Indias consumer sector showed gradual recovery in 3QFY26, with 17% revenue and 15% EBITDA growth aided by low base, stable input costs and improving sentiment. Food and staples led gains, while discretionary recovery remained uneven. Titan Company and Britannia Industries delivered strong quarterly performances.
Oil prices climbed on Friday as traders anticipated supply disruptions. Nuclear talks between the United States and Iran have yet to reach an agreement. Brent crude futures settled at $72.48 a barrel, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude finished at $67.02 a barrel. Both benchmarks are on track for weekly gains. Uncertainty prevails, with fear pushing prices higher.
Gold surged to a near one-month high, nearing its seventh consecutive monthly gain. Geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning U.S.-Iran nuclear talks and potential military action, fueled a flight to safety. Lower U.S. Treasury yields further bolstered bullion's appeal. Meanwhile, China's gold imports saw a significant jump, indicating strong consumer demand.
Trump Media & Technology Group is exploring a significant move. The company plans to spin off its Truth Social platform. This will create a separate publicly traded entity. Discussions are underway with potential partners. This strategic shift aims to separate social media assets from a new fusion energy venture.
European shares hit a record high, marking their longest monthly winning streak since 2012-2013, buoyed by positive corporate updates. However, heavyweight banks experienced a significant decline due to concerns over private credit markets and potential AI disruptions. Defensive sectors like healthcare and food and beverage saw gains as investors sought stability.
The Nifty IT index plunged 19.5% in February, its steepest monthly drop since 2008, as AI disruption fears and new tools from Anthropic triggered heavy selling. Tech stocks erased Rs 5.7 lakh crore in market value, with Coforge and LTIMindtree among the worst hit.
Global stocks saw a dip on Friday. Concerns over AI's impact and high tech valuations weighed on markets. Meanwhile, rising US-Iran tensions pushed oil prices higher. Sterling also experienced a fall following a Labour election defeat. Investors are closely watching these developments.
Artificial intelligence is creating uncertainty for the US stock market. Investors are watching closely for how this technology will change businesses. Key economic reports and company earnings are due soon. Experts are debating whether companies will benefit from AI or be replaced by it. This debate is causing market jitters.
The Federal Aviation Administration says flight reductions are necessary at OHare International Airport this summer, citing planned increases in flights that will exceed the airports capacity.
