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The domestic equity benchmarks ended sharply lower on Wednesday as investors turned risk-averse amid escalating geopolitical tensions and a sharp surge in crude oil prices. The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran unsettled global markets, while the reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz pushed oil prices higher, raising concerns over inflation and energy costs. Sentiment was further dented by heavy selling from foreign institutional investors and the rupee slipping to a record low. Against this backdrop, the Nifty closed below the 24,500 mark. Barring the Nifty IT index, all other sectoral indices on the NSE ended in the red, with metal, PSU bank and oil & gas stocks leading the decline. The S&P BSE Sensex tanked 1,122.66 points or 1.40% to 79,116.19. The Nifty 50 index dropped 385.20 points or 1.55% to 24,480.50. Tata Steel (down 6.76%), Larsen & Toubro (down 4.53%) and HDFC Bank (down 1.51%) were major index drags today. The broader market underperformed the key equity indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index tumbled 2.26% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index slumped 2.24%. The market breadth was weak. On the BSE, 1,025 shares rose and 3,295 shares fell. A total of 125 shares were unchanged. The NSE's India VIX, a gauge of the market's expectation of volatility over the near term, surged 23.40% to 21.14. Economy: India's HSBC Services PMI eased to 58.1 in February from 58.4 in January and came in below the flash estimate of 58.4. New business growth slowed to its weakest pace since January 2025, while input cost inflation climbed to a two-and-a-half-year high amid higher food, energy and labour expenses. International sales expanded at the fastest pace since August. Employment increased for the second consecutive month, with hiring accelerating from January, while business confidence improved to a one-year high. Meanwhile, the HSBC Composite PMI rose to 58.9 in February from 58.4 in January, marking a three-month high. US-Israel-Iran war enters Day 5: The war involving the United States, Israel and Iran entered its fifth day as military actions intensified and regional tensions escalated. Israeli and U.S. forces have continued air and missile strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, while Iran has responded with retaliatory drone and missile attacks on regional and U.S. positions. The conflict deepened following the reported death of Iran's long-time Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to reports, the clerical Assembly of Experts has elected his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the country's new Supreme Leader, a controversial development that has drawn global attention and raised the stakes in the confrontation. The ongoing hostilities and uncertainty surrounding Iran's leadership transition have unsettled global markets and heightened concerns over regional stability and energy supplies. Numbers to Track: In the commodities market, Brent crude for May 2026 settlement surged $2.01 or 2.47% to $83.41 a barrel amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and concerns over potential disruptions to oil supply. The yield on India's 10-year benchmark federal paper added 0.57% to 6.718 compared with previous session close of 6.680. In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged higher against the dollar. The partially convertible rupee was hovering at 92.1400 compared with its close of 91.4925 during the previous trading session. MCX Gold futures for 2 April 2026 settlement rose 1.69% to Rs 163,740. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the greenback's value against a basket of currencies, was down 0.32% to 98.74. The United States 10-year bond yield rose 0.49% to 4.076. Global Market: European equities advanced on Wednesday after data showed that the euro area's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.1%, down from 6.2% in December 2025 and from 6.3% in January 2025. Asian indices tumbled on Wednesday, led by steep losses in South Korea, as the war in the Middle East continued to unsettle investors. South Korea's Kospi plunged 12%, marking its worst day since August 2024 and extending the sharp sell-off from the previous session. The Korea Exchange temporarily halted trading in the Kospi index, while a circuit breaker was also triggered on the Kosdaq after it fell more than 8%. Geopolitical tensions escalated after a senior commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard reportedly said that the Strait of Hormuz had been shut and warned that any vessel attempting to pass through the key waterway would be targeted, according to Iranian media reports. U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly said on Tuesday that the U.S. Navy would escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if required. Investors are also closely watching China, where policymakers are set to begin the annual parliamentary meetings known as the 'Two Sessions.' The consultative congress begins later on Wednesday, while the National People's Congress will open on Thursday. Chinese Premier Li Qiang is expected to announce key economic targets during the meeting. Meanwhile, China's factory activity weakened in February as production and shipments slowed during the extended holiday period. The official manufacturing purchasing managers' index fell to 49 in February, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, below the widely reported forecast of 49.1. Overnight in the United States, equities ended lower as concerns about a prolonged U.S.-Iran conflict weighed on sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 403.51 points, or 0.83%, to close at 48,501.27. The S&P 500 fell 0.94% to 6,816.63, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.02% to 22,516.69. New Listing: Shares of PNGS Reva Diamond Jewellery ended at Rs 413.95 on the BSE, representing a premium of 7.24% as compared with the issue price of Rs 386. The stock debuted at Rs 372, marking a premium of 11.27% to the issue price. The stock has hit a high of Rs 433.55 and a low of Rs 359.60. On the BSE, over 2.39 lakh shares of the company were traded in the counter. Stocks in Spotlight: Bharat Coking Coal rose 4.36% after the company announced that Rajesh Kumar (Director ' Finance) has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with immediate effect, replacing M.S. Raju, GM (Finance). Larsen & Toubro fell 4.53% as escalating Middle East tensions raised concerns over project execution risks. Shares of sugar companies advanced on Wednesday as rising crude oil prices triggered optimism around higher ethanol production and tighter global sugar supply. Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar jumped 11.60%, while Dwarikesh Sugar Industries gained 9.03%. Shree Renuka Sugars rose 7.79% and Rajshree Sugars & Chemicals added 7.73%. Avadh Sugar & Energy climbed 4.59% and Uttam Sugar Mills advanced 4.31%. Praj Industries gained 3.91%, Dhampur Sugar Mills rose 3.37%, while Triveni Engineering & Industries edged up 0.20%. Aurobindo Pharma fell 1.34%. The company informed that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Eugia Pharma Specialities, has launched Pomalidomide Capsules in strengths of 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, and 4 mg in the U.S. market. A B Infrabuild shed 1.87%. The company received an order worth Rs 62.94 crore from the National Highways Authority of India for constructing three vehicular underpasses along with approach roads on the Puintola'Icchapuram stretch of NH-16 in Odisha. MRF fell 2.85%. The company entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Guidance Tamil Nadu, a nodal agency of the Government of Tamil Nadu, to set up a manufacturing facility for tires and allied products at SIPCOT Industrial Park. Gland Pharma declined 4.77%. The company announced that it has received tentative approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution, 0.025% (OTC). Natco Pharma shed 0.38%. The company, along with its partner Breckenridge Pharmaceutical Inc., launched Pomalidomide Capsules, a generic version of Celgene's Pomalyst, in the U.S. market. Silver Touch Technologies fell 4.19%. The company said that it has secured a project for designing and developing the website and digital platform for the Centre for Integrative Medicine & Research (CIMR) at AIIMS New Delhi. Powered by Capital Market - Live

Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar jumped 11.60%, while Dwarikesh Sugar Industries gained 9.03%. Shree Renuka Sugars rose 7.79% and Rajshree Sugars & Chemicals added 7.73%. Avadh Sugar & Energy climbed 4.59% and Uttam Sugar Mills advanced 4.31%. Praj Industries gained 3.91%, Dhampur Sugar Mills rose 3.37%, while Triveni Engineering & Industries edged up 0.20%. The rally comes after oil prices surged following disruptions in tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz amid the escalating Iran-Israel-US conflict. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global oil transit route, handling more than one-fifth of the world's oil supply. Higher crude prices tend to increase ethanol demand as fuel producers shift toward biofuels. In Brazil, the world's largest sugarcane producer and exporter, stronger ethanol economics often lead mills to divert more cane toward ethanol production and away from sugar, tightening global sugar supply and supporting prices. The expectation of reduced sugar output from Brazil and firmer global sugar prices has improved sentiment toward Indian sugar companies, which could benefit from stronger realizations and improved industry dynamics. Powered by Capital Market - Live

The Nifty 30 March 2026 futures closed at 24,578 a premium of 97.5 points compared with the Nifty's closing at 24,480.50 in the cash market. In the cash market, the Nifty 50 index dropped 385.20 points or 1.55% to 24,480.50. The NSE's India VIX, a gauge of the market's expectation of volatility over the near term, surged 23.40% to 21.14. HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries and Infosys were the top-traded individual stock futures contracts in the F&O segment of the NSE. The March 2026 F&O contracts will expire on 30 March 2026.Powered by Capital Market - Live

Remi Edelstahl Tubulars has allotted 6,69,226 equity shares of the company with a face value of Rs. 10/- each at a premium of Rs. 119.33/- per share pursuant to the conversion of 6,69,226 convertible warrants against receipt of the balance subscription amount of 75% of the issue price to WSG CO.Powered by Capital Market - Live

Tata Capital has allotted 34,300 secured, redeemable, non-convertible debentures of face value of Rs 1 lakh each aggregating to Rs 343 crore on private placement basis on 04 March 2026. Powered by Capital Market - Live

Equitas Small Finance Bank has allotted 54,997 equity shares under ESOP on 04 March 2026. The paid-up share capital of the Bank accordingly increases from Rs. 11,40,98,80,630/- to Rs. 11,41,04,30,600/-. Powered by Capital Market - Live

L&T Finance has allotted 7,98,240 equity shares under ESOP on 04 March 2026. Powered by Capital Market - Live

Nifty Metal index ended down 3.99% at 11779.75 today. The index is up 2.00% over last one month. Among the constituents, Tata Steel Ltd shed 6.77%, Steel Authority of India Ltd dropped 6.02% and Jindal Steel Ltd slipped 5.61%. The Nifty Metal index is up 41.00% over last one year compared to the 10.86% surge in benchmark Nifty 50 index. In other indices, Nifty PSU Bank index is down 3.24% and Nifty Realty index has slid 3.11% on the day. In broad markets, the Nifty 50 has slid 1.55% to close at 24480.5 while the SENSEX has dropped 1.40% to close at 79116.19 today.Powered by Capital Market - Live

The domestic equity indices ended sharply lower on Wednesday, as escalating geopolitical tensions and a surge in crude oil prices rattled investor sentiment. The ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran led to a broad risk‑off mood, while heavy selling by foreign institutional investors and other global headwinds further weighed on market confidence, pushing the Sensex and Nifty deep into the red. The Nifty ended below the 24,500 level. Except for the IT index, all other sectoral indices on the NSE ended in the red. As per provisional closing data, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex tanked 1,122.66 points or 1.40% to 79,116.19. The Nifty 50 index dropped 385.20 points or 1.55% to 24,480.50. The broader market underperformed the key equity indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index tumbled 2.26% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index slumped 2.24%. The market breadth was weak. On the BSE, 1,054 shares rose and 3,241 shares fell. A total of 150 shares were unchanged. The NSE's India VIX, a gauge of the market's expectation of volatility over the near term, surged 23.40% to 21.14. In the commodities market, Brent crude for May 2026 settlement surged $2.01 or 2.47% to $83.41 a barrel amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and concerns over potential disruptions to oil supply. Economy: India's HSBC Services PMI declined to 58.1 in February from 58.4 in January and was lower than the flash estimate of 58.4. New business expanded at its slowest pace since January 2025, while input cost inflation rose to a two-and-a-half-year high, driven by higher food, energy and labour expenses. International sales increased at the fastest pace since August. Employment rose for the second consecutive month, with hiring accelerating from January. Business confidence strengthened to a one-year high. Meanwhile, the HSBC Composite PMI rose to 58.9 in February from 58.4 in January, marking a three-month high. US-Israel-Iran war enters Day 5: The war between the United States, Israel and Iran entered its fifth day amid escalating military actions and rising tensions. Israeli and U.S. forces have continued air and missile strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, while Iran has launched retaliatory drone and missile attacks on regional and U.S. positions. The conflict intensified further after the death of Iran's long-time Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the clerical Assembly of Experts reportedly elected his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the country's new Supreme Leader ' a controversial appointment that has drawn global attention and raised the stakes in the confrontation. The ongoing hostilities and uncertainty over Iran's leadership transition have rattled global markets and heightened concerns over regional stability and energy supplies. New Listing: Shares of PNGS Reva Diamond Jewellery ended at Rs 413.95 on the BSE, representing a premium of 7.24% as compared with the issue price of Rs 386. The stock debuted at Rs 372, marking a premium of 11.27% to the issue price. The stock has hit a high of Rs 433.55 and a low of Rs 359.60. On the BSE, over 2.39 lakh shares of the company were traded in the counter. Buzzing Index: The Nifty Metal index declined 3.99% to 11,779.75. The index rose 0.24% in the past trading session. Tata Steel (down 6.76%), Steel Authority of India (down 5.71%), Jindal Steel (down 5.57%), NMDC (down 5.27%), Hindustan Copper (down 4.85%), APL Apollo Tubes (down 4.7%), JSW Steel (down 4.21%), Hindustan Zinc (down 4.06%), Jindal Stainless (down 3.91%) and Lloyds Metals & Energy (down 3.49%) declined. Stocks in Spotlight: Aurobindo Pharma fell 1.75%. The company informed that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Eugia Pharma Specialities, has launched Pomalidomide Capsules in strengths of 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, and 4 mg in the U.S. market. A B Infrabuild shed 1.47%. The company received an order worth Rs 62.94 crore from the National Highways Authority of India for constructing three vehicular underpasses along with approach roads on the Puintola'Icchapuram stretch of NH-16 in Odisha. MRF fell 2.60%. The company entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Guidance Tamil Nadu, a nodal agency of the Government of Tamil Nadu, to set up a manufacturing facility for tires and allied products at SIPCOT Industrial Park. Gland Pharma declined 4.63%. The company announced that it has received tentative approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution, 0.025% (OTC). Larsen & Toubro fell 4.53% as escalating Middle East tensions raised concerns over project execution risks. The decline comes amid the intensifying Iran conflict following coordinated U.S.'Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear targets. The strikes reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and triggered retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Iran. Iran launched strikes on Israel and several U.S. bases located across Gulf countries. The conflict has disrupted shipping routes and energy flows across the Middle East. The turmoil has also pushed crude oil prices higher and increased regional business uncertainty. Bharat Coking Coal added 4.36% after the company announced that Rajesh Kumar (Director ' Finance) has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with immediate effect, replacing M.S. Raju, GM (Finance). Natco Pharma shed 0.38%. The company, along with its partner Breckenridge Pharmaceutical Inc., launched Pomalidomide Capsules, a generic version of Celgene's Pomalyst, in the U.S. market. Silver Touch Technologies fell 3.53%. The company said that it has secured a project for designing and developing the website and digital platform for the Centre for Integrative Medicine & Research (CIMR) at AIIMS New Delhi. Global Markets: European equities traded higher on Wednesday as markets continue to track the war in the Middle East. Asian markets ended lower as South Korea led the losses on Wednesday as the war in the Middle East continued unabated. South Korea's Kospi plunged 8% Wednesday, on track for its worst day since August 2024, and extending a steep selloff from the previous session. The Korea Exchange temporarily halted trading for the Kospi index on Wednesday. A circuit breaker was also activated on the Kosdaq, which also fell by over 8%. A senior commander from Iran's Revolutionary Guard said on Monday that the critical artery had been shut and warned that any vessel attempting to transit the waterway would be targeted, according to Iranian media. U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly said Tuesday afternoon that the U.S. Navy will escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, if necessary. Investors in the region will also be watching an annual parliamentary meeting by China's policymakers that kicks off later in the day. The gathering, dubbed the 'Two Sessions,' consists of a consultative congress that will start later in the day and a National People's Congress due to open Thursday. Chinese Premier Li Qiang is set to announce a series of economic targets at the NPC, which had largely been decided at a December meeting. Meanwhile, China's factory activity faltered in February as manufacturers paused production and cargo shipments to celebrate an extended holiday, an official survey showed on Wednesday. The official manufacturing purchasing managers index fell to 49 in February, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, missing the widely reported forecast of 49.1. Overnight in the U.S., stocks had another wild session as concerns around a prolonged U.S.-Iran conflict rattled markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 403.51 points, or 0.83%, and ended at 48,501.27. The S&P 500 slipped 0.94% to close at 6,816.63, while the Nasdaq Composite shed 1.02% to settle at 22,516.69. Powered by Capital Market - Live

Taj GVK Hotels & Resorts dropped 4.04%, while India Tourism Development Corporation fell 3.37%. EIH Associated Hotels declined 3.36%, and Chalet Hotels slipped 3.24%. Among other hospitality players, Asian Hotels (North) fell 2.92%, Lemon Tree Hotels declined 2.02%, and Kamat Hotels slipped 0.54%. Meanwhile, Indian Hotels Company edged down 0.67%, while EIH was marginally lower by 0.11%. The decline comes as escalating geopolitical tensions raise concerns over a potential slowdown in international travel. A spike in crude oil prices could push airfares higher, prompting travellers to defer leisure trips and affecting hotel occupancy, food and beverage revenues, and other ancillary spending. Powered by Capital Market - Live