Stock Market Plunges: Sensex and Nifty Fall Sharply

Xiaomi has launched a bold advertisement that challenges Apple's iPhone 16 Pro Max, sparking excitement online. The ad highlights Xiaomi's 15 Ultra smartphone, boasting a powerful four-camera setup while playfully critiquing the iPhone's features as "cute." It encourages consumers to reconsider their choices, suggesting that if they’ve never questioned their loyalty to Apple, maybe it’s time to look at things differently. User reactions on platforms like Reddit reveal a mix of admiration for Xiaomi’s innovation and skepticism about the longevity of its devices compared to iPhones. This conversation reflects the ongoing rivalry between Chinese and American smartphone brands.

Ola Electric has made headlines by successfully completing a cost-cutting program that saves ₹90 crore each month. This initiative, named the Network Transformation and Opex Reduction Program, involves closing regional warehouses and shipping vehicles directly from the factory to stores. As a result, the company expects to break even on its earnings for the next quarter. They have also managed to reduce vehicle inventory days from 35 to 20 and cut delivery time from 12 days to just 3-4 days. Despite facing challenges like raids and negative consumer feedback, Ola Electric is making strides towards improvement.

Confusion often surrounds whether banks will be open during Holika Dahan and Holi celebrations. According to the Reserve Bank of India's holiday list for March 2025, banks will close on specific dates depending on the region. Holika Dahan will be observed on March 13, with banks closed in states like Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. On March 14, banks in many states including Gujarat and Maharashtra will also remain shut for Holi. In some areas, the celebrations extend to March 15, but banks will only close in selected states. Customers can still use online banking and ATMs during these holidays, ensuring they can access their funds.

India's retail inflation has decreased significantly, now standing at 3.61%, a drop of 65 basis points. This is the lowest rate in the past seven months. Notably, prices for eggs, vegetables, pulses, and spices have fallen, with spices dropping by 5.85%. However, the cost of oils and fats has surged by 16.36%, with other categories like fruits and personal care items also seeing price increases. Kerala recorded the highest inflation at 7.31%, while Telangana enjoyed the lowest at just 1.31%. This fluctuation in prices affects consumers across the country, highlighting the diverse economic landscape.

Shares of Infosys tumbled nearly 5% on March 12, reaching levels not seen since July 2024. This decline follows downgrades from major brokerages due to concerns about US clients’ spending. Motilal Oswal downgraded Infosys to 'Neutral', citing global uncertainties and a cautious sentiment among enterprises. They also downgraded Wipro but upgraded TechM to 'Buy'. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley cut Infosys' target price significantly, preferring TCS instead. This drop had a major impact on the Nifty IT index, which fell over 3%, with other IT stocks like Wipro and HCL Tech also seeing losses.

Gold and silver prices are showing slight fluctuations in major Indian cities today. In Delhi, gold is priced at ₹88,003 per 10 grams, while silver stands at ₹1,02,000 per kg. Chennai's gold price is ₹87,851 per 10 grams, and silver is ₹1,10,600 per kg. In Mumbai, gold costs ₹87,857 per 10 grams, with silver at ₹1,01,300 per kg. Kolkata mirrors these trends with gold at ₹87,855 per 10 grams and silver at ₹1,02,800 per kg. Prices are influenced by factors like global demand, currency changes, and the economy, making it crucial for buyers to stay informed.

Wall Street faced one of its worst trading days in a long time due to fears about President Trump's trade policies. Investors are anxious that these tariffs could push the US economy towards a recession. Trump’s vague comments on the economy have not reassured many. While some economic indicators appear stable, there are signs of slowdown, such as declining consumer confidence and cautious business investments. Analysts believe that the market is reacting to Trump's actions, including recent tariffs on countries like Canada and China. The uncertainty surrounding these changes is causing heightened concern among investors.

India is set to establish its first private manufacturing facility for trainer aircraft in Hisar, Haryana, by the end of this year. The Sakthi group from Tamil Nadu is partnering with Austria’s Diamond Aircraft Industries to assemble DA40 NG trainer planes. This joint venture aims to supply 200 aircraft to flying schools across India, with the first 50 imported and assembled locally. The facility will aim for 100 aircraft production annually, targeting 60-70% local components within five years. With increasing demand for pilots in India's growing aviation market, this initiative is expected to train 1,000 commercial pilots every year.

IndusInd Bank's shares plummeted by 27% after the bank revealed a potential 2.35% decrease in its net worth due to significant losses in its derivative portfolio. This amounts to a staggering Rs 2,100 crore and will be reflected in the bank's profit and loss statement. The Reserve Bank of India has restricted internal trading, prompting the bank to stop these practices by April 1, 2024. An internal review uncovered discrepancies in accounting for forex derivative losses over the past several years. The bank has hired an external agency to validate these findings, with the potential for significant financial impact expected in the upcoming quarters.

Many older American professionals are facing tough times as they struggle to find jobs after being laid off. Due to their age and salary expectations, they are often overlooked in favor of younger candidates. As a result, some are taking blue-collar jobs, even though these may not match their long-term career goals. For instance, Donald Malone, once a successful consultant, now works for half his previous salary in a blue-collar position. Similarly, Eric Nielsen, who lost his job, is now juggling multiple part-time gigs to make ends meet. The job market for white-collar roles is at a low, creating a challenging environment for older workers.

Many Indian travelers buy gold in Dubai because it is cheaper than in India and is considered a safe investment. Gold is also a significant part of Indian culture, especially during weddings. Travelers can bring back up to 1 kg of gold but must declare any amount over the allowed limit. Men can carry up to 20 grams without duty, while women can bring back 40 grams of gold as jewelry, bars, or coins without customs fees. Children under 15 can also bring 40 grams, but must have proof of relation. Customs duties apply for amounts exceeding these limits.

IndusInd Bank is facing a major setback as its shares plummeted by 20% during early trading on March 11. This drop followed the bank’s announcement of discrepancies discovered in its derivatives portfolio during an internal review. The shares fell to ₹729.05, marking a significant decline that has raised concerns about the bank's financial health. In its filing, IndusInd Bank revealed that these discrepancies could impact its net worth by around 2.35%. They have hired an external agency for an independent review, while assuring that their profitability remains strong enough to absorb the one-time impact. The situation has led to analysts downgrading the stock and increasing bearish sentiment among investors.

Premium electric vehicles (EVs) in Maharashtra are about to get pricier due to a new 6% motor vehicle tax on EVs costing over ₹30 lakh. This tax is part of the state budget for the financial year 2025-26 and marks the first time Maharashtra will tax EVs, which previously enjoyed tax-free status. Along with this, the tax on individual-owned non-transport CNG and LPG vehicles has also increased by 1%. While the government expects to raise ₹320 crore in revenue, experts warn this could hinder EV sales. For example, in Telangana, similar tax increases led to a significant drop in EV adoption.

India and the European Union (EU) are set to begin their 10th round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) this Monday, aiming to finalize the deal by the end of the year. Despite previous hurdles, the ongoing global tariff war and changes in India's import duties could accelerate progress. With bilateral trade at $190 billion, both sides are eager to expand trade but face challenges, especially concerning tariffs on agriculture and automobiles. The EU seeks to lower tariffs significantly, while India aims to protect its local industries. Key discussions will also focus on services and new carbon tax regulations impacting small businesses.

On March 11, real estate stocks surged, marking a significant recovery in Indian markets. The Nifty Realty index climbed nearly 3 percent, ending its three-day decline. Macrotech Developers led the charge with a 5 percent gain after acquiring land in Mumbai for over Rs 279 crore. Phoenix Mills followed closely with a 4 percent rise, while Godrej Properties and DLF also saw gains of over 3 percent each. Despite the overall positive trend, some stocks like Mahindra Lifespace and Raymond saw declines. The Nifty index recovered about 100 points, while Sensex bounced back over 300 points.

Global oil prices have dropped significantly due to disappointing economic data from China, which has raised concerns about future demand. Brent Crude oil is trading near $70 per barrel, while WTI Crude is below $67. The situation worsened as China reported deflation for the first time in over a year. In the US, President Trump noted that the economy is in a "period of transition," and the Federal Reserve acknowledged increasing uncertainty. These factors, combined with a global trade war and plans to increase oil production by OPEC, have led to bearish market sentiments. Saudi Arabia has also reduced prices for Asia, its largest market, indicating a cautious approach.

Tesla Inc's shares faced a dramatic drop of 15.43% on March 10, 2025, marking its worst single-day decline since September 2020. Concerns about the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) are plaguing the company, particularly in China, where it is struggling against local competitor BYD Co. The company’s shipments from Shanghai fell by 49% in February, reaching their lowest point since July 2022. Similarly, registrations in Germany plunged by 70% in early 2025. Analysts have lowered Tesla’s delivery projections for the first quarter, predicting a 16% decrease in vehicle handling. This situation raises significant concerns about Tesla’s future in the competitive EV market.

Indian stock markets are expected to open lower on Tuesday due to a significant sell-off in Asian markets. This drop follows a sharp decline in U.S. markets, driven by fears of a recession triggered by uncertainty over tariff policies from U.S. President Donald Trump. As investors worry about global economic stability, the GIFT Nifty futures indicate a likely opening below Monday’s close. The Nikkei 225 index in Japan fell 2.7%, and U.S. stocks, including the Nasdaq, faced substantial losses. The Nifty 50 is currently 14.5% below its all-time high due to slowing earnings and foreign selling, with investors pulling out substantial funds recently.