Global oil prices could soar to as high as $150 per barrel if the escalating conflict in the Middle East disrupts energy supplies from the Gulf, Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi warned, cautioning that such a surge could deal a severe blow to the global economy. In an interview with the Financial Times, al-Kaabi said a prolonged war in the region could force Gulf energy exporters to shut down production within weeks.

He also noted that even if hostilities were to end immediately, it could still take “weeks to months” for Qatar to restore normal delivery cycles after an Iranian drone strike on the country’s largest liquefied natural gas facility.

This comes as Israel, the US and Iran continue to trade strikes for an eighth straight day. Just last week, before the conflict erupted, crude was hovering around $62 per barrel. By Friday, however, U.S. crude futures had spiked as much as 12% amid fears of supply disruptions before trimming some gains. Brent crude settled at $92.69 per barrel, up $7.28, or 8.52%, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) jumped $9.89, or 12.21%, to close at $90.90 per barrel.

Markets have been rattled as the escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping and energy exports through the crucial Strait of Hormuz. This narrow chokepoint between Iran and Oman normally carries around one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

Also Read | Starting late in mutual funds? Expert shares a Rs 40,000 SIP portfolio strategy for a 50-year-old

Why is this massive for us?

India imports the majority of its crude oil requirements, and about half of those imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Roughly 2.6 million barrels per day of India’s oil flows through the corridor.
The Middle East takes 17% of India’s goods exports, on par with the US and the EU, supplies 55% of its crude oil, and accounts for 38% of worker remittances, which amounted to $45 billion in FY24 alone, according to calculations by global brokerage firm Jefferies.For equity markets, a spike toward $150 oil would likely trigger a broad risk-off reaction. Higher energy costs raise input prices for companies, compress corporate margins and weaken consumer spending.

Historically, sectors such as aviation, paints, chemicals and logistics tend to face the most pressure when oil prices surge sharply. At the same time, upstream oil producers and energy companies typically benefit from higher crude prices.

Short-term price spikes triggered by geopolitical tensions often reverse if supply routes reopen quickly. However, a sustained disruption to Gulf exports could push global markets into a period of higher inflation, weaker growth and increased volatility.

How will the Indian stock market open on Monday?

The Indian equity markets are likely to begin the upcoming week on a cautious note as global risk sentiment has deteriorated sharply. The current trend in GIFT Nifty, which closed around the 24,300 level, indicates a bearish undertone compared with the previous Nifty close near 24,450, Hariprasad K of Livelong Wealth said.

This combination of macroeconomic uncertainty and geopolitical risk is likely to influence market sentiment in the near term. Unless there is a positive development in the Middle East conflict that brings crude oil prices lower, Indian markets could witness continued volatility.

From a technical perspective, Pravesh Gour of Swastika Investmart said that Nifty is taking support near 24,300 but remains highly volatile. On the upside, the 24,900 to 25,000 range is expected to act as an immediate supply zone, where selling pressure could emerge if the index attempts a recovery. On the downside, 24,300 remains the first key support, and if the index slips below this level, 23,800 will be the next important support area that traders will closely monitor.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

The Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday moved to dismiss a civil fraud lawsuit it had filed against crypto billionaire Justin Sun, who became a major investor in President Trump’s cryptocurrency projects as he pursued leniency from U.S. law enforcers. A company previously affiliated with Sun agreed, without admitting or denying wrongdoing, to pay a $10 million fine to resolve the SEC’s allegations that its employees manipulated the market for a crypto asset known as TRX. The settlement requires court approval.

Shares of Day One Biopharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: DAWN) skyrocketed more than 65% on March 6, 2026, after the company announced a definitive agreement to be acquired by French pharmaceutical group Servier for $21.50 per share in cash, valuing the deal at approximately $2.5 billion in total equity value.

The transaction sent DAWN stock soaring from a previous close of $12.78 to $21.20 at the close of trading, with volume exceeding 78 million shares—far above its average. After-hours trading held steady around $21.20–$21.23, reflecting strong investor enthusiasm for the buyout premium, which represents a substantial uplift from recent trading levels.

Servier, an independent international pharmaceutical company governed by a foundation, described the acquisition as a strategic move to bolster its rare oncology portfolio. The deal centers on Day One’s flagship product, OJEMDA (tovorafenib), the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved monotherapy for pediatric low-grade glioma (pLGG) in patients with specific BRAF alterations.

OJEMDA, an oral, brain-penetrant, selective type II RAF kinase inhibitor, targets relapsed or refractory pLGG in patients six months and older harboring BRAF fusions, rearrangements, or V600 mutations. Approved by the FDA in April 2024 under accelerated approval, the drug has shown rapid commercial traction.

Day One reported preliminary 2025 net product revenue of $155.4 million for OJEMDA, marking 172% year-over-year growth. In its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 financial results released Feb. 24, 2026, the company posted Q4 net product revenue of $52.8 million and reaffirmed 2026 U.S. net product revenue guidance of $225 million to $250 million.

The acquisition expands Servier’s oncology ambitions, particularly in pediatric and rare cancers with high unmet needs. Servier gains access to OJEMDA and Day One’s broader pipeline, including programs in early to late-stage development targeting adult and pediatric solid tumors.

“Servier’s successful track record in rare cancers and its commitment to advancing targeted therapies makes it the ideal home for our portfolio,” Day One CEO Jeremy Bender said in the announcement. “Joining Servier represents a unique opportunity to extend the reach of our science and our lead program in pediatric low-grade glioma.”

The deal follows Day One’s January 2026 acquisition of Mersana Therapeutics, which added Emiltatug ledadotin (Emi-Le), a B7-H4-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) in Phase 1 for adenoid cystic carcinoma and other solid tumors. Updated Phase 1 data for Emi-Le is expected mid-2026.

Day One’s pipeline also includes DAY301, a PTK7-targeted ADC in Phase 1 dose escalation for locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors, with initial data anticipated in the second half of 2026.

The FIREFLY-1 pivotal Phase 2 trial supported OJEMDA’s approval, while the FIREFLY-2 Phase 3 study in frontline pLGG completed enrollment in early 2026, with results expected to support potential label expansion.

Regulatory momentum continues internationally. In late February 2026, the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) issued a positive opinion for conditional marketing authorization of OJEMDA in relapsed or refractory BRAF-altered pLGG, under Day One’s ex-U.S. licensing agreement with Ipsen Pharma SAS.

The Servier acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and tender offer completion, with an expected close in the second quarter of 2026. Servier plans a tender offer for all outstanding shares.

Analysts had previously viewed Day One favorably, with consensus price targets around $23–$26 before the deal, implying significant upside. The buyout premium aligns with those expectations while providing certainty amid biotech sector volatility.

Some investor alerts emerged post-announcement, with firms like Kahn Swick & Foti and Halper Sadeh investigating the adequacy of the price and process for shareholders. Such reviews are common in public company acquisitions but do not necessarily indicate issues.

Day One, founded with a focus on disrupting traditional drug development for pediatric and young adult cancers, has built a commercial-stage profile rapidly since OJEMDA’s launch. The company’s emphasis on targeted therapies for life-threatening diseases, particularly in underserved populations, attracted Servier’s interest.

For investors, the deal caps a strong run for DAWN, which has delivered triple-digit year-to-date returns in 2026 amid pipeline progress and revenue growth. The stock’s 52-week range spanned $5.64 to $21.23, with the acquisition pushing it to new highs.

As the transaction advances, attention turns to integration, potential synergies in Servier’s oncology efforts, and continued momentum for OJEMDA’s global rollout. The buyout underscores ongoing consolidation in rare oncology, where targeted therapies command premiums for their precision and impact on small patient populations.

Day One’s journey from clinical development to commercial success—and now acquisition—highlights the value of focused innovation in pediatric oncology. Shareholders await confirmation of the deal’s close, while the broader biotech market watches for ripple effects on similar rare-disease players.

This article was written by

Many people believe that starting a business always requires money. While having capital can certainly help, it is not always necessary. In reality, there are many ways to start earning income using only your time, skills, and creativity.

If you are currently struggling financially and need to earn money immediately—even within the same day—there are several simple business ideas you can start right away without spending anything.

The key is to focus on services instead of products. Services rely on effort rather than capital, which means you can start immediately using what you already have.

Here are nine practical business ideas you can try today if you need to earn money quickly without any upfront investment.

1. Offer Errand Services

Many people are simply too busy to complete everyday tasks. This creates an opportunity for you to earn money by offering errand services.

You can help people with tasks such as:

• Buying groceries
• Picking up packages
• Paying bills
• Dropping off documents
• Waiting in line for services

Start by offering your service to neighbors, coworkers, or friends through social media. Even charging a small service fee can quickly add up if you complete multiple errands in a day.

Since this only requires your time and willingness to help, it is one of the easiest ways to earn money immediately.

2. Sell Unused Items Online

One of the fastest ways to earn money within the day is by selling items you already own but no longer use.

Look around your home and identify things such as:

• Clothes you rarely wear
• Old gadgets or accessories
• Books
• Kitchen tools
• Unused decorations

Take clear photos and post them on Facebook Marketplace, community groups, or messaging apps. Price them slightly lower than market value to attract buyers quickly.

Many people manage to sell items within hours, especially if the price is reasonable.

3. Offer Cleaning Services

Cleaning services are always in demand. Many homeowners would gladly pay someone to help clean their house, yard, or garage.

You can offer services such as:

• Basic house cleaning
• Garage organizing
• Yard sweeping
• Dishwashing
• Laundry assistance

Start by posting in local Facebook groups or messaging neighbors. Since this type of service requires effort rather than capital, it is perfect for earning money quickly.

Even a single cleaning job can bring immediate income on the same day.

4. Become a Local Delivery Helper

With the rise of online selling and food deliveries, many small sellers need help delivering items to customers.

If you have a bicycle, motorcycle, or even just the ability to walk short distances, you can offer delivery services for local sellers.

Message online sellers in your area and offer to deliver their orders for a small fee. Some sellers are happy to outsource deliveries because it saves them time and effort.

This can quickly turn into multiple delivery tasks in one day.

5. Offer Basic Tech Help

Not everyone is comfortable with technology. Many people need help with simple tasks like setting up apps, installing software, or fixing small phone or computer issues.

If you have basic tech knowledge, you can offer help such as:

• Installing applications
• Setting up email accounts
• Cleaning phone storage
• Troubleshooting slow devices
• Teaching basic smartphone usage

Even simple tech assistance can be valuable to those who struggle with digital devices.

You can charge a small service fee and finish multiple tasks within the same day.

6. Offer Writing or Typing Services

If you have access to a computer or smartphone and can type quickly, you can offer writing or typing services.

Examples include:

• Typing handwritten notes
• Creating simple documents
• Transcribing audio recordings
• Writing short social media captions

Students, small businesses, and content creators often need quick help with these tasks.

Promote your service on social media or among friends who might need assistance.

7. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking

Pet owners sometimes need someone to watch or walk their pets while they are busy or away from home.

You can offer services such as:

• Dog walking
• Pet feeding
• Short-term pet sitting
• Cleaning pet areas

This can be a fun and easy way to earn money while spending time with animals.

Ask neighbors or post in community groups to find pet owners who need help.

8. Offer Simple Tutoring

If you are good at a particular subject, you can offer tutoring services to students who need help.

This could include:

• Basic math tutoring
• English conversation practice
• Homework assistance
• Exam preparation

You do not need to be a professional teacher. Many parents simply want someone patient who can help their children understand lessons better.

Even short tutoring sessions can provide immediate income.

9. Social Media Posting for Small Businesses

Many small businesses want to promote their products online but do not have the time to manage their social media pages.

You can offer simple services such as:

• Posting product photos
• Writing captions
• Replying to basic messages
• Sharing posts in groups

If you already spend time on social media, this can easily become a small service business.

Start by contacting small online sellers and offering affordable help managing their posts.

When money is tight, the most important thing is to focus on action instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity. Many successful entrepreneurs started with nothing but determination and a willingness to work.

The good news is that earning money does not always require large investments. By offering useful services, helping others solve small problems, and using the skills you already have, it is possible to start earning income immediately.

Try one or two of these ideas today and see which works best for you. Sometimes, the simplest opportunities can lead to bigger business ideas in the future.

Remember, every successful business once started with a single small step.