Economy and Regulatory Updates
As per the new series of Consumer Price Index with 2024 as base year, retail inflation in India rose 3.21% in February compared with the revised 2.74% in January.
The Central Information Commission (CIC) has advised the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) to place orders, directions, circulars and policy decisions affecting audit practices and standards in the public domain.
The Cabinet approved a series of major infrastructure and public utility initiatives with a combined financial outlay of about Rs 8.7 lakh crore, including the launch of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, aimed at strengthening rural drinking water service delivery across the country.
The government eased norms for foreign direct investment from all countries that share land borders with India, including China.
According to the 30th report of the Standing Committee on Finance the Income Tax Department will roll out the new Income Tax Act, 2025, from April 1 with only 54 of the 190 forms required under the new law operational initially. The remaining forms will be introduced in phases during next fiscal.
The Cabinet approved the proposal to declare Madurai airport as an international airport.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved two multi tracking projects of the Ministry of Railways connecting West Bengal and Jharkhand with a total cost of Rs 4,474 crore.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued new draft guidelines for customer protection in electronic banking transactions, including online and card-based payments.
RBI issued revised prudential directions linking dividend payouts by commercial banks to their common equity tier 1 capital ratios, replacing guidelines issued as recently as November 2025.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) eased certification requirements for persons associated with research services, allowing sales personnel, relationship managers and other non-research staff to qualify through a simplified certification module aimed at reducing regulatory burden and improving ease of doing business.
SEBI introduced a voluntary debit freeze facility for mutual fund investors across demat and non-demat folios to promote their digital security.
Source MOSPI,RBI
Indian Debt Market Update
The interbank call money rate ended flat at 5.15% on March 13 unchanged from March 6.
Government bond prices ended marginally higher this week. The yield on the 10-year benchmark 6.48% GS 2035 paper closed at 6.68% on March 13 compared with 6.69% on March 6.
Bond prices began the week on a negative note due to rising crude oil prices and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which raised concerns over imported inflation as India imports more than 80% of its crude oil requirements. Elevated global yields, particularly US Treasury yields, also exerted upward pressure on domestic bond yields.
However, bond prices witnessed few gains later in the week as crude oil prices moderated and the RBI conducted open market purchases of government bonds, supporting demand for sovereign debt and stabilising the bond market.
Source CRISIL Fixed Income Database, RBI *Weighted Average Yield ^Data as of 6th Mar 2026 vs 27th Feb 2026 vs 6th Feb 2026 respectively
Source CRISIL Fixed Income Database; *Weighted Average Yield
Indian Equity Market Updates
Indian equities ended sharply lower for the second consecutive week, as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East pushed global crude oil prices above $100 per barrel, heightening inflation concerns and triggering foreign fund outflows. The BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 fell 5.52% and 5.31%, respectively.
Almost all the major sectors ended lower with auto, banks and metal stocks losing the most. The BSE Auto, BSE Bankex and BSE Metal fell 9.95%, 6.97% and 5.88%, respectively.
The domestic market bought around Rs 9,977 crore worth of equities on March 13, 2026 compared with buying of Rs 6,972 crore worth of equities on March 6, 2026.
Foreign institutional investors sold equities worth Rs 7,050 crore on March 12, 2026 compared with selling of Rs 6,030 crore on March 6, 2026.
Domestic mutual funds were net buyers, buying equities worth Rs 35,288 crore on month to date basis on March 10, 2026.
Source BSE,NSE
Source SEBI,NSE
Global Equity Market Summary
US stocks declined during the week primarily on disappointing January non-farm payroll figures and as ongoing worries around inflation dampened investor sentiment. Although optimism surrounding a possible resolution to the Middle East conflict temporarily boosted markets, renewed tensions quickly unsettled investors.
Britain's FTSE index gained marginally during the week, after the US President indicated that the conflict in the Middle East might soon be resolved. However, a disappointing US jobs report for January further undermined investor confidence, resulting in losses.
Asian equities closed lower this week. Japan's Nikkei index ended lower, whipsawed by volatile crude oil prices and mounting geopolitical risks stemming from the Middle East conflict.
The index initially fell as a spike in oil prices stoked fears of inflation and economic slowdown, before rebounding mid-week when major economies tapped strategic reserves and crude prices eased, fuelling hopes of a potential resolution to the conflict.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index ended lower during the week, pressured by surging crude oil prices and mounting fears of global stagflation amid the unresolved Middle East conflict.
An early lift from strong Chinese export growth and hopes of a possible de-escalation, following remarks by the US President, proved short lived.
China's Shanghai Composite Index closed lower this week pressured by the ongoing Middle East conflict that sent oil prices soaring and reduced risk appetite throughout Asia.
Source Websites of respective stock exchanges; *Data as on Mar 12
Global Yield
US Treasury prices declined during the week on heightened inflation concerns, elevated oil prices due to geopolitical tensions and shifting market expectations regarding the timing of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) policy easing.
The upward movement was largely driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which pushed crude oil prices higher and increased concerns about renewed inflationary pressures. Higher energy prices led markets to expect that inflation could remain elevated, reducing the likelihood of near-term rate cuts by the Fed.
Additionally, strong US labour market indicators, including lower-than expected weekly jobless claims, signalled continued economic resilience. This reinforced expectations that the Fed may keep interest rates higher for longer.
The yield on the 10-year benchmark Treasury bond ended at 4.27% on March 12 compared with 4.15% on March 6.
Source Financial Websites *As of Mar 12
Commodities and Currency
Crude oil prices rose to $95.70 per barrels on the NYMEX on week on 12, March 2026 from $90.90 on 6, March 2026 because of rising concerns over supply disruptions owing to the Middle East tensions.
Gold prices fell to Rs 1,58,399 per 10 grams in week on 13, March 2026 from Rs 1,58,751 per 10 grams in week on 6, March 2026 dragged down by profit booking and strong dollar index.
Silver prices fell to Rs 2,60,488 per kg on week on 13, March 2026 from Rs 2,60,723 per kg on week on 6, March 2026 mirroring a similar trend in gold due to strength in dollar index.
The rupee closed lower against the dollar this week, due to rising crude oil prices, heightened geopolitical tensions and strong dollar demand, while foreign fund outflows and concerns over India’s growth-inflation dynamics kept the currency under pressure despite intermittent support from the central bank.
Source *Data as on Mar 12, 2026 Source: Respective commodity exchanges, ibijartes.com
Source Financial websites
Global Economic
The US economy shed 92,000 jobs in February 2026, compared to a downwardly revised 126,000 rise in January 2026.
US unemployment rate rose to 4.4% in February 2026, compared to 4.3% in January 2026.
US Retail sales rose by 3.2% in January of 2026, compared to 2.4% increase in December 2025.
US annual inflation rate held steady at 2.4% in February 2026, unchanged compared to January 2026 while the annual core consumer price inflation rate stood at 2.5% in February 2026 unchanged from the previous month.
The Eurozone economy grew 1.2% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2025 (Q4 2025), compared to a 1.4% expansion in the previous quarter.
China annual inflation jumped to 1.3% in February 2026 compared to 0.2% in January 2026.
The Japanese economy advanced at an annualized pace of 1.3% in Q4 2025, compared to a 2.6% contraction in Q3 2025.
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