archiveMiddle East conflict

The latest jump in oil prices has disturbed Indian equities, with both major indices starting the week with losses and 12 out of India’s 16 sectors booking losses, Reuters reported earlier in the day.With Brent crude trading at over $114 per barrel, it is not hard to see why investor sentiment in the world’s third-largest importer of crude is not exactly optimistic, pushing Sensex down by 0.46 today, and Nifty 50 down by 0.5. IT stocks specifically shed 1.1%, the report said.“Concerns over supply disruptions due to escalating Mideast tensions...

On the other hand, the manufacturing and retail sectors remained upbeat despite the pressures stemming from the foreign conflicts.  "This optimism appears to have been supported in particular by stronger export demand in the March quarter, despite manufacturers reporting an easing in both cost and pricing pressures over the quarter, manufacturing sector profitability deteriorated," the report read. Investment cuts among firms Meanwhile, another 12% of the report's respondents also indicated that they plan to cut back on their building investments over the coming year, while another nine per cent plan...