India's retail inflation marginally increased to 3.4 per cent in March, up from 3.21 per cent in February, primarily due to an uptick in certain food items and the initial impact of the West Asia crisis on fuel prices, according to government data.
'OMCs are incurring losses of Rs 1,000 crore per day due to the West Asia crisis.'
Analysts predict that developments in US-Iran negotiations, fluctuations in crude oil prices, and key global economic data will be the primary drivers of gold and silver prices in the coming week, with a strong focus on talks in Switzerland.
Indian benchmark stock indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed nearly 1 per cent lower due to surging crude oil prices, weak global market trends, and significant foreign fund outflows, with geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns further dampening investor sentiment.
Uncertainties stemming from the West Asia crisis and its potential impact on inflation and economic growth were key factors in the Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision to maintain the status quo on interest rates, according to the recently released MPC meeting minutes.
A foreign brokerage warns that sustained crude oil prices above USD 100 per barrel could push India's inflation above the RBI's tolerance level, potentially triggering interest rate hikes.
Despite the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) and the government's recent initiatives to attract foreign capital, which are expected to alleviate pressure on long-duration bonds, most debt fund managers are maintaining a cautious stance, favouring shorter-duration papers due to global uncertainties and potential future rate hikes.
'If 5% of the total revenue was spent on LPG (pre-war), it is now expected to double. The overall food cost in restaurants is expected to rise by 4-6%.'
The report notes that equities had faced pressure from elevated valuation premiums, subdued nominal gross domestic product (GDP) and earnings growth, sustained foreign portfolio investor (FPI) selling, artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure euphoria, and external shocks including US tariffs and a spike in crude oil prices due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia. However, several of these factors are now reversing.
Wholesale price inflation extended upward momentum for the second straight month, recording at 0.83 per cent in December 2025, driven by an uptick in prices of food, non-food articles, and manufactured items on a month-on-month basis, government data showed on Wednesday. Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation returned to positive in December, after witnessing a deflationary trend in the previous two months.
Analysts predict that developments in West Asia, their impact on crude oil prices, and the trading activity of foreign institutional investors (FIIs) will be crucial factors influencing the Indian stock market this week.
Indian oil-marketing companies (OMCs) have incurred LPG underrecoveries of approximately Rs 22,000 crore between March and May 2026, as domestic cooking gas prices failed to keep pace with surging international rates exacerbated by the West Asia crisis, according to a Crisil report.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra is now confronting the classic growth-inflation tradeoff, a situation exacerbated by the West Asia war, which threatens to end the 'goldilocks period' of low inflation and robust growth.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty climbed in early trade, driven by buying in blue-chip stocks like Reliance Industries and ICICI Bank, alongside a notable cooling in crude oil prices.
Commodity markets, especially the metals, are among the most volatile segments of the Indian financial ecosystem. To traders involved in commodity trading, it is not only helpful to keep track of the daily price changes but also necessary to make informed trading decisions. Commodities like gold, silver, copper, and aluminium react to many different factors, which makes it imperative for commodity traders to watch out for metal prices every day.
Legendary economist and former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan has died at the age of 100 due to complications related to Parkinson's disease, his wife Andrea Mitchell confirmed.
'The MPC is likely to prioritise the key mandate, which is inflation, while relying on other instruments to stabilise the currency and bond markets.'
Tata Motors is set to acquire Italy's Iveco Group, a strategic move aimed at propelling the Indian automaker into the top four global commercial vehicle (CV) manufacturers, with projected annual revenues of $35 billion-$40 billion within five years.
Indian stock markets are poised for volatility this week, driven primarily by the outcomes of five state assembly elections, ongoing high crude oil prices amid West Asia tensions, and the release of Q4 corporate earnings, according to market analysts.
Delhi Police busted two illegal LPG hoarding and refilling rackets, seizing 125 cylinders and arresting three delivery agents.
Foreign investors have aggressively sold off Indian equities, withdrawing over 48,213 crore in the first 10 days of April, following a record 1.17 lakh crore outflow in March, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia, rising crude oil prices, and global inflation concerns.
Global investment firm KKR remains optimistic about India's long-term growth, citing rising incomes, premiumisation, financial deepening, and demand for quality services as key drivers for its consumption story, even as higher energy prices and AI disruption pose near-term challenges.
Police in Lucknow have arrested four people for allegedly using ChatGPT and graphic design software to create and sell fake IPL tickets outside the Ekana Stadium.
The Delhi Police have dismantled several illegal LPG refilling and black-marketing operations across Delhi, arresting 16 individuals and seizing a large number of cylinders and equipment.
The Indian government has extended the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) mandate to maintain retail inflation at 4 per cent, with a tolerance band of 2 per cent on either side, for another five years until March 2031.
Moody's Ratings has highlighted that Indian banks are among the most exposed in the Asia-Pacific region to the West Asia crisis, primarily due to India's high dependence on energy imports, which could lead to increased inflation, higher interest rates, and strained borrower cash flows.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty surged significantly in early trade, tracking a global rally fueled by US President Donald Trump's declaration of an end to the war with Iran and a subsequent drop in crude oil prices.
The Indian equity market is set for an event-heavy week, with analysts pointing to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) interest rate decision, developments in the US-Iran situation, and crude oil prices as the primary determinants of market trends.
A recently finalised peace deal between the US and Iran, set to be signed on June 19, is expected to significantly benefit India's economy by boosting exports to West Asia, stabilising the rupee, and easing inflationary pressures, according to exporters and experts.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded in early trade, tracking a recovery in global equity markets and an easing of hostilities between Israel and Iran, after a sharp fall in the previous session.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated that the central bank is closely monitoring whether the supply shock from the West Asia conflict will lead to a generalised price rise, potentially necessitating monetary policy action.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed marginally lower due to profit-taking, following the Reserve Bank of India's decision to keep the repo rate unchanged while lowering its growth expectations for the current fiscal year and forecasting higher inflation.
Gold prices experienced a significant decline in futures trading due to uncertainty surrounding geopolitical tensions in West Asia and conflicting statements regarding the conflict. Investors are also awaiting key macroeconomic data for further direction on interest rate cuts.
India Ratings and Research predicts the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will maintain the repo rate at 5.25 per cent throughout FY27, despite potential inflationary pressures from higher fuel prices, with inflation expected to remain within the central bank's tolerance band.
India's services sector experienced its strongest growth in six months in May, with the HSBC India Services PMI Business Activity Index rising to 59.8. This expansion was driven by healthy demand, new client acquisitions, and improved new business intakes, alongside a softer rise in cost burdens.
Gold prices in the national capital surged by Rs 600 to Rs 1.65 lakh per 10 grams, extending gains for the third consecutive day, while silver rebounded by Rs 5,000 to Rs 2.71 lakh per kilogram, driven by geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns.
Indian stock markets extended their gains for a third consecutive day, with the Sensex climbing 753 points and the Nifty closing above 24,550, driven by a drop in crude oil prices and optimism surrounding potential peace talks between Iran and the US.
Gold prices experienced a significant drop in futures trading due to global selloff, inflation concerns, and a strong US dollar. Analysts predict a continued downward trend amid geopolitical tensions and potential rate hikes.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty recovered early losses to trade higher, supported by encouraging developments on the geopolitical front, specifically the US-Iran peace deal, and easing crude oil prices.
If the conflict continues for a prolonged period, State-run oil companies may have to review retail fuel prices accordingly.
