Archives April 2026

Mumbai, Apr 24 (BNP): Domestic equity markets opened on a weaker note on Friday, tracking heightened global uncertainties and a mixed start to the Q4 earnings season, with selling pressure seen across key sectors.

 The Sensex declined around 400 points, or 0.51%, to trade near 77,263 in early deals, while the Nifty slipped about 100 points, or 0.41%. Broad-based weakness was observed in IT, financial services, and pharma stocks, while select buying in FMCG and chemicals offered limited support.

Heavyweights such as Cipla, Infosys, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Tata Consultancy Services, and ICICI Bank were among the top losers, dragging key indices lower.

Sectorally, the Nifty IT index fell over 1.5%, reflecting pressure on technology stocks amid global risk-off sentiment. Banking and pharma indices also ended in the red, while broader market sentiment remained cautious.

Market experts said volatility is likely to persist in the near term due to geopolitical tensions, crude oil price movements, and ongoing earnings announcements. They advised investors to remain selective and focus on fundamentally strong stocks during market corrections.

Analysts further noted that a sustained uptrend in the Nifty would require a decisive move above the 24,500 level, which could signal improved market sentiment and renewed bullish momentum.

On the global front, crude oil prices remained firm, with Brent trading near $107 per barrel and WTI around $97.6, adding to inflation and margin concerns for markets worldwide.

Asian markets showed a mixed trend, with Nikkei posting gains while Hang Seng and KOSPI traded in the red, reflecting uneven regional sentiment.

Meanwhile, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued their selling streak for the fourth straight session, offloading equities worth ₹3,254 crore. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs), however, provided some support by purchasing shares worth ₹941 crore, helping to cushion broader losses.

Overall, markets remained sensitive to global cues, with investors closely tracking geopolitical developments and commodity price trends for near-term direction.

New Delhi, Apr 24 (BNP): The government has taken steps to further strengthen the quality assurance framework for medicines sold through Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country by signing new Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with key agencies involved in the scheme.

The initiative aims to ensure that medicines available under the affordable healthcare programme continue to meet strict safety and quality standards. The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana provides low-cost generic medicines through a wide network of retail outlets, helping reduce healthcare expenses for millions of citizens.

Officials said the latest MoUs will enhance monitoring systems, strengthen coordination between implementing bodies, and improve quality testing processes for medicines supplied to Jan Aushadhi stores. The focus is on making the supply chain more robust and transparent.

At present, medicines under the scheme are sourced only from certified manufacturers and undergo quality checks before being distributed. The new arrangements are expected to further tighten these procedures and ensure greater consistency in standards across all outlets.

The government has been expanding the Jan Aushadhi network in recent years to improve access to affordable healthcare, particularly in rural and underserved regions.

Officials added that strengthening quality assurance will help boost public confidence in generic medicines and support the broader goal of making essential drugs more accessible and affordable across the country.

Chennai, Apr 24 (BNP): Sanju Samson produced a brilliant unbeaten 101 to lead Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a strong total of 207 runs in a dominant batting display.

Samson held the innings together after early wickets and played a controlled yet aggressive knock, ensuring CSK recovered well and finished strongly. His timely acceleration in the death overs helped push the team past the 200-run mark.

The right-hander’s effort stood out as a lone fightback, with limited support from the other end, but he maintained composure throughout to anchor the innings.

With this century, Samson once again underlined his consistency and ability to deliver under pressure in big matches.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 24 (BNP): In a consumer-friendly move during the intense summer season, the Odisha government has directed that electricity connections will not be disconnected for non-payment of dues during the peak heat period.

The instruction has been issued by Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister K. V. Singh Deo to the state Energy Department and all power distribution companies (DISCOMs).

The decision has been taken to ensure uninterrupted power supply for residents as temperatures rise sharply across the state, increasing the demand for electricity for cooling and essential household needs.

Officials said the directive is aimed at providing temporary relief to consumers, especially vulnerable households, during extreme weather conditions. However, they added that the relaxation is seasonal and does not waive outstanding dues, which will still need to be cleared by consumers in due course.

The move is expected to help prevent hardship during peak summer months while maintaining focus on reliable power access across urban and rural areas.

Authorities have also urged consumers to use electricity judiciously, even as supply companies work to manage rising demand across the state.

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Mumbai: Global crude oil prices surged on Friday, rising up to 2% as renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East kept energy markets volatile, even as the United States announced a unilateral ceasefire move.

Brent crude climbed to around $107 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose to nearly $97.6 per barrel, reflecting persistent concerns over global supply stability.

In the domestic market, crude oil futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) traded lower at around ₹9,077 per barrel, down nearly 1%, indicating mixed sentiment between global and local benchmarks.

For the week, both major global crude benchmarks recorded strong gains—Brent up nearly 19% and WTI rising about 17%—driven by fears of supply disruptions and heightened geopolitical risk.

Market analysts said ongoing uncertainty around key maritime routes, especially the Strait of Hormuz, continues to support prices. Any disruption in this critical shipping corridor could significantly impact global oil flows.

Brent crude faces near-term resistance around $99, with potential upside towards $104–$110 if bullish momentum continues. On the downside, support is seen near $95, with stronger levels around $90–$88.

Geopolitical developments, including shifting signals on ceasefires and military activity in the region, have added to market volatility. While diplomatic efforts are underway, traders remain cautious.

Domestic equity markets also reflected global risk aversion, with Sensex and Nifty trading lower in early sessions amid broad-based selling pressure.

Overall, analysts expect crude oil to remain highly sensitive to geopolitical developments in the near term, with volatility likely to persist.

Mumbai, Apr 24 (BNP): Precious metals witnessed weakness in early trade on Friday, with both gold and silver prices declining on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) amid a broadly cautious global market sentiment.

Gold futures for June delivery opened lower at ₹1,51,167 per 10 grams, down 0.39%, compared with the previous close. The metal extended losses during the session, touching an intraday low of ₹1,50,750 before recovering some ground. At the last update, gold was trading marginally lower at around ₹1,51,449.

Silver futures also came under pressure, slipping nearly 1% in early trade. The May contract fell to an intraday low of ₹2,39,200 per kg before recovering slightly to trade around ₹2,41,345.

In international markets, precious metals mirrored the weak trend, with gold and silver both trading lower on COMEX amid profit-booking and risk-off sentiment.

Market analysts attributed the decline to a stronger US dollar, elevated bond yields, and ongoing global uncertainty. Rising crude oil prices, which have moved above the $100 per barrel mark, have also added inflation concerns, influencing investor sentiment across commodity markets.

Broader financial markets remained under pressure as well, with domestic equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty trading lower in early sessions, reflecting cautious sentiment among investors.

Experts suggest that near-term volatility in gold and silver is likely to continue as global macroeconomic factors, including inflation trends and geopolitical developments, remain in focus.

New Delhi, Apr 24 (BNP): India has approved a ₹30 billion currency swap arrangement for the Maldives under the SAARC framework, aiming to provide financial stability support to the island nation and strengthen regional economic cooperation.

The facility is part of India’s ongoing commitment to assist neighbouring countries in managing foreign exchange liquidity pressures and maintaining macroeconomic stability during periods of financial stress.

Officials said the swap arrangement will allow the Maldives to access foreign currency support when needed, helping it meet short-term balance of payments requirements and stabilise its external financial position.

The move is also seen as a reflection of India’s broader strategy to deepen economic engagement within South Asia through mechanisms such as the SAARC Currency Swap Framework, which is designed to provide financial backstops to member countries during currency volatility.

The Maldives, a key maritime neighbour of India, has been working to manage fiscal pressures amid global economic uncertainties. The latest support is expected to ease immediate liquidity concerns and reinforce financial cooperation between the two countries.

Analysts note that such arrangements not only provide short-term relief but also contribute to strengthening regional financial resilience and trust among South Asian economies.