Business Standard

• Stock markets are expected to open under heavy pressure, with the Nifty50 projected to slump below the 24,000 mark as Brent crude prices spike nearly 21% to reach $119 per barrel.
• HDFC Securities has initiated coverage on eight major defence stocks, identifying Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) as top picks amid a global "structurally elevated growth phase."
• The market capitalization of eight of India's top 10 most valued firms eroded by ₹2.81 trillion last week, with State Bank of India (SBI) emerging as the biggest laggard.
• Analysts at SAMCO Securities warn that the disruption of critical energy shipping routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, has pushed crude into a "strong phase" that will weigh heavily on the Nifty outlook.
• Key stocks in focus for the trading session include UltraTech Cement, Dr. Reddy's Labs, Tata Power, and Avenue Supermarts.

Economic Times

• The Ministry of Commerce has established a 17-member committee tasked with drafting larger reforms for the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policy to enhance global competitiveness.
• The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has budgeted for a 12.4% rise in contributions for the 2026-27 fiscal year, reflecting expectations of steady formal job growth.
• In a move to reduce red tape, the government has eased the approval process for minor bilateral MoUs and agreements, now requiring only clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
• HDFC Bank customers may see a reduction in EMIs as the bank adjusts its lending rates in response to shifting liquidity conditions.
• Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath has publicly called for stricter curbs on global betting apps to protect domestic retail investors from unregulated financial risks.

Mint

• Sembcorp and Hexa are reportedly in a $300-million race to acquire Enel’s India renewables business after a previous deal with Waaree Energies fell through.
• Air India has announced additional flights to Europe and the US to accommodate travel demand and rerouting requirements necessitated by the ongoing West Asia conflict.
• Former US President Donald Trump commented that the recent surge in oil prices is a "very small price to pay" as crude surpassed the $100 per barrel threshold.
• Market experts have highlighted a significant demographic shift, noting that in several regions of India, nearly every third investor is now a woman.
• Technical analyst Sumeet Bagadia has issued "buy" recommendations for Bharat Electronics and NTPC, citing resilient technical setups despite the broader market volatility.

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