Category: Business

Indian frontline indices ended their two-session rally amid sharp cuts as a failure in the Iran-US negotiations dented the market mood. Elevated energy prices and a plunging rupee aggravated troubles for domestic investors. Amid high volatility, markets were mainly dragged by financials, auto and consumer stocks. Nifty settled at 22,819.60, falling by 486.85 points or 2.09%, while the BSE Sensex closed at 73,583.22, declining 1,690.23 points or 2.25%.

Meanwhile, the volatility gauge India VIX ended at 26.80, up by 8.77% from the last closing.

Here’s how analysts read the market pulse:

Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, said the index is trading below the 21-hour EMA, indicating sustained short-term bearish momentum. Additionally, the RSI has entered a bearish crossover, reinforcing the negative bias. “Given the prevailing market uncertainties, a sell-on-rise approach may remain suitable in the near term. Technically, any rebound towards 23,500 could face selling pressure, as this level is likely to act as an immediate resistance. On the downside, a break below 22,800 may lead to further weakness in the market,” De said.

US markets

US markets traded lower on Friday amid continued uncertainty over truce talks in the Iran-Israel conflict. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 792.67 points, or 1.72%, to 45,167.44. The S&P 500 declined 113.35 points, or 1.75%, to 6,363.75, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite dropped 459.72 points, or 2.15%, to 20,948.36.

European Markets

Major European indices closed with significant declines. UK’s FTSE 100, Germany’s DAX, Stoxx 600, Spain’s IBEX 35 and France’s CAC 40 settled down between 0.05% and 1.38% around this time.

Tech View

Investor sentiment remains fragile due to a lack of clarity surrounding geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran, which once again pushed crude oil prices above the $100 mark, said Ajit Mishra, Senior Vice President, Research at Religare Broking.

“On the technical front, the Nifty continues to hover near crucial support levels, indicating sustained pressure despite entering oversold territory. Immediate support is placed around 22,500, and a decisive break below this level could trigger further downside towards 22,000. On the upside, 23,000 is likely to act as an immediate hurdle, followed by stronger resistance near the 23,500 zone in case of any recovery,” Mishra said.He expects volatility to remain elevated on Monday and advised participants to maintain a cautious approach, avoid aggressive positioning, and focus on disciplined risk management while adopting a selective, stock-specific trading strategy.

Most active stocks in terms of turnover

Bharti Airtel (Rs 663 crore), Hindalco Industries (Rs 519 crore), HDFC Bank (Rs 468 crore), InterGlobe Aviation or commonly known as IndiGo (Rs 372 crore), Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals (Rs 242 crore), Tata Motors (TMCV, Rs 213 crore) and RPSG Ventures (Rs 204 crore) were among the most active stocks on BSE in value terms. Higher activity in a counter in value terms can help identify the counters with the highest trading turnovers for the day.

Most active stocks in volume terms

Vodafone Idea (Traded shares: 3.43 crore), SpiceJet (Traded shares: 3.76 crore), YES Bank (Traded shares: 1.19 crore), Suzlon Energy (Traded shares: 1.03 crore), Reliance Power (Traded shares: 84.11 lakh), Ola Electric (Traded shares: 74.32 lakh) and JP Power (Traded shares: 71.48 lakh) and were among the most actively traded stocks in volume terms on BSE.

Stocks showing buying interest

HEG, Graphite India, ACME Solar, Hilton Metal Forging, RPSG Ventures, Supreme Petrochem and Likhitha Infrastructure were among the stocks that witnessed strong buying interest from market participants.

52 Week high

Today, 67 stocks hit their 52-week highs while 906 stocks slipped to their 52-week lows. Among the stocks that hit their 52-week highs were Apt Packaging, Aurobindo Pharma, Gautam Exim, HRS Aluglaze, Prime Focus, Surbhi Industries and Titan Biotech.

Stocks seeing selling pressure

Among the largecap names were Shriram Finance, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles) and Reliance Industries (RIL). Other stocks which witnessed significant selling pressure were Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB), Naga Dhunseri Group, Shemaroo Entertainment, Deepak Builders & Engineers India, Uma Exports, Bombay Super Hybrid Seeds and Aye Finance.

Sentiment meter favours bears

Heavyweights like Reliance Industries (RIL), HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank dragged the markets the most, as the breadth stayed negative in the overall markets. Out of the 4,501 stocks that traded on the BSE on Monday, March 30, 761 stocks witnessed advances, 3,615 saw declines, while 125 stocks remained unchanged.

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

Global talent and entertainment company United Talent Agency (UTA) has promoted 35 executives to partner, spanning 23 departments across its global business, as the company continues to broaden and expand its leadership structure.

The new partner class includes seven executives from the agency’s music division within UTA LIVE: Christian Bernhardt, Alisann Blood, Brandi Brammer, Jules De Lattre, Sara Schoch, Elisa Vazzana and James Wright.

Additional promotions span a wide range of divisions, including Filmed Entertainment, Creators, Klutch Sports Group, Sports and Brand Insights, Sports Media, Publishing, Technology, Strategy and Corporate Development, The Curtis Brown Group, Corporate Communications, IQ and Business Affairs.

“Their achievements exemplify what differentiates UTA: ambition paired with integrity, collaboration at the highest level, and a commitment to always looking ahead.”

David Kramer, UTA

In a statement, CEO David Kramer said: “Congratulations to our new partners, whose contributions have been at the center of our momentum—championing clients, building teams, and pushing our business forward in a rapidly evolving industry.

“Their achievements exemplify what differentiates UTA: ambition paired with integrity, collaboration at the highest level, and a commitment to always looking ahead. Partnership is more than a title—it’s a recognition of impact, trust, and dedication to our clients and one another. As we enter our next phase of growth, their partnership will play a critical role in shaping the future of our agency.”

Here are the names of the UTA 2026 Partner Class:

Mahzad Babayan, Creators
Hanley Baxter, Filmed Entertainment/Talent
Christian Bernhardt, UTA LIVE/Music
Alisann Blood, UTA LIVE/Music Brand Partnerships
Brandi Brammer, UTA LIVE/Music
Jules De Lattre, UTA LIVE/Music
Ty Flynn, Creators
Janelle Francis, Finance, Klutch Sports Group
Jason Garber, Filmed Entertainment/Production Arts
Jonny Geller, The Curtis Brown Group
Abby Glusker, Filmed Entertainment/TV Lit
Amanda Hymson, Filmed Entertainment/MP Lit
Greg Iserson, Filmed Entertainment/TV Lit
Chris Jefferis, Finance
Justin Kao, IQ
Daniel Landver, Creators
Ernie Liu, Technology
Charlotte Perman, UTA LIVE/Speakers
Pilar Queen, Publishing
Caryn Rosoff, Sports and Brand Insights
Josh Rothstein, Strategy and Corporate Development
Claudia Russo, Corporate Communications
Lily Safran, Filmed Entertainment/TV Lit
Sara Schoch, UTA LIVE/Music Brand Partnerships
Joe Schwartz, UTA LIVE/Comedy Touring
Jerry Silbowitz, Sports Media
Lesley Silverman, Creators
Stephanie Smith, IQ
Max Stubblefield, Filmed Entertainment/Unscripted Television
Pasha Tasvibi, Business Affairs
Stephen Travierso, Filmed Entertainment/Talent
Elisa Vazzana, UTA LIVE/Music
Kevin Volchok, Filmed Entertainment/Talent
Paul Weis, Technology
Bjorn Wentlandt, UTA LIVE/Comedy Touring
James Wright, UTA LIVE/Music

The promotions follow a period of leadership transition at UTA, with David Kramer recently succeeding Jeremy Zimmer as CEO, and come as the agency continues to evolve its structure across music, creators and brand partnerships.

In 2024, UTA signed a global representation deal with Christina Aguilera. The company has also represented artists such as Chance the Rapper and Armando Christian Perez, aka Pitbull, as well as executives including former Spotify Global Head of Creator Services Troy Carter.Music Business Worldwide

The operation, attributed to Iran, showed sophisticated coordination and is just the latest tactic in a cyber conflict that pits the U.S. and Israel against Iran and its digital proxies. As Iran and its supporters seek to use their cyber capabilities to compensate for their military disadvantages, they are demonstrating how disinformation, artificial intelligence and hacking are now ingrained in modern warfare.

The bogus texts received recently appeared to be timed to coincide with the missile strikes, representing a novel combination of digital and physical attacks, said Gil Messing, chief of staff at Check Point Research, a cybersecurity firm with offices in Israel and the U.S.

“This was sent to people while they were running to shelters to defend themselves,” Messing said. “The fact it’s synced and at the same minute … is a first.”

The digital fight is likely to persist even if a ceasefire is reached, experts said, because it’s a lot easier and cheaper than conventional conflict and because it is designed not to kill or conquer, but to spy, steal and frighten.

Iran-linked groups are turning to high-volume, low-impact cyberattacks

While high in volume, most of the cyberattacks linked to the war have been relatively minor when it comes to damage to economic or military networks. But they have put many U.S. and Israeli companies on the defensive, forcing them to quickly patch old security weaknesses.

Investigators at the Utah-based security firm DigiCert have tracked nearly 5,800 cyberattacks so far mounted by nearly 50 different groups tied to Iran. While most of the attacks targeted U.S. or Israeli companies, DigiCert also found attacks on networks in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and other countries in the region.

Many of the attacks are easily thwarted by the latest cybersecurity precautions. But they can inflict serious damage on organizations with out-of-date security and impose a demand on resources even when unsuccessful.

Then there’s the psychological impact on companies that may do business with the military.

“There are a lot more attacks happening that aren’t being reported,” said Michael Smith, DigiCert’s field chief technology officer.

A pro-Iranian hacking group claimed responsibility Friday for infiltrating an account of FBI Director Kash Patel, posting what appeared to be years-old photographs of him, along with a work resume and other personal documents. Many of those records appeared to be more than a decade old.

It’s similar to a lot of the cyberattacks linked to pro-Iran hackers: splashy and designed to boost morale among supporters, while undermining the confidence of the opponent but without much impact to the war effort.

Smith said these high-volume, low-impact attacks are “a way of telling people in other countries that you can still reach out and touch them even though they’re on a different continent. That makes them more of an intimidation tactic.”

Health care and data centers have been a target

Iran is likely to target the weakest links in American cybersecurity: supply chains that support the economy and the war effort, as well as critical infrastructure like ports, rail stations, water plants and hospitals.

Iran also is targeting data centers with both cyber and conventional weapons, showing how important the centers have become to the economy, communications and military information security.

This month, hackers supporting Iran claimed responsibility for hacking Stryker, a Michigan-based medical technology company. The group known as Handala claimed the strike was in retaliation for suspected U.S. strikes that killed Iranian schoolchildren.

Cybersecurity researchers at Halcyon recently published the findings of another recent cyberattack targeting a health care company. Halcyon did not reveal the name of the company but said the hackers used a tool that U.S. authorities have linked to Iran to install destructive ransomware that shut the company out of its own network.

The hackers never demanded a ransom, suggesting they were motivated by destruction and chaos, not profit.

Together with the attack on Stryker, “this suggests a deliberate focus on the medical sector rather than targets of opportunity,” said Cynthia Kaiser, senior vice president at Halcyon. “As this conflict continues, we should expect that targeting to intensify.”

Artificial intelligence is providing a boost

AI can be used both to increase the volume and speed of cyberattacks as well as allow hackers to automate much of the process.

But it’s disinformation where AI has really demonstrated its corrosive impact on public trust. Supporters of both sides have spread bogus images of atrocities or decisive victories that never happened. One deepfake image of sunken U.S. warships has racked up more than 100 million views.

Authorities in Iran have limited internet access and are working to shape the view Iranians receive of the war with propaganda and disinformation. Iranian state-run media, for instance, has begun labeling actual footage of the war as fake, sometimes substituting its own doctored images, according to research at NewsGuard, a U.S. company that tracks disinformation.

Heightened concerns about the risks posed by AI and hacking prompted the State Department to open a Bureau of Emerging Threats last year focused on new technologies and how they could be used against the U.S. It joins similar efforts already underway at agencies including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Security Agency.

AI also plays a role in defending against cyberattacks by automating and speeding the work, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard recently told Congress.

The technology, she said, “will increasingly shape cyber operations with both cyber operators and defenders using these tools to improve their speed and effectiveness,” Gabbard said.

While Russia and China are seen as greater cyberthreats, Iran has nonetheless launched several operations targeting Americans. In recent years, groups working for Tehran have infiltrated the email system of President Donald Trump’s campaign, targeted U.S. water plants and tried to breach the networks used by the military and defense contractors. They have impersonated American protesters online as a way to covertly encourage protests against Israel.

The Trade Competition Commission of Thailand has introduced new guidelines for e-commerce, regulating pricing and conduct to prevent unfair practices and promote fair competition among platform participants. Enforcement will vary by case.

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Key Points

• The Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT) has introduced new guidelines to regulate business conduct on e-commerce platforms, effective March 25. The aim is to address unfair practices and competition issues in the digital marketplace.
• The guidelines apply to multi-sided platforms, detailing relationships among operators, sellers, logistics providers, advertisers, and payment services. They prohibit parallel pricing, unjustified price differences, and excessive charges that may disadvantage sellers.
• Non-price conduct issues, such as algorithms limiting product visibility and preferential treatment of certain sellers, are also addressed. Violations may result in penalties, with case-by-case enforcement considering market conditions and contractual arrangements.

The Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT) has issued new guidelines to regulate business conduct on e-commerce platforms, setting clearer rules to address unfair practices and competition concerns in the digital marketplace. The guidelines took effect on March 25, following their publication in the Government Gazette.

The new framework applies to multi-sided platform businesses, covering relationships between platform operators and related partners such as sellers, logistics providers, advertisers, and payment services. The document outlines how authorities will assess conduct that may restrict or distort competition under the Trade Competition Act.

The guidelines set out rules on pricing behavior, including restrictions on parallel pricing, unjustified price differences, and excessive charges imposed on business partners. These measures help prevent practices that could disadvantage sellers or limit fair competition within the platform ecosystem.

They also address non-price conduct, including the use of algorithms to limit product visibility, preferential treatment of certain sellers or in-house services, and requirements that restrict partners to specific service providers. Such practices may be subject to penalties if found to harm market competition without reasonable grounds.

Authorities said enforcement will be carried out on a case-by-case basis, taking into account market conditions and contractual arrangements. Violations may result in criminal penalties or administrative fines, while efforts will continue to promote awareness among operators to ensure compliance with competition law.

Source : TCCT Issues New E-Commerce Rules to Curb Unfair Competition

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Tom Cruise, one of Hollywood’s most enduring action stars, is stepping into uncharted territory following the 2025 release of “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,” widely viewed as his swan song as IMF agent Ethan Hunt. At 63, the actor shows no signs of slowing down, with a high-profile 2026 project generating buzz as his 50th film and a shift toward more original, auteur-driven storytelling.

Cruise made a rare awards-season appearance in March 2026 at the 53rd Saturn Awards in Los Angeles, where he accepted Best Actor honors for his performance in “The Final Reckoning” and watched the film win Best Action/Adventure Film. In his speech, he expressed deep gratitude to longtime collaborator director Christopher McQuarrie, joking about the director’s attempts to “kill me so many times” through the franchise’s death-defying stunts. He received a standing ovation and emphasized his lifelong passion for movies and audiences.

The eighth “Mission: Impossible” installment, released in May 2025, concluded Cruise’s three-decade run as Ethan Hunt. While Cruise has teased that “many more” stories could come in the franchise, he confirmed at the film’s premiere and during promotion that it marked his final portrayal of the character. Rumors of a ninth film, including unverified reports of negotiations with director Chloé Zhao, have circulated but remain unconfirmed by Cruise or Paramount.

Instead, Cruise is channeling his trademark intensity into “Digger,” a mysterious comedy set for theatrical release on Oct. 2, 2026, from Warner Bros. Directed by Oscar winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu (“The Revenant,” “Birdman”), the project has been described by the filmmaker as “a brutal, wild comedy of catastrophic proportions.” Cruise shared the first teaser and poster on Instagram in December 2025, captioning it simply: “Introducing… DIGGER.”

The film marks Cruise’s first major original role in years outside major franchises and his 10th as both star and producer. It reunites him with Iñárritu in what insiders call a bold departure, featuring an ensemble cast including Jesse Plemons, John Goodman, Riz Ahmed, Sophie Wilde and Emma D’Arcy. A teaser trailer released late last year offered little plot detail, building intrigue around the “enigmatic” project that some compare tonally to Iñárritu’s darker satirical style or even Cruise’s memorable comedic turn in “Tropic Thunder.”

Industry observers see “Digger” as a pivotal test for Cruise at the box office after nearly a decade dominated by sequels and reboots. It arrives as the actor, who turned 63 in July 2025, continues to prioritize physically demanding and creatively ambitious work. Production details remain closely guarded, but the collaboration with Iñárritu — known for visceral, auteur-driven cinema — signals Cruise’s desire to stretch beyond the stunt-heavy blockbusters that defined much of his recent career.

Cruise’s post-“Mission” slate also includes ongoing development on “Top Gun 3,” with Joseph Kosinski expected to return as director. The sequel to the 2022 blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick” remains in script stages, though no firm production timeline has been announced. Other long-gestating rumors, including a potential “Edge of Tomorrow” sequel with Emily Blunt and director Doug Liman, have surfaced in production listings for possible late 2026 shoots, but nothing is confirmed.

The actor has repeatedly pushed back against retirement speculation. During “The Final Reckoning” promotion, he made clear his commitment to big-screen cinema remains unwavering, telling audiences he loves making movies and values the theatrical experience above all. His hands-on approach to stunts and production has become legendary, with “Mission: Impossible” films consistently praised for practical effects over heavy CGI reliance.

Beyond the screen, Cruise’s personal life occasionally draws tabloid attention. In early 2026, unverified reports suggested friends were encouraging a reconnection with former co-star Meg Ryan following the reported end of a brief romance with Ana de Armas. Cruise and Ryan, who starred together in “Days of Thunder” decades ago, have remained friendly over the years, though both have stayed private about relationships.

Cruise notably will not attend the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, dashing Italian media speculation that he might reprise a stunt-heavy role similar to his surprise appearance at the 2024 Paris Games opening ceremony. Sources confirmed he remained in Los Angeles during the February Games.

His enduring appeal was underscored in early 2026 when online polls and fan discussions named him among the most “impressive and promising” actors of the year — a testament to his ability to captivate audiences well into his 60s. Classic films from his catalog, including “Jerry Maguire” and “Edge of Tomorrow,” continue to find new viewers on streaming platforms, introducing younger generations to his work.

Cruise’s career trajectory reflects a rare balance of commercial dominance and creative risk-taking. From his breakthrough in “Risky Business” and “Top Gun” in the 1980s to Oscar-nominated turns in “Born on the Fourth of July,” “Jerry Maguire” and “Magnolia,” he has demonstrated range while building one of Hollywood’s most reliable box-office brands. The “Mission: Impossible” series alone has grossed billions worldwide, with each installment raising the bar for practical action sequences.

As he approaches his 50th film with “Digger,” Cruise continues to embody the ethos of old-school movie stardom: commitment to craft, audience connection and theatrical exhibition. In an era of franchise fatigue and streaming dominance, his insistence on delivering spectacle on the big screen resonates with fans and theater owners alike.

Looking ahead, the October 2026 release of “Digger” will likely dominate Cruise-related conversation throughout the year. Early buzz suggests the film could position the actor for awards consideration in a comedic or dramatic vein, potentially adding to his legacy beyond action hero status. Iñárritu’s involvement raises expectations for a film that blends humor, intensity and emotional depth.

Cruise maintains a relatively low public profile between projects, focusing on training, development and family. He has three children from previous marriages and has spoken occasionally about the importance of balance, though work remains his primary passion.

In recent interviews and appearances, including at the Saturn Awards, Cruise reiterated his love for cinema and gratitude toward collaborators and fans. “I feel so privileged to be able to do what I do,” he said in his acceptance speech, a sentiment that encapsulates his four-decade journey from young heartthrob to global icon.

As Hollywood navigates shifting audience habits and production challenges, Tom Cruise stands as a steadfast advocate for the movie theater experience. Whether scaling skyscrapers as Ethan Hunt or diving into the unknown with “Digger,” his next act promises to deliver the same intensity and charisma that have defined his career.

Fans can expect more updates on “Digger” and potential “Top Gun 3” developments as 2026 progresses. For now, the star who once declared he would “do my own stunts” until he physically cannot appears determined to keep audiences on the edge of their seats for years to come.