Gold, Silver Rate Today Live Updates: Gold, silver prices continue to climb after worst crash in over 40 years; what’s the outlook?
The weakening of the dollar made bullion, which is priced in the greenback, more affordable for investors using other currencies. “For weeks, gold has been treated as a liquidity asset sold to cover volatility and margin calls elsewhere, but at current levels, it is now looking more like a value proposition for investors, which is why it’s back in favour today,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade. “However, hawkish central banks wary of persistent oil-driven inflation, continue to act as a heavy lid on gold’s ambitions to the upside, keeping any rally firmly in check.”
Stock market today (March 27, 2026): Nifty50 goes below 23,000; BSE Sensex down over 1,000 points as US-Iran war, oil prices weigh on sentiment
Stock market today (AI image) Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex dropped in opening trade on Friday as US-Iran war tensions and crude oil prices continued to weight on sentiment. While Nifty50 went below 23,000, BSE Sensex was down over 1,000 points. Around 10:30 am, Nifty50 was trading at 22,994.40, down 312.05 points or 1.34%. BSE Sensex was at 74,256.59, down 1,016.86 points or 1.35%.Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited says, “The on and off reaction of the market to news and events regarding the war is likely to continue in the near-term. The spike in Brent crude back to around $108 level will again trigger another round of risk-off in the Indian market. The market correction since the war began has brought down Nifty valuations to fair levels. Nifty is now trading at about 19 times, which is lower than the last 10-year average of 22.4 times. But if India’s macros take a hit due to this energy crisis, valuations may again decline factoring-in the feared hit to earnings growth in FY27.”“The Indian economy is strong enough to absorb the shock if the war ends, crude cools down and gas availability becomes normal. But if the war prolongs, crude remains elevated for months together, and gas availability constraints continue, the stress on India’s macros will be significant and the market will discount that. In brief, everything boils down to how long the war will last. The market hope is that since a prolonged war is in nobody’s interests, it may end soon. The US itself is now looking for an exit strategy. Market corrections and rising retail price of petroleum products may exert pressure on the US regime to cool down the conflict.”Global cues remained weak. US markets declined sharply, with the Nasdaq Composite dropping more than 2% to enter correction territory, while the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell over 1% each. Investors moved towards safer assets amid concerns over a potential escalation in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, which has driven oil prices higher and intensified inflation worries.The weakness in Wall Street spilled over to Asian markets, with traders remaining cautious even after Donald Trump once again extended the deadline for Iran to reach an agreement. Crude oil prices, however, edged lower.On the domestic front, foreign institutional investors were net sellers on Wednesday, offloading equities worth Rs 1,805.37 crore. In contrast, domestic institutional investors remained net buyers, purchasing shares worth Rs 5,429.78 crore.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)
Petrol Price: Govt cuts excise duty to Rs 3 a litre on petrol, to nil on diesel amid Middle East tensions
Government has revised its fuel duty structure, lowering the special additional excise duty on petrol to Rs 3 per litre while removing it entirely on diesel. The decision comes against the backdrop of ongoing disruptions in global oil supply chains due to the conflict in the Middle East, where Iran continues to tighten control over the Strait of Hormuz.According to a government order dated Thursday, “the additional excise duty on petrol was cut to Rs 3 per litre from Rs 13 per litre earlier. Meanwhile, the excise duty on diesel was cut to Rs 0 from Rs 10 per litre earlier.” Watch Modi Govt Slashes Excise Duty On Fuel Even As Global Oil Crisis Hits Neighbours Like Pakistan After the last revision back in April 2025, the excise duty on petrol stood at Rs 13 per litre, while for diesel it was Rs 10 per litre.Meanwhile in global markets, crude prices cooled on Friday after the United States indicated that negotiations with Iran were “going very well” and extended its deadline with the country by 10 days. The shift in sentiment saw both major benchmarks decline by around 2% in early trade.Brent crude, which had climbed as high as $108 per barrel, slipped to $105.75 per barrel, down 2.08%. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 1.94% to $92.67 as of 7:50 am IST. The pullback follows a sharp rally in the previous session, when Brent rose 4.8% to settle at $101.89 per barrel, as hopes of a return to normal operations in the Strait weakened. Prices remain well above the roughly $70 levels recorded before the conflict began, with the US benchmark also having risen 4.6% to $94.48 per barrel.Earlier on Thursday, Nayara Energy, India’s largest private fuel retailer, raised petrol prices by Rs 5 per litre and diesel by Rs 3 per litre amid rising input costs tied to the Middle East situation. The company, which operates 6,967 of the country’s 102,075 petrol pumps, has decided to pass on part of the increased costs to consumers, PTI sources said.
First since 1861: US paper currency to bear Donald Trump’s signature
US Dollar bill bearing Trump’s signature (AI-generated image) US President Donald Trump‘s administration has once again stirred controversy, this time with a proposal to include his signature on American paper currency ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary.The US Treasury Department announced on Thursday that future US dollar notes will carry Trump’s signature alongside that of the Treasury Secretary, marking the first time in history that a sitting president’s signature will appear on paper currency.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move is intended to commemorate the United States’ semiquincentennial celebrations in 2026, according to CNN. Explaining the rationale behind the decision, Bessent said in an official statement, “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are on a path toward unprecedented economic growth, lasting dollar dominance, and fiscal strength and stability.”“There is no more powerful way to recognize the historic achievements of our great country and President Donald J Trump than US dollar bills bearing his name, and it is only appropriate that this historic currency be issued at the Semiquincentennial,” Bessent added. Providing further context, the Treasury said the move is part of a broader effort to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, during which Trump’s likeness is also expected to feature on commemorative materials.US Treasurer Brandon Beach linked the proposal to the administration’s economic narrative. “As the 250th anniversary of our great nation approaches, American currency will continue to stand as a symbol of prosperity, strength, and the unshakable spirit of the American people under President Trump’s leadership,” he said.Beach further added, “The President’s mark on history as the architect of America’s Golden Age economic revival is undeniable. Printing his signature on the American currency is not only appropriate, but also well deserved.”However, the announcement has raised legal and political questions. US law has long restricted the depiction of living individuals on currency, a rule dating back to 1866 aimed at preventing any perception of monarchy-like practices.In 1861, the US government issued its first general circulation paper money, known as Demand Notes to finance the Civil War due to coin shortages and war expenses. According to the Act of July 17, 1861, $5, $10 and $20 notes were payable on demand in coin and were nicknamed “greenbacks” due to their green reverse side. The currency proposal comes alongside another contentious plan under consideration which includes issuing a $1 coin featuring Trump to mark the anniversary. Draft designs shared by officials show the president’s profile on one side and an image of him standing before the American flag on the other.
Cipla, Bajaj Finserv & more: Top stocks to watch on March 27, 2026
UBS has a neutral rating on Cipla with the target price cut to Rs 1,400, from Rs 1,750 earlier. Analysts said the company’s growth drivers are intact but supply headwinds weigh on near-term outlook. A healthy product pipeline to drive FY28 earnings for Cipla. However, there is a lack of near-term catalysts. They feel a healthy product pipeline to drive medium-term growth. They pointed out that there are near-term headwinds for Cipla with key product Lanreotide facing supply issues.Motilal Oswal Securities has initiated its coverage of Bajaj Finserv with a neutral rating and a target price of Rs 1,900. Analysts said in the lending business, the company provides the scale, profitability and about 11-crore customer base. The company remains the core value contributor, providing predictable earnings, strong return on equity (ROE) and sustained compounding.Jefferies has a buy rating on LG India with the target price at Rs 1,910. Analysts said that the initial summer trends were good. The company had a 7-9% price hikes in 3 & 5-star ACs in the Jan-March quarter (Q4FY26). Further hikes of 5-10% likely in April due to weak rupee, and higher raw material cost. While LPG shortage is a key industry risk, players are evaluating other fuel sources. LG India’s exports at 6% of sales, of which West Asia is a smaller part.Nomura has a buy rating on EClerx Services with the target price cut to Rs 2,200 from Rs 2,800. Analysts said that the company’s annual contract value was healthy and sales effectiveness was visible in deal wins and a robust pipeline. The company is aiming to reinvest margins while keeping the guidance band intact. The stock is trading at an attractive valuation of 14.6x FY28 earnings per share (EPS).CLSA has a high conviction outperform rating on Coforge with the target price at Rs 2,278. Analysts met the company’s CEO to discuss the latest AI narrative along with Coforge’s positioning. The CEO mentioned that AI is not going to be deflationary for service providers who have both domain and technical knowledge to build solutions around AI tools. Similar to hybrid cloud and SaaS managed services opportunities during the last decade, there will be a significant managed services opportunity around managing frontier models and orchestrating AI agents. The proof of pudding in case of Coforge would be visible in strong growth in NTM executable orderbook, revenue per employee and earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) margins. The analysts reiterated their rating on a mid-teens US dollar revenue growth.JP Morgan has an overweight rating on United Spirits with the target price at Rs 1,565. The company announced full divestiture of its stake in Royal Challengers Sports for Rs 16,660 crore (Rs 230/share). Adjusted for tax it would accrue Rs 195-200/share against. This follows a strategic review of the entity announced on November 5, 2025, as the company aims to focus more sharply on its core alcoholic beverage business. The transaction is expected to be completed within 6 months, subject to necessary approvals.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)
Top stocks to buy today: Stock recommendations for March 27, 2026 – check list
Top stocks to buy today (AI image) Stock market recommendations: Granules India, and RBL Bank are the top two stocks that Bajaj Broking Research has recommended for March 27, 2026. Views on Nifty, and Bank Nifty have also been shared:Index View: NiftyIndian benchmark indices staged a strong rebound over the past two trading sessions, driven by improving global sentiment amid signs of a possible de-escalation in Middle East tensions. Investor confidence was buoyed by reports suggesting that U.S. President Donald Trump is actively pursuing a diplomatic resolution to the nearly month-long conflict involving joint U.S.-Israeli forces and Iran.According to media sources, Washington has presented Tehran with a comprehensive 15-point peace proposal aimed at easing hostilities and restoring stability in the region. While these developments have sparked optimism across global markets, there has been no official confirmation or response from the Iranian side so far, leaving some uncertainty over the outcome of the initiative.The prospect of mediated conversations between the U.S. and Iran was enough to spark a decline in oil prices, which have been elevated for days compared to pre-war levels.Volatility is expected to remain elevated in the near term due to uncertain global cues, firm crude oil prices, and ongoing geopolitical tensions. The index is likely to consolidate in the range of 22,400–23,850 in the coming sessions.Nifty in the last two sessions rebounded from extreme oversold territory on both daily and weekly oscillators. Going ahead, a move above Wednesday’s high of 23,465 could extend the pullback towards 23,800 levels.However, for a meaningful pause in the ongoing downtrend, the index needs to form a sustained higher high–higher low structure on the daily chart and close above last week’s high of 23,862.On the downside a breach below current week low of 22,471 may trigger further downside towards 22,100 and 21,800 levelsBANKNIFTYBank Nifty also witnessed a strong rebound in the last two sessions driven by improving global sentiment amid signs of a possible de-escalation in Middle East tensions.Volatility is expected to remain elevated in the near term, driven by rising geopolitical tensions, and rising crude oil prices which continue to weigh on overall market sentiment.Index is likely to consolidate in the range of 51,400-54,800 in the coming sessions.Going ahead a strength above Wednesday high (54150) will open further pullback towards 54,800 levels in the coming sessions. Index need to form higher high and higher low on a sustained basis and closed above the 54,700 levels to signal a pause in the downward trend.On the downside a breach below 51,400 will open further downside towards 50,700 and 50,000. Stock Recommendations: Granules IndiaBuy in the range of ₹ 620.00-632.00 Target Return STOPLOSS Time Period ₹ 685 10% 588 1 Month The share price of Granules India has generated a breakout above the last three months consolidation range 625-560 signaling strength and offers fresh entry opportunity.The breakout is supported by strong volume signaling larger participation at the breakout area. We expect stock to extend the up move and head towards 685 levels, being the measuring implication of the recent range breakout. The daily 14 periods RSI is in uptrend rebounding taking support at its nine periods average thus validating positive bias.RBL BankBuy in the range of 298-305 Target Return STOPLOSS Time Period ₹ 330 10% 287 1 Month The stock has formed a potential double bottom around 290 levels and has surged above the 50 days EMA thus offers fresh entry opportunity.The stock has also given a breakout above last 9 days range signaling positive bias. We expect it to head towards 330 levels in the coming month being the 80% retracement of the entire decline (340-288)The daily 14 periods RSI has generated a buy signal moving above its nine periods average thus validate positive bias.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)
Strait Of Hormuz: Iran’s oil revenue soars as others struggle due to Strait of Hormuz crisis; how much is it earning daily?
Iran is benefitting twofold from the sale of oil amid rising prices since the start of the war as it is the only country to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran is estimated to have generated roughly $139 million per day from sales of this key blend so far in March, up from about $115 million per day in February, Bloomberg reported citing export estimates from TankerTrackers.com.Despite US and Israel’s continuous strikes on Iran, its crude exports are estimated to have stayed broadly in line with prewar levels of around 1.6 million barrels per day this month, the report said. Tankers carrying Iranian oil are still loading at the Kharg Island terminal and transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with activity picking up in recent days. Meanwhile the war-hit nation has blocked ships going to aggressor nations via Hormuz. Watch Strait of Hormuz Crisis Explained | Will Iran Challenge the West More Than Red Sea Iran’s crude has strengthened relative to the global Brent benchmark, with its discount narrowing to about $2.10 per barrel at the start of this week, the tightest level in nearly a year. Before the conflict, the gap had exceeded $10 per barrel..While countries such as Iraq and Kuwait have been forced to sharply curb output and the UAE and Saudi Arabia have rushed to find alternative export routes, Iran has continued shipping crude from the Persian Gulf, exporting about 1.6 million barrels a day on average between March 1 and 23, near prewar levels, after already recording unusually high shipments in February, the strongest since around July 2018.Oil facilities at Iran’s key export hub on Kharg Island have remained untouched by US strikes, which targeted only military sites, even as US President Donald Trump had indicated at attacking the island during the initial days of the war.Iran has warned US and Israel that Hormuz would be “completely shut” if its energy infrastructure is targeted. Trump halted attacks on its energy infrastructure till April 6 saying the talks are going very well“As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time. Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well,” he said.
Oil prices today: Crude falls as Trump pauses attacks on Iranian energy plants; Brent at $105 per barrel
Oil prices cooled down on Friday, after US signalled negotiations with Iran were ‘going very well’ and pushed the deadline with the country for 10 days. Both benchmarks, Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) were down 2%. Brent crude touched $108 per barrel before easing to $105.75 per barrel, down 2.08%. West Texas Intermediate stood at 92.67 after a fall of 1.94%, as of 7:50 am IST.This comes after Brent crude prices rose 4.8%, a day earlier to settle at $101.89 a barrel, amid expectations of a return to normal operations in the Strait weakened. The price is significantly higher than the roughly $70 level seen before the war began. At the same time, the US benchmark crude also climbed 4.6% to $94.48 per barrel.However, after surging nearly 5% in the previous sessions, oil prices eased after US President Donald Trump said that negotiations with Iran are underway and dismissed online reports suggesting otherwise. Watch ‘Eight Boats Of Oil’: Trump Gloats Over Iran’s ‘Present’ From Hormuz; Cites Proof Of ‘Negotiations’ “Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well,” Trump said.“They better get serious soon, before it is too late,” he added on his social media platform on Thursday morning, referring to Iran’s negotiators. “Because once that happens, there is NO TURNING BACK, and it won’t be pretty!”He also extended the deadline for possible strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure by 10 days, stating that the pause was made at Tehran’s request and that negotiations are progressing positively.“As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8pm, Eastern Time,” Trump said.As the Middle East war nears its one month, tightening global oil supply flows across the globe. Meanwhile, strategists at Goldman Sachs have projected that Brent crude could average around $105 in March and rise further to $115 in April, before gradually easing to about $80 in the fourth quarter and remaining at that level through 2027. Oil prices have been on an upward trajectory since the Middle East war began on February 28, as Iran tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz. Reports also suggest that Iran’s parliament is working on a draft bill to introduce charges on vessels passing through the strategic waterway, effectively requiring ships to pay for safe passage.At the same time, Iran is reportedly planning a formal system to levy fees on ships using the Strait. According to the semi-official Fars news agency, lawmakers are preparing legislation that would mandate payments from vessels transiting the route.Fars, citing an unnamed lawmaker, reported that the proposal could be finalised as early as next week, potentially providing a legal framework for Iran’s control over the Strait.
Deutsche Bank GCC fuels AI push with incubator
MUMBAI: The Indian Global Capability Center (GCC) of Deutsche Bank is betting on a startup-style approach to accelerate AI adoption, with its in-house incubator at Deutsche India Pvt Ltd (DIPL) drawing 100 ideas within its first 100 days, reflecting what its leadership describes as an unusually high openness to technological change among the local workforce.Stefan Schaffer, MD & CEO of DIPL, said the India-based GCC has seen employees embrace AI-led transformation with far less resistance than in many mature markets. He attributed this to a broader cultural association of change with progress, shaped by rapid digital adoption in India, including platforms such as UPI. He said that this adaptability is proving valuable for a 150-year-old institution navigating structural shifts.DIPL, which employs over 20,000 people across Pune, Bengaluru, Jaipur and Mumbai, is driving its AI push through a programme called “AI Forward”, which combines top-down investment with bottom-up participation. A key pillar is the incubator, modelled on startup ecosystems, where employees can pitch ideas directly to leadership and refine them with expert input. Complementing this is a large-scale training effort that has already covered 20,000 employees on large language models and responsible AI usage, alongside a “Catalyst” initiative that embeds specialists within teams to prototype solutions in live environments.The shift towards AI is part of a broader strategic reset at Deutsche Bank’s technology operations. Having already rebalanced its workforce mix from 30% internal staff to 70%, and increased the share of engineers to 70%, the bank is now targeting deeper ownership from its GCCs. Under a new “70-50-30” framework, it aims to locate 50% of portfolio owners and 30% of senior leadership roles within its technology centres, including India, to ensure end-to-end accountability.Schaffer said that while AI is becoming embedded in mainstream operations, core enterprise platforms will remain critical. Instead of replacing foundational systems, AI is expected to transform the “last mile” of configuration, enabling faster and more flexible development while retaining the structural integrity required in a regulated banking environment.
E-comm hiring up 35% in 2 yrs; AI, ops lead: Report
BENGALURU: India’s e-commerce and quick commerce sector is hiring again, but the playbook has changed. Talent demand rose 35% between 2023 and 2025 to nearly 98,750 roles, even as companies shifted from expansion-led hiring to building technology capability and execution strength, according to a CIEL HR report.The sharpest shift is in technology hiring. Demand for engineering roles has expanded more than threefold over the past two years, with companies prioritising solution architects, and AI and machine learning specialists. These roles are linked to investments in recommendation engines, chatbots, warehouse automation, and payments systems , the report said. Nearly half of incremental hiring is now concentrated in technology, product and operations, signalling a structural move away from customer acquisition-led hiring towards platform capability and fulfilment-led workforce design. Operational hiring remains critical as quick commerce expands into smaller cities. Demand in supply chain and fulfilment roles has risen 25%, with warehouse managers, fulfilment planners, city operations leads and inventory controllers forming the backbone of expansion. These roles are especially concentrated in tier-2 and tier-3 markets. “India’s digital commerce sector is entering a new workforce phase where engineering depth, operational agility and execution precision are becoming the strongest indicators of business competitiveness,” said Aditya Narayan Mishra, managing director and CEO, CIEL HR. “Organisations are designing talent models that combine specialised technology capability with highly responsive frontline execution.“At the frontline, gig work continues to anchor the sector. India’s gig workforce has crossed 12 million, with more than half engaged in delivery, dark-store fulfilment and hyperlocal logistics. The shift is also reflected in pay. AI and machine learning specialists are earning 30%-40% more than conventional tech roles.
