Business

Asian stock markets showed a mixed trend on Wednesday, tracking gains on Wall Street as oil prices softened amid cautious optimism over potential US-Iran peace talks.Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose about 0.5% to hover near record highs, supported by strong gains in heavyweight tech stocks.South Korea’s Kospi edged slightly lower, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.9%.Hong…

Oil prices edged lower on Wednesday after an early rise in Asian trade, as investors assessed uncertainty around US-Iran peace talks following Washington’s decision to extend the ceasefire.Brent crude futures fell 21 cents, or 0.2%, to $98.27 a barrel at 0039 GMT, after earlier touching $99.38.US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped 28 cents, or…

BENGALURU/NEW DELHI: HCLTech’s results presented a mixed picture, weighed down by client-specific headwinds, delayed procurement decisions and persistent market volatility, even as the company continued to lean into artificial intelligence as a long-term growth driver.Revenue for the March quarter declined 3.3% sequentially in constant currency (which excludes currency impact) and grew 2.4% year-on-year. In dollar…

Oil prices declined on Tuesday, reversing sharp gains from the previous session, as expectations of imminent US-Iran peace talks eased concerns over prolonged supply disruptions from the Middle East.Brent crude futures fell 95 cents, or 1%, to $94.53 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for May dropped $1.54, or 1.72%, to $88.07.The…

“Indian equity markets are expected to open on a mildly positive note on Tuesday (21st April 2026), supported by stable global cues and a firm trend in GIFT Nifty. GIFT Nifty is currently trading around 24,388, up by 50 points, indicating a positive start for domestic benchmark indices. Early trends also suggest a steady undertone…

Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) on Tuesday assured that supplies of petrol and diesel remain stable in the country despite ongoing supplies triggered by the Middle East conflict. Speaking at a press conference, Ashutosh Gupta, Executive Director and State Head, IOCL Punjab State Office, said the company currently holds sufficient reserves across Punjab, Himachal Pradesh,…

Moody’s Ratings has lowered India’s FY27 growth forecast to 6%, down from an earlier estimate of 6.8%, citing weaker consumer demand and slower industrial performance amid rising energy and input costs linked to the West Asia conflict.For FY26, the agency expects India’s GDP growth to be 7.6%, according to official estimates, as reported by ET.The…

Apple shares edged lower on Tuesday, slipping 1%, as the company confirmed a leadership transition that will see Tim Cook step down as chief executive on September 1. After stepping down as the CEO, Cook is set to move into the role of executive chairman, handing over the reins to John Ternus, a long-time company…

The ongoing crisis in the Middle East has triggered ripples for economies and sectors across the globe. Even so, India’s economy still appears firm, with only a few early signs of pressure, according to a recent report by HDFC Bank’s treasury research team.The report, Macro Billboard: 40 Charts, Early Signals dated April 20, 2026, says…

India faces greater exposure. It depends heavily on the Gulf region not just for crude oil but also for liquefied petroleum gas. (AI image) India and China, among the largest economies in Asia, may well be staring at a supply problem for their energy needs as the Middle East conflict drags on. Asia’s biggest crude…