Central Government Imposes Export Levies on Petrol, Diesel, and Aviation Fuel for Next Fortnight The Central Government has revised export levies on petrol, diesel, and aviation turbine fuel for the fortnight beginning May 31, 2026. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance, the new duties will apply to exports of these fuels starting tomorrow. The move is intended to ensure adequate domestic availability of petroleum products amid ongoing uncertainties linked to the West Asia crisis. Exports of petrol will be subject to an export duty of 1.5 rupees per litre, while diesel exports will face a duty of 13.5 rupees per litre. Aviation turbine fuel exports will carry an export duty of 9.5 rupees per litre. These levies are part of the Special Additional Excise Duty and Road and Infrastructure Cess, which were introduced on March 27, 2026. The government stated that these duties are reviewed every fortnight based on average international prices of crude oil, petrol, diesel, and aviation turbine fuel. The Finance Ministry clarified that the existing excise duty rates for domestically consumed petrol and diesel remain unchanged. The revised export duties will take effect immediately and will remain in force for the next 14 days. The notification specifies that the adjustments are tied to fluctuating global prices, with the review process conducted every two weeks. The government emphasized that the changes are designed to balance international market dynamics with the need to maintain stable domestic fuel supplies. The duties are part of a broader strategy to manage supply chain risks and ensure uninterrupted availability of petroleum products for domestic consumers.#central_government #west_asia_crisis #ministry_of_finance #special_additional_excise_duty #road_and_infrastructure_cess
LIC net rose over 23% in Q4 to ₹23,420 cr., board declares ₹10 final dividend The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) reported a significant increase in its standalone net profit for the March quarter, rising over 23% to ₹23,420.43 crore compared to ₹19,012.79 crore in the same period the previous year. This growth was driven by a more than 14% rise in total income, which reached ₹2,76,827.17 crore, up from ₹2,41,625.02 crore. The increase in income was attributed to higher net premium income of ₹1,64,691.21 crore (up from ₹1,47,585.56 crore) and a surge in investment income to ₹1,09,022.04 crore (from ₹93,132.67 crore). For the fiscal year ended March 2026 (FY26), LIC’s net profit grew by 19.25% to ₹57,419 crore, compared to ₹48,151 crore in FY25. Total income for the year rose to ₹9,73,288.26 crore, up from ₹8,84,148.22 crore. Premium income also saw a notable increase, climbing 10% to ₹5,35,984 crore, compared to ₹4,88,148 crore in the prior year. CEO and Managing Director R. Doraiswamy highlighted that the strong performance across all business verticals contributed to record metrics for the 2025-26 fiscal year. He noted that the individual business segment achieved a non-par share on an APE basis exceeding 35%, while the VNB margin remained above 21% for the year. The insurer’s VNB (Value of New Business) increased by 41.63% to ₹14,179 crore, and assets under management (AUM) grew by 5.08% to ₹57,29,396 crore. The board approved a final dividend of ₹10 per equity share for the fiscal year, with June 25 set as the record date for shareholder eligibility. Additionally, the company announced a 1:1 bonus equity share issue, with May 29 as the record date for that. LIC’s market share, measured by first-year premium income, stood at 56.#west_asia_crisis #life_insurance_corporation_of_india #r_doraiswamy #banca_and_alternate_channels #indian_accounting_standards
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Reports 34% Surge in FY26 Profit After Tax Apollo Hospitals Enterprise announced a 34% increase in its consolidated Profit After Tax (PAT) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, reaching Rs 1,942 crore compared to Rs 1,446 crore in the previous fiscal year (FY25). The company’s revenue for the year rose by 16% to Rs 25,229 crore, surpassing the Rs 21,794 crore recorded in FY25. On a quarterly basis, the PAT for the fourth quarter of FY26 (Q4FY26) surged by 36% to Rs 529 crore, up from Rs 390 crore in the same period of FY25. The financial performance was highlighted by a 25% growth in EBITDA, which reached Rs 3,769 crore in FY26, compared to Rs 3,022 crore in FY25. Krishnan Akhileswaran, Group CFO of Apollo Hospitals, noted that the company’s revenue for the full year crossed the Rs 25,000 crore milestone. He also emphasized the strong performance in the hospitals business during Q4FY26, driven by a 7% volume growth. A key focus of the report was the expansion of Apollo’s hospital infrastructure. Akhileswaran mentioned that four new hospitals, totaling 855 beds, were commissioned in the previous fiscal year, with 185 beds already operational. The remaining 670 beds are expected to come online over the next 12 to 18 months. Looking ahead, he expressed confidence in sustaining the growth momentum, attributing it to the addition of new hospitals and higher patient occupancy rates. Madhu Sasidhar, president and CEO of Apollo Hospitals, addressed the potential impact of the West Asia crisis on the company’s operations. He stated that there had been no significant decline in patient numbers from Middle East countries, though he acknowledged that the crisis could affect costs through inflationary pressures and currency fluctuations.#west_asia_crisis #apollo_hospitals_enterprise #krishnan_akhlieswaran #madhu_sasidhar #hospital_infrastructure
RBI Governor Warns of Fuel Price Hike if West Asia Crisis Persists The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor, Sanjay Mholttra, has issued a warning that rising fuel prices in India could become inevitable if the ongoing crisis in West Asia persists. The governor highlighted the growing impact of geopolitical tensions in the region on global crude oil prices and its ripple effects on India’s economy. During a high-level meeting in Zurich, where the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Swiss National Bank convened, Mholttra emphasized that the current situation is a critical test for India’s economic resilience. Mholttra noted that the crisis in West Asia has already led to a significant surge in international crude oil prices, placing a heavy burden on the Indian government. Despite efforts to stabilize fuel prices for consumers, the RBI governor warned that if the global disruption continues for an extended period, the government may eventually have to pass on the increased costs to households. However, he acknowledged the government’s success in reducing the fiscal deficit, which had reached 9.2% during the pandemic, to nearly 4.3% through prudent fiscal policies. India’s deep economic ties with West Asia have made it particularly vulnerable to regional instability. According to Mholttra, approximately one-sixth of India’s total trade—both imports and exports—originates from the region. Additionally, 40% of the country’s remittances (money sent by overseas Indians), 40% of fertilizer imports, and 60% of gas supply depend on West Asian countries. This high level of interdependence means that any political or economic turmoil in the region could severely disrupt India’s supply chains and economic stability.#west_asia_crisis #international_monetary_fund #swiss_national_bank #rbi_governor #sanjay_mholttra
Opposition Seeks Discussion on Impact of West Asia Crisis The Lok Sabha on March 30, 2026, experienced a brief adjournment after opposition members demanded a discussion on the escalating West Asia crisis and its implications for India. The issue was raised during Zero Hour, as Congress member Manish Tewari urged the Speaker to allow a debate on the conflict between Iran and the U.S.-Israel alliance. Tewari highlighted concerns over the crisis’s effects on essential resources such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), crude oil, and fertilizer production. He emphasized that the Business Advisory Committee had already addressed the matter, underscoring the need for a parliamentary discussion to assess the situation. Following the laying of daily papers on the House’s Table, opposition members renewed their demand, leading to disruptive scenes in the chamber. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju responded by stating the government was open to dialogue with the opposition. However, he redirected the focus to the issue of left-wing extremism (LWE), citing Home Minister Amit Shah’s declaration that Maoist activities would be eradicated by March 31, 2026. Rijiju noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already addressed the West Asia crisis in both Houses of Parliament, urging all parties to unite and avoid politicizing the issue. He reiterated the government’s readiness to collaborate with the opposition on matters of national importance. Despite the minister’s assurances, the protests persisted, prompting Speaker Om Birla to adjourn the House for 15 minutes. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, speaking to reporters within Parliament, reiterated the opposition’s call for a discussion.#lok_sabha #kiren_rijiju #west_asia_crisis #manish_tewari #priyanka_gandhi_vadra
Oil cos’ ‘no credit’ hits petrol pumps Nagpur: The no-credit system introduced by public sector oil marketing companies following the West Asia crisis has led to temporary closures of five to six petrol outlets on Monday. Previously, oil companies sold fuel, particularly diesel, on credit. This practice was halted after the crisis, and now funds must be deposited in advance. Some outlets ran out of fuel as the required payments were not made, according to sources. Amit Gupta, president of the Federation of Maharashtra Petroleum Dealers Association Nagpur branch, stated that the new system has disrupted the trade cycle. Under the old system, pumps received fuel on credit and then sold it to customers on a deferred payment basis. However, with credit from oil companies stopped, recoveries remain a challenge.#nagpur #west_asia_crisis #public_sector_oil_marketing_companies #amit_gupta
Despite correction, India remains the second-most expensive Asian market The market turmoil triggered by the West Asia crisis has slightly reduced India’s valuation from its peak levels, yet the country’s stock market still holds the second-highest valuation among Asian peers. According to Bloomberg data, the trailing 12-month price-to-earnings (PE) ratio for India’s 50-stock index stands at 21.77x, lower than the 5-year and 10-year averages of 23.7x and 23.3x. However, Taiwan remains the only Asian market with a higher valuation at 24.6x. India’s PE ratio is still above Indonesia, South Korea, and China, which range from 18.3x to 19.7x. The forward P/E ratio for India’s index is 18.19x, which is below its 5-year and 10-year averages of 19.8x and 18.9x. Japan, however, maintains a higher ratio at 22.30x. Despite these adjustments, industry experts suggest that valuations in India remain elevated compared to its regional counterparts. The Nifty 50 index has declined over 8% since the outbreak of the war in late February, outperforming the 1-6% drops seen in markets like Malaysia, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. However, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia experienced sharper declines, with their indices falling between 9-13% during the same period. For years, India has been labeled “pricey” on the global stage, but analysts argue that its valuation is relatively reasonable when viewed through the lens of the country’s economic fundamentals. Deepak Shenoy, CEO of Capital Mind Mutual Fund, noted that India’s valuation has historically remained higher in both bull and bear markets.#india #nifty_50 #west_asia_crisis #bloomberg #sebi
L&T shares fall after second price target cut in two days due to West Asia crisis Shares of Larsen and Toubro (L&T) Ltd. dropped nearly 3% on Thursday, March 12, following a second price target cut in two days. The decline came amid concerns over the ongoing West Asia crisis, which has disrupted business operations and investor sentiment. Despite the drop, the stock showed signs of recovery later in the trading session. Brokerage firm Kotak Institutional Equities revised its price target for L&T shares to ₹4,000 per share from ₹4,350, maintaining a 'buy' rating. The revised target suggests a potential 4% upside from the stock’s previous closing price. This follows a similar cut by UBS, which reduced its target price by nearly 8% earlier in the week. Both adjustments reflect growing caution among analysts about the company’s exposure to regional instability. L&T has remained a focal point for investors and analysts since the Iran-Israel-US conflict escalated on February 28. The company’s significant business presence in West Asia has made it vulnerable to disruptions caused by the crisis. According to JM Financial, L&T’s order book exposure to the region stands at 37%, with 33% of its order inflows coming from the first nine months of the current fiscal year. This highlights the company’s reliance on West Asian markets for revenue. Kotak Institutional Equities warned that the crisis could strain L&T’s near-term financials through multiple channels, including delayed projects and reduced customer spending. The firm noted that the long-term impact of the conflict on regional spending patterns remains uncertain, making it difficult to predict the extent of the company’s challenges.#ubs #west_asia_crisis #kotak_institutional_equities #larsen_and_toubro #iran_israel_us_conflict
Coal India shares rise 4%, emerge as top Nifty gainer amid West Asia crisis: Here's why Coal India shares surged 4% on Wednesday, becoming the top performer in the Nifty 50 index amid growing concerns over the impact of the West Asia crisis on energy markets. The rise in the stock's value has sparked speculation about the broader implications of geopolitical tensions in the region, particularly as global energy prices remain volatile. Analysts suggest that the crisis has heightened demand for reliable energy sources, positioning Coal India as a critical player in the global coal supply chain. The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring energy security, stating it is fully prepared to address any sudden increase in coal demand. Officials noted that the country's coal reserves stand at approximately 210 million tonnes, sufficient to meet requirements for about 88 days. This level of stockpiling is seen as a strategic move to mitigate potential disruptions in supply chains, especially in light of the ongoing crisis in West Asia, which has raised concerns about the stability of regional energy exports. The surge in Coal India's shares has also been attributed to improved operational efficiency and cost management strategies implemented by the company. Recent reports indicate that the firm has successfully reduced production costs while maintaining output levels, making it more attractive to investors. Additionally, the government's focus on expanding coal-based power generation has further bolstered investor confidence in the sector. Market observers highlight that the West Asia crisis has created an environment of uncertainty, prompting investors to seek out stocks with strong fundamentals and government backing.#government #nifty_50 #west_asia_crisis #coal_india #coal_reserves
Bengaluru Restaurants Threaten City-Wide Shutdown Tomorrow: Why Your Favorite Eateries May Go Dark on March 10 The Bruhat Bengaluru Hotel Owners Association warned on Monday that restaurants across the city could shut down entirely if commercial LPG supply is disrupted. Association president PC Rao accused suppliers of halting gas deliveries, citing a sudden shortage that has left many establishments unable to operate. The crisis stems from the ongoing West Asia crisis, which has led to the suspension of LPG supplies in several areas. Rao stated that around 25 to 30 hotels were already affected on Monday morning as suppliers stopped direct gas distribution. The association’s letter to the central government and local MPs emphasized that the hotel industry is an essential service, providing meals to vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, students, and medical professionals. Without gas, the sector faces severe operational challenges, with oil companies having previously assured a 70-day uninterrupted supply. However, the abrupt cutoff has caused significant disruption. Rao urged authorities to restore gas supply immediately to avoid a citywide strike starting March 10. Restaurant owners confirmed the scarcity of commercial cylinders, with some reporting black-market prices as high as Rs 2,500, though billing remains at Rs 1,958. Diwakar R, a local owner, noted that even with higher payments, cylinders are often unavailable. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticized the central government’s decision to increase LPG cylinder prices by Rs 115 for commercial use and Rs 60 for domestic use, calling it excessive. He separated the issue of supply shortages from the price hike, stating they are distinct concerns.#bengaluru #siddaramaiah #bruhat_bengaluru_hotel_owners_association #pc_rao #west_asia_crisis
