on the Wrong Date. Last year it was Diwali and now Holi tomorrow. These are the 2 major festivals then how can this be ignored?," asked X user Sharad Jhunjhunwala.

He further said: "As a trader, I would boycott trading on March 4, and I call from everyone around to do the same, Lets see how Institutions get the Fill," he said.

In a previous post, the same user noted that Tuesday being lunar eclipse, the Holi celebrations are scheduled on March 4, even as Holika Dahan is being celebrated on Monday late night.

The Reserve Bank of India's holiday matrix reflects regional variations. The Reserve Bank of India listed Holika Dahan on March 2, while March 3 is marked for Holi (Second Day), Dol Jatra, Dhulandi, Holika Dahan or Attukal Pongala in different states. March 4 is separately recognised as Holi 2nd day, Dhuleti or Yaosang second day in certain regions.

Samir Arora of Helios Capital said markets should also remain shut on Wednesday, arguing that Holi will be widely celebrated that day. He added that a two-day closure would allow clearer visibility on developments in the Iran conflict and help avoid unnecessary volatility.

Iran War Triggers Market Plunge

The holiday follows a volatile start to the week. Benchmark indices tumbled on Monday (March 2) amid a global risk-off sentiment linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The Nifty 50 closed 312 points, or 1.24%, lower at 24,865, while the BSE Sensex fell 1,048 points to settle at 80,238. Both indices had declined over 2% intraday.

Broader markets were also under pressure, with the Nifty Midcap 150 and Nifty Smallcap 250 dropping 1.7% and 1.9%, respectively. Larsen & Toubro and Reliance Industries weighed on the Nifty, while InterGlobe Aviation and L&T were among the top percentage losers. Twelve of the 15 sectoral indices on the NSE ended in the red, led by auto and energy stocks, even as defence, metal and pharma counters bucked the trend.

02/03/26, after market hours

Nifty Infrastructure index closed down 2.23% at 9320.1 today. The index has added 2.00% over last one month. Among the constituents, Interglobe Aviation Ltd dropped 6.36%, Larsen & Toubro Ltd fell 4.95% and Adani Green Energy Ltd shed 4.62%. The Nifty Infrastructure index has increased 22.00% over last one year compared to the 12.39% spike in benchmark Nifty 50 index.

In other indices, Nifty Auto index has slid 2.20% and Nifty PSU Bank index has slid 1.84% on the day. In broad markets, the Nifty 50 has declined 1.24% to close at 24865.7 while the SENSEX has slid 1.29% to close at 80238.85 today.

source: Capital Market

02/03/26, Stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty nosedived over 1 per cent on Monday as investors' sentiment were hit hard following a sharp spike in crude oil prices amid escalating tensions in West Asia.

 Weak trends in global markets and heavy foreign fund outflows also dented sentiments.

The 30-share BSE Sensex tanked 2,743.46 points or 3.37 per cent to 78,543.73 in early trade. It later ended at 80,238.85, down 1,048.34 points or 1.29 per cent.

The 50-share NSE Nifty tumbled 575.15 points or 2.28 per cent to 24,603.50 in intra-day trade. The benchmark later settled 312.95 points or 1.24 per cent down at 24,865.70.

From the Sensex pack, InterGlobe Aviation, Larsen & Toubro, Adani Ports, Maruti, Asian Paints, and Bajaj Finserv were among the biggest laggards.

Bharat Electronics, Sun Pharma and ITC were the only gainers.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, jumped 8.34 per cent to USD 78.95 per barrel.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a coordinated US-Israeli airstrike on Tehran early Saturday, with the Iranian state media confirming the death on Sunday.

Iran began firing missiles at Israel and the Arab countries in the region in retaliation for the killing of its supreme leader.

In Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell over 1 per cent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index tumbled more than 2 per cent, while Shanghai's SSE Composite index ended in positive territory. Equity markets were closed in South Korea due to a holiday.

Markets in Europe were trading sharply lower.

The US market ended lower on Friday.

"Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have unsettled global markets, with concerns over possible extension of the situation given the killing of Iran's supreme leader.

"Rising crude oil prices and a weakening INR reflect concerns over potential disruptions to oil supply, which could increase inflationary pressures in India and impact fiscals and strain margins for energy and chemical-dependent sectors," Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Ltd, said.

The India VIX has edged higher, signalling increased uncertainty and risk aversion among market participants, he added.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 7,536.36 crore on Friday, according to exchange data. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs), however, bought stocks worth Rs 12,292.81 crore.

On Friday, the Sensex tanked 961.42 points or 1.17 per cent to settle at 81,287.19. The Nifty tumbled 317.90 points or 1.25 per cent to end at 25,178.65.

Report by The Telegraph 

Equity markets would remain closed on Tuesday ,03/02/26 for Holi.

02/03/26, Chinese defence stocks rallied on Monday, March 2 amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Firms associated with China's defence industry witnessed a rise as investors reacted to escalating tensions due to US-Israel-Iran war.

 

Shares of Avic Shenyang Aircraft Company, recognised for producing defence equipment such as the J-35 stealth fighter, rose by more than 5.3%. The overall CSI defense index jumped by 3.4%, representing an annual increase of over 20%.

On March 2, 2026, the intraday performance data as per Trading View indicated that the Chinese defence sector exhibited widespread strength, primarily driven by heavy manufacturing and aerospace segments.

Xi'an Triangle Defense shares jumped 3.26%, with Avic Chengdu Aircraft shares were up nearly 2%. Data from Trading View also revealed a strong inclination among investors towards established military hardware manufacturers, as North Industries Red Arrow and Anhui GreatWall Military also recorded solid gains exceeding 2%, while China Spacesat completed the top five with a steady gain of 1.84%.

Chinese stock market today

China's stock benchmarks showed little change on Monday following the conflict in Iran, as gains in sectors like energy, defense, and gold were balanced out by sharp declines in airline and tourism stocks.

Sentiment on the mainland was buoyed by hopes that Beijing might intervene to stabilize markets ahead of an upcoming parliamentary meeting this week.

In contrast, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index, which is more vulnerable to global market fluctuations, fell by more than 2%.

The United States and Israel conducted significant strikes on Iran over the weekend, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which has heightened geopolitical tensions and increased global economic uncertainty.

The blue-chip CSI300 Index and Shanghai Composite Index in China fluctuated between slight gains and losses during early trading.

(Source: MINT with inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts, experts and broking companies. We advise check with certified experts before making any investment decision.

02/03/26, Shares of defence equipment manufacturing companies such as Bharat Dynamics, Bharat Electronics, Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Solar Industries, Data Patterns, and Paras Defence, among others, were trading higher in the early trade on Monday, March 2, as investor sentiment remained strong on defence stocks amid the Middle East tensions.

Last seen, the NIFTY India Defence index was trading over 1.5% higher at 8,249.70 levels, with 17 out of 18 components trading in the green. BEL was up 1.48%, while Data Patterns traded over 3% higher.

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply from Saturday following coordinated military strikes involving the United States and Israel against Iran, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.

The strikes led to the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, escalating geopolitical tensions and deepening global economic uncertainty.

Israel launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran on Sunday, and Iran responded with more missile barrages, a day after the killing of Khamenei pitched the Middle East and the global economy into deepening uncertainty.

The escalation has unsettled global markets, pushing investors toward safe-haven assets such as gold while driving volatility in crude oil prices amid worries about supply constraints and wider economic fallout.

Defence stocks in India

The Nifty India Defence index has jumped over 6% in the past one month and over 58% over the past 12 months (as of the February 27 closing level).

The Nifty India Defence Index aims to track the performance of a portfolio of stocks that broadly represent the defence theme.

From the Nifty Total Market index, stocks forming part of eligible basic industries or those that obtain at least 10% of revenues from the defence industry are eligible to be included in the index and are chosen based on a six-month average free-float market capitalisation.

The weight of the stocks in the index is based on their free-float market capitalisation. Stock weights are capped at 20%.

India's defence sector: Latest updates

India's defence technology sector marked 2025 as a landmark year, recording its highest-ever annual capital inflow of $247 million (about ₹2,270 crore), according to a report by data intelligence platform Tracxn.

With this surge, the sector's cumulative funding milestone has reached $711 million (about ₹6,535 crore).

The report highlighted a significant shift in the ecosystem from exploratory venture deployments to "infrastructure-style conviction", characterised by larger cheque sizes and a focus on execution-driven capability.

India's defence tech sector has attracted $711 million in all-time equity funding across 232 rounds. Annual funding has risen from $5 million in 2016 to a peak of $247 million in 2025 YTD. Funding increased from $37 million in 2021 to $75 million in 2022, followed by $139 million in 2023 and $125 million across 42 rounds in 2024.

"Despite a lower number of rounds in 2025 YTD (30 rounds), total funding nearly doubled year-over-year, largely driven by Raphe mPhibr's $100 million Series B round. The number of annual funding rounds increased from 5 in 2016 to 42 in 2024, before moderating in 2025 YTD," Tracxn said.

The data indicated intensifying capital concentration, with top-five companies absorbing about 53% of all funding.

source:  Dalyhunt 

02/03/26, Oil price: The prices of crude oil in the international market surged in the early trade on Monday, March 2, following the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The oil prices spiked as the US and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory strikes against Israel and US military installations around the Gulf sent disruptions through the global energy supply chain.

The conflict, following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has raised concerns over energy supplies.

Oil futures surged more than 8%, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude last trading at $72.52 per barrel and Brent crude at $79.04 per barrel.

OPEC+ boosts oil production

Amid the geopolitical tensions, eight countries that are part of the OPEC+ oil group announced Sunday they will boost production of crude.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), in a Sunday meeting planned before the war began, said it would increase production by 206,000 barrels per day in April, which was more than analysts had expected. The countries boosting output include Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman.

Attacks throughout the region, including on two vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, could restrict countries' ability to export oil to the rest of the world. That will likely result in higher prices for crude oil and gasoline, according to energy experts.

Around 15 million barrels of crude oil per day - nearly 20% of global supply - pass through the Strait of Hormuz, making it the world's most critical oil chokepoint, according to Rystad Energy. The narrow waterway, bordered to the north by Iran, is a key transit route for oil and gas exports from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, and Iran.

Iran had temporarily closed parts of the strait in mid-February, citing military drills. Any further disruption to this vital shipping corridor could tighten global supplies and push oil prices higher.

Bullion update

In the metals space, gold futures jumped 2.3% as investors piled into the global safe haven.

Bullion, traditionally regarded as a safe-haven asset, has already scaled multiple record highs this year amid elevated global political and economic uncertainty.

The current rally follows a sharp 64% gain in 2025, fuelled by sustained central bank purchases, strong inflows into exchange-traded funds, and growing expectations of monetary easing in the United States.

Source: Upstox

02/03/26, US market news

The US stock market started the week on a weak note after tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply over the weekend. Fresh military action between the United States and Iran created uncertainty across global markets, leading to volatility in stocks, oil, and precious metals.

Investors reacted cautiously as fears of a wider conflict raised concerns about global stability, oil supply, and economic growth.

Dow Futures Fall Amid War Fears

On Monday morning, futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped more than 217 points. Futures trading usually gives an early signal of how markets may open later in the day, and the decline reflected nervousness among investors.

When geopolitical tensions increase, investors often move money away from risky assets like stocks and shift toward safer options. The uncertainty surrounding military action tends to impact business confidence and global trade expectations.

Oil Prices Spike, Then Cool Down

Crude oil prices jumped sharply at the start of trading. Initially, prices surged more than 10% as fears grew that the conflict could disrupt oil supply from the Middle East - one of the world's most important oil-producing regions.

However, prices later gave up most of those gains:

Brent Crude traded at $76.11 per barrel

West Texas Intermediate traded at $69 per barrel

Both benchmarks were still about 3.5% higher compared to previous levels, but the cooling suggested that traders were reassessing the immediate supply risks.

Oil prices are highly sensitive to conflict in the Middle East. Any disruption to supply routes or production can push prices sharply higher, which may increase inflation worldwide.

Gold and Silver See Mild Gains

As markets turned volatile, investors moved toward traditional safe-haven assets. Gold and silver prices rose slightly, gaining a little over 1%.

Gold is often considered a protective investment during times of war or economic uncertainty. The modest rise showed that while investors were cautious, panic selling was not widespread.

US Markets Ended Friday in the Red

The weakness did not begin on Monday. US stock markets had already closed lower on Friday after fresh economic data raised concerns about inflation.

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 521 points (1.05%) to close at 48,977.
• The Nasdaq Composite declined 210 points (0.92%) to 22,668.
• The S&P 500 slipped nearly 30 points (0.43%) to 6,878.

The fall came after the US Labor Department released its Producer Price Index (PPI) report.

Inflation Worries Resurface

The report showed that producer prices rose by 0.5% in January, which was higher than expected. In December, prices had increased by 0.4% (after revision).

Higher producer prices mean companies are facing rising costs. These costs can later be passed on to consumers, leading to higher inflation.

This has revived concerns about stagflation - a situation where inflation remains high while economic growth slows. Adding to worries are reports of AI-related job cuts in certain sectors, raising fears about employment stability.

Sector-Wise Impact: Airlines Hit Hard

Some sectors were hit more than others:

• Airline stocks saw heavy selling, with the NYSE Arca Airline Index plunging 5%. The index closed at its lowest level in nearly a month.
• Airline companies are sensitive to rising oil prices because fuel is one of their biggest costs. Any increase in crude oil prices can directly impact their profitability.
• Software and semiconductor stocks also showed weakness, reflecting concerns about growth and investment spending.
• On the positive side, pharmaceutical, retail, and telecom stocks recorded gains, as investors moved toward relatively defensive sectors.

What Investors Are Watching Now

Markets are now closely monitoring:

• Whether the Middle East conflict expands further.
• Oil supply stability in the region.
• Upcoming economic data and signals from the US Federal Reserve.
• Inflation trends and employment data.

If tensions remain high and oil prices stay elevated, inflation pressure could increase again. However, if the situation stabilizes quickly, markets may recover some of the losses.

The combination of geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns has created a challenging environment for global markets. While oil prices surged briefly and stock futures declined, the overall reaction suggests caution rather than panic.

Investors are balancing the risks of war-related disruptions with ongoing concerns about inflation and economic slowdown. In the coming days, market direction will largely depend on developments in the Middle East and fresh economic signals from the United States.

Report by Swastika Sruti of Oneindia.com

02/03/26, US & Iran WAR impact on markets

 The opening bell today is among the most closely watched in recent months, with global markets rattled by escalating tensions in West Asia. GIFT Nifty was down 235 points, or 0.93%, at 25,050, signalling a weak start for Indian equities as investors react to the sharp deterioration in the geopolitical landscape following US-Israel strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliation.

Across West Asia, markets traded deep in the red, reflecting heightened risk aversion. The weakness extended to Asia, where screens were awash in red amid fears of a broader regional escalation and potential disruption to global oil supplies.

On Friday, domestic benchmarks had already ended sharply lower. The NSE Nifty 50 fell 318 points, or 1.25%, to close at 25,178, while the BSE Sensex dropped 961 points, or 1.17%, to 81,287.

Tensions in West Asia Escalate

The conflict intensified after the US and Israel carried out strikes on Iran, reportedly killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. An Iranian official told CNN that US President Donald Trump had crossed "a very dangerous red line." Israel subsequently claimed it conducted fresh strikes "in the heart of Tehran," while Iran launched retaliatory attacks, including strikes on US military bases and targets across the region.

The conflict has damaged key infrastructure, disrupted air hubs and threatened oil supply routes, raising concerns about prolonged instability.

V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments, said the medium-term market impact will hinge on the duration of the conflict. "The market will react very negatively. In a weak market, upstream oil companies and defence stocks will do well," he said, adding that the US and Israel could opt for a strategic pullback after significantly weakening Iran.

Crude Oil Surges

Crude prices spiked sharply on Monday morning as tensions flared. Brent crude jumped as much as 13% to around $82 per barrel before trimming gains to trade about 7% higher.

The US military said it struck an Iranian warship at a Gulf of Oman port, raising fears that Iran could retaliate by disrupting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil trade.

"Crude has spiked, and if prices remain elevated for an extended period, India's balance of trade and balance of payments will be impacted since we import nearly 85% of our oil requirements," Vijayakumar warned.

There are also unconfirmed reports about potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. If the waterway is deemed unsafe for commercial shipping, prices could spike further. OPEC+ may respond by ramping up production in an attempt to stabilise markets.

Asian Markets Under Pressure

Asian markets opened sharply lower as risk-off sentiment dominated. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell nearly 2% at the open, while the Topix dropped 2.1%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures were at 26,465, below the previous close of 26,630.54. South Korean markets remained closed due to a public holiday.

US Futures Slide

US stock futures declined overnight amid rising oil prices and increased demand for safe-haven assets. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell 571 points, or 1.2%. S&P 500 futures lost 1%, while Nasdaq 100 futures slipped more than 1%. Gold futures rose 2% as investors sought refuge in the precious metal.

Gold and Silver Rally

Gold prices surged as geopolitical tensions boosted safe-haven demand. The rate for 24-carat gold in India stood at Rs 1,62,190 per 10 grams, up nearly 2% from the previous day. In Delhi, 24-carat gold was priced at Rs 1,61,910 per 10 grams, while 18-carat gold was at Rs 1,21,642.5. In Dubai, 24-carat gold was quoted at Rs 1,49,590. On COMEX, gold traded at $5,372.20 an ounce, up 2.4%.

Silver prices also rallied sharply. In India, silver jumped 7% to Rs 2.8 lakh per kilogram. On COMEX, silver rose 1.83% to trade at $95 per troy ounce. The metal had previously hit record highs in January amid geopolitical tensions and speculative buying.

FII, DII Activity

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers of Indian equities worth Rs 7,536.36 crore on February 27, 2025, according to provisional NSE data. In contrast, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers to the tune of Rs 12,292.81 crore, cushioning some of the selling pressure.

US Dollar and Rupee

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, rose 0.26% to 97.86. The index reflects the dollar's relative strength against currencies including the euro, pound, yen and Swiss franc. The rupee depreciated 0.06% to close at 90.97 against the US dollar on February 27.

source: News18

02/03/26, Share Market Infotmation

 Indian markets ended the week on a low note, weighed down by renewed global risk-offs and sector-specific headwinds. The NIFTY50 index slipped over 1% to 25,178 for the week, ending below key moving averages amid broad-based selling across sectors.

This set a negative tone for the March derivatives series.

One of the main themes was that IT stocks, as fears about AI disruption and global tech sell-offs kept the sectors under pressure. The Nifty IT index hit slipped over 4%, marking worst monthly performance in years.

At the start of the week, markets received a brief boost after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on tariff measures sparked optimism, pushing up financial and PSU bank stocks. However, this bounce was short-lived, as broader selling re-emerged later in the week.

Towards the end of the week, geopolitical tensions escalated amid strikes involving Iran and Israel, which heightened global risk aversion. This increased selling pressure and raised concerns over global crude prices, which are a key macro trigger for Indian markets.

Spotlight: From an equity market standpoint, the recent firmness in crude oil prices continues to support the NIFTY Oil & Gas Index along with the entire energy pack, particularly upstream producers. Crude futures are still trending upwards, above the rising 21-day and 50-day exponential moving averages (EMAs), suggesting that the broader trend is positive unless the 50-day EMA is breached on a closing basis.

The impact differs across equities segments. Upstream companies such as ONGC and Oil India benefit directly from higher crude oil prices, which improves earnings visibility. Overall, as long as crude remains above key support levels, the NIFTY Energy and Oil & Gas Index is likely to remain firm. However, a breakdown in crude below its 50-day EMA could dampen sentiment across the sector.

Geopolitical uncertainities: Geopolitical risk is set to dominate markets in the week ahead, as the sudden escalation of U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran has significantly heightened global uncertainty. This ongoing conflict adds a new dimension to existing tensions in Afghanistan and Pakistan, prompting investors to monitor its potential impact on commodity prices, safe-haven flows like Gold. Experts believe that sustained disruption in the Middle East, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for the transit of crude oil, could lead to higher energy prices and higher volatility in equities.

️Key events in focus: In the U.S. with the fourth-quarter earnings season almost over, investors will be looking for a new catalyst. On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will release the jobs report, marking the first return to the normal release schedule since early September. Other economic data this week includes the Institute for Supply Management's Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index, released on Monday, and the Services PMI, announced on Wednesday.

On the domestic front, India's growth outlook has been revised upwards under the new GDP series (with a base year of 2022-23), with real GDP in FY26 now projected at 7.6%, compared to an earlier estimate of around 7.4% using the previous methodology. Updated data also revealed that the economy expanded by 7.8% in the October-December quarter, demonstrating resilience in manufacturing and services despite global uncertainties.

Mark your calendars: The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) will remain closed on 2 March on account of Holi.

Market breadth

Market breadth remained mixed and indecisive throughout the week, with the percentage of NIFTY50 stocks trading above their 50-day moving average (DMA) fluctuating around the mid-range. However, towards the end of the week breadth of the index slips towards 35-40% zone. A sustainable bullish structure usually requires readings above 70%, whereas readings below 40% typically indicates weakness.

FIIs cash market and derivatives

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sustained their selling spree for the eighth month in a row and sold shares worth ₹6,640 crore in Indian equities. However, heavy selling on the last day of trading wiped out those gains, reversing the trend of the previous month and continuing the pattern of sharp fluctuations.

Meanwhile, in the derivatives segment, the FIIs have once again started the March series on a bearish note with the long-to-short ratio of 21:79 on index futures. This means, that the FIIs net open interest and index futures position remains skewed towards the short contracts, indicaitng weakness.

NIFTY50 index outlook

The NIFTY50 index slipped below all the key moving averages on the daily chart, signalling weakness. On Friday, the index slipped below the pshcyhologically support of 200-day exponential moving average (EMAs), indicating weakness. For the upcoming sessions, the 25,600 zone, which aligns with the 50-day EMA, will act as immediate resistance. Meanwhile, the next crucial supppor for the index is now 24,900. A break below this level on a closing basis will signal further weakness.

Report by Upstox 

28/02/26, Pakistan vs Afghan

US President Donald Trump refused to intervene in the ongoing Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict and said that the Pakistan is doing terrifically well. He even lauded Pakistan's top leadership even as tensions with Afghanistan escalated amid deadly border clashes.

Asked about a possible US role in calming the fast-escalating tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, the Republican President highlighted his close personal ties with Pakistan's leadership.

Heaping praises on Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and military chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Trump said that he would intervene (in the ongoing Pak-Afghan clashes) but "I get along with Pakistan very, very well. They have a great Prime Minister, a great General there, a great leader".

"I think two of the people that I really respect a lot. I think Pakistan is doing terrifically well," Trump told reporters.

The US President's remark comes a day after Pakistan declared a state of 'open war' with Afghanistan as tension escalated earlier this week. "Our patience has reached its limit. Now it is open war between us and you. Now it will be ‘Dama Dam Mast Qalandar'. Pakistan's army did not come from across the seas. We are your neighbours; we know your ins and outs. Allahu Akbar," Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif said.

On Friday, Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistani armed forces can "crush" aggressors, hours after Islamabad struck targets inside Afghanistan's major cities overnight. Pakistan claimed it has aerially targeted 29 locations across Afghanistan, including in Kandahar and Kabul.

"Our forces have the full capability to crush any aggressive ambitions. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan armed forces," Sharif said.

Earlier, the United States expressed support for what it called Pakistan's "right to defend itself" against attacks from Afghanistan's Taliban rulers. "The United States supports Pakistan's right to defend itself against attacks from the Taliban, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group," a State Department spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

Tensions between Kabul and Islamabad have escalated, with both sides accusing one another of retaliatory strikes. The Taliban government has claimed it captured 19 Pakistani military outposts and killed 55 Pakistani soldiers, while Islamabad insists it has killed 133 Taliban fighters in the latest round of clashes.

Pakistan asserts it has conclusive evidence that militants are operating from across the border in Afghanistan and maintains that cross-border strikes are essential to safeguard national security, even as tensions risk escalating into a broader conflict in South Asia.

28/02/26, Asian Markets news

 Asian shares exhibited mixed results on Friday, following a significant decline in Nvidia's stock, which marked the worst day for the company since last spring and subsequently pulled U.S. stocks lower.

U.S. futures also fell as investors reacted to comments made by Block CEO Jack Dorsey regarding the company's decision to reduce its workforce by 40% due to advancements in labor-saving artificial intelligence.

Market Reactions in Asia

In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 increased slightly by 0.1%, reaching 58,810.03. Conversely, the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong rose by 0.8% to 26,578.03, while the Shanghai Composite index declined by 0.3% to 4,139.53. South Korea's Kospi fell 0.6% to 6,288.40 as traders took profits from recent gains, and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 increased by 0.1% to 9,184.10. India's Sensex experienced a loss of 0.4%.

U.S. Market Performance

Futures for the S&P 500 dropped by 0.2%, while those for the Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by 0.4%. On Thursday, the S&P 500 lost 0.5%, settling at 6,908.86, the Dow saw a minimal gain of less than 0.1% at 49,499.20, and the Nasdaq composite fell by 1.2% to 22,878.38.

Unemployment Claims and Nvidia's Performance

A report indicated a slight increase in U.S. unemployment benefit applications last week, although the rise was within economists' expectations and still relatively low historically. Nvidia, known for its contributions to the AI sector, reported impressive profit growth that exceeded analysts' predictions. However, the stock faced a significant drop of 5.5%, marking its worst performance since April.

Block's Workforce Reduction

Shares of Block, formerly Square, surged by 5% on Thursday following better-than-expected earnings and jumped over 20% in after-hours trading after Dorsey announced plans to lay off approximately 4,000 employees out of 10,000. Dorsey stated in a letter to shareholders, "We believe Block will be significantly more valuable as a smaller, faster, intelligence-native company. Everything we do from here is in service of that."

Broader Market Impacts

Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management commented on Dorsey's actions, noting, "Dorsey just did what most CEOs have only whispered about in boardrooms." He added, "For years we've debated whether AI would dent jobs at the margin. Now we have a public case study where the CEO explicitly says intelligence tools have changed what it means to build and run a company." Despite Nvidia's downturn, seven stocks in the S&P 500 rose for every three that fell, including Salesforce, which increased by 4% after surpassing profit expectations.

Netflix's Market Movements

Elsewhere on Wall Street, Netflix shares surged by 9.2% in after-hours trading after the company opted out of acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery's studio and streaming business, allowing Paramount to potentially take over its Hollywood rival. Netflix indicated that the required purchase price made the deal "no longer financially attractive." On Thursday, Warner Bros. shares fell by 0.3% following a reported loss of $252 million for the fourth quarter.

Oil Prices and Currency Fluctuations

In early Friday dealings, U.S. benchmark crude oil prices rose by 43 cents to $65.64 per barrel, amid fluctuating prices influenced by indirect talks between the United States and Iran regarding Iran's nuclear program. Brent crude, the international standard, increased by 27 cents to $71.11 per barrel. The U.S. dollar weakened against the Japanese yen, falling to 155.80 from 156.13, while the euro rose to $1.1810 from $1.1796.

Report by Times now 

28/02/26, Trump Decision on Iran

 

• When asked if an attack on Iran could lead to a long, drawn-out conflict in the Middle East, President Donald Trump reportedly responded that there would always be a risk.
• On Thursday, latest nuclear talks in Geneva between the two countries failed to reach a definitive breakthrough.
• Meanwhile, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has reportedly warned Trump that any major operation against Iran would be risky.

U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly said on Friday that a final decision on whether or not to attack Iran is yet to be made.

According to a report from CNBC, the president said to reporters outside the White House that while he would prefer to not attack Iran, "but sometimes you have to."

"We're not thrilled with the way they're negotiating," Trump reportedly said, expressing his opinion on Iran's leadership refusing to curb its nuclear program. "They cannot have nuclear weapons," he added.

On Thursday, latest nuclear talks in Geneva between the two countries failed to reach a definitive breakthrough, even as Iran has maintained its right to enrich uranium, while denying plans to seek a nuclear weapon.

Risks Of War

When asked if an attack on Iran could lead to a long, drawn-out conflict in the Middle East, Trump reportedly responded, "I guess you could say there's always a risk."

"It'd be wonderful if they negotiate, really, in good conscience, good faith," Trump said as per the report. "They are not getting there so far."

Meanwhile, Pentagon's top military staff, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reportedly warned U.S. President Donald Trump that any major operation against Iran would be risky.

Reports from earlier this week indicated that Gen. Caine said any military action against Iran will be challenging, since the U.S. war weapons stockpile has been significantly depleted due to America's support to Israel and Ukraine.

Market Reactions

Rising geopolitical tensions with Iran have pressured markets in recent weeks. Meanwhile, U.S. equities declined on Friday. At the time of writing, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), which tracks the S&P 500 index, was down by 0.88%, the Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (QQQ) fell 0.76%, while the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) dropped 1.40%.

Retail sentiment around the S&P 500 ETF on Stocktwits was in the 'bullish' territory.

The iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEF) was up by 0.44% at the time of writing.

Report by Srockwits

28/02/26, The Indian equity markets remained under pressure this week, with the Sensex declining around 2.35% over the past five sessions and the Nifty slipping about 2.26%.

This week, leading brokerage firms such as Jefferies, Motilal Oswal, Nuvama Institutional Equities, CLSA and JM Financial released their stock recommendations. Based on their latest reports, we have shortlisted 10 stocks spanning multiple sectors that have attracted 'Buy' calls.

Motilal Oswal on Kaynes Technology

Motilal Oswal has a 'Buy' rating on Kaynes Technology with a target of Rs 8,200, implying over 115% upside. The brokerage believes government approvals for its advanced circuit board plant in Tamil Nadu will strengthen its position in the electronics manufacturing space.

The Rs 3,700 crore project is expected to reduce dependence on imports and improve margins over time, particularly as the company expands in industrial, automotive and smart meter segments. The brokerage sees backward integration and rising domestic manufacturing demand as key long-term drivers.

Motilal Oswal on Dixon Technologies

Motilal Oswal has set a target of Rs 22,500 on Dixon Technologies, suggesting upside of around 113%. The brokerage points to new partnerships in mobile phones and premium lighting, along with plans to manufacture key components such as camera modules and displays in-house.

Jefferies on Eternal

Jefferies has given a 'Buy' rating to Eternal with a target price of Rs 480, indicating 78% upside. The stock has corrected recently, falling nearly 6% intraday and over 10% in the past five sessions, which the brokerage believes offers a better entry point.

The brokerage said, "Food delivery is expected to sustain approx. 20% growth with modest margin expansion." It added that "Food delivery continues to be the cash engine," while long-term margins are guided at 5-6%. Improving operating leverage and disciplined cost control are expected to support profitability.

Motilal Oswal on Cyient DLM

Motilal Oswal has given Cyient DLM a 'Buy' rating with a target price of Rs 550, indicating 68% upside. Though recent revenue moderated due to completion of large orders, the total order book has risen to Rs 2,350 crore, providing revenue visibility.

The brokerage expects improved momentum in the coming quarters, driven by demand in industrial and automotive segments. New global client additions in medical and industrial motors are also expected to support growth.

Nuvama on Waaree Energies

Nuvama has set a target price of Rs 3,867 on Waaree Energies, indicating nearly 43% upside. A key concern was the preliminary 126% US countervailing duty on solar module imports from India.

However, the brokerage highlighted that "The tariff is imposed based on the place of origin of the cell and not the manufacturing location of the module." Since Waaree sources cells from regions facing only 10% tariffs, it does not expect a material impact. The report also said contracts include pass through clauses, reducing risk and protecting margins.

Jefferies on Muthoot Finance

Jefferies has maintained a 'Buy' rating on Muthoot Finance with a target price of Rs 4,750, implying around 35% upside. The brokerage believes the recent correction in the stock has made valuations more attractive.

"Post stock price correction, risk reward seems attractive for Muthoot Finance," the report added. It added, "We continue to see healthy growth with scope for more consensus earnings upgrades at Muthoot Finance." Jefferies notes that valuations at 3.2x FY27e book value and 13x FY27e earnings "seem reasonable," supported by steady gold loan demand.

CLSA on Tata Consultancy Services

CLSA has rated Tata Consultancy Services 'Outperform' with a 12-month target of Rs 3,593, suggesting 33.7% upside. The brokerage's view is supported by steady SaaS implementation demand and strong growth guidance from ServiceNow.

CLSA titled its report Business-as-usual for SIs and said, "Narratives aside, SaaS implementation remains key growth driver." It also noted that ServiceNow grew 20.5% year-on-year in constant currency in FY25 and has guided for 19.5%-20% growth in FY26, which could support system integrators like TCS.

JM Financial on PhysicsWallah

JM Financial has initiated coverage on Physicswallah with a 'Buy' rating and a target price of Rs 110, implying nearly 24% upside from current levels. The brokerage expects the edtech firm to clock a revenue CAGR of 28% between FY25 and FY28, with growth driven by both online (around 30%) and offline (about 27%) segments.

The report said "the digital segment remains the primary workhorse and valuation anchor," noting that nearly 96% of the implied valuation comes from the online business and cash, highlighting the central role of its digital platform in driving future growth.

JM Financial on Infosys

JM Financial has maintained a 'Buy' on Infosys with a 12-month target of Rs 1,660, implying about 19% upside from current levels.

The brokerage said, "AI is structurally expansionary for Infosys," noting that the $300-400 billion AI services opportunity by 2030 could offset deflationary pressures. AI-related revenues currently account for around 5.5% of total revenue and are growing quickly, while large deal wins remain intact.

JM Financial on Urban Company

JM Financial has initiated coverage on Urban Company with a 'Buy' rating and a March 2027 target price of Rs 125, about 16% higher than the current price of Rs 108. The brokerage values the business at around Rs 15,800 crore using a sum-of-the-parts method, assigning different multiples to its India consumer services, Native product line, international operations and InstaHelp segment.

The firm expects revenue to grow at a 31% compounded annual rate between FY25 and FY28. While profitability may take time, JM Financial believes the company is gradually moving in that direction as scale improves, though it cautions that the journey could remain uneven.

Conclusion

The brokerage ratings are based on the earnings visibility of the companies. The management commentary and the outlook for the sectors also support the positive ratings.

Report by Financial Express 

Disclaimer: This article provides factual analysis only and is not, and should not be construed as, an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Investors must conduct their own independent due diligence and seek advice from a SEBI-registered financial advisor.

27/02/25, Bank Index Extended Loss

Nifty Bank index remained under pressure throughout Friday's session and extended its losses in the afternoon, tracking broader market weakness. As of about 1:30 pm, the banking index was down 0.8 percent at 60,717. The benchmark Indian equity indices too slipped sharply, with the Sensex down over 600 points and the Nifty lower by 0.8 percent.

The banking index stayed in the red since the open and weakened further as selling intensified in heavyweight private banks. ICICI Bank stock was the biggest drag, falling 1.6 percent, followed by declines in HDFC bank (down 1.1 percent) and Axis Bank (down 0.7 percent). Kotak Mahindra Bank also traded over 1.3 percent lower, adding to the pressure on the index.

Broader participation within banking stocks was largely negative. PSU lenders such as. State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank and Canara Bank were also trading lower, though losses were relatively contained compared with private-sector peers.

Gains were limited and stock-specific. Union Bank of India rose 1.6 percent on healthy volumes, while IDFC First Bank gained about 1 percent. Federal Bank also traded marginally higher. However, these advances were insufficient to offset declines in heavyweight stocks.

Volatility indicators reflected rising caution. India VIX climbed nearly 4 percent, suggesting elevated near-term uncertainty as markets digested selling pressure across sectors.

From a technical perspective, Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, said in his morning outlook that Bank Nifty's immediate support lies in the 60,900-60,600 zone, while resistance remains in the 61,400-61,500 band. He added that while the broader structure remains constructive as long as key supports hold, momentum has been measured rather than aggressive.

Separately, ICICIDirect noted that Bank Nifty continues to show relative strength versus the benchmark indices, being closer to its record highs than the Nifty. However, the brokerage cautioned that failure to secure a decisive close above the 61,800 area could result in continued consolidation near elevated levels.

27/02/26, intraday news

The benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty traded lower on Friday, as a U.S. tech selloff and subdued Asian cues kept sentiment restrained ahead of a local GDP print later in the day.

At around 9:30 PM, the Sensex was down 352.30 points or 0.43 percent to 81,896.31, while the broader Nifty declined to 25,382.60, down 113.95 points or 0.45 percent.

Key factors behind market decline

1) Weak global cues: The benchmark S&P 500 and European equities finished lower as investors digested another blowout quarter from Nvidia — the world's most valuable company — yet remained uneasy about its valuation even as the chipmaker forecast first-quarter revenue of $78 billion. Tech heavy asian indices fell in tandem with the NASDAQ

2) FII selling: FIIs sold Rs 3,465.99 crore on Thursday, which further dented the market sentiments.

3) India Vix rises: The fear gauge or the volatility index rose nearly 3 percent to 13.44 level, indicating higher uncertainity among market participants.

Technical outlook

Anand James, Chief Market Strategist at Geojit Investments, said "The repeated hammering on successive days from key upside pivots is disappointing. However, the base has held firm all these days, leading to a triangle formation, encouraging us to keep the upside hopes alive. We will continue to look for a break of 25670 to confirm strength, in order to aim for 25900. Swings on either sides of 25530 may be expected, but we will wait for a fall below 25300 to switch sides."

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts are their own and not those of us.We advise readers  to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.