Market Outlook

Indian markets have rebounded in April, with Nifty50 rising nearly 3 per cent this month. Analysts, however, say sentiment remains cautious. Here's why it's not yet a broad-based buy-on-dips phase

Geopolitical tensions, rising crude prices, and sustained FII outflows are reshaping the outlook for Indian equities. Mythili Balakrishnan shares views on market direction and investment strategy

Improving valuations and a projected earnings recovery of 13-15 per cent, analysts believe, are expected to sustain the long-term investment case

The outlook for Indian markets in the next fiscal year remains structurally optimistic once geopolitical tensions subside and crude oil prices stabilise, analysts said, even as domestic equities ended FY26 on a bearish note, with Sensex plunging 7 per cent. In 2025-26, the BSE benchmark plunged 5,467.37 points, or 7 per cent, and the NSE Nifty dropped 1,187.95 points, or 5 per cent. The year was dominated by global macro uncertainty, persistent geopolitical tensions, elevated crude prices, and aggressive FII (Foreign Institutional Investors) outflows, which collectively capped upside momentum, an expert said. Markets have been reeling under the immense pressure ever since the West Asia conflict began, creating chaos, rattling energy markets globally and generating a risk-off environment. This month alone, the BSE benchmark crashed 9,339.64 points, or 11.48 per cent, since the beginning of the West Asia conflict on February 28. "The current bearish trend is largely externally drive

Here's how leading analysts expect FY27 to play out for different asset classes and suggest an ideal investing strategy.

After a five-day pause until Friday, US President Donald Trump announced that he is delaying planned strikes on Iran's power plants at Tehran's request, signaling a temporary easing of tensions

When compared with issue prices, around 68 per cent of mainboard IPOs and nearly 70 per cent of SME listings are currently trading below their offer price

As markets navigate geopolitical uncertainty, investors are recalibrating their strategies. Harshad Patil, CIO at Tata AIA Life, outlines how he is positioning portfolios amid the Iran conflict

While the Buffett Indicator signals froth, Nifty P/E shows large caps are stable. The real risk, analysts said, lies in mid & small caps, where valuations remain stretched.

Retail investors remain resilient amid Iran war volatility, shifting towards index investing, diversification, and long-term strategies, says smallcase CEO.

Emkay Global warns of a 10-per cent downside in Nifty as Iran war volatility keeps crude oil above $100 per barrel. It has picked HDFC Bank, Eternal, and Max Healthcare as top stocks to buy now.

Analysts at Kotak Institutional Equities advise investors to use the Iran war-led market correction to rebalance portfolios and buy quality stocks amid valuation dislocations.

According to Ace Equity data compiled by Business Standard, 250 out of 495 BSE 500 stocks have lagged the Sensex over the same period as of March 10, 2026

Brent crude oil has topped the $100-mark which may trigger a 10 per cent fall in Nifty, warns ICICI Securities. Rising oil prices could widen India's trade deficit and push inflation higher

PhillipCapital says volatility from the Iran war could offer investors a chance to accumulate quality Indian stocks, while maintaining its Nifty target of 26,500-27,500 by March 2027

Analysts said that mid and small cap stocks are currently absorbing the impact of a broad-based domestic and global sell-off

HSBC outlines three Iran war scenarios that could drive oil above $100, affect stocks, bonds and currencies as global markets react to ongoing conflict

On the upside, the 25,350-25,500 band now acts as a key resistance area for the Nifty, according to Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, a SEBI-registered online trading and wealth tech firm

The Nifty can test 24,400 levels on the downside; MidCap, SmallCap indices can fall up to 7 per cent, cautions Kunal Shah, Senior Technical Analyst of Mirae Asset ShareKhan.

Iran-Israel-US tensions may trigger Nifty correction to 24,500, says Emkay. Sectors at risk, safe bets, oil shock impact and investor strategy explained