News Overview

Indian benchmark indices staged a strong intraday recovery on May 18, 2026, despite a sharp opening selloff caused by escalating US-Iran tensions, Brent crude crossing $111 per barrel, and the rupee hitting record lows. IT and pharma stocks supported the rebound as Nifty and Sensex closed marginally in the green.

HFCL share price dropped nearly 5% on May 18 despite winning a ₹106.19 crore export order. Profit booking, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain worries impacted investor sentiment.

Gold and silver prices remained under pressure on May 18 as stronger US inflation data, rising Treasury yields, and a firm US dollar weighed on bullion sentiment. Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and upcoming Donald Trump-Xi Jinping talks kept safe-haven demand alive. Domestic MCX gold and silver futures also declined sharply amid India’s stricter import restrictions and higher duties on precious metals.

Indian IT stocks outperformed the broader market on Monday, supported by a weaker rupee, strong US technology cues, and optimism around AI-led digital transformation demand. Stocks including Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Coforge, and Persistent Systems witnessed strong gains as investors turned bullish on export-oriented technology companies.

Gland Pharma reported a strong Q4 FY26 performance with net profit rising 96.6% YoY and revenue growing 22.3%. The stock rallied over 14% to hit a 52-week high as investors cheered margin expansion, strong CDMO momentum, and improving outlook for the injectables business.

Tata Steel reported strong Q4FY26 earnings with net profit surging 147% YoY and EBITDA beating estimates. However, concerns over Europe operations, regulatory costs, and valuation pressure led to weakness in the stock despite improving domestic performance.

Shares of Amber Enterprises India witnessed their steepest fall since May 2022 despite reporting strong Q4 FY25 earnings, margin expansion, and robust growth in electronics and railway businesses. The sharp correction was driven by concerns around future margin pressure, rising copper costs, and stretched valuations.

Asian equity markets ended lower on May 15, 2026, amid a sharp technology-led selloff, rising geopolitical tensions, and surging crude oil prices. South Korea’s KOSPI plunged over 6%, while Japan’s Nikkei and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng also witnessed steep declines. India’s Nifty slipped marginally as investors tracked weak global cues, higher oil prices, and inflation concerns.

JSW Steel shares touched a fresh 52-week high of ₹1,314 after the company reported robust Q4 FY26 earnings, exceptional gains from the BPSL transaction, record revenue, and significant debt reduction. Strong steel demand, expansion plans, and bullish brokerage outlooks further strengthened investor confidence in the stock.

Indian benchmark indices ended slightly lower on May 15, 2026, amid record rupee weakness, surging crude oil prices, and cautious global sentiment. While IT, FMCG, and Pharma sectors provided support, heavy selling in Metal, Defence, PSU Bank, Realty, and Oil & Gas stocks kept markets under pressure. Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Kirloskar Oil Engines emerged among key gainers after strong quarterly earnings, while Voltas declined sharply on margin pressure concerns.