Stock Market News Today Live Updates: GIFT Nifty Suggests Gap-Up Open; South Korea's Kospi Leads Asian Gains

• Nomura has maintained its Buy rating on Indian Hotels but reduced the target price to Rs 800 from Rs 830.
• The brokerage expects limited impact from the ongoing conflict on Q4 performance.
• It sees 13–14% EBITDA CAGR for FY26–FY28 as reasonable and notes the stock’s valuations remain attractive.

Positive

• Adani Enterprises: NCLT approves takeover of Jaiprakash Associates.
• Varun Beverages: To acquire Crickley Dairy for Rs 131 crore.
• Clean Max Enviro: Reports strong Q3 performance.
• HCL Tech, Religare: Promoter purchases reported.
• Urban Co: SBI MF acquires 4% stake.
• Ceigall, AB Infrabuild, CESC: Win new orders.
• Strides Pharma: Subsidiary acquires multiple generic brands from Sandoz.
• Shree Cement: Selected as preferred bidder for limestone block in Andhra Pradesh.
• Tata Steel: Board approves merger of Neelachal Ispat Nigam.
• Thomas Cook: Board to meet on 20 March for restructuring proposal.
• Godrej Properties: Buys land parcel in Whitefield, Bengaluru.
• Wipro, Hexaware: Announce AI partnerships.
• ACME Solar: Subsidiary commissions Gujarat power project.
• CARE Ratings: Approves JV with Vestian Global Workplace Services.
• IRCON: Patna High Court’s previous tax-related orders stayed.
• Indiqube Spaces: Promoters buy 1.14 lakh shares over the past month.
• Redtape, Westlife Foodworld, Jindal Stainless: Promoter buying reported.
• Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works: Borowing limit increased.

Negative

• Aurobindo Pharma: Subsidiary receives nine USFDA observations for Bhiwadi plant.
• Kirloskar Ferrous, Kirloskar Brothers, Dee Development Engineers: Operations affected by LPG disruption and export impact.
• Swan Defence: Promoter to sell 5% stake via OFS.
• Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers: Fraud reported involving off‑market transfer of shares.
• JK Cement: Subsidiary receives notice from J&K Legal Metrology Department.
• HMA Agro Industries: Company warns against fraudulent website copying its identity.

• Goldman Sachs has maintained its Buy rating on L&T but lowered the target price to Rs 4,420 from Rs 4,950.
• The brokerage factors in near-term uncertainty and expects revenue and margin impact.
• It sees medium-term prospects as unchanged, though some project deferrals are likely due to the ongoing conflict.

• Japan’s exports increased 4.2% year-on-year in February.
• Shipments to China fell 10.9%, and exports to the US declined 8%.
• The value of auto exports to the US, Japan’s largest export category, dropped 14.8%.

• The price band is set at Rs 372–392 per share.
• The IPO will run from 24 March to 27 March.
• The issue size is Rs 409 crore, including a fresh issue of Rs 285 crore and an offer for sale of Rs 124 crore.
• Listing is scheduled on BSE and NSE on April 2.

• Saurabh Mukherjea said recent market correction has created value in large-caps, including Asian Paints.
• He noted interest in export-focused sectors such as pharma, intermediates, and textiles due to currency advantages and supply shifts away from China.
• He added that domestic themes like diagnostics and hospitals remain resilient.
• Mukherjea also cautioned about asset quality pressure in banks and NBFCs, saying one large private bank may need support this year.

Read the full story here.

• Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is at 25,951.66, up 83.12 points.
• Shanghai Composite is at 4,055.016, higher by 5.109 points.

• Brent is down $1.15, or 1.11%, at $102.27 a barrel.
• WTI has dropped $1.54, or 1.6%, to $94.67.
• US crude stocks increased by 6.56 million barrels for the week ended 13 March, Reuters reported on Wednesday quoting market sources.

• South Korea’s Kospi is up 2.8%, and the Kosdaq has risen 1.66%.
• Japan’s Nikkei 225 is higher by 1.38%, and the Topix is up 0.95% after February exports rose 4.2% year-on-year.
• Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 is flat in early trade.

• GIFT Nifty is at 23,639 in early trade.
• This is above Tuesday’s Nifty 50 close of 23,581.15.
• The futures level indicates a possible gap-up start for the index.