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Sensex rises 300+ points, Nifty nears 23,500

The markets rebounded on Tuesday, with key indices climbing after recent declines, driven by bargain buying and easing risk concerns. The BSE Sensex jumped over 300 points, while the Nifty50 approached the 23,500 mark, signaling renewed optimism among investors.

Investors were encouraged by hopes of the Strait of Hormuz reopening, a major oil shipping route whose closure had previously pushed crude prices higher and raised global risk concerns. With crude hovering around $103 a barrel, energy-linked stocks remained under pressure, but broader market sentiment improved as traders trimmed short positions and picked up beaten-down stocks.

Sector-wise, auto, metal, and midcap stocks led the gains, reflecting selective buying across these segments. In contrast, IT, PSU banks, and FMCG stocks lagged, keeping the overall rise in check. Analysts noted that while domestic sentiment improved, global uncertainties and elevated oil prices continue to weigh on market confidence.

Some individual stocks saw notable moves. Tata Motors and other commercial vehicle companies advanced after announcing price adjustments to offset rising costs. Meanwhile, companies with exposure to Middle East markets experienced volatility amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Market analysts highlighted that foreign portfolio investors remain cautious, contributing to uneven participation. Technical indicators suggest that both the Sensex and Nifty are still navigating key moving averages, making the market sensitive to further global or domestic triggers.

Despite the rebound, investors remain watchful of upcoming crude price trends, corporate earnings, and geopolitical developments. These factors are expected to influence market momentum in the near term, with cautious optimism prevailing among traders.

Also Read: Exicom opens ₹216 cr EV charger plant in Hyderabad

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Exicom opens ₹216 cr EV charger plant in Hyderabad

Exicom Tele‑Systems has inaugurated a new ₹216 crore manufacturing plant in Hyderabad to produce EV chargers, lithium-ion battery systems, and power electronics. Spread across 18.4 acres with a built-up area of 2.8 lakh sq ft, the facility will increase production capacity by 2.5 times, making up to 200,000 EV chargers a year.

The plant incorporates Industry 4.0 technologies, including automation, robotics, digital monitoring, and ISO 8 cleanrooms, ensuring high-quality output. Exicom also plans India’s first EV charger interoperability testing centre, enabling chargers to work seamlessly with multiple vehicle brands.

Sustainability features include a 1 MW rooftop solar system, rainwater harvesting, sewage treatment, and around 40 % green cover. The facility is expected to generate over 750 direct jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and quality testing.

Exicom aims to strengthen its position in India’s EV market while expanding exports to Southeast Asia and Europe, supporting the country’s push for electric mobility and clean-energy solutions.

Also Read: Indian-origin techie joins Elon Musk’s xAI

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Sensex Up 940 points, Nifty rises to 23,400

India’s equity markets bounced back sharply on Monday, ending a three-session losing streak. The BSE Sensex surged 939 points (1.26%) to close above 75,500, while the Nifty50 rose 1.1% to finish above 23,400. Heavyweight banking and private sector stocks drove the rally, reflecting renewed investor optimism.

Top gainers were HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Reliance Industries, which saw strong buying interest. The auto sector also supported the rally, helping lift overall indices.

However, some mid-cap and financial stocks lagged. IDBI Bank fell sharply after news of a potential stake sale being shelved dampened sentiment in the mid-cap banking space.

While domestic markets recovered, global factors such as Brent crude holding above $100 per barrel and geopolitical tensions kept investors cautious. Foreign investor activity remained a key watchpoint for near-term market direction.

The session’s rebound offered relief to investors, but mixed sector performance and external risks indicate volatility may continue in the coming days.

Also Read: Airlines add fuel surcharge as oil prices rise

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FASTag annual pass to cost more from April

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced a slight increase in the price of the FASTag Annual Pass, which will come into effect from April 1, 2026. The revised cost for the pass has been fixed at ₹3,075, up from the current ₹3,000, marking a hike of ₹75 for the financial year 2026-27.

The annual pass is mainly meant for private, non-commercial vehicles such as cars, jeeps and vans that frequently travel on national highways. With this pass, motorists do not have to pay toll charges separately at each toll plaza. Instead, they can travel seamlessly using the electronic toll collection system enabled by FASTag.

Once activated, the pass remains valid for one year or up to 200 trips through toll plazas, whichever is reached earlier. The facility is particularly useful for commuters who regularly drive on highways, helping them save time and avoid repeated toll payments.

The slight revision in the fee is part of the government’s periodic update of toll charges under the National Highways Fee Rules, which allow authorities to adjust rates based on factors such as inflation and operational costs of maintaining highways.

The FASTag Annual Pass was introduced to make toll payments more convenient and to encourage digital transactions on highways. By linking the pass directly to a vehicle’s FASTag, the system ensures automatic toll deduction without the need for cash payments or long queues at toll booths.

According to officials, the annual pass has become increasingly popular among regular highway users across India. The electronic toll collection system has also helped improve traffic flow at toll plazas by reducing congestion and waiting times.

Vehicle owners can buy or renew the annual pass through the Rajmargyatra mobile application, the NHAI website or authorised FASTag service providers. After the payment is completed and the vehicle details are verified, the pass is usually activated within a short time.

Also Read: IDBI Bank sale hits roadblock

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Sensex falls over 300 points, Nifty slips below 23,300

Indian benchmark indices fell in early trade on Monday, with the BSE Sensex dropping more than 300 points and the NSE Nifty 50 slipping below the 23,300 mark, as rising crude oil prices and global uncertainties weighed on investor sentiment.

The Sensex declined around 300 points during morning trade, while the Nifty hovered near the 23,250–23,300 range. The cautious start came despite earlier indications of a positive opening from GIFT Nifty, which had signalled gains ahead of the session.

Investor sentiment remained fragile amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a sharp surge in global crude oil prices. Oil prices climbed above the $100-per-barrel level, raising concerns about inflation and India’s import bill, as the country imports a large share of its crude oil requirements.

Asian markets also traded lower during the session, reflecting a broader risk-off mood among investors. The cautious trend followed losses on Wall Street in the previous session, which added to volatility across global equity markets.

Heavy selling in banking, financial and metal stocks dragged the indices lower in early trade. Shares of Hindalco Industries were among the notable losers, reflecting weakness in the metal segment and cautious investor sentiment.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) also continued to offload Indian equities, putting additional pressure on domestic markets. Persistent outflows from overseas investors have remained a key factor affecting the momentum of Indian stocks in recent weeks.

However, some stocks managed to buck the broader market trend. Shares of Tata Motors and Adani Total Gas saw buying interest, helping limit deeper losses in the benchmark indices. Company-specific developments also kept stocks such as Waaree Energies and IDBI Bank in focus during the session.

Market analysts expect volatility to remain high in the coming days as investors closely track geopolitical developments, movements in global crude prices and trends in foreign investor flows.

Experts noted that a sustained rise in crude oil prices could increase inflationary pressures and affect India’s fiscal balance, prompting investors to remain cautious in the near term.

Also Read: Rising tensions in Middle East surges freight costs

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Accenture names new leaders for reinvention services

Global professional services firm Accenture has announced a new leadership structure for its Reinvention Services division as part of a broader reorganisation aimed at strengthening its artificial intelligence-led transformation capabilities for clients worldwide.

The restructuring, which will take effect from March 31, 2026, is designed to help the company respond to rising demand from organisations seeking large-scale digital transformation driven by data and generative AI technologies.

The new Reinvention Services unit will be overseen by Manish Sharma, who serves as Chief Strategy and Services Officer at Accenture. In this role, Sharma will lead the company’s integrated services business and guide its strategy for helping clients modernise operations and adopt AI-enabled solutions.

Accenture said the leadership changes are part of a new operating model intended to bring together the company’s diverse capabilities into a more unified framework. By integrating expertise across strategy, consulting, technology, operations and creative services, the firm aims to deliver faster and more comprehensive transformation programmes for enterprises across industries.

Under the revised structure, Accenture will organise its services around how organisations operate and deliver value. The company will introduce seven specialised groups known as “Reinvention Partners,” each focused on a specific area of business transformation. These groups are designed to provide clients with end-to-end capabilities, enabling them to access technology, consulting and operational expertise through a single integrated structure.

The new leadership team will also work closely with Accenture’s global ecosystem of technology partners to accelerate the development and deployment of AI-powered solutions. The company believes this approach will allow clients to more quickly adopt emerging technologies and scale innovation across their organisations.

According to Accenture, the restructuring reflects the growing importance of artificial intelligence in enterprise transformation. Companies across sectors are increasingly investing in generative AI and digital platforms to improve productivity, enhance customer experiences and unlock new growth opportunities.

With the revamped services structure and leadership team in place, Accenture aims to strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving AI and digital transformation market, while helping organisations adapt to changing technology landscapes and reinvent their operations for the future.

Also Read: NHAI-backed Raajmarg InvIT IPO subscribed 13.74 times on final day

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NHAI-backed Raajmarg InvIT IPO subscribed 13.74 times on final day

The initial public offering (IPO) of NHAI-backed Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (InvIT) witnessed strong demand from investors, with the issue subscribed 13.74 times on the final day of bidding.

The ₹6,000-crore public issue, which opened for subscription on March 11 and closed on March 13, received bids far exceeding the units on offer, indicating healthy investor interest in infrastructure investment trusts.

Institutional investors drove the subscription, with their category seeing the highest demand. Other investor segments also recorded solid participation during the three-day bidding period.

The price band for the issue was fixed at ₹99–₹100 per unit.

According to market timelines, the basis of allotment is expected to be finalised on March 18, while the units are likely to be listed on the BSE and NSE on March 24.

Raajmarg InvIT manages a portfolio of operational highway assets developed under the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) toll-operate-transfer (TOT) model. The InvIT structure allows investors to earn returns from income generated by infrastructure projects such as toll roads.

Proceeds from the issue will mainly be used to support project entities and meet financial obligations related to the highway assets.

Also Read: Iran to allow safe passage for Indian ships

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Paytm to restart physical gold delivery in April

Paytm has announced that it will start delivering physical gold to its digital gold customers again from mid‑April. The service had been paused since August 2025, but will now return just in time for Akshaya Tritiya, a popular occasion for buying gold in India.

During the pause, investors could still buy and sell digital gold on Paytm, but they could not receive actual gold coins or bars. The company says the break was needed to upgrade its technology and delivery system, making it easier for customers across the country to get their gold.

When the service resumes, customers in more than 12,000 pin codes will be able to order physical gold. Paytm says that while delivery was paused, all other digital gold options like buying, selling, or cashing out remained available.

Digital gold has become popular because people can buy even tiny amounts, sometimes as low as Re 1, using easy payment options like UPI. In January 2026 alone, digital gold transactions in India reached ₹3,926 crore, with 219 million purchases recorded.

With digital gold on Paytm, the gold you buy is stored in secure vaults managed by partners like MMTC‑PAMP. Audits make sure the digital gold you own matches the actual gold stored safely.

Paytm isn’t the only platform offering digital gold. Others like PhonePe, Google Pay, and Jar also provide similar services, including the option to get physical gold. Delivery charges, GST, and minimum purchase amounts may differ across platforms.

By restarting physical delivery, Paytm aims to strengthen trust in its digital gold service and make it easier for customers to access real gold whenever they want.

Also Read: Inflation hits India by 3.21% in February

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NSE appoints 20 banks, 8 law Firms for mega IPO

The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has taken a key step toward its highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO) by appointing 20 merchant banks and eight law firms to manage the process. This marks one of the largest advisory rosters for an Indian IPO, highlighting the scale of the listing.

The selected merchant bankers include India’s leading firms such as Kotak Mahindra Capital, ICICI Securities, Axis Capital, JM Financial, SBI Capital Markets, IIFL Capital Services, and Nuvama Wealth Management. International banks like Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, and J.P. Morgan will also assist in managing the IPO.

On the legal side, the NSE has engaged top Indian law firms including Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, AZB & Partners, Khaitan & Co, Trilegal, and S&R Associates. Global legal advisors such as Latham & Watkins and Sidley Austin will provide additional support.

The IPO is expected to be primarily an offer-for-sale (OFS), allowing existing shareholders to sell a portion of their holdings rather than raising significant new capital. This approach reflects the NSE’s strategy to let current investors unlock value while listing on the public market.

The exchange has been preparing for a public listing for several years, with regulatory approvals and compliance reviews causing delays. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) granted final clearance for the IPO earlier this year, enabling the NSE to move forward with its plans.

With the advisory teams in place, the NSE is set to begin drafting its detailed offer documents, a process that may take several months. Market observers note that the listing could become one of the most closely watched IPOs in India, given the NSE’s critical role in the country’s capital markets and the scale of its operations.

The move has generated optimism among investors, with NSE’s unlisted shares remaining stable amid broader market volatility. The participation of leading domestic and international banks and law firms signals the IPO’s potential to attract significant interest from institutional and retail investors alike.

Also Read: Inflation hits India by 3.21% in February

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Sensex drops 1,470 points, Nifty falls below 23,200

Equity markets fell sharply for the third consecutive session on Friday, dragged down by global uncertainties and rising oil prices. The BSE Sensex closed at 74,564, down 1,470 points, while the Nifty50 ended at 23,151, shedding 488 points.

The sell-off was broad-based, with major losses in the auto, metals, and PSU banking sectors. Tata Steel fell nearly 5%, Tata Motors PV dropped 4.6%, and SBI slipped over 4%. Other heavyweights including M&M, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Finance, and UltraTech Cement also recorded sharp declines.

In contrast, a few defensive stocks managed to hold ground. Coal India, NTPC, and Power Grid were among the top gainers, while FMCG names such as Hindustan Unilever and Tata Consumer Products saw modest gains.

Analysts attributed the market weakness to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which rattled investor sentiment, and the surge in Brent crude above $100 per barrel, raising concerns about rising inflation. Continuous foreign institutional selling further added to the downward pressure, while the Indian rupee slipped to ₹92.45/USD, impacting import-dependent sectors.

With markets now in correction territory, experts say volatility is likely to continue in the near term. Auto, metals, and PSU banking stocks remain under pressure, while defensive sectors may continue to attract cautious investors amid global uncertainties and rising energy costs.

Also Read: Sensex dives 900 points, Nifty near 23,330