Oil prices whipsawed in volatile trade on Friday, but were higher on the week, as traders weighed supply disruptions against the potential restart of peace talks between the U.S. and Iran that could help limit those disruptions.

Brent crude futures settled at $105.33 a barrel, rising 26 cents, or about 0.3%. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures settled at $94.40 a barrel, falling $1.45, or 1.5%.

For the week, Brent gained about 16% and WTI ‌rose nearly 13%.

Crude ⁠futures gave ⁠back early gains after Reuters reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was expected to arrive in Islamabad late on Friday to discuss proposals for resuming peace talks with the U.S. after talks collapsed earlier this week.

Prices fell further after CNN reported that U.S. President Donald Trump was sending special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan for talks with Iran’s foreign minister.

Later, Trump told Reuters that Iran plans to make an offer aimed at satisfying U.S. demands.
“They’re making an offer and we’ll have to see,” Trump ⁠said. Early in ‌the session, prices rose 2% on fears of renewed military escalation in the region, the day after Iran released footage of commandos boarding a cargo ship in the Strait ⁠of Hormuz, and as progress stalled on re-opening the vital waterway.

“Traders are liquidating length ahead of an unusually unpredictable weekend and will readjust their positions Sunday night based on Iranian developments,” said Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM.

Navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, which before the war carried about a fifth of global oil output, remains effectively blocked. Iran’s capture of two cargo ships highlighted Washington’s difficulties in trying to control the passage.

Only five ships, including an Iranian oil products tanker, have moved through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours, ‌shipping data showed.

On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran may have loaded up its weaponry “a little bit” during a two-week ceasefire, but added that the U.S. military could eliminate it in a single day. On Wednesday, ⁠he said he would indefinitely extend the ceasefire to allow for further peace talks.

“As tensions have heightened this week since no meeting between the U.S. and Iran developed, an open-ended ceasefire will likely coincide with a continued conflict,” said oil consultant Jim Ritterbusch of Ritterbusch and Associates.

“This favors even higher prices especially in Brent and diesel, the more sensitive markets to a continuation of this war.”

Haitong Futures said in a report that if peace talks fail to make progress by the end of April and fighting resumes, oil prices could climb to new highs for the year.

India’s equity gauges ended the week with losses of around 2% as optimism about a truce between the US and Iran faded with the Strait of Hormuz staying shut and both sides engaging in harsh rhetoric.

The main indices fell 1% on Friday amid a selloff in IT companies. While declines offer opportunities, investors should be cautious and deploy funds in a gradual manner, analysts said. The NSE Nifty slid 1.1% or 275.10 points to 23,897.95. The BSE Sensex finished at 76,664.21, down 1.3% or 999.79 points. In the past week, both indices dropped 1.9% and 2.3%, respectively, after logging two weeks of gains.

Spike in Oil Prices

“The week began with optimism of negotiations yielding results but that did not materialise and crude oil prices rose higher this week,” said Christy Mathai, fund manager, Quantum Mutual Fund.To be sure, ceasefires in both Iran and Lebanon have been extended but negotiating teams from Washington DC and Tehran haven’t yet travelled to Islamabad for talks.

Mathai said oil prices are expected to remain elevated, and this could lead to earnings being cut for more than one quarter. Markets closed ahead of Reliance Industries Ltd, India’s biggest company by market value, announcing earnings.
Elsewhere in Asia, Taiwan gained 3.2% while Japan and Hong Kong rose 1% and 0.2%, respectively. South Korea remained flat and China moved 0.3% lower.
Brent crude futures spiked nearly 17% this week after three weeks of declines. On Friday, it rose as much as $107.5.
“The guidance by IT companies that announced results were lower than estimates which also dampened prospects further,” said Mathai.

All sectoral indices closed lower on Friday. The Nifty IT tumbled 5.3%, dragged down by Infosys and Persistent Systems. The Nifty Pharma fell 1.8% while the Nifty Healthcare and Realty indices slipped around 1.5%.

VIX JUMPS 6%

The Volatility Index (VIX) jumped 6% to 19.7 as traders anticipate elevated risk in the near term. “Nifty is likely to face a major hurdle at its 200-day exponential moving average of 24,800 as sentiment remains cautious,” said Somil Mehta, head of retail research, Mirae Asset Sharekhan.

Since the trend remains bearish and the Nifty could retest the levels of 22,200, declines are likely to offer buying opportunities for long-term investors, he said.

Out of 4,389 shares that moved on the BSE, 1,241 advanced and 3,000 declined.

The Nifty Mid-cap 150 index and the Small-cap 250 index declined 1% and 1.1%. In the past week, both indices ended 0.8% and 0.2% lower respectively.

Mathai said that while the indefinite Iran ceasefire is good sign, investors were anticipating the situation to improve after the upmove in the past few weeks.

At home, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 8,827.87 crore Friday. Their domestic counterparts bought shares worth Rs 4,700.71 crore. So far in April, global investors have dumped shares worth Rs a net 55,126.72 crore.

“While prices are attractive, investors are advised to remain cautious and invest in a gradual and calibrated manner as earnings are expected to moderate for the next couple of quarters and the supply shock due to the war could increase in the near term,” said Mathai.

Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) announced on Friday that it has infused ₹1,075 crore into its India-based non-banking finance arm, SMFG India Credit (SMICC), through a rights issue.

The Japanese parent had infused ₹3,000 crore in SMICC via a rights issue in December 2024.

SMICC’s assets under management (AUM) stood at ₹64,100 crore as of December 31, 2025, while disbursements stood at ₹39,500 crore.
SMFG became a major shareholder in Yes Bank, purchasing a 20% stake in May 2025 for $1.6 billion and increasing its holding to 24.2% in September 2025.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Friday proposed a revamp of the way stockbrokers calculate their variable net worth, seeking to align capital requirements with actual business risks and client scale. Currently, variable net worth is linked to 10% of the average daily client cash balance retained by brokers.

However, with the introduction of an upstreaming framework under which clients’ funds are up-streamed by brokers to clearing corporations, there is a minimal amount of cash balance of clients which is retained by a stockbroker, the regulator said.

“In view of the same, the calculation based on the availability of funds with stockbrokers may not be an effective way of calculating variable net worth,” Sebi said in a discussion paper.

The regulator has proposed a more comprehensive, risk-based approach. It said, variable net worth would be computed as an aggregate of two key components: a portion linked to client funds and another tied to the size of the client base.

The first component would require brokers to maintain 10% of the average credit balance of all clients over the previous six months. The second introduces slabs based on the number of active clients. Brokers with 10,000 to 50,000 direct clients would need an additional ₹50 lakh, with further increments for every additional 50,000 clients.
Besides, graded requirements have been proposed for clients onboarded through authorised persons.

AUSTIN, Texas — Tesla Inc. remains one of the most fiercely debated stocks on Wall Street in 2026, with analysts split between those urging investors to buy shares of the EV and AI pioneer for its long-term robotaxi and Optimus potential and those warning of overvaluation and slowing core auto demand as the company trades near record levels.

As of late April 2026, Tesla shares hover around $376 after a volatile start to the year. Wall Street’s consensus rating stands as a Hold, with 41 analysts offering an average 12-month price target near $398–$406 — implying modest single-digit upside from current levels. Targets range dramatically, from as low as $25 (bearish outlier) to $600 (bullish calls from Wedbush’s Dan Ives).

The bull case centers on Tesla’s leadership in autonomy and energy. Q1 2026 results showed revenue of roughly $22.4–$22.9 billion, with paid Robotaxi miles nearly doubling sequentially. Elon Musk confirmed Cybercab pilot production is underway at Giga Texas, with volume ramp expected later in the year. Unsupervised Robotaxi operations expanded to Dallas and Houston in April, with plans for a dozen states by year-end.

Musk and supporters argue 2026 will be a defining year as Full Self-Driving (Supervised) subscriptions grow, energy storage scales, and Optimus humanoid robots move closer to commercialization. Optimistic forecasts see Tesla’s valuation expanding dramatically if robotaxi revenue materializes at scale, with some models projecting multi-trillion-dollar potential.

Bears counter that the core EV business faces softening demand, rising competition from Chinese manufacturers, and margin pressure. Analysts note high capital expenditure needs (Musk raised 2026 capex guidance above $25 billion for AI and Robotaxi), execution risks on Cybercab ramp, and the stock’s premium valuation leaving little room for error. Some forecasts see limited growth if autonomy timelines slip further.

Consensus among roughly 40–60 analysts leans Hold, with roughly 18 Buy, 15 Hold, and 8 Sell ratings. The wide dispersion reflects deep uncertainty around the timing and profitability of Tesla’s non-auto bets.

For long-term growth investors, the case for buying Tesla centers on its positioning at the intersection of AI, energy and robotics. Strong brand loyalty, vertical integration, and a massive data advantage in autonomy provide a moat few competitors can match. Patient capital sees current levels as reasonable given the transformative potential of robotaxis and Optimus.

Shorter-term or more conservative investors may prefer caution. Tesla’s high multiple leaves it vulnerable to any disappointment in delivery growth, margin trends or regulatory hurdles for unsupervised autonomy. Macro risks, including interest rates and EV adoption curves, add volatility. Many recommend waiting for clearer evidence of robotaxi revenue or meaningful pullbacks.

Institutional ownership remains elevated, and retail enthusiasm stays high, fueled by Musk’s vision and periodic product announcements. Options activity shows bullish tilt overall, though implied volatility reflects ongoing uncertainty. The stock has delivered extraordinary long-term returns but experienced sharp drawdowns along the way.

Tesla’s 2026 trajectory will likely hinge on successful Cybercab production scaling, FSD regulatory approvals, energy storage growth and Optimus progress. Positive developments on these fronts could drive shares significantly higher. Any delays or margin compression might trigger corrections typical of high-growth tech names.

Ultimately, whether to buy or sell Tesla in 2026 depends on individual risk tolerance, time horizon and conviction in the AI and autonomy secular trend. Growth-oriented investors comfortable with volatility generally view it as a Buy for multi-year portfolios. More conservative investors may opt to Hold existing positions or wait for better entry points. Most advisors recommend thoughtful position sizing within a diversified portfolio.

As the AI and energy transition accelerates, Tesla stands as one of the purest and most ambitious plays on these megatrends. With strong execution history under Musk, expanding addressable markets and multiple growth catalysts, the company offers significant potential for believers — even after years of spectacular gains. The central debate is not whether Tesla will grow, but how much the market is willing to pay today for tomorrow’s promised breakthroughs.

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LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic has not fully recovered from his Grade 2 left hamstring strain and remains sidelined indefinitely, with the Los Angeles Lakers not expecting their superstar to return during the first round of the 2026 playoffs against the Houston Rockets, though he has begun progressing toward on-court activity.

The 27-year-old suffered the injury on April 2 during a blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. An MRI confirmed the partial tear, ruling him out for the remainder of the regular season. While standard recovery timelines for a Grade 2 hamstring strain typically range from four to six weeks, the Lakers are proceeding with extreme caution to avoid re-aggravation that could sideline him for the rest of the postseason.

As of April 24, Doncic has not yet begun full on-court work but is expected to start soon, according to head coach JJ Redick. He has been participating in light non-contact activities such as shooting, rebounding and passing drills. Redick described progress as positive but offered no firm timeline, reiterating that both Doncic and Austin Reaves (oblique strain) are “out indefinitely.”

Medical experts and team insiders suggest the most realistic target for Doncic’s return is the second round of the playoffs, assuming the Lakers advance. Some optimistic scenarios, fueled by specialized treatment he received in Europe (reportedly including PRP injections and stem cell therapy), point to a possible return in 3–4 weeks from the injury date — potentially aligning with early May if the series extends. However, the Lakers are sticking to a conservative approach.

A recent study on similar hamstring injuries treated with advanced injections showed athletes returning approximately nine days faster than conventional methods (23.5 days versus 32.4 days on average). Even with this accelerated protocol, full recovery and game readiness remain weeks away. Physical therapists note that rushing a Grade 2 strain often leads to setbacks, with recurrence rates dropping significantly when proper healing time is respected.

Doncic’s absence has forced LeBron James and the supporting cast to carry a heavier load. The Lakers have managed a 2-0 series lead over the Rockets despite missing two key starters, showcasing impressive depth. Redick has praised the team’s resilience while emphasizing patience with star recoveries.

The Slovenian star, acquired by the Lakers in a major offseason move, was having an MVP-caliber season before the injury, leading the league in scoring. His playmaking, scoring and size create unique matchup problems that no other player replicates. His return, whenever it occurs, would dramatically shift the Lakers’ ceiling in the Western Conference.

Fan frustration and optimism mix on social media. Many express understanding for the cautious timeline while anxiously awaiting any positive update. Kalshi traders currently give Doncic just a 24% chance of returning before May 4, reflecting the conservative outlook from the organization.

The injury occurred late in the regular season, forcing the Lakers to navigate final games and secure playoff positioning without their primary offensive engine. Despite the setback, Los Angeles earned a favorable first-round matchup. Medical staff continue daily monitoring, with progress reports focusing on pain-free movement, strength testing and gradual ramp-up in intensity.

Broader implications stretch beyond this series. A healthy Doncic transforms the Lakers into legitimate title contenders. His absence has tested the supporting cast’s resilience, with James shouldering extra minutes. The team’s ability to win without him boosts confidence but also underscores the need for his eventual return.

Doncic’s history with hamstring issues adds another layer of caution. He dealt with a milder strain earlier in the season. This Grade 2 tear represents a more significant setback, but his youth, conditioning and access to cutting-edge treatment provide reasons for optimism in a full recovery.

As the series shifts to Houston for Game 3 on Friday, all eyes remain on the injury report. While no immediate update points to Doncic playing soon, incremental progress toward on-court work signals the beginning of his return journey. The Lakers will continue their series push without him in the immediate future, building momentum while their franchise cornerstone prepares for a calculated comeback.

Management of the injury reflects lessons from past high-profile cases across the league. Protecting star players from premature returns has become standard as organizations balance short-term results with long-term roster health. For Doncic, the priority is clear: heal properly to maximize impact whenever he steps back on the floor.

The basketball world watches closely. Doncic’s unique skill set makes him one of the game’s most exciting talents. His recovery process will likely shape the Lakers’ playoff fate and influence narratives around load management and star availability in today’s NBA.

For now, the answer to whether he is fully recovered remains no. But with on-court work approaching and specialized treatment completed, the timeline is moving in the right direction. The Lakers will continue their series without him in the immediate future, building momentum while their superstar prepares for a strong return.