Author: Aruna Kaim

As geopolitical tensions between Iran, Israel, and the US continue to rattle global markets, Kotak Institutional Equities has recalibrated its model portfolio. The brokerage has made a high-conviction swap: removing FMCG giant ITC and adding state-run energy leader ONGC. This move signals a pivot from “resilient” stocks toward “high-recovery” assets that have been oversold during the recent correction. The Case for ONGC: High Upside & Policy Clarity Kotak has added ONGC with a 150-basis-point weight, setting a 12-month fair value of ₹375. The rationale is built on three pillars: Massive Valuation Gap: ONGC is trading at just 4.8x FY27E earnings.…

In a major move to safeguard national interest and sensitive financial data, the Union Ministry of Finance has issued a strict directive to all its employees prohibiting the use of generative AI platforms, specifically naming ChatGPT and the Chinese-origin DeepSeek, for official work. The advisory marks a significant step in the Indian government’s cautious approach toward the rapid integration of external artificial intelligence tools in administrative processes. The Core Concerns: Privacy and Sovereignty The ministry’s decision is rooted in several critical security risks associated with public AI models: Data Leakage: There is a high risk that employees might inadvertently upload…

The Indian government is set to conduct a comprehensive assessment of its indirect tax collections, specifically examining how recent tax concessions—aimed at stabilizing domestic prices—might impact the national exchequer. This move comes as the escalating crisis in West Asia threatens to disrupt global energy markets and supply chains. The Fiscal Challenge: Stability vs. Revenue To shield the Indian economy from inflationary pressures caused by rising crude oil and commodity prices, the government has implemented several tax reliefs. However, these measures create a “fiscal tightrope” for the Ministry of Finance: Duty Cuts on Essentials: Reductions in import duties on edible oils,…

Despite a volatile global economic landscape and persistent geopolitical tensions, Indian officials are optimistic that the country’s exports will maintain a positive growth trajectory during the 2025–26 fiscal year. This resilience highlights India’s strengthening position in the global supply chain and the diversification of its export portfolio. Strategic Drivers of Growth Several key factors are contributing to this optimistic outlook even as global demand remains uneven: Sectoral Strength: Traditional powerhouses like Engineering Goods, Pharmaceuticals, and Electronics continue to see robust demand. The “Make in India” initiative has successfully moved India up the value chain, particularly in smartphone and semiconductor assembly.…

As the Indian stock market grapples with the dual pressures of the Iran-US conflict and rising crude oil prices, top brokerages are viewing the recent 8–10% correction as a strategic “entry point.” While near-term volatility remains high, experts believe the current downturn has reset valuations to attractive levels, making it a prime window for long-term accumulation. Here is a breakdown of how major brokerages are navigating this “battered” market for FY27: 1. The Large-Cap Safety Net Brokerages are leaning toward fundamentally strong giants that can weather an oil shock or a prolonged high-interest-rate environment. Top Picks: Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank,…

While many taxpayers are eagerly awaiting their tax refunds, over 1.3 lakh individuals have hit a bureaucratic wall. The Finance Ministry recently revealed that hundreds of crores in refunds are currently being withheld—not because of tax evasion, but due to inoperative PAN cards. If you haven’t linked your PAN with your Aadhaar, your refund is likely part of the ₹340.30 crore currently sitting in the government’s “on hold” pile. Why the Government Is Freezing Refunds Under Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act, linking your PAN with Aadhaar is mandatory for all individual taxpayers (with a few exceptions). When you…

In a world of fluctuating charts and geopolitical headlines, the urge to “wait for the dip” is powerful. It feels like common sense: why buy today when you could buy cheaper tomorrow? However, the math of the market tells a different story. In the battle between the “smart” timer and the consistent investor, the one who automates their discipline usually walks away with the larger fortune. Here is why waiting for the perfect entry point often results in a permanent loss of wealth. 1. The 10% Correction That Never Comes Many investors sit on the sidelines waiting for a significant…

The once-frenzied path to public listings for Indian fintech startups has hit a significant roadblock. Ongoing conflict in West Asia has sent shockwaves through the Mumbai stock exchanges, forcing several “new-age” financial technology firms to reconsider or delay their Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). The regional instability has triggered a chain reaction in the Indian economy: the rupee has weakened significantly, and market valuations have taken a hit. This volatility has led to a historic surge in capital withdrawals by foreign investors over the past year, draining the liquidity necessary to support high-valuation tech debuts. Key Drivers of the Slowdown: Market…

OnePlus Nord 6: 9000mAh Battery and Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 Leaked Ahead of April 7 Launch NEW DELHI – The mid-range smartphone market is bracing for a major shake-up as OnePlus prepares to unveil the Nord 6 on April 7, 2026. A dedicated product page has already gone live on Amazon India, confirming the device’s availability and teasing specs that push the boundaries of the “Nord” series. From a massive battery breakthrough to a flagship-grade display, here is everything we know about the upcoming “flagship killer.” Performance: Power Meets Efficiency The Nord 6 is expected to be a performance beast,…

Ola Electric Shares Surge 17% in Two-Day Rally as March Sales Hit Record High BENGALURU – Shares of Ola Electric Mobility witnessed a massive 17% surge over the last two trading sessions, as investors cheered the company’s stellar performance in the March 2026 quarter (Q4FY26). The rally comes amid a broader market recovery for EV makers, driven by a shift in consumer preference toward electric two-wheelers as traditional fuel prices remain volatile. The stock climbed nearly 9% on Thursday alone, reaching an intra-day high of ₹124.50, as the company confirmed a significant jump in daily order velocity. Key Performance Drivers…