Market expert Sunil Subramaniam anticipates Budget 2026 could be a positive trigger amid weak equity sentiment, driven by reform-led optimism. He suggests AI-focused initiatives and support for private capex, including expanding PLI schemes and public sector bank financing, could attract foreign capital and boost the economy.
The India-EU Free Trade Agreement offers significant preferential market access, boosting Indian industries like Capital Goods, Engineering, Metals, and IT. While some sectors see neutral impacts, smaller labour-intensive segments and defense stand to gain from duty elimination and expanded export horizons. This pact reconfigures competitive structures, fostering export growth and value-chain participation.
Investors eye the Union Budget 2026 for policy direction amidst global uncertainty. Tata Asset Management's CIO Rahul Singh anticipates a focus on capital expenditure and customs duty rationalisation, with limited room for fiscal stimulus. He notes a decline in India's valuation premium, making it more attractive for emerging market flows.
CME Group has raised margin requirements for gold and silver futures after historic price crashes triggered extreme volatility. The hikes, effective Monday, aim to stabilise markets as collateral demands rise across precious metals. The move follows steep declines in gold and silver, intensifying pressure on leveraged traders.
Bitcoin hovered near $84,000 as markets reacted to Kevin Warshs nomination as US Federal Reserve Chair. While short-term volatility persists amid ETF outflows and macro uncertainty, reduced leverage and oversold conditions may support a near-term rebound across major cryptocurrencies if sentiment stabilises.
Budget 2026 arrives amid weak market sentiment, thin participation, and geopolitical pressures. With fiscal constraints and limited scope for major tax changes, the focus is expected on structural reforms like power sector and IBC revamps. While these could support long-term equities, short-term market revival may remain muted.
Gold and silver ETFs experienced a sharp decline following a significant selloff in precious metals, with spot gold falling 5.4% and silver dropping 10.7%. This correction was attributed to a strengthening US dollar and profit-booking after a strong January rally. Experts advise caution due to near-term volatility but maintain a bullish long-term outlook.
Gold and silver demand remains robust despite record-high prices, driven by investment, industrial use, and central-bank accumulation. China and India continue strong consumption, while Western markets increase allocations for diversification and hedging. Tight supply and resilient global appetite suggest that upward price momentum for precious metals may persist in 2026.
Madhusudan Kelas portfolio faced sharp volatility with nine stocks plunging 1545% over the past seven months, even as he introduced one fresh bet in Q3.
Transformation has been coming quickly for the patchwork of farmlands around Interstate 65 and Indiana 2, where the Flying J sign was once the sole illuminator of the rural interstate exit.
