Shares of HDFC Bank have come under pressure following the sudden resignation of chairman Atanu Chakraborty. Still, analysts are increasingly viewing the correction as a buying opportunity rather than a structural red flag. The stock’s decline on Thursday has pushed valuations into what some analysts describe as a “deep value” zone. The stock has lost about Rs 1 lakh crore in today’s trade.
Market analyst Deven Choksey said that the correction has brought the bank into a deep value zone, though he acknowledged that a governance discount may now be factored into valuations. However, most analysts tracking the situation do not see the development as a fundamental concern.
Ishan Tanna of Ashika Capital said that the exit appears more like a tactical opportunity. “The recent resignation of the Chairman looks more like a buy-on-dips opportunity rather than a structural concern,” he said, adding that the bank’s long-standing reputation for strong governance and processes offers comfort.
Tanna also pointed to management commentary suggesting that the issue was not linked to regulatory or compliance lapses. “It seems to be more about differences in value systems, and not related to any regulatory or compliance problems,” he said.
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This iew is broadly echoed across the street. According to sources cited by ET Now, Chakraborty’s resignation was not triggered by any concerns from the Reserve Bank of India, but followed prolonged differences over certain practices that did not align with his personal values. Paresh Bhagat, CIO at Veer Growth Fund, noted that the development should be viewed in context. “We view the resignation… as non-material to HDFC’s fundamentals. The absence of any stated business or financial concerns reinforces that this is a governance-level change rather than an operational signal,” he said.He added that continuity at the top management level remains intact, which is critical for execution. “Leadership continuity under MD and CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan remains intact, and the presence of Keki Mistry provides further governance stability,” Bhagat noted.
The bank has also sought to reassure investors. In an analyst call, management emphasised operational continuity and indicated that the exit does not impact the bank’s day-to-day functioning or long-term strategy.
That said, some governance experts have called for greater transparency. Shriram Subramanian of InGovern said the bank should provide more clarity on the circumstances surrounding the resignation, even suggesting that both the company and the regulator should issue detailed statements to address investor concerns.
The uncertainty stems from Chakraborty’s resignation letter, in which he cited practices that were “not in congruence” with his personal values and ethics, without elaborating further. The lack of specifics has led to questions, even as the absence of regulatory triggers has prevented panic.
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From a broader perspective, analysts note that HDFC Bank’s core fundamentals remain intact. The bank continues to benefit from strong retail franchise, stable asset quality and long-term growth potential following its merger with HDFC.
While the benefits of the merger are still playing out, the institution remains one of the most closely tracked financial stocks in India, with valuation sensitivity often driving short-term price movements.
For now, the market appears to be pricing in a limited governance overhang without significantly altering the long-term thesis.
Palantir Technologies Inc. shares fell modestly Wednesday, closing at $152.77, down $2.31 or 1.49%, as investors locked in gains following a strong rally earlier in the month. The pullback came on elevated volume of about 32.3 million shares, reflecting typical profit-taking in a high-momentum AI stock amid broader market caution over valuations and macroeconomic uncertainties.
Palantir
The Denver-based data analytics and AI platform provider opened at $154.95, ranged from a low of $152.61 to a high of $156.69, and finished with a market capitalization near $371 billion. Palantir (NASDAQ: PLTR) remains well above its 52-week low of $66.12 hit in April 2025 but sits below its November 2025 peak of $207.52. Year-to-date through March 18, 2026, PLTR is down roughly 13%, underperforming the Nasdaq Composite’s modest gains amid sector rotation and renewed tariff concerns.
The latest dip follows a series of bullish developments that have kept Wall Street optimistic. UBS raised its price target to $200 from $180 earlier this week, maintaining a Buy rating and citing Palantir’s accelerating AI adoption and defense sector tailwinds. Wedbush’s Dan Ives highlighted recent AI partnerships as key growth catalysts, while other firms including Rosenblatt and Daiwa issued or reiterated positive calls.
Consensus among roughly 28 analysts stands at Moderate Buy, with an average 12-month target around $188, implying about 23% upside from Wednesday’s close. High-end forecasts reach $260, reflecting confidence in Palantir’s unique position in enterprise AI and government contracts.
The momentum traces back to Palantir’s blockbuster fourth-quarter 2025 earnings released Feb. 2, 2026. Revenue surged 70% year-over-year to $1.41 billion, beating estimates, driven by explosive U.S. commercial growth of 137%. Adjusted operating income and free cash flow also exceeded expectations. Management issued aggressive full-year 2026 guidance: revenue of $7.182 billion to $7.198 billion (61% growth), U.S. commercial revenue exceeding $3.144 billion (at least 115% growth), adjusted operating income of $4.126 billion to $4.142 billion, and adjusted free cash flow of $3.925 billion to $4.125 billion.
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The outlook crushed consensus estimates, which had hovered around $6.27 billion for revenue, and underscored Palantir’s “Rule of 40” score hitting a record 127%—a metric combining growth and profitability that few software peers approach.
CEO Alex Karp emphasized the company’s focus on scaling AI models through its Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP), describing it as “commodity cognition” that differentiates Palantir in a crowded field. The platform’s ontological framework enables rapid deployment of AI across complex datasets, appealing to both commercial enterprises and government agencies.
Recent partnerships have reinforced that narrative. Palantir expanded collaborations with GE Aerospace for military aircraft readiness, Ondas and World View for multi-domain intelligence, Nvidia for sovereign AI operating system architecture, Centrus Energy for uranium enrichment, and LG CNS in a strategic tie-up. AIG partnered with Palantir to build an ontology for its McGill and Partners portfolio, while Polymarket tapped the company to combat betting cheats.
Defense exposure remains a cornerstone. Palantir benefits from a $10 billion U.S. Army framework agreement and a $448 million Navy ShipOS deal, positioning it to capitalize on rising military spending amid geopolitical tensions. The U.S. Army’s recent $20 billion Anduril deal highlighted upside for defense tech players like Palantir and Lockheed Martin.
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Commercial momentum is equally compelling. U.S. commercial revenue growth has consistently outpaced overall figures, fueled by AIP adoption in industries from energy to finance. Backlog stood at approximately $4.4 billion post-earnings, providing visibility into future quarters.
Yet challenges persist. Palantir trades at a lofty valuation—around 242 times trailing earnings and high multiples on forward metrics—prompting some analysts to question sustainability. A March 16 note flagged bearish views on the 460% five-year surge, citing potential overvaluation risks. Broader tech sector pressures, including tariff uncertainty under the current administration and AI disruption fears, have contributed to the stock’s sideways-to-down action in early 2026.
Technical indicators show mixed signals. The stock hovers below its 50-day and 100-day moving averages but above shorter-term ones, with RSI in neutral territory suggesting room for recovery without immediate overbought conditions.
Investors continue monitoring upcoming catalysts. First-quarter 2026 results, expected in early May, will test guidance execution, with management projecting revenue of $1.532 billion to $1.536 billion and adjusted operating income of $870 million to $874 million. Any commentary on AIP deal flow or additional government wins could reignite momentum.
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Palantir’s evolution from a secretive government contractor—founded in 2003 with CIA backing—to a leading enterprise AI player has been dramatic. Once criticized for opaque accounting and high insider sales, the company achieved consistent profitability and commercial scale in recent years, attracting institutional interest and retail enthusiasm.
As AI hype cycles evolve, Palantir stands out for its practical, ontology-driven approach rather than pure generative models. While competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic dominate headlines, Palantir’s focus on secure, large-scale data integration positions it uniquely for regulated sectors.
Whether the current dip proves a buying opportunity or signals broader caution depends on macro trends and execution. For now, Wall Street’s upgrades and partnership news sustain a constructive outlook, even as near-term volatility lingers.
Palantir shares traded slightly lower in after-hours, around $152.30, ahead of Thursday’s open. Broader markets remain focused on economic data and tech earnings season.
The City of Busselton has lodged an appeal with the state’s environmental watchdog, challenging the approval of a $280 million resort planned for Smiths Beach.
Zalando SE (ZLNDY) Q4 2025 Press Conference Call March 12, 2026 4:00 AM EDT
Company Participants
Simon Thiel – Senior Vice-President of Corporate Affairs Patrick Kofler – Head of Investor Relations David Schröder – Co-CEO & Member of the Management Board Robert Gentz – Co-Founder, Co-CEO, GM & Member of the Management Board Anna Dimitrova – CFO & Member of Management Board
Conference Call Participants
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Jason Gowans – Levi Strauss & Co. Frederick Wild – Jefferies LLC, Research Division Luke Holbrook – Morgan Stanley, Research Division Joffrey Meller – BofA Securities, Research Division Monique Pollard – Citigroup Inc., Research Division
Presentation
Simon Thiel Senior Vice-President of Corporate Affairs
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Good morning. Welcome to Zalando’s Annual Press Conference and Business Update. My name is Simon Thiel, and I’m heading Corporate Affairs. I wanted to say thank you for joining us today. We will be presenting our full year results 2025 and sharing our plans for the future, and we’re delighted to have so many of you joining our broadcast today.
Patrick Kofler Head of Investor Relations
Good morning also from my side. My name is Patrick Kofler, and I’m heading the Investor Relations department. We have gathered the press, investors and analysts for today’s event. It’s a pleasure to have you all here.
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Simon Thiel Senior Vice-President of Corporate Affairs
We will start our conference with a prerecorded presentation by our co-CEOs, Robert Gentz and David Schroder. They will walk you through our progress as we’re successfully executing our strategy. At 9:45 a.m. CET, following the presentation, we will open the virtual floor to a live Q&A session for our journalists with our co-CEOs, Robert and David, and our new CFO, Anna Dimitrova.
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Patrick Kofler Head of Investor Relations
For our investors and analysts, at 9:45 a.m. CET, our CFO, Anna Dimitrova, will walk you through the financial development of the last year and
Stocks rose for a second day in a row—and they didn’t even need oil prices to fall this time around.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 47 points, or 0.1%. The S&P 500 was up 0.3%. The Nasdaq Composite was up 0.5%. The major indexes all rose together for a second day in a row for the first time since Feb. 24 and 25, according to Dow Jones Market Data.
Futures tracking the S&P 500 and Dow were both lower before reversing as oil prices pulled back from their overnight highs. At one point the Dow was up 1%, but stocks pulled back from their highs this afternoon as West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures gained 2.9% to $96.21 a barrel.
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