Power Stocks Rally Hinges on Demand, Solar May Face Oversupply in 3-4 Years: Axis Capital Power stocks have shown resilience during market volatility, but sustained gains will depend on rising demand, according to Axis Capital. Sumit Kishore, Executive Director at the firm, highlighted that the sector’s recent performance has been driven by its defensive appeal, particularly in risk-off environments. He emphasized that the power sector, including both traditional and renewable energy sources, could act as a safe haven if geopolitical tensions, such as the ongoing US-Iran conflict, continue to disrupt global markets. Kishore noted that while solar capacity has surged with record additions, the sector risks becoming oversupplied within the next 3-4 years if demand growth does not keep pace. This concern is amplified by the rapid expansion of renewable energy infrastructure in India, where FY26 saw a historic increase in capacity additions. Specifically, 45 gigawatts (GW) of solar and 6 GW of wind capacity were installed during the year, bringing total renewable additions to nearly 57 GW. This marks a 12% year-on-year increase, reflecting the country’s aggressive push toward clean energy. India’s renewable energy targets remain ambitious, with a goal of achieving 786 GW of installed capacity by FY36. This includes existing infrastructure such as large hydroelectric projects and other non-fossil fuel sources, which currently stand at around 225–230 GW. Kishore argued that the nation has a long growth trajectory ahead, supported by favorable policy frameworks and increasing energy demand. However, he cautioned that investors should approach the power sector with a balanced perspective.#renewable_energy #india #us_iran_conflict #axis_capital #sumit_kishore
Global Energy Crisis Disrupts Jal Jeevan Mission Pipeline Projects Nagpur: The ongoing global energy crisis, exacerbated by the US-Iran conflict, has disrupted critical infrastructure projects under India’s Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a government initiative aimed at providing tap water connections to every rural household. The crisis has particularly impacted the supply of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipelines, which form the backbone of the mission’s arterial network. HDPE, a petroleum-derived material, is essential for constructing the last-mile water distribution systems. However, manufacturers are now facing severe supply constraints and soaring prices, threatening the progress of JJM projects across states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. The conflict has triggered a sharp rise in crude oil prices, which has directly affected the cost of HDPE. Market sources report that the price of HDPE has surged from Rs1.03 lakh per metric tonne in February to Rs1.62 lakh per MT, a 50% increase. This jump has exceeded the escalation clauses in government contracts, which are designed to adjust for inflation based on broader commodity indices. Contractors argue that the current price surge is unprecedented and not accounted for in existing contractual terms, leaving them vulnerable to financial losses. Arun Lakhani, chairman of Vishwaraj Group, which undertakes water supply contracts for JJM in multiple states, confirmed the supply crisis. “The rates have gone beyond reasonable levels, but the supply constraints are having a far greater impact on the contracts,” he said. Lakhani highlighted that delays in payments from state governments had already hampered JJM progress, and the current situation risks further slowing down the project.#us_iran_conflict #jal_jeevan_mission #high_density_polyethylene #arun_lakhani #anirudh_hazra
Alphabet Inc. shares fell more than 1.5% in early trading on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, as investors grappled with geopolitical tensions stemming from the U.S.-Iran conflict and concerns over rising energy costs that could dampen spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure. The decline followed a broader dip in the Nasdaq composite, which faced pressure from mixed signals on Middle East diplomacy and climbing oil prices. Alphabet Class A shares (GOOGL) opened near $299.11 but dipped to around $296.83, while Class C shares (GOOG) traded between $293 and $295. The stock’s drop came amid a year marked by volatility, with shares trading in a wide range from a low near $140.53 to an all-time high of $349 in early 2026. The decline extended a mixed performance for Alphabet, which closed Monday slightly higher at $302.06 but remains down about 3.4% year-to-date. Despite a strong 2025 that saw shares rise over 65%, the stock now faces headwinds from macroeconomic challenges and elevated capital expenditure plans. Analysts maintain a strong buy rating, with price targets clustering around $387 to $443, reflecting confidence in Alphabet’s AI-driven growth despite its heavy spending commitments. The company’s forward price-to-earnings ratio hovers near 27-28 times estimates, underscoring market optimism about its long-term prospects. Recent developments have spotlighted Alphabet’s aggressive push into artificial intelligence. In February, the company reported record-breaking fourth-quarter results, with annual revenue surpassing $400 billion for the first time and Google Cloud growing 48% year-over-year. Adjusted earnings per share rose 31% to $2.#us_iran_conflict #nasdaq_composite #google_cloud #waymo #alphabet_inc
Gold Prices Rise on March 25 Amid Global Trends and Dollar Weakness Gold prices surged by ₹5,091 to ₹1.44 lakh per 10 grams in futures trading on March 25, 2026, driven by improving sentiment in the global commodities market and a weaker U.S. dollar. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, the April gold contract climbed 3.66% to ₹1,44,003 per 10 grams. Analysts attributed the rally to easing geopolitical tensions, particularly around the US-Iran conflict, and expectations of potential interest rate cuts amid inflation concerns. Gaurav Garg of Lemonn Markets Desk noted that the price increase was fueled by signs of a ceasefire in the region, which reduced panic selling seen earlier. He highlighted that the global commodities market’s improved outlook bolstered demand for gold as a safe-haven asset. Meanwhile, international gold futures for April delivery rose $157.9, or 3.59%, to $4,559.9 per ounce. Jigar Trivedi of IndusInd Securities added that the weaker dollar made gold more attractive for holders of other currencies, as greenback-priced bullion became cheaper. He also pointed to a decline in oil prices, which eased inflation worries and reduced pressure on global interest rates. The U.S. plan to end the war in West Asia further supported the rebound, with safe-haven demand resurging. Trivedi emphasized that gold’s performance will remain closely tied to the Federal Reserve’s policy decisions, dollar index movements, and geopolitical developments. While the recent rebound suggests price dips may find support, he warned that real yields needing to rise significantly could challenge the metal’s trajectory. The market’s response underscored gold’s role as a hedge against economic uncertainty, with investors balancing risks from inflation, currency fluctuations, and global conflicts.#gold_prices #us_iran_conflict #federal_reserve #indusind_securities #march_25
Stock Market Crash: Investors Lose Rs 12 Lakh Crore In An Hour As Geopolitical Tensions Drive Market Decline Indian benchmark indices, including the Sensex and Nifty, opened sharply lower on Monday as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East intensified, triggering a massive sell-off. Within the first hour of trading, investors lost approximately Rs 11.78 trillion, with the market capitalisation of all BSE-listed companies dropping to Rs 416.98 trillion at 10:23 am. This marked a significant decline from Rs 428.76 trillion recorded at Friday’s close. The sell-off affected nearly all sectors, reflecting widespread panic rather than isolated profit-taking. The primary driver of the crash is the escalating conflict in the Middle East, now in its fourth week. Rising tensions between the United States and Iran have heightened global market fears, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. The uncertainty surrounding this region has led investors to withdraw from equities and shift toward safer assets. Analysts noted that the market’s sharp reaction underscores the growing sensitivity of Indian markets to geopolitical risks. Crude oil prices have further exacerbated the situation. Brent Crude and WTI Crude prices surged over 50% this month, reaching $112.94 and $99.23 per barrel, respectively. The International Energy Agency warned that the current crisis could rival the oil shocks of the 1970s. Higher oil prices are pushing inflation expectations upward, increasing input costs for companies, and straining profit margins. For an import-dependent economy like India, this has added significant pressure on both corporate and consumer sectors. The Indian rupee also hit a record low of 94 against the US dollar, breaking its previous low of 93.7350.#middle_east #us_iran_conflict #brent_crude #indian_rupee #wikipedia
Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex plunged in trade on Monday as oil prices remained high amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran. The Nifty50 fell below 23,000, while the BSE Sensex dropped over 1,800 points. At 10:27 AM, the Nifty50 was trading at 22,556.85, down 558 points or 2.41%, and the BSE Sensex was at 72,767.73, down 1,765 points or 2.37%. The market breadth showed weakness, with around 2,328 stocks declining compared to 249 advancing and 74 unchanged. The total market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies fell by nearly Rs 11 lakh crore, bringing the valuation down to Rs 418 lakh crore, according to an ET report. Investor sentiment weakened as tensions between Iran and the US escalated, alongside a falling rupee and global uncertainties. Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments Limited, noted that the war in West Asia entering its fourth week brought no clarity on its end. Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz failed to prevent panic in the oil market, though Iran’s response prevented immediate turmoil. However, the uncertainty persisted, with markets closely watching the conflict’s outcome. Vijayakumar emphasized that the risk-off sentiment globally impacted all assets, including stocks, bonds, and precious metals like gold and silver. The sharp rupee depreciation could benefit exporters such as pharmaceuticals and autos, while the IT sector might rebound after being hit hard. The global equity markets mirrored the downturn seen in Indian markets. Asian indices fell steeply, with South Korea’s Kospi dropping over 6%, Japan’s Nikkei declining more than 4%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng losing 3.5%. The US-Iran conflict intensified, with Iran vowing tit-for-tat strikes after Trump’s ultimatum.#us #iran #us_iran_conflict #bse_sensex #nifty50
Silver Price Plummets as Gold and Silver Drop Amid US Rate Decision and Global Tensions Silver and gold prices experienced a sharp decline on Thursday, with silver losing over 5% and gold falling approximately 2.5%. On the MCX, silver prices dropped by Rs 12,000 per kg, while gold prices fell by Rs 4,500 per 10 grams. As of now, silver is trading at around Rs 2.35 lakh per kg, and gold has dipped below Rs 1.50 lakh per 10 grams. The crash coincided with a broader stock market downturn, intensifying the downward spiral for precious metals. The primary driver behind the price drop is the US Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain interest rates unchanged and signal no rate cuts in 2026. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell highlighted global economic challenges, citing international tensions as a key factor. This news sent shockwaves through global markets, leading to a sharp decline in both gold and silver prices. Investors interpreted the Fed’s stance as a sign of prolonged high rates, which reduces the appeal of non-yielding assets like precious metals. Silver, which had been on a relentless upward trajectory for two years, reached a record high of Rs 4.2 lakh per kg on 29 January 2026. However, the price has since slid, falling to Rs 2.25 lakh per kg by 2 February 2026 as investors began taking profits. The current price of Rs 2.35 lakh per kg marks a decline of Rs 1.85 lakh per kg from its peak, signaling the end of the previous rally. The situation is further complicated by geopolitical tensions, particularly the US-Iran conflict. Typically, global instability drives demand for gold and silver as safe-haven assets. Yet, this time, the opposite is occurring. The ongoing tensions have instead increased selling pressure, with investors shifting toward other assets or cash.#us_iran_conflict #mcx #jerome_powell #us_federal_reserve #global_economic_challenges
Silver Price Forecast: XAG/USD range-bound as RSI holds near 50 and MACD flattens Silver (XAG/USD) has edged higher on Friday, trading near $84.27, as the US Dollar and Treasury yields eased following softer-than-expected Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data. The rebound came after the metal dipped to a daily low near $80.17, but it remains on track for its first weekly decline in three weeks. The price action reflects a balance between supportive factors and lingering bearish momentum. The ongoing US-Iran conflict has contributed to elevated geopolitical risk, bolstering safe-haven demand and limiting deeper losses for Silver. However, rising oil prices driven by supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz are fueling inflation concerns, which have dampened expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts. This dynamic tends to weigh on non-yielding assets like Silver, as lower interest rates typically support its price. From a technical perspective, Silver is consolidating near the 20-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) after retreating from the upper Bollinger Band. On the daily chart, the price is stabilizing around the middle Bollinger Band at $83, which also serves as a key support level. Momentum indicators suggest a lack of strong directional movement, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovering near 50, indicating balanced momentum. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator is flattening near the zero line, signaling fading bearish momentum, though the MACD line remains slightly below the signal line. Short-term support appears to lie around the lower Bollinger Band at $72, with the February swing low near $64.08 as a deeper downside risk if the price breaks below the middle Bollinger Band. On the upside, a clear break above the upper Bollinger Band near $93.#oil_prices #us_iran_conflict #us_dollar #treasury_yields #nonfarm_payrolls
