Business
Can Budget bring durable relief to stock market sentiments?
The key question, therefore, is whether the Budget can do anything spectacular to revive market sentiment. Unfortunately, one is not sure whether the budget will provide the required refuge for battered investors to hide.
A large part of what is material to the markets today lies outside the scope of the Budget. The Budget is no longer the all-encompassing policy event it once used to be. Major indirect tax reforms have already been implemented through GST. Similarly, tariff and customs duty adjustments are increasingly being addressed through free trade agreements (FTAs), rather than through the annual Budget process.
As a result, the Budget has gradually been reduced to a largely procedural exercise that is more focused on reporting the government’s financial status and laying out projections for the next year. In that sense, the budget exercise has increasingly retreated into more of a ritual than anything material.
Even structural reforms have been unveiled outside the scope of the budget. Take, for example, a slew of reform measures announced in the last few months, starting from GST 2.0 to the Insurance bill to opening up the nuclear space to the private sector etc. That said, the Government may reserve some critical reform measures like the electricity amendment bill or IBC revamp, etc., as part of the budget announcements to drive up the sentiments.
While the government may still use the Budget to signal reform intent or announce select new initiatives that add some colour, it is difficult to see how this Budget could deliver blockbuster announcements or materially alter sentiment in the near term. Expectations, therefore, need to be tempered. This is unlikely to be a Budget that dramatically shifts market direction or market sentiments.
Also, not to forget that this year’s Budget is being presented against the backdrop of significant fiscal constraints. Tax collections in the current fiscal year have been relatively subdued, and with GST rate cuts, there is limited scope for any meaningful upside on the revenue front. At the same time, expenditure pressures remain elevated, particularly with higher outlays planned for Fertilizers subsidy compared to last year, requiring the government to navigate a very tight fiscal framework.Compounding this is the constraint of lower nominal GDP growth, which further limits fiscal flexibility. Given the government’s stated commitment to fiscal consolidation, it would be unrealistic to expect any major sops, especially in the form of tax cuts. This is particularly true when the government is also contemplating customs duty rationalisation as part of ongoing and proposed FTAs. Accordingly, expectations of capital gains tax relief or other capital-market-friendly tax measures are unlikely. Even on the capex programme, the government is likely to maintain rather than further stimulate capital expenditure, keeping the spending as a per cent of GDP at a similar level as last year, but without dramatically changing the capex landscape.
While large giveaways may be off the table, we expect the reform momentum to continue and possibly accelerate, which we believe will be the defining feature of this Budget. Deregulation will be given a bigger push and could be the central theme of this budget as sound-bites from sources seem to suggest.
On the reform front, one of the most critical developments to watch will be progress on the Electricity (Amendment) Act. Any meaningful push in this direction would mark a major milestone in power distribution and broader power sector reforms. This, coupled with the IBC revamp, would build on the reform trajectory that has been underway for the last few months.
This, in our view, will be structurally very positive for Indian equities, though it can’t stem the short-term sluggish market dynamics. The ongoing tariff challenges have given the Govt the required political space for bold reforms, which the Government has effectively capitalized so far through a series of reform measures in the last few months. With the EU trade deal in its pocket, Government has proved its sceptics wrong by effectively converting the US tariff challenges into a golden opportunity to diversify the trade dynamics. One has to wait for the budget day to know what more the Government has up its sleeves to surprise us on the reform measures. That said, expecting market revival solely on budget measures may prove to be naive. This doesn’t mean that the punters won’t drive up the stock prices ahead of the budget, as they usually do. But that will be more of trading bumps that will fizzle out much sooner than the inks dry on the budget papers!
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
Business
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This year, March came in like a lion wrapped in a flak jacket. As the U.S. war in the Middle East enters its fourth week, it is hard to imagine the month leaving like a lamb. The global oil industry has rapidly restructured its trade routes as China, India Japan and South Korea pay up to replace oil lost due…
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Fed Chair Powell lauds Volcker’s ’willingness to resist’

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Former FBI chief Robert Mueller dies at 81, MS Now reports

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Is Cairo International Airport Open? Airport Fully Operational with Hundreds of Flights
CAIRO — Cairo International Airport (CAI), Egypt’s busiest aviation hub and a key gateway between Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, remains fully open and handling regular commercial passenger traffic on March 21, 2026, despite widespread disruptions across the broader Middle East due to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Live flight tracking data from the official Cairo Airport website (cairo-airport.com), FlightStats, Flightradar24 and Trip.com confirm active arrivals and departures throughout the day. As of mid-morning local time (UTC+2), the arrivals board lists numerous flights marked as “Landed,” including services from Athens (A3934), Sharm El Sheikh (SM07), Abu Dhabi (MS1915) and others into Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Departures show scheduled operations to destinations such as Luxor, Sharm el Sheikh, Jeddah, Riyadh and international points, with low reported disruption rates — around 2% impact noted on some trackers like Wego.
The airport’s flight information page displays hundreds of movements, with EgyptAir, Air Cairo and other carriers maintaining core domestic routes to Hurghada, Aswan and Luxor alongside international services. EgyptAir’s flight status tool and third-party platforms report on-time performance in the 74% range for recent days, with minimal cancellations tied to the regional crisis. No blanket suspension or closure notices appear on official channels, and the airport continues to promote services like Ahlan passenger assistance and terminal updates.
Egypt’s airspace has stayed open throughout the conflict, positioning Cairo as a vital rerouting and diversion hub. As neighboring countries — including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and parts of the Gulf — imposed full or severe airspace restrictions following missile exchanges and strikes starting late February 2026, airlines diverted long-haul flights over Egyptian territory. Cairo absorbed overflow from closed hubs like Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, with reports of increased traffic from Europe-to-Asia routings avoiding higher-risk corridors.
Early in the escalation, EgyptAir temporarily suspended flights to 13 regional cities including Dubai, Doha, Beirut, Amman and Baghdad due to direct threats and airspace issues in those areas. However, by mid-March, many carriers gradually resumed or maintained services via safer paths, and Cairo’s operations normalized for unaffected routes. Domestic tourism corridors along the Nile (Cairo-Luxor-Aswan) and Red Sea resorts (Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh) face no major interruptions.
Authorities placed airports on high alert from the conflict’s outset, coordinating with military and civil aviation bodies to ensure safety amid potential spillover risks. No direct strikes or significant damage have been reported at CAI, unlike incidents affecting facilities in Kuwait and other Gulf states. Egyptian officials emphasized readiness to handle diversions, with contingency measures including enhanced security and radar monitoring.
The U.S. State Department and other governments issued broad advisories urging caution in the Middle East, including Egypt, but stopped short of prohibiting travel or mandating evacuations specific to Cairo. Tourism stakeholders highlighted Egypt’s relative stability, with record visitor numbers projected for 2026 despite regional volatility.
Travelers should verify individual flight status directly with airlines, as dynamic changes can occur due to overflight permissions, fuel considerations or last-minute adjustments. EgyptAir, the primary operator at CAI, urges passengers to check its app or website before heading to the airport. Third-party trackers like FlightAware and Skyscanner provide real-time updates, showing consistent activity even during peak hours.
Cairo’s resilience underscores its strategic role in global aviation networks. With Terminals 1, 2 and 3 operational and ongoing infrastructure projects (including Terminal 4 expansions) progressing, the airport serves as a stable anchor while much of the Gulf aviation sector grapples with prolonged closures.
Passengers planning travel to or through Cairo today or in coming days should monitor official sources: the Cairo Airport website, airline notifications and live trackers. As the conflict remains fluid, situational awareness is key, but current data confirms normal commercial operations at one of Africa’s largest hubs.
Business
NetApp: Robust Profitability And AI Inference Tailwind Poised To Propel This Stock To New Heights (NASDAQ:NTAP)
My investing approach is finding companies with leadership economics associated with their business models and selling at a reasonable price. My articles will primarily discuss a company’s strategy to drive growth, competitive advantage that drives superior return on capital, capital structure, capital allocation, and management incentives. I consider myself a value investor looking for permanent ownership of strong companies with trustworthy management.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Business
Labor Secures Landslide Victory as One Nation Surges Past Liberals
ADELAIDE, Australia — South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas led the Labor Party to a decisive second-term victory in the March 21, 2026, state election, expanding its majority in the House of Assembly amid a dramatic collapse of the Liberal opposition and a stunning surge by One Nation that reshaped the political landscape.

With counting ongoing late Saturday night, Labor was projected to secure at least 30 seats in the 47-member lower house — up from 27 before the election — while the Liberals appeared headed for a historic low of just four seats. Independents were on track to claim at least four, with preferences still flowing in key marginals. The result delivered Malinauskas a commanding mandate after a campaign dominated by cost-of-living pressures, housing affordability and immigration debates.
Labor captured nearly 38% of the primary vote, comfortably ahead of One Nation’s 21% and the Liberals’ dismal 19%. On a two-party-preferred basis, Labor held a commanding lead of around 59-41 against both major opponents, marking what analysts described as the party’s strongest performance in state history. The swing toward Labor reached 4-5% in many seats, fueled by strong urban and suburban turnout.
The outcome devastated the Liberal Party, led by Ashton Hurn, who assumed the leadership only in December 2025. The Liberals suffered their worst result since federation in any state or federal contest, with early concessions from Hurn at Morphettville Racecourse acknowledging defeat. The party hemorrhaged support in traditional strongholds, particularly outer metropolitan and regional areas where voters shifted to One Nation’s anti-establishment message.
One Nation, under Pauline Hanson’s national banner and with local candidates including Cory Bernardi in some contests, achieved its best-ever primary vote in South Australia. The party’s 21% primary share — up dramatically from just 2.6% in 2022 when it ran in fewer seats — reflected deep discontent with the major parties. Support was particularly strong in regional electorates and outer suburbs, where voters cited economic hardship, immigration concerns and distrust of elites. Despite the surge, One Nation appeared unlikely to win any lower-house seats due to preference flows favoring Labor or independents, though its vote split the conservative bloc and indirectly aided Labor’s gains.
Malinauskas declared victory shortly after 10 p.m. ACDT, thanking voters for endorsing his government’s record on jobs, health and infrastructure. “South Australians have spoken clearly: they want a government focused on delivery, not division,” he said in his victory speech. The premier highlighted achievements like hospital expansions, renewable energy projects and cost-of-living relief measures that resonated with working families.
The campaign featured unusual dynamics, with Malinauskas directly confronting Hanson’s anti-immigration rhetoric in debates and media appearances. Hanson responded sharply, accusing Labor of ignoring regional concerns. The exchange amplified One Nation’s visibility, contributing to its breakthrough performance.
Early voting turnout reached record levels, with more than 454,000 pre-poll ballots cast — a significant portion of the electorate — helping Labor build an insurmountable lead by election night. The South Australian Electoral Commission reported smooth polling day operations, with final results expected over coming days as postal and absentee votes are processed.
The election outcome carries national implications. Labor’s dominance in a traditionally competitive state bolsters federal prospects ahead of potential early polls, while the Liberals’ collapse raises questions about opposition strategy under federal leader Peter Dutton. One Nation’s rise signals growing populist sentiment, echoing trends in other states and potentially influencing Senate dynamics.
Malinauskas, who became premier in 2022 after ending 16 years of Liberal rule, now commands a strengthened majority to pursue ambitious reforms in housing, energy transition and economic diversification. Critics within the party and independents will watch closely for delivery on promises amid fiscal constraints.
As counting continues, the 2026 South Australian election will be remembered as a landslide for Labor, a humiliation for the Liberals and a watershed moment for One Nation’s breakthrough into mainstream contention.
Business
Credo: The Market Got It Wrong (NASDAQ:CRDO)
Hi, I’m Yiannis. Spotting winners before they break out is what I do best.Experience: Previously worked at Deloitte and KPMG in external/internal auditing and consulting. Education: Chartered Certified Accountant, Fellow Member of ACCA Global, with BSc and MSc degrees from U.K. business schools. Investment Style: Spotting high-potential winners before they break out, focusing on asymmetric opportunities (with at least upside potential of 3-5X outweighing the downside risk). By leveraging market inefficiencies and contrarian insights, we seek to maximize long-term compounding while protecting against capital impairment.Risk management is paramount—we seek a strong margin of safety to protect against capital impairment while maximizing long-term compounding. Our 2-3 year investment horizon allows us to ride out volatility, ensuring that patience, discipline, and intelligent capital allocation drive outsized returns over time.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Long position through a purchase of the stock, or the purchase of call options or similar derivatives in CRDO over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Business
Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc. (PBH) Breathe Right – M&A Call – Slideshow
Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc. (PBH) Breathe Right – M&A Call – Slideshow
Business
Sprout Social: Improving Fundamentals Pushing Stock Into Deep Value Zone; Reiterating Buy
I am a private, long-term individual investor with more than 10 years of experience in the equity markets. Over that time I have developed a fundamentally driven, value-oriented approach with a particular interest in companies that are either undervalued or at an inflection point where a turnaround is possible. I spend most of my time looking for situations where market sentiment is overly pessimistic relative to a company’s underlying fundamentals and long-term prospects. For example i initiated positions shortly before meaningful positive re-ratings and fundamental turnarounds for JAMF and Unity Software. I am not a professional fund manager and do not work in the financial industry; I write purely from the perspective of an engaged, research-driven retail shareholder. My educational and professional background is outside of formal finance, which I see as an advantage: it forces me to explain my theses in clear, practical language instead of relying on jargon. My motivation for writing on Seeking Alpha is to share my investment theses, stress-test my ideas with a broader audience and contribute to a serious, data-driven discussion around businesses I follow closely. I hope my work can be useful to other investors who are interested in deep dives on valuation. The views I express are my own as an individual shareholder and do not constitute investment advice.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of SPT either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
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