*Financial News*
Source: Leading Newspapers
Compiled by *RUDRA SHARES*
Vande Mataram
Wednesday, 18 March 2026
*Global Economy & Geopolitics*
• World on edge as another war brews after Ukraine and Iran
• Trump delays Beijing visit as Iran war derails US–China diplomacy
• Indian workers hold ground in Gulf despite risks as Mideast war wages
• Rising crude prices may push US towards recession, warns Moody's chief economist
• Dollar moves lower for second straight day ahead of major central bank decisions
• 5,000-pound US bombs rock Iran sites near Hormuz
*India Economy & Government*
• India would do well to separate US the nation from its misrepresentative Trump
• India's exports to hold in March despite global turmoil, says Piyush Goyal
• India’s exports to hold steady in March despite global disruptions: Piyush Goyal
• No severe shocks despite crises, says Sitharaman as she highlights India's economic strength
• India engaged with US, working with industry to mitigate tariff impact: Govt
• Govt gets Parliament nod for ₹2.01 lakh crore additional spending in FY26
• India mulls setting up of protection & indemnity club for shipping lines
• ₹1.65 trillion investment seen in India's transmission infra
• HCs tighten scrutiny of GST enforcement actions amid due process concerns
*Global Markets & US Stocks*
• US stocks slide lower as investors weigh oil prices ahead of Fed rate decision
• US stock market crash fears ease even as Middle East war rages on
• US Stocks: Microsoft rejigs Copilot teams, freeing up AI chief for superintelligence push
• US Stocks: Boeing sees profit for commercial airplane division in 2027, later than expected
*Corporate & Business News*
• SpiceJet faces cash crunch, offers immovable property as security in Delhi HC arbitration case
• Maruti Suzuki receives income tax order of over ₹5,800 crore
• Punjab National Bank puts Rolta's NPA for sale to recover ₹450.85 crore
• Italian energy major Enel files international arbitration against Waaree Energies
• Varun Beverages's subsidiary to acquire South African firm Crickley Dairy
• SBI Mutual Fund picks up 4% stake in Urban Company via bulk deals
• Hard Rock Cafe to remain open; JSM rejects closure, plans legal action
• Now, Infosys nudges managers to use more AI to spur revenue growth
• L Catterton India's consumer focus fund to raise another $200 million
• Licious focuses on micro-markets to scale growth, expand dark stores
• Tata Steel to merge NINL; approves up to $2 bn infusion in Singapore arm
• Audi to rethink product lineup after clarity on FTA duties: India head
*Auto & Industrial Sector*
• Audi sees India luxury car sales growing 5–7% in 2026 amid rising prices
• Volkswagen Group yet to finalise India EV strategy as rivals accelerate
• Ather Energy doubles service network to 500 centres across India
*Energy & Commodities*
• LPG shortage forces manufacturers to switch fuels
• Oil PSUs pull the plug on dealer credit as fuel sales burn profits
• Renewable energy generation boom stymied by grid constraints
• Comex gold gains $47/oz; silver rallies $2 as US dollar eases from 10-month high
• Oil Ministry says online LPG bookings rise to 90%, no dry-outs reported
*Technology & AI*
• OpenAI signs deal to sell AI models to US defence agencies through Amazon
• OpenAI upgrades ChatGPT free tier with faster GPT-5.4 Mini
*Banking & Finance*
• Union Bank lines up maiden ₹7,500 crore infra bond issue
• IDBI sale back to square one as low bids force govt to rework pricing
• Mastercard makes bold $1.8 billion bet on stablecoins with BVNK deal
*Startups & Investments*
• Jio tells bankers it may file IPO prospectus as early as March
• Agnit Semiconductor aims to scale production to 100K units in 24 months
*Legal & Regulatory*
• Delhi HC seeks government reply over delay in off-label drug misuse probe (Ozempic row)
• NCLT clears Adani's ₹15K cr JAL resolution plan, rejects Vedanta challenge
• Adani Enterprises gets NCLT nod for Jaiprakash Associates resolution plan
• Sebi proposes to reinstate the use of PoA for incapacitated investor accounts
*Trade, Logistics & Infrastructure*
• Concor slashes storage-related charges in relief for exporters
• Kalpataru Projects secures ₹2,471 crore orders across metro, T&D segments
• Odisha clears ₹4,510 crore investment proposals; over 10,000 jobs
*International & Miscellaneous*
• Canada plans to reintroduce job offer points in Express Entry system
• UPI in Sri Lanka: NPCI International expands payments for Indian tourists
• BHIM targets 5% share to break into top five, challenge UPI duopoly
*Consumer & Sectoral Trends*
• Concerns grow over Darjeeling first flush amid shortage of commercial LPG
*Jai Hind*
*Rudra Hai to Mudra Hai*
For more details: