Food inflation, based on the All India Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI), was 3.87% (provisional) for March 2026 on a year-on-year basis. The rate was slightly higher in rural areas at 3.96%, compared to 3.71% in urban regions.
Factory workers’ demands for a wage hike escalated into violent clashes, exposing deep-rooted anger over pay disparities and poor working conditions. The strike paralyzed traffic, stranding thousands and causing significant damage to public and private property. Security forces were deployed to restore normalcy.
Saudi Arabia is slashing oil shipments to China by nearly half next month due to escalating Middle East tensions. The Iran war has disrupted crucial Strait of Hormuz passage, forcing redirection through Yanbu. This alternative route cannot match previous volumes, impacting Asian refiners and creating instability in crude pricing benchmarks.
Morgan Stanley believes the Sensex has the potential to reach 95,000 by December 2026, with its strategist Ridham Desai indicating that Indian equities may be entering a fresh bull phase after enduring one of their weakest periods of relative performance in decades
Global markets are in turmoil following President Trump’s announcement of a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. This move has sent crude oil prices soaring and threatens to isolate Iran, potentially triggering further escalation. India faces significant economic challenges, including a ballooning energy import bill and disruptions to its exports and workforce remittances.
India’s balanced geopolitical approach has helped mitigate risks. Strong relationships across key global blocs have enabled continued access to energy and trade routes, positioning India relatively well in a fragmented global environment.
Indian refiners have ramped up purchases of Russian crude over the past two months and expect procurement to remain high through the rest of the year amid easing concerns around potential Donald Trump administration sanctions.
Stock market recommendations: Sona BLW Precision Forgings, and Eicher Motors have been recommended as the top stocks to buy this week by Sudeep Shah, Head – Technical Research and Derivatives, SBI Securities. He also shares outlook on Nifty and Bank Nifty:
TCS receives a ‘buy’ rating with a Rs 3,100 target, showing improved international business and strong bookings. Eicher Motors’ electric Flying Flea is noted, though mainstream adoption needs further refinement. Delhivery’s share price remains resilient amid fuel concerns, with robust near-term demand. JSW Steel’s Q4FY26 production saw a dip due to expansion shutdowns.
