Asian stocks today: Markets trail as Middle East conflict deepens; Nikkei drops 0.9%, MSCI Asia Pacific slips 0.5%

Asian shares on Tuesday recorded their steepest fall since 2022, as the Middle East war completed a month, fuelling fears of higher inflation and slower economic growth.MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.55 per cent and was on track for a monthly decline of more than 12 per cent, marking its worst … Read more

Bank holiday March 31: Are banks open or closed today for Mahavir Jayanti? Check state-wise list

Bank holiday today: As March comes to a close, several banks across India are observing a holiday today on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.Customers planning visits to bank branches are advised to check the holiday schedule in advance to avoid inconvenience. States observing bank holiday Banks are closed today in the following states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, … Read more

Stock market holiday today: Are BSE, NSE closed for trading on March 31, 2026?

Stock market holiday (AI image) Stock market holiday today: Indian equity markets are closed today in observance of Shri Mahavir Jayanti, with both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) marking the first of two trading holidays scheduled for the week.On the commodities front, the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) … Read more

Oil prices today: Crude jumps after war disrupts supply routes, global shortage fear looms

Oil prices surged sharply on Tuesday, with Brent crude climbing above the $110 per barrel mark and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude trading above $100, as supply concerns intensified amid the widening conflict in the Middle East.Brent crude rose $2.26, or about 2 per cent, to $115.04 a barrel in early trade, after hitting … Read more

E-commerce turns deal breaker at WTO meet

NEW DELHI: WTO member nations failed to agree to any meaningful outcome at the second ministerial meeting in Africa, including their inability to extend the 28-year moratorium on e-commerce, opening the doors for possible tariffs on digital downloads and streaming services.It also resulted in a public health concern as the freeze on “non-violation complaints” (NVCs) … Read more

India plays for global glory as companies back the game

MUMBAI: Corporate India is stepping up investments in the country’s sports ecosystem, with capital flowing into infrastructure, leagues and athlete development, as the sector emerges as a high-growth business opportunity backed by rising returns and policy support.Industry experts say the trend has accelerated over the past few years, with both govt spending and private participation … Read more

Govt gives 30-day relief to gems, jewellery exporters amid Middle East disruptions; shipment delays prompt easing

In response to disruptions in cargo movement linked to the Middle East crisis, the government has allowed an additional 30 days for the gems and jewellery sector to fulfil specific export and import timelines.The relaxation comes as exporters face delays in consignments to key markets in the region, which accounts for nearly 30 per cent … Read more

Fed chair Jerome Powell says US can look past oil shock; flags risk if inflation expectations shift

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Monday said the central bank can look through the energy price shock triggered by the Middle East conflict, but warned it may need to act if rising costs begin to alter inflation expectations, AFP reported.“The tendency is to look through any kind of a supply shock,” Powell said … Read more

‘Profound implications’: Oil at $40 or $150? BlackRock’s Larry Fink explains two scenarios amid US-Iran war

The ongoing Iran war, now nearing four weeks with no clear resolution, is already pushing oil prices above $100 per barrel, with visible impact on fuel and household costs. Against this backdrop, Larry Fink, chairman and CEO of BlackRock, has outlined two sharply divergent paths for oil markets and the global economy.Speaking to the BBC, … Read more