Investors Lose Rs 2 Lakh Crore: Three Reasons Behind Market Crash Today Indian equity benchmarks opened sharply lower on Monday, marking a significant drop in market value as investors faced a sharp decline in asset prices. The total market capitalisation of all BSE Sensex companies fell by over Rs 2 trillion within the first hour of the trading session, with the market cap dropping from Rs 4,51,61,647 on Friday to Rs 4,47,86,459 by 10:40 am on Monday. While the indices pared losses by the closing bell, the total loss of market cap was recorded at Rs 2 trillion. The crash followed a weekend of geopolitical tensions, including the failure of US-Iran ceasefire talks and a surge in global oil prices. The market plunge was triggered by the collapse of ongoing peace negotiations between the United States and Iran, which had been held for nearly 21 hours in Islamabad. The talks, which had been expected to resolve lingering disputes, ended without an agreement, leaving investors concerned about the potential for renewed hostilities. This development, combined with other global market cues, contributed to the sharp decline in investor confidence. A key factor in the market crash was the sharp rise in oil prices, driven by a statement from the United States Central Command, which announced plans to enforce a naval blockade around Iranian ports. This move sent shockwaves through global energy markets, with US crude (West Texas Intermediate) surging 8 per cent to $104.24 per barrel and Brent crude jumping 7 per cent to $102.29 per barrel. The surge in oil prices heightened inflation concerns and increased the cost of energy for businesses and consumers, further dampening investor sentiment. The decline in global equity indices also played a role in the market rout. Australia's ASX 200 fell 0.#us_central_command #bse_sensex #us_iran_ceasefire #asx_200 #hang_seng
Gold Rates Today: Decline Across Major Indian Jewelry Brands Amid Geopolitical Shifts Gold prices have declined across leading Indian jewelry brands on April 10, 2026, following a US-Iran ceasefire and a subsequent drop in crude oil prices. The easing of geopolitical tensions has shifted market sentiment, prompting traders to reassess inflation risks and the demand outlook for safe-haven assets like gold. This trend was observed in the rates of 22k and 24k gold at prominent brands such as Tanishq, Kalyan Jewellers, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, and the Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd (IBJA). The decline in gold prices was notable compared to the previous day, April 9, 2026. For instance, Tanishq’s 22k gold rate for jewelry stood at Rs 14,065 per gram in major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru on April 10, down from Rs 13,925 on April 9. Similarly, Kalyan Jewellers reported a 22k gold rate of Rs 14,025 per gram on April 10, compared to Rs 13,885 the prior day. Malabar Gold & Diamonds and Joyalukkas also saw their 22k gold rates rise to Rs 14,025 per gram on April 10, up from Rs 13,885 on April 9. These adjustments reflect broader market movements influenced by the geopolitical developments. The Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd (IBJA) provided indicative retail selling rates for gold jewelry, which aligned with the trends observed at individual brands. On April 10, 2026, the AM (morning) rates for 24k gold (999 purity) were Rs 15,031 per gram, up from Rs 14,994 on April 9. The 22k gold rate was Rs 14,670 per gram, compared to Rs 14,634 the previous day. Lower karat gold also saw marginal increases, with 20k gold at Rs 13,377 per gram (up from Rs 13,344) and 18k gold at Rs 12,175 per gram (up from Rs 12,145).#malabar_gold_diamonds #kalyan_jewellers #tanishq #joyalukkas #us_iran_ceasefire
Strait of Hormuz Shipping Traffic Remains Minimal Despite U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has remained at a near-halt since the announcement of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, with only a handful of vessels transiting the critical waterway in the first 24 hours of the agreement. According to data from ship-tracking platforms like MarineTraffic and Kpler, just five bulk carriers had passed through the strait by Thursday, April 9, 2026, compared to the prewar average of over 100 vessels daily. S&P Global Market Intelligence reported nine vessels had transited the strait across Wednesday and Thursday, but the numbers remain far below normal levels. The limited movement has raised concerns among global energy markets, with oil prices surging above $100 a barrel as uncertainty over the strait’s reopening persisted. Analysts noted that the initial optimism about the ceasefire quickly gave way to confusion, as the U.S. and Iran failed to establish clear protocols for safe passage. Iran’s insistence that ships must secure its permission to transit the strait, along with potential fees for passage, has further complicated matters. Iran’s naval forces released a map late Wednesday outlining alternative shipping routes through the strait, directing outbound vessels to follow a path just south of Larak Island and inbound ships to take a route north of the island. A large portion of the strait, including Oman’s territorial waters, was marked as “hazardous” on the map. This designation has raised questions about the safety of the new routes and the potential presence of sea mines, which Iran has not officially confirmed.#strait_of_hormuz #us_iran_ceasefire #marine_traffic #iran_naval_forces #saeed_khatibzadeh
Brent oil spot price above $120 as ceasefire fails to solve deep disruption The price for actual Brent oil cargos surpassed $120 per barrel on Wednesday, nearly $30 higher than the June futures contract. This surge highlights the persistent tightness in global oil supplies, even as the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement remains in place. Analysts emphasize that restoring full oil flows will take months, regardless of the ceasefire’s success. The spot price for Brent crude oil reached $124.68 per barrel on Wednesday, signaling that the ceasefire is unlikely to resolve the deep supply disruptions caused by the five-week war. The spot price reflects immediate market conditions for oil deliveries within the next 10 to 30 days, contrasting with futures contracts for June and beyond. Despite a $19.75 drop in the spot price following the two-week ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran, it remains $30 above the June futures contract, which closed at $94.75. This discrepancy underscores the ongoing scarcity of oil supplies, as analysts argue that the market is still grappling with the aftermath of the conflict. Amrita Sen, founder of Energy Aspects, explained that the spot price captures the real-world situation, including the shutdown of 13 million barrels per day of Middle East production due to a dramatic decline in tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Most tankers are now diverting to the U.S. to pick up oil, according to Sen, who noted that redirecting ships back to the Middle East could take until June. “It’s a complete mess,” Sen told CNBC’s “The Exchange,” highlighting the chaotic state of global oil logistics. Amena Bakr, an expert on the Middle East and OPEC at Kpler, added that hundreds of millions of barrels of oil have been removed from the market due to the war.#brent_oil #kpler #us_iran_ceasefire #amrita_sen #kuwait_petroleum_corporation
L&T stock price rallies 7% on Iran-US ceasefire; Middle East exposure back in focus Shares of Larsen & Toubro surged more than 7% on March 8, 2026, following the announcement of a US-Iran ceasefire in the ongoing West Asia conflict. The engineering major’s stock climbed to Rs 3,991.30, up Rs 268.00 or 7.20% on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), marking a sharp reversal from earlier in the month. This rally came after months of investor concerns over project disruptions and geopolitical risks in the Middle East, which had previously pressured L&T’s stock. At the height of tensions, the company’s market capitalisation had slipped below the Rs 5 lakh crore mark on March 13, making it the top loser on the Nifty index that day. The newly announced two-week ceasefire, declared in the early hours of March 8, is expected to alleviate fears of project delays and geopolitical instability, which had weighed heavily on investor sentiment. Larsen & Toubro’s international business remains a cornerstone of its operations, with international orders accounting for over half of its total inflows. For the nine months ended December 31, 2025, the company secured international orders worth Rs 1,91,084 crore, representing 55% of total order inflows. In the December quarter alone, international orders reached Rs 66,848 crore, contributing 49% of inflows, while international revenues totaled Rs 38,775 crore, making up 54% of total revenue. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is highlighted as a key growth driver, with strong investment momentum in AI infrastructure, data centres, and large-scale urban development projects. These projects have positioned L&T as a major player in the region’s infrastructure expansion, despite the volatility of the geopolitical landscape.#donald_trump #abbas_araghchi #gulf_cooperation_council #larsen_toubro #us_iran_ceasefire
