Economic Times

• IDBI Bank Sale Hits Roadblock: The government’s plan to privatize IDBI Bank has reportedly returned to "square one" as low initial bids have forced officials to rework the pricing and valuation strategy.
• Jio IPO Momentum: Reliance Jio has informed its bankers that it may file its IPO prospectus as early as the end of March, signaling one of the most anticipated public listings in the Indian telecom sector.
• Retail Investors Defy Volatility: Despite a 25-60% decline in many small-cap stocks due to the West Asia conflict, retail investors continue to increase their exposure, even as institutional players move toward safer large-cap assets.
• Oil Price Volatility: Crude oil prices saw a slight dip to around $102 per barrel following an unexpected build-up in US inventories, though experts warn that Brent could surge to $150 if the Strait of Hormuz remains restricted.

Business Standard

• Export Market Shift: China has officially overtaken the Netherlands to become India's third-largest export market, reflecting a significant shift in regional trade dynamics and demand for Indian goods.
• Chemicals Industry Outlook: A new report by McKinsey & Company projects that India’s chemicals sector will reach $255 billion by 2030, driven by high-growth segments like semiconductors, EVs, and renewables.
• Hormuz Security Concerns: Prime Minister Modi held a high-level call with the UAE President to discuss the safety of the Strait of Hormuz, as US President Trump expressed confidence that the critical waterway would be secured "soon."
• LPG Supply Strategy: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced plans to ramp up domestic LPG production to counter supply disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has led to a 17% slump in consumption.

Mint

• US Fed Decision in Focus: The Indian markets are trading cautiously ahead of the US FOMC meeting outcome tonight. Analysts widely expect the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged at 4.25%-4.5% given the inflationary pressure from rising oil prices.
• Corporate Action at Tata Steel: The board of Tata Steel has approved the merger of Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited (NINL) with the parent company and sanctioned a $2 billion investment into its subsidiary, T Steel Holdings.
• Maruti Suzuki Tax Dispute: The automaker has received a draft assessment order from the Income Tax Authority for approximately ₹5,786 crore, which the company intends to contest before the Dispute Resolution Panel.
• Infrastructure Supply Chain Stress: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is rushing to secure bitumen supplies as the Iran-Israel war disrupts traditional import routes, threatening to delay road construction projects across the country.

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Tags: Headlines Business News Economic Times Business Standard Mint Top News