0%
Daily Market Update
18-Mar-20261 min readvipin kumar

US Fed expected to hold rates steady as Iran war’s shockwaves ripple- Daily Market Update 18th March 2026

Get a Smart Summary Instantly

Prompt copied

US Federal Reserve policymakers are expected to leave interest rates unchanged Wednesday, as the US-Israel war on Iran sends shock waves through oil markets and supply chains, while economic data has begun to show weakness.

The Fed began its two-day meeting on Tuesday, which will culminate in an announcement of the benchmark lending rate in the world’s largest economy, expected at 2:00 pm US Eastern Time (1800 GMT) on Wednesday.

Overview and Outlook

Global Stock Market Today

  • US equity markets settled on a flat to positive note.
  • European equity markets ended higher in range 0.45% to 0.83%.
  • Majority of Asian equity markets are trading with a positive bias.
  • GIFT Nifty is little changed, Nifty futures likely to open around 23650 levels.

 

News highlights from across the globe

  • Wall Street ended higher on Tuesday, with gains in Delta Air Lines and other travel stocks, while the Federal Reserve began its ​two-day policy meeting amid investors’ worries about high oil prices and the Middle East conflict.
  • Asian equity markets are trading in green on Wednesday’s open, following modest gains in both US equities and Treasuries, as investors appeared willing to look past immediate geopolitical tensions.
  • Oil prices held onto their recent gains after Iran confirmed the death of its top security official, brent crude remained above $103 a barrel after rising more than 3% on Tuesday.

 

Important news updates from the domestic front

  • NHPC has announced the commencement of commercial operations for the first 250 MW unit of the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHP).
  • Aurobindo Pharma: The US FDA concludes an inspection at its arm’s (Eugia Pharma) Bhiwadi unit with nine observations and classifies the inspection as “Official Action Indicated” (OAI).
  • Tech Mahindra’s London arm will buy a 20% stake in Tech Mahindra Arabia for Rs 206 crore, bringing total ownership of the Arabia arm to 100%.
  • Wipro partners with Harness, an AI software delivery platform, to accelerate AI-native software delivery.
  • IRCON: The Supreme Court issues a notice to the VAT department and stays the Patna High Court’s previous orders regarding the tax demand.
  • Varun Beverages arm, The Beverage Company Proprietary will acquire a 100% stake in Crickley Dairy Proprietary for an enterprise value of Rs 131 crore.
  • LTM (formerly LTIMindtree)‘s official name has changed from “LTIMindtree” to “LTM” effective today.
  • Shree Cement declared the preferred bidder for a limestone block in Andhra Pradesh.
  • MedPlus Health receives a drug license suspension order for one retail store in Karnataka.
  • Kirloskar Ferrous operations at its Solapur unit are disrupted due to an LPG shortage; the company is seeking alternate supply sources.
  • Tata Steel approves the merger of Neelachal Ispat Nigam with the company and plans to invest Rs 18,488 crore in its arm, T Steel Holdings, in tranches starting FY27.
  • SBI raises Rs 6,051 crore through bond issuances at a coupon rate of 7.05%.
  • CESC issues four Letters of Award (LoAs) for wind-solar hybrid power projects totaling 600 MW from various suppliers.

 

Nifty Overview & Outlook

The benchmark Nifty index gained 172 points to settle at 23581 spot levels.

Broader markets performed in line with the benchmark as Mid and Small cap indices rose 1.02% & 0.65% respectively.

Majority of sectoral indices, barring FMCG and IT, ended in green. Amongst them, Metal, Auto and Realty index were the top performers, rose in range 1.80% to 2.82%.

The ongoing bounce back rally that started on Monday is likely to face resistance around 23800 spot levels amid Middle East conflict and volatile crude oil prices. Any sort of de-escalation in Middle East is essential for a sustainable up move beyond 23800-24000 spot zone. On the flip side 23300-23350 spot zone will act as an immediate support on the down side.

 

Derivatives Overview & Outlook

Yesterday, Nifty and Finnifty futures moved north on short covering as both shed around 2% of open interest each. Midcapnifty futures saw an addition in open interest by around 2% as long buildup, whereas no significant change was seen in Banknifty futures on the open interest front.

All F&O sectors, barring FMCG and Technology, settled on a positive note. Amongst them, Capital Goods, Oil & Gas and Realty stocks witnessed maximum addition of long position along with some short covering among Metal and Telecom stocks.

On option front, Nifty will start the new weekly contracts of the March series with maximum position at 25000 CE and 23000 PE.

 

Institutional Trading Activity

Yesterday, FIIs sold stocks worth Rs 4741 Cr in the cash segment, sold stocks futures worth Rs 695 Cr and bought index futures worth Rs 1247 Cr. DIIs were net buyers to the tune of Rs 5225 Cr in the cash segment.

 

Nifty Futures, Banknifty Futures and Finnifty Futures Key Levels

Nifty – Resistances 23800-23950; Supports 23400-23200

Banknifty – Resistances 55600-56000; Supports 54400-54000

Finnifty – Resistances 25850-26000; Supports 25600- 25500

 

F&O stocks in ban today – SAIL, SAMMAANCAP

Disclosure

Globe Capital Market Limited (“GCML”) is a Stock Broker registered with BSE, NSE, MCX, NCDEX, and MSEI in all the major segments viz. Capital, F & O and CDS segments. GCML is also a Depository Participant and registered with both the Depositories viz. CDSL and NSDL. Further, GCML is a SEBI registered Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst. GCML includes subsidiaries, group and associate companies, promoters, directors, employees and affiliates. AY Securities and Commodities Limited, Globe Derivatives and Securities Limited & Globe Fincap Limited are subsidiaries of GCML. AtoZ Finstock Private Limited, A to Z Consultants Private Limited, A to Z Venture Capital Limited, M. Agarwal Stock Brokers Private Limited, A M Share Brokers Private Limited, Shri Adinath Advertising Company Pvt. Ltd., Orient Landbase Private Limited, Bolt Synthetic Private Limited, Price ponder Private Limited and Lakshya Impex Private Limited are the associates of GCML.

This report has been prepared by GCML and published in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 19 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Research Analysts) Regulations, 2014, for use by the recipient as information only and is not for general circulation or public distribution. This report is not to be altered, transmitted, reproduced, copied, redistributed, uploaded, published or made available to others, in any form, in whole or in part, for any purpose without prior written permission from GCML. The projections and the forecasts described in this report are based on estimates and assumptions and are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. Projections and forecasts are necessarily speculative in nature, and it can be expected that one or more of the estimates on which the projections are forecasts were based may not materialize or may vary significantly from actual results and such variations will likely increase over the period of time. This report should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, purchase or subscribe to any securities, and neither this report nor anything contained therein shall form the basis of or be relied upon in connection with any contract or commitment whatsoever. It does not constitute a personal recommendation or take into account the particular investment objective, financial situation or needs of any individual in particular. The research analysts of GCML have adhered to the code of conduct under Regulation 24 (2) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Research Analysts) Regulations, 2014. The recipients of this report must make their own investment decisions, based on their own investment objectives, financial situation or needs and other factors. The recipients should consider and independently evaluate whether it is suitable for its/ his/ her/their particular circumstances and if necessary, seek professional / financial advice as there is substantial risk of loss. GCML does not take any responsibility thereof.

Any such recipient shall be responsible for conducting his/her/its/their own investigation and analysis of the information contained or referred to in this report and of evaluating the merits and risks involved in securities forming the subject matter of this report. The price and value of the investment referred to in this report and income from them may go up as well as down, and investors may realize profit/loss on their investments. Past performance is not a guide for future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the projection GC does not take any responsibility thereof. This report has been prepared by GCML based on the information available in the public domain and other public sources believed to be reliable. Though utmost care has been taken to ensure its accuracy and completeness, no representation or warranty, express or implied is made by GCML that such information is accurate or complete and/or is independently verified. The contents of this report represent the assumptions and projections of GCML and GCML does not guarantee the accuracy or reliability of any projection, assurances or advice made herein. Nothing in this report constitutes investment, legal, accounting and/or tax advice or a representation that any investment or strategy is suitable or appropriate to recipients’ specific circumstances.

Since GCML or its associates are engaged in various financial activities, they might have financial interest or beneficial ownership in various companies including subject company/companies mentioned in the report. GCML or its associates have not received any compensation for investment banking or merchant banking from the subject company in the past 12 months. GCML or its associates might have received any compensation including brokerage services and for products or services other than investment banking or merchant banking from the subject company in the past 12 months. It is confirmed that GCML or research analyst or its associates have not managed or co-managed public offering of securities for the subject company in the past 12 months. Research analyst or GCML or its relatives’/associates’ have no material conflict of interest at the time of publication of this report. Neither research analyst nor GCML are engaged in market making activity for the subject company. It is confirmed that research analysts do not serve as an officer, director or employee of the subject company. It is also confirmed that research analyst have not received any compensation from the subject company in the past 12 months.

The views contained in this document are those of the analyst, and the company may or may not subscribe to all the views expressed within. This information is subject to change, as per applicable law, without any prior notice. GCML reserves the right to make modifications and alternations to this statement, as may be required, from time to time.

Research analyst or GCML or its relatives’/associates’ do not have actual/beneficial ownership of 1% or more in securities of the subject company, at the end of the month immediately preceding the date of publication of the document. Registration granted by SEBI, membership of BASL (in case of IAs) and certification from NISM in no way guarantee performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors.

Our research analysts may use AI tools to collect, summarize, and present data in order to increase productivity and enhance the clarity and readability of our reports. However, all reports are subject to human review prior to finalization and distribution to end users.

Our published research reports are the property of GCML and its associate and subsidiary companies. These reports may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or otherwise used by any other brokerage or individual firm without the prior written permission of GCML or its associate/subsidiary companies.