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India's benchmark equity indices logged a second straight week of gains amid a global recovery from last month's Iran war selloff. The Nifty 50 ended 156.8 points or 0.65% higher at 24,353.55 and the BSE Sensex added 504.86 points to close at 78,493.54.
Hindustan Unilever and Nestle India were the top percentage gainers on the Nifty. Wipro shed the most after a disappointing guidance for the year.
Broader markets outperformed the benchmark. The Nifty Smallcap 250 gained 1.5% and the Nifty Midcap 150 jumped 1.2%.
The Nifty FMCG and Nifty Energy were the top sectoral gainers on the NSE.
Elsewhere, a record-breaking rally in global equities stalled in Asia as investors trimmed positions ahead of the weekend while awaiting progress on extending the US-Iran ceasefire. Crude benchmark Brent dropped 1.3% to $98.10 a barrel after President Donald Trump expressed optimism about securing a permanent ceasefire with Iran.
Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.8% a day after it closed at a record high. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declined 1.1% while South Korea's Kospi slipped 0.6%.
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The rupee ended 27 paise stronger at 92.925 against the dollar on Friday. For the week, the local currency depreciated 0.2%.
The Nifty and Sensex ended higher on Friday.
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NPSPL Speciality Chemicals will invest Rs 2,550 crore to set up a cathode material manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh after receiving approval from the state government. The project will be located in Chittoor district and will be developed over 105 acres in Gudupalle Mandal, strengthening India’s push to build a domestic supply base for advanced battery materials.
The plant will manufacture cathode materials used in lithium‑ion batteries for electric vehicles, consumer electronics and energy storage systems. Approved under Andhra Pradesh’s Electronics Component Manufacturing Policy 2025–30, the project will receive incentives such as electricity duty exemptions and power cost support, and is expected to generate around 400 direct jobs while supporting the wider EV and electronics manufacturing ecosystem.
Indian refiners have been settling payments for limited shipments of Iranian crude oil in Chinese yuan, with transactions routed through Mumbai-based ICICI Bank, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the development. These purchases were made under a short‑term waiver granted by the United States, allowing certain oil transactions with Iran despite ongoing sanctions.
According to Reuters, the waiver was introduced last month as part of Washington’s efforts to stabilise oil prices amid rising geopolitical tensions linked to the U.S.–Israel conflict with Iran. However, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said the exemptions will not be extended, with the waiver covering Iranian oil purchases set to expire on Sunday.
Subsidiary Aditya Birla Housing Finance raised Rs 2,750 crore from US private equity firm Advent International via preferential issue.
Bajaj Finance has raised Rs 2,004 crore via bonds on a private placement basis.
Bajaj Housing Finance has raised Rs 1,008 crore via bonds on a private placement basis.
Reliance Industries Ltd. is likely to file draft paperwork for the initial public offering of Jio Platforms Ltd. in May, incorporating earnings for the full fiscal year, according to people familiar with the matter.
The Mukesh Ambani-led conglomerate had earlier aimed to submit the filing by the end of March using figures for the quarter ended December. The timeline was pushed back because of a market downturn stemming from the war in Iran, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private.
Source: Bloomberg News
Suzlon Energy shares have continued their strong upward momentum, rising nearly 19% over the past five trading sessions and around 28% in the last one month, as investors bet on a structural improvement in India's power supply dynamics and a sharp revival in wind energy additions.
The rally has come amid renewed optimism following a bullish report by JM Financial Institutional Securities, which has reiterated its BUY call on the stock with a 12‑month target price of Rs 64, implying an upside of about 30% from current levels.
Apollo Micro Systems has received a license from the government to manufacture ammunitions including Missiles, Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs), Torpedoes, Underwater Mines, Safety Arming Mechanism, Chaffs, Flares, Decoys, Aerial Bombs, Rockets, Loitering Munition.
The manufacturing will be carried out at the Company’s two Hyderabad facilities
The stock surged after the news.
HDFC Bank is set to announce its Q4 results on Saturday. The stock is down nearly 20% year-to-date.
Watch this video to know if you should stay invested or exit.
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ICICI Bank's dividend announcement is in focus as market estimates point to a possible record payout in more than a decade. Bloomberg estimates for FY26 peg the expected dividend at Rs 11.7 per share. That company is expected to announcement the payout along with Q4 results on Saturday, April 18.
If the lender declares that amount, it would be its highest dividend in 12 years, based on the historical data. The final number, however, may vary sharply from current projections.
The brokerage said the share price could underperform the country index over the next 60 days.
Morgan Stanley said domestic ICE market share remains weak, export growth may moderate, and more than 20% of exports go to economies vulnerable to oil shocks. It also said valuation comfort is limited.
He said demand remains strong in India and global markets, with new orders supporting the order book.
Martoni added that power demand worldwide remains high and the company completed a major acquisition in January.
It said the earnings outlook for India looks good this year, while valuation multiples are moderating.
The firm added that recent market gains in the U.S. have been driven by earnings.
Fresh put open interest build-up was strongest at the 24,200 strike for Nifty weekly options.
The trend suggests traders are watching this level as near-term support.
Put positions were also active at 24,000 and 24,100 strikes.
The move comes ahead of the April 27 deadline for requests for proposal, with several PSUs preparing submissions for stake dilution.
The NSE IPO process remains on track, with the draft papers expected by the end of June, sources said.
The stock opened at Rs 186 on the NSE.
The listing reflects gains of about 3.5% on BSE and 6.3% on NSE.
HDFC Life Q4 FY26 (Cons, YoY)
Wipro Q4 FY26 (Cons, QoQ)
Alok Industries Q4 FY26 (Standalone, YoY)
VST Industries Q4 FY26 (Standalone, YoY)
Waaree Renewable Q4 FY26 (Cons, YoY)
Angel One Q4 FY26 (Cons, QoQ)
Lloyds Metal gained 2.16% and NMDC rose 0.76%, leading advances in the pack.
Nalco fell 1.07%, while Hindustan Zinc, Hindustan Copper and Hindalco were among the other laggards.
The index touched a high of 56,209.30 and a low of 55,841.65.
It remained above the previous close of 56,086.40.
The stock traded 2.52% lower at Rs 204.96 in intraday trade.
It touched a high of Rs 206.45 and a low of Rs 202.50 during the session.
The Nifty Media index was the top gainer, up 1.8%.
The Nifty Metal index was the top loser, down 0.4%.
The identities of buyers and sellers were not immediately known.
The stock may remain in focus as trading begins after Q4 results, buyback announcements.
Sensex and Nifty were last trading little changed.
He said Asia and Europe are bearing the impact of the energy shortage.
Lee also said 10% of the population owns 90% of equity holdings in the U.S.
The CEO said Wipro has a strong pipeline in BFSI and healthcare, while clients in the Middle East remain in wait-and-watch mode amid uncertainty.
He added that the Americas and Europe posted consistent quarter-on-quarter growth, with three of four geographies growing in Q4.
Sandip Agarwal of Sowilo Investment said Wipro could deliver 30% upside over the next two years.
He said the stock looks inexpensive on valuations.
Agarwal added that Wipro has underperformed peers despite better execution.
Indian equities indicated a firm start in pre-open trade. Nifty moved above 24,250, while the Sensex gained more than 300 points.
The Indian rupee strengthened 0.3% to 92.93 against the U.S. dollar.
Indian Railways container volumes fell 7% year-on-year, while truck freight rates remained largely stable.
The brokerage said strong commercial vehicle registrations could support a recovery in road logistics and named Adani Ports and JSW Infra as top picks.
Its preferred overweight picks remain M&M, Maruti Suzuki, TVS Motor and Hero MotoCorp.
The brokerage also revised target prices across the sector, raising targets for TVS Motor, Hero MotoCorp and Maruti, while cutting some others including Ashok Leyland and M&M.
Brokerages said Q4 earnings were supported by strong client trading activity, better order realisation and higher net interest income.
They also highlighted operating leverage from the digital model and traction in wealth management.
Crude oil extended losses on hopes of an Iran deal, while gold was set for a fourth weekly gain.
Foreign investors bought Indian shares for the second straight session, with technical indicators pointing to market consolidation.
DCM Shriram, Firstsource Solutions, Aditya Infotech and Isgec Heavy announced business updates, including a joint venture, product launch and new agreements.
DCB Bank said its board will consider fund raising through debt or QIP on April 24.
Wipro may remain in focus after constant currency growth missed estimates in Q4. HDFC Life is also on watch after pressure on value of new business.
Maruti Suzuki may see attention after halting Ignis production amid lower demand.
The brokerage said the recent correction offers an entry point, while the Iran crisis could support demand and margins.
It also raised FY27 EBITDA estimates by 14% on higher industrial margins and slightly better volumes.
Brokerages said Q4 was soft, with pressure on value of new business growth.
They expect recovery in FY27, supported by margin improvement, valuation comfort and easing regulatory changes.
Citi maintained Neutral with a target price of Rs 2,800.
Brokerages said quarterly results were broadly in line, while steady mutual fund flows and growth in non-mutual fund business remained in focus.
The company announced a Rs 15,000 crore buyback at Rs 250 per share.
Wipro guided for next-quarter constant currency revenue growth between -2% and 0%.
The company announced a Rs 15,000 crore buyback at Rs 250 per share.
Wipro guided for next-quarter constant currency revenue growth between -2% and 0%.
He said talks were close to conclusion and Iran had accepted most proposals under discussion.
Markets may watch further developments in the negotiations for cues on oil prices and global risk sentiment.
Both Boeing 737 aircraft have been grounded following the incident.
The regulator said the concerned air traffic controller and SpiceJet pilots have been taken off roster pending the probe.
The unit will pay $30 million towards final claims under the pact.
The settlement states the company denies all allegations made against it, according to an exchange filing.
The S&P 500 rose 0.26% and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.36%, with both ending at record highs.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 115 points, or 0.24%.
He made the remarks at an event in Las Vegas on Thursday.
Global markets may track further developments in the conflict for cues on risk sentiment and commodity prices.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined 0.69%.
Australia’s ASX 200 lost 0.57%, while South Korea’s Kospi slipped 0.41%.
That compares with the Nifty 50 close of 24,196.75 on Thursday.
The reading points to a softer start for the domestic market.
Brent crude for June delivery declined 1.11% to $98.36 a barrel.
Lower oil prices remain in focus for energy-linked and import-dependent sectors.
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