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India's gold jewellery market is adjusting to a new reality. An import duty hike is causing consumers to rush purchases. Industry experts predict a drop in sales volumes. Consumers are expected to opt for lighter, lower-value jewellery. This shift could also benefit retailers through higher margins on lower karatage items. Old gold exchanges are likely to increase.
India’s shock hike in gold and silver import duty to 15% has revived memories of the 2013 crisis. While the move aims to curb dollar outflows and stabilise the rupee, experts warn it may simply push more demand into the grey market, with limited impact on India’s structural gold appetite.
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) reported a significant 46% surge in consolidated net profit to Rs 4,902 crore for the fourth quarter of FY26. The oil marketing giant also announced a final dividend of Rs 19.25 per share. Standalone total income saw a 4.5% year-on-year increase to Rs 1.24 lakh crore during the same period.
Gold and silver prices staged a sharp comeback on Wednesday, with MCX futures for both metals surging nearly 6% in a single session after the government raised customs duty on precious metal imports. Gold prices jumped about Rs 9,600, while silver soared nearly Rs 17,000, marking one of the biggest one-day rallies in recent months amid lingering volatility from Middle East tensions and tariff uncertainty.
Air India is reducing weekly flights and tightening spending as the West Asia conflict drives up fuel costs, increases flying time and weakens passenger demand, according to media reports. The airline is also facing pressure from a weaker rupee and rising operating expenses.
Smallcap stocks, including IIFL Finance, Meesho, and GRSE, surged up to 7% on Wednesday, outperforming benchmark indices. This rally occurred despite broader market caution, with the Nifty Smallcap 100 index showing robust gains. Experts remain optimistic about mid and smallcap earnings, viewing recent corrections as opportunities.
Bitcoin held above the $80,000 mark despite hotter-than-expected U.S. inflation data, reflecting resilient investor sentiment in the crypto market. While Ethereum and select altcoins traded lower, analysts highlighted improving on-chain activity, institutional inflows and active buyer support, even as macroeconomic uncertainty and interest rate concerns kept broader market sentiment cautious.
Morgan Stanley has turned more bullish on India, forecasting the BSE Sensex could rise to 89,000 by June 2027, implying around 15% upside from current levels. Strategist Ridham Desai said India is emerging from a six-quarter earnings slowdown into a stronger growth phase after a “mid-cycle” pause.
Billionbrains Garage Ventures shares rebounded on Wednesday, recovering Tuesday’s losses triggered by a Rs 5,326 crore stake sale by Peak XV Partners, Ribbit Capital, and YC Holdings. The investors sold over 29.5 crore shares via bulk deals at an average price of Rs 180.43 apiece, a 1.5% discount to the previous closing price.
Berger Paints India saw its shares surge following a robust Q4 FY26 profit jump of over 27%, driven by strong sales volumes and better margins. Despite global uncertainties, the company anticipates continued growth fueled by construction chemicals and new product launches, with price adjustments expected to bolster profitability.
India's bullion market faces a significant reset as the government hikes import duties on gold and jewellery. Analysts predict this will cool demand, reduce imports, and push domestic gold prices higher, potentially impacting jewellery and ETF investments. Meanwhile, silver is poised to benefit from global supply deficits and disruptions.
Ventive Hospitality Ltd announced strong financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. Net profit surged 72% in the fourth quarter and full-year profit reached Rs 502 crore. Revenue also saw substantial increases. The company's hotel sector and annuity portfolio performed well. Strategic acquisitions were also completed during the period, positioning Ventive for future growth.
Vinit Bolinjkar of Ventura Securities advises selling IT stocks. He highlights market risks from the Hormuz Strait crisis, foreign investor selling, as well as the global AI shift. Bolinjkar sees pressure on IT revenues and margins. He prefers Vodafone Idea in telecom. The consumer sector shows surprising strength this earnings season.
Government has raised import duties on gold and silver to 15 percent. This move has caused precious metal prices to surge. Hindustan Zinc and Vedanta shares saw significant jumps following the announcement. The government aims to curb imports and stabilize the rupee. Hindustan Zinc, India's largest silver producer, is expected to benefit from higher silver prices.
Vodafone Idea shares have surged 30% in a month, driven by a reduction in AGR dues and the return of Kumar Mangalam Birla as chairman. Recent reports of Vodafone Plc considering share transfer also boosted the stock. Analysts suggest waiting for consolidation due to the sharp rally, with high-risk investors eyeing a turnaround play.
The proposed U.S. Clarity Act seeks to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, DeFi and tokenised assets. The legislation aims to improve investor protection, clarify oversight responsibilities and support blockchain innovation, while introducing stricter compliance standards that could significantly reshape the future of digital asset markets.
SBI shares have fallen over 20% from their peak after Q4 earnings revealed margin contraction and a sequential drop in net interest income. Despite this, brokerages maintain a positive outlook, citing strong fundamentals and recommending a 'Buy' rating with revised price targets.
Analytics firm Fractal sees robust enterprise AI growth, with banking and life sciences booming at 40% and 80% respectively. Despite a dip in its TMT sector due to client-specific issues, overall revenue grew 19%. Strong client retention, averaging 112%, highlights deep partnerships and continued AI adoption, signaling a promising future.
Neuland Laboratories shares saw a significant jump following a strong Q4 performance. The company reported a massive increase in profit and revenue year-on-year. This robust financial result was driven by strong business momentum across key segments. The company is also investing in future growth through strategic initiatives.
The AI boom is causing a global memory chip shortage. This is creating winners among chip makers like Micron and Samsung, whose shares are soaring. However, companies like HP and Nintendo are struggling with rising costs. This trend is expected to continue, impacting consumer electronics prices and profitability for years to come.
Several smallcap stocks, including HFCL and Ideaforge, have more than doubled in the initial 25 trading sessions of FY27, significantly outperforming the benchmark Sensex's 7% rise. This rally occurred amidst market recovery following a March selloff, with companies like CIAN Agro Industries and Indo Tech Transformers showing substantial gains.
