*Financial News*
Source: Leading Newspapers
Compiled by *RUDRA SHARES*
Vande Mataram
Tuesday, 17 March 2026

 *Geopolitics & Global Conflict*
• Iran has crafted a “perfect kill box” for the US Navy, report says
• Trump leaves allies and foes guessing on endgame for Iran
• Iran demands return of seized tankers as India seeks Hormuz safe passage
• MEA says India had no talks with US amid Trump’s call to deploy ships to Hormuz
• Indian Embassy warns nationals in Iran against crossing borders amid conflict
• US and Iran hold first direct contact since February 28 amid conflict: report
• Operations at UAE’s Shah gas field suspended after drone attack

*Oil, Energy & Commodities*
• Oil jumps past $102 per barrel on supply fears
• Crude oil prices surge nearly 40% in March amid US-Iran war
• OMC stocks fall up to 5.5% as crude oil prices remain above $100
• LPG vessel Shivalik arrives at Gujarat's Mundra Port after crossing Strait of Hormuz
• CGD firms offer incentives for domestic PNG connections amid LPG shortage
• SECL ready to meet India’s coal demand amid energy disruptions
• Energy security: India’s LPG shortage highlights importance of central planning
• Paint companies’ old playbook faces new challenge amid crude oil shock
• Fading flames, rising heat: LPG crisis leaves restaurants and staff on edge

*Indian Economy*
• India’s unemployment rate moderates in February
• India’s wholesale inflation rises to 2.13% in February, an 11-month high
• India’s trade deficit narrows to $27.1 billion in February as imports moderate
• Trade deficit nearly doubles in February; exports face tough environment

*Markets, Banking & Investment*
• Heightened market volatility notwithstanding, SIP contributions witness steady growth: ICRA Analytics
• Global risk sparks $497 million FII inflow into India power stocks in February
• Investors increasingly shift toward digital gold
• At the bottom of the pyramid, 21 million small borrowers have dropped out
• Future EMI cuts becoming sales pitch for affordable home loans
• NBFCs hold back on ECB plans as West Asia conflict pushes up hedging costs
• Asian private bankers go on blitz to calm private credit nerves

 *Corporate & Business News*
• Tata Power losing nearly ₹100 crore a month as Gujarat drags feet on deal
• RIL signs 15-year green ammonia supply deal with Samsung C&T worth $3 billion
• Bajel Projects jumps 13% on ₹700+ crore order win from MSETCL
• Lemon Tree Hotels books long-term stay contracts in West Asia despite conflict
• Tata Motors to raise commercial vehicle prices by up to 1.5% from April 1
• BenQ eyes 50% growth in India in 2026, to expand local manufacturing
• JLR revving up execution to recover from cyberattack dent
• Sun Pharma’s Ilumya expansion bid gets USFDA nod for review
• Fino Payments Bank denies links to betting and gaming activities
• Hard Rock Cafe ends franchise agreement with JSM, shuts 10 outlets
• RSVM Hospitality buys 18.6-acre land parcel in Thane for ₹498 crore

*Fundraising, IPO & Corporate Actions*
• PSU lender Union Bank of India declares ₹25,000 crore fundraise via bonds
• Vedanta plans to raise up to ₹2,575 crore via NCDs
• JSW Steel unit eyes debut $1 billion short-term debt issue
• Ola Electric plans stake sale to raise up to ₹2,000 crore for battery arm
• NSE may eye ₹6–7 trillion IPO valuation ahead of long-awaited listing
• PhonePe delays IPO plan amid geopolitical tensions and market volatility
• MakeMyTrip weighs India IPO as part of long-term plan after Nasdaq listing
• IPO-bound CMPDI bets on parent Coal India to power future growth

*Technology, Startups & Global Business*
• OpenAI courts private equity to join enterprise AI venture
• Atlys raises $36 million Series C to fuel global expansion
• India’s data centre boom could create over 100,000 engineering jobs
• Indian market to see generic options as Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, Wegovy patents expire

*Government Policy & Regulation*
• India cuts port charges to aid ships stranded by Hormuz blockade
• Government of Gujarat to speed up PNG connections for institutions
• SEBI working group to review MF distributor–investment advisor overlap
• Steel Ministry to host global steel leaders in April at Bharat Steel 2026
• India-US trade deal likely after new US tariff framework is finalised

*Global Markets & Infrastructure*
• London Metal Exchange electronic trading resumes after nearly three-hour outage
• Dubai Airport suspends landing permissions for flights: IndiGo amid Iran crisis

*Jai Hind*
*Rudra Hai To Mudra Hai*
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