Pre Market: India Markets Navigate Geopolitical Tensions as West Asia Conflict Continues
1. GLOBAL MARKET SUMMARY
US Market Overnight:
- US stocks closed down on Thursday as the Middle East conflict entered its sixth day, pushing oil prices higher and spurring worries about inflation
- Market weight shed overnight with concerns over potential supply chain disruptions from the Iran conflict
- Investors cautious about whether the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates amid elevated crude prices
Asian Markets:
- Asian markets saw relief rally on Thursday, mirroring gains across regional markets
- Recovery driven by hopes of de-escalating geopolitical tensions and oversold technical conditions
- Market sentiment remains cautious with focus on energy supplies and West Asia developments
European Markets:
- European markets faced pressure from rising global yields due to West Asian conflict
- Bond and loan rates have increased as lenders and companies await geopolitical clarity
- Companies with significant Middle East revenue exposure face caution from financiers
2. KEY HEADLINES & EVENTS (Last 16-17 Hours)
Government Announcements (India)
- RBI Intervention: The Reserve Bank of India provided aggressive intervention through dollar sales to counter speculative positions triggered by West Asia tensions and elevated crude prices, helping the rupee rebound
- SEBI Action: Market regulator SEBI has sought earnings and share price details from Force Motors, examining potential insider trading during the company’s Q3FY24 and Q2FY25 earnings
- Banking Sector: Bank loans below 9% interest surged to 62.4% in December 2025, a significant rise from 42.4% a year prior, indicating easing lending rates despite a decline in number of bank borrowers by nearly 13 million
Company Results & Announcements (India)
- Fractal Analytics: Reported consolidated profit after tax of Rs 100.1 crore for the December quarter, while revenue rose 21% year-on-year to Rs 854.4 crore, driven by strong demand from healthcare and banking clients
- GRSE (Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers): Signed MoU with Kalyani Strategic Systems, a Bharat Forge subsidiary, to jointly develop indigenous naval and maritime defence technologies, focusing on ship propulsion systems, unmanned platforms and advanced maritime solutions
- Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders: Featured among stocks showing bullish RSI upswing with strong technical indicators
- Petronet LNG: Issued force majeure notice
- Hindustan Zinc: Announced collaboration on research initiatives
- BSE Shares: Rose 2% on SEBI nod to launch derivatives for Sensex and Next 30 index
- HDFC Mutual Fund: Picked up shares worth Rs 185 crore in Amber Enterprises
Global News & Events
- West Asia Conflict: Iran-Israel war entered its sixth day with ongoing concerns about supply chain disruptions, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz closure impacting global metal and energy markets
- Oil Prices: Crude oil prices remain elevated with talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz continuing, significantly impacting oil marketing companies and downstream sectors
- Metal Markets: Global aluminium price spike observed due to West Asia conflict, benefiting Indian metal manufacturers including National Aluminium Co and Hindalco
- Gold Prices: Gold prices have risen about 18% so far this year, notching successive record highs amid heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainty; gold price above $5,000 an ounce
- Safe Haven Demand: Precious metals including gold and silver extended gains on safe haven demand amid continuing US-Iran conflict and soft dollar
3. WHAT TO WATCH TODAY
Scheduled IPOs:
- Striders Impex: Shares to list today on NSE SME platform (Rs 36.29 crore IPO); grey market indicators suggest flat listing
- Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust: Rs 6,000-crore IPO to open on March 11 at Rs 99-100 per unit; stock market debut scheduled for March 24
- Innovision: IPO price band set at Rs 521-548 per share; issue to open on March 10 (combination of fresh issuance of Rs 255 crore and offer for sale of 12.38 lakh equity shares worth Rs 68 crore at upper end)
- SME Market Maker: Shreni Shares filed IPO papers to raise funds for working capital (1.51-crore shares initial public offering comprising fresh issue of 69 lakh shares and offer-for-sale of 82 lakh shares by promoters)
Stocks in Focus:
- Jio Financial Services
- Dr Reddy’s Laboratories
- Bajaj Auto
- Standard Engineering Technology
- Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services
- Tata Elxsi
- Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE)
- Wipro
- JK Tyre
Corporate Events:
- SEDEMAC Mechatronics IPO enters Day 3 (issue booked 46% so far)
Market Data to Monitor:
- GIFT Nifty movement (down 170 points in early indication)
- India VIX levels (significantly cooled with 16% decline)
- Foreign Portfolio Investor vs Domestic Institutional Investor activity (FIIs were net sellers, DIIs were net buyers on March 4)
- Rupee movement against USD (RBI intervention in focus)
- Crude oil prices and Strait of Hormuz developments
- Aluminium and other metal prices
4. SUMMARY
Indian markets are navigating a complex environment marked by the continuing West Asia conflict now in its sixth day, which has driven oil prices higher and raised concerns about supply chain disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. The RBI intervened aggressively to support the rupee, which faced pressure from rising crude prices and geopolitical uncertainty. Key corporate developments include GRSE’s strategic MoU with Bharat Forge for defence technology development, Fractal Analytics’ strong Q3 results with 21% revenue growth, and Petronet LNG’s force majeure notice. Metal stocks have surged on global aluminium price spikes triggered by supply disruptions. The market saw a relief rally on Thursday, ending a three-day losing streak with India VIX cooling 16%, though analysts caution that recovery might be temporary until clearer signals emerge. Foreign investors remain net sellers while domestic institutions provided support. Multiple IPOs are in focus this week, with Striders Impex listing today and major offerings from Raajmarg Infra and Innovision scheduled. Banking data shows improved lending conditions with sub-9% loans reaching 62.4%, though borrower numbers declined. Gold prices continue their bull run above $5,000 an ounce on safe-haven demand amid global uncertainty.
Details for information purposes only. Don’t treat this as financial advice.