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Sensex crashes 1,050 points, Nifty slips below 23,900

Indian stock markets witnessed a sharp selloff on Monday upon opening, as rising global crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions in West Asia, and persistent foreign investor outflows rattled investor confidence. The BSE Sensex plunged over 1,050 points during intraday trade, while the NSE Nifty50 slipped below the crucial 23,900 mark.

The decline came after international crude oil prices surged past the $100-per-barrel level following uncertainty surrounding US-Iran negotiations. Since India depends heavily on oil imports, the spike in crude prices raised concerns over inflation, fiscal pressure, and economic growth.

Market heavyweight Reliance Industries came under strong selling pressure due to worries over rising input costs and weaker consumer sentiment. Banking stocks including HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank also dragged the indices lower as investors turned cautious amid global uncertainty. Aviation shares, particularly IndiGo parent InterGlobe Aviation, declined sharply as higher fuel prices threatened profitability.

Auto and consumer stocks remained under pressure throughout the session, reflecting fears that inflationary trends could weaken demand. Broader market sentiment also stayed negative, with midcap and smallcap stocks witnessing widespread selling.

However, oil exploration and energy companies bucked the trend. ONGC and Oil India traded higher as rising crude prices are expected to improve their revenue outlook. Select defensive sectors such as utilities and energy also showed relative resilience amid the broader market weakness.

Foreign institutional investors continued their selling streak, adding pressure on the rupee, which weakened further against the US dollar. Analysts believe continued volatility in global energy markets and geopolitical developments could keep Indian equities under stress in the near term.

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Swiggy Q4 loss narrows to ₹800 cr

Swiggy posted strong fourth-quarter results for FY26, reporting higher revenue and lower losses as demand for online food delivery and quick commerce services remained strong.

The company’s net loss narrowed to ₹800 crore during the January–March quarter, compared to ₹1,081 crore a year earlier. Revenue from operations rose 45% year-on-year to ₹6,383 crore, reflecting strong growth across its businesses.

Swiggy said both its food delivery platform and Instamart contributed significantly to the improved performance. The company witnessed higher order volumes, more active users and increased customer spending during the quarter.

Instamart, Swiggy’s quick commerce arm, remained one of the biggest growth drivers. The service, which delivers groceries and essentials within minutes, continued expanding into more cities and neighbourhoods as consumer demand for instant delivery increased.

The company also focused on improving efficiency and reducing operational losses. Swiggy said better cost management and improved margins in food delivery helped narrow losses during the quarter.

CEO Sriharsha Majety said the company is seeing healthy growth while continuing to invest in technology, logistics and expansion. He added that Swiggy remains focused on building a sustainable long-term business.

India’s quick commerce market has become highly competitive, with companies like Blinkit, Zepto and Flipkart increasing investments and expanding their delivery networks aggressively. Analysts say companies are now under pressure not only to grow quickly but also to improve profitability.

Also Read: ₹30,000 cr blow to state-run oil firms in India

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Kalyan Jewellers Q4 profit climbs up to ₹410 cr

Jewellery retailer Kalyan Jewellers reported a strong performance for the fourth quarter of FY26, with consolidated net profit more than doubling year-on-year to ₹410 crore. The company had posted a profit of around ₹180 crore during the same period last year.

The sharp rise in profit was driven by strong demand for gold and wedding jewellery across markets, along with continued retail expansion and improved sales performance. Revenue for the quarter also recorded healthy growth as customer demand remained strong despite high gold prices.

The company said festive purchases, wedding season demand, and growing preference for branded jewellery helped support sales during the quarter. Higher footfall in stores and better contribution from franchise operations also added to overall growth.

Kalyan Jewellers continued expanding its retail network during the financial year, opening new showrooms in India and overseas markets. The company said it remains focused on increasing its presence in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where organised jewellery retail is seeing rising demand.

Apart from business expansion, the company also significantly increased its advertising and promotional spending during FY26. According to industry reports, Kalyan Jewellers’ advertising expenditure rose by 22% compared to the previous year. The company continued aggressive marketing campaigns featuring brand ambassadors and regional promotions to strengthen customer reach and brand visibility.

The jewellery retailer said investments in branding and customer engagement helped improve market presence and attract new buyers. Its digital campaigns and festive promotions also contributed to stronger sales momentum.

Industry analysts said organised jewellery brands continue to benefit from increasing consumer trust, transparency in pricing, and shifting preference away from unorganised retailers.

Kalyan Jewellers’ latest results reflect the broader strength seen in India’s organised jewellery sector, where major brands have reported robust growth despite fluctuations in gold prices.

Also Read: Titan Q4 profit shoots up by 35% to ₹1,179 cr

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Corporate

Titan Q4 profit shoots up by 35% to ₹1,179 cr

Titan Company has reported a strong performance for the fourth quarter of FY26, with its consolidated net profit rising 35% year-on-year to ₹1,179 crore, compared to ₹871 crore in the same quarter last year. The growth was primarily driven by strong demand in its jewellery business, which remains the company’s largest revenue contributor.

The Tata Group company also posted a sharp 46% increase in total income, which climbed to around ₹20,300 crore from ₹13,891 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. The strong top-line growth reflects healthy consumer demand, particularly for gold jewellery and premium products across key markets.

According to the company’s earnings update, the jewellery segment continued to lead overall performance, benefiting from steady customer demand and festive as well as wedding-related purchases. Higher gold prices did not significantly dampen demand, as consumers shifted preferences toward lighter designs and investment-oriented purchases such as gold coins.

The watches and eyewear segments also contributed positively, though jewellery remained the key growth driver for the quarter. The company’s retail expansion strategy, both in India and overseas, further supported sales momentum during the period.

Despite strong revenue growth, the company operates in an environment of rising input costs, particularly due to elevated gold prices. However, efficient product mix management and strong brand positioning helped sustain profitability.

The results highlight Titan’s continued dominance in India’s organised jewellery market, led by its flagship brand Tanishq. The company also continues to benefit from increasing consumer preference for branded jewellery over unorganised players.

Also Read: Lenskart shares slide after ₹5,316 cr block deal

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Sensex falls 500 points, Nifty slips below 24,200

Indian equity markets ended lower on Thursday, with the Sensex falling over 500 points and the Nifty slipping below the 24,200 mark, as weak global cues and rising crude oil prices weighed on investor sentiment.

The decline was broad-based, with selling pressure seen across banking, financial services, IT, and auto stocks. Market participants said concerns over higher crude oil prices and continued foreign fund outflows added to the negative mood.

Among Sensex constituents, major laggards included HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance, Axis Bank, UltraTech Cement, SBI, and Coal India, which dragged the indices lower during the session. The weakness in heavyweight financial stocks had a significant impact on overall market direction.

On the other hand, a few stocks managed to buck the trend. Titan, Asian Paints, Adani Ports, Infosys, and HCL Tech were among the key gainers, offering some support to the broader market.

Broader indices also ended in the red, though small pockets of resilience were visible in select sectors. Market experts said investors remained cautious amid geopolitical tensions and volatility in global crude oil prices, which have raised concerns over inflation and margins for corporates.

The rise in crude oil prices is particularly significant for India, as it is a major importer of energy. Higher oil prices can increase inflationary pressure and widen the trade deficit, which typically weighs on equity markets.

Also Read: Dabur Q4 profit rises 15% on strong rural demand

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Dabur Q4 profit rises 15% on strong rural demand

Dabur India reported a solid performance in the March quarter, with net profit rising 15% year-on-year to ₹369 crore. The company also saw revenue grow 7.3%, driven by steady demand across its core FMCG portfolio.

The growth was largely supported by strong performance in the domestic market, particularly in rural areas where consumption trends remained healthy. Categories such as health care, personal care, and home care contributed to the overall uptick in sales.

The company said volume-led growth across its brands helped offset challenges in some international markets, where demand remained uneven. While India continued to deliver consistent growth, overseas operations saw slower momentum in certain regions.

Operating performance remained stable during the quarter, supported by better cost management and steady demand for essential consumer products. Dabur noted that input cost pressures were largely managed through pricing actions and efficiency improvements.

The board also recommended a final dividend for shareholders, reflecting confidence in the company’s financial position and consistent earnings performance.

Management highlighted that rural demand continued to outperform urban markets, helping sustain overall growth despite broader economic uncertainties. The company also pointed to strong brand strength and wide distribution reach as key factors behind its performance.

For the full year, Dabur maintained stable growth across its major product segments, including hair care, oral care, digestive health products, and beverages. The company continues to focus on expanding its distribution network and strengthening its presence across both traditional retail and modern trade channels.

Also Read: Lenskart shares slide after ₹5,316 cr block deal

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Lenskart shares slide after ₹5,316 cr block deal

Lenskart shares fell in early trade after a large block deal worth over ₹5,300 crore saw more than 6% of the company’s stake change hands in the market.

Over 11 crore shares were traded through block deals at a discounted price compared to the previous market close, leading to pressure on the stock during the trading session. The decline came on the same day the lock-in period for several pre-IPO investors ended, allowing them to sell their shares in the open market.

Market reports said a number of early investors and shareholders were looking to partially reduce their holdings after the lock-in expiry. With restrictions removed, shares worth nearly ₹51,000 crore became eligible for trading, increasing the possibility of large transactions and profit booking.

Analysts said such movements are common after lock-in periods end, especially in recently listed companies where early investors seek to monetise part of their investments. The sudden rise in tradable shares often creates temporary pressure on stock prices.

Lenskart, founded by Peyush Bansal, made its stock market debut in 2025 and has remained closely watched by investors because of its strong growth in the eyewear and retail technology business. Despite the recent fall, the stock continues to trade above its IPO price.

The company has expanded rapidly in recent years through aggressive store additions, online sales growth, and international expansion. It has also focused on improving profitability while strengthening its presence in both Indian and overseas markets.

At the same time, analysts say the company’s long-term performance will depend more on business growth, profitability, and expansion plans rather than temporary selling pressure linked to block deals.

Also Read: Skyroot becomes India’s first space-tech unicorn

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FMC to sell India Business to Crystal Crop for $252 mn

US-based agricultural sciences company FMC Corporation has agreed to sell its India commercial business to Crystal Crop Protection Limited in a deal valued at $252 million, marking a significant development in India’s agrochemical sector.

The agreement includes FMC India’s crop protection business, rights to market several FMC brands in the country, preferred supply arrangements, and access to FMC’s future product pipeline for the Indian market. The transaction is expected to strengthen Crystal Crop’s position in the domestic crop protection industry and expand its product offerings for farmers.

FMC said the move is part of its broader global restructuring strategy aimed at reducing debt and focusing on priority international markets. The company had earlier announced plans to explore strategic options for its India commercial operations as part of efforts to improve financial performance and streamline operations.

Despite the sale, FMC clarified that it will continue to maintain a presence in India through its manufacturing facilities and research and development activities. The company also said it would continue supplying certain products to Crystal Crop under long-term commercial arrangements after the deal is completed.

Crystal Crop Protection said the acquisition would help it expand access to advanced crop solutions and strengthen innovation across chemical and biological products. The company believes FMC’s established brands, market reach, and technology pipeline will improve its ability to serve Indian farmers and deepen its footprint in the agriculture sector.

Also Read: Gold near ₹1.53 lakh, Silver around ₹2.70 lakh

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Sensex falls over 400 points, Nifty below 24,250

Indian equity markets opened lower on Friday, with the Sensex falling over 400 points and the Nifty 50 slipping below the 24,250 mark amid sustained selling pressure across sectors.

On the sectoral front, the weakness was broad-based, with banking and financial stocks leading the decline. Heavyweights such as SBI, Infosys, Reliance Industries, and HDFC Bank were among the key laggards that dragged indices lower. In contrast, selective buying interest in defensive pockets helped cushion the fall, with Sun Pharma and ITC emerging as notable gainers during the session.

Rising geopolitical tensions and a spike in crude oil prices, with Brent crude moving above $83 per barrel, further dampened risk appetite. Higher oil prices have raised concerns over inflation and input costs for India, which imports a large share of its crude requirement.

Early indicators from Nifty, which hovered near 24,260, had already pointed to a soft opening for domestic equities. Persistent selling by foreign institutional investors added to pressure, while currency volatility kept sentiment subdued throughout the session.

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Sensex slips 114 points, flat close for Nifty at 24,326

Indian equity markets ended marginally lower on Thursday after a volatile session marked by profit booking and cautious global cues. The BSE Sensex fell 114 points to close at 77,844.52, while the NSE Nifty slipped 4.30 points to settle at 24,326.65. Both indices moved in a narrow range through the day, reflecting indecision among investors.

The session began on a positive note, with the Sensex rising over 200 points in early trade and the Nifty briefly crossing the 24,400 level. Sentiment was supported by favourable global cues and easing crude oil prices, which improved the outlook for import-heavy economies like India. Early optimism was also driven by expectations of easing geopolitical tensions, which lifted risk appetite.

However, the momentum faded as the day progressed. Investors turned cautious and booked profits after recent gains, leading to a gradual erosion of early advances. Concerns over sustained foreign institutional investor outflows and mixed global signals further weighed on sentiment. As a result, volatility remained elevated throughout the session.

Among sectoral trends, auto stocks stood out as key gainers. Shares of Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp and Mahindra & Mahindra advanced on expectations of steady demand and a stable outlook for the automobile sector. Buying interest in these counters helped cushion broader market losses.

On the other hand, IT and banking stocks came under pressure and dragged the benchmarks lower. Heavyweights such as Infosys, TCS and State Bank of India witnessed selling as investors booked profits after recent rallies. Weakness in these sectors offset gains in autos and limited overall market upside.

Also Read: Zee sues Reliance–Disney, Nykaa over music use