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Stocks to buy: What’s the outlook for Nifty for April 13-April 17 week? Check list of top stock recommendations – The Times of India

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Stocks to buy: What’s the outlook for Nifty for April 13-April 17 week? Check list of top stock recommendations – The Times of India


Top stocks to buy (AI image)

Stock market recommendations: Sona BLW Precision Forgings, and Eicher Motors have been recommended as the top stocks to buy this week by Sudeep Shah, Head – Technical Research and Derivatives, SBI Securities. He also shares outlook on Nifty and Bank Nifty:Nifty ViewThe benchmark index Nifty staged a strong pullback rally over the last week, closing decisively above the 24000 mark with a robust gain of 5.89%. This marked its strongest weekly performance since February 2021 and signaled a meaningful shift in near-term market sentiment. Investor confidence improved notably after the announcement of a two week ceasefire between the US and Iran, which helped ease global geopolitical concerns. From its recent swing low of 22182, the index rebounded sharply by more than 1800 points, translating into an impressive recovery of 8.19% in just six trading sessions. However, the more important aspect of this move lies in the underlying drivers of strength rather than just the headline numbers.Encouragingly, the rally has been supported by a clear improvement in market participation. Market breadth strengthened significantly, pointing to widespread buying interest across sectors and market capitalizations. The broader market indices remained at the forefront of this rally, with both the Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 posting gains of over 7% for the week. Each formed a strong bullish candle on the charts, suggesting that leadership is emerging beneath the surface and that the broader market may be contributing meaningfully to the ongoing recovery.From a technical perspective, the Nifty has moved above its 20day exponential moving average, which has now begun to turn upward—an early sign of improving short-term momentum. Additionally, the previously declining slope of the 50, 100, and 200day EMAs has started to flatten, hinting at a possible shift in overall trend structure. Momentum indicators are also offering supportive signals. The daily RSI has rebounded to around the 54 mark and is trading above its 9day average, reflecting strengthening buying momentum. At the same time, the MACD histogram shows a gradual pickup in upside momentum, though the key question remains whether this momentum can sustain itself over the coming sessions.Looking ahead, these technical developments indicate that the pullback rally may extend further in the near term. The Nifty is likely to test the 24300 level initially, followed by 24500 if positive momentum continues. On the downside, the zone of 23650–23600 is expected to act as a critical support area, and a sustained hold above this region will be essential to maintain the current bullish undertone.Bank Nifty ViewThe banking benchmark index, Bank Nifty, has emerged as a clear outperformer over the past week, underlining strong leadership from the banking space. The index posted a sharp gain of 8.47% during the week, marking its strongest weekly performance seen in the last couple of years and reflecting a decisive turnaround in sentiment.On the weekly chart, this robust up move has translated into the formation of a large bullish candlestick, signalling strong buying interest and a convincing rebound from lower levels. Technically, the index is now trading comfortably above its 20day exponential moving average, pointing to a positive shift in the short-term trend.Momentum indicators continue to validate this recovery. The daily Relative Strength Index (RSI) is currently placed at 53.91 and remains in a rising trajectory, indicating strengthening upside momentum along with improving breadth within the banking sector.Looking ahead, Bank Nifty appears well placed to extend its ongoing pullback rally. In the near term, the index is likely to test the 56700 level, followed by 57500 if positive momentum sustains. On the downside, the zone of 54700–54600 is expected to act as a crucial support area, and a sustained hold above this range will be key to maintaining the prevailing bullish bias.

Stock recommendations:

Sona BLW Precision ForgingsSONACOMS has broken out of a downward-sloping trendline on the daily chart, signaling a potential trend reversal. The breakout is backed by strong follow-through buying, reinforcing bullish sentiment. The stock has also closed above the upper Bollinger Band, indicating an expansion in volatility along with strength. Momentum indicators further support the up move, with the MACD line crossing above both the signal and zero line. Overall, the alignment of price action and indicators suggests continued upside potential in the near term. Hence, we recommend to accumulate the stock in the zone of 556-551 with a stoploss of 530. On the upside, it is likely to test the level of 610 in the short term.Eicher Motors Eicher Motors, after slipping below its 200-day EMA to a low of 6442, has staged a sharp pullback of nearly 15% over the past four sessions. The stock has reclaimed key short and long-term moving averages, indicating improving strength. Momentum indicators also support the recovery, with RSI rebounding from the 40 zone, signaling renewed bullish momentum. Additionally, a close above the Bollinger Band midline points to expanding volatility, suggesting the pullback is likely to extend in the near term. Hence, we recommend to accumulate the stock in the zone of 7440-7380 with a stoploss of 7100. On the upside, it is likely to test the level of 8000 in the short term.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)



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Standard Life buys rival in £2b deal to create savings giant

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Standard Life buys rival in £2b deal to create savings giant


Standard Life has agreed to buy rival Aegon’s UK business for £2 billion in a move set to create a pension and savings giant.

The deal will see Standard Life, recently rebranded from Phoenix Group, oversee 16 million customers and £480 million in assets under administration.

Under the terms, Standard Life will pay £750 million in cash, part-funded through debt, and issue 181.1 million new shares to Dutch financial firm Aegon.

The transaction will grant Aegon a 15.3 per cent stake in the FTSE 100-listed Standard Life, along with the right to appoint one non-executive director to the combined group’s board.

Andy Briggs, Standard Life chief executive, said the agreement to acquire Aegon UK “significantly accelerates our vision to be the UK’s leading retirement savings and income business”.

“Together, we will not only be stronger, we will be better.”

Standard Life is understood to have seen off rival bidders, such as Lloyds Banking Group and Barclays, to secure the deal.

Amsterdam-listed Aegon is based in Schiphol in the Netherlands (Alamy/PA)

Amsterdam-listed Aegon, which is based in Schiphol in the Netherlands, put its UK arm up for sale at the end of last year as part of a group-wide overhaul that will see it move its headquarters to the US and be renamed as Transamerica.

Standard Life said the deal – set to complete around the end of 2026 – will catapult it to second place in Britain’s retail pensions and savings market and in the same position for workplace pensions, adding Aegon UK’s 3.8 million customers and £160 billion in assets under management.

It is aiming to drive savings of £110 million a year after the deal, with over half delivered by the end of 2029 and the rest by the end of 2031, driven by cuts made across combined group and head office operations and as the pair integrate their platforms.

Lard Friese, Aegon chief executive, said: “The businesses are complementary and the combination offers an excellent outcome for Aegon UK’s customers and colleagues.

“Aegon’s shareholding will provide an opportunity to participate in the future success of the enlarged group.”

Phoenix Group bought Standard Life’s insurance business from the then Standard Life Aberdeen in 2018 and announced plans to rebrand as Standard Life last year.

It also has brands including SunLife, Phoenix Life, ReAssure and Phoenix Wealth.

Panmure Liberum analyst Abid Hussain said: “Overall, this looks like a good deal, although there will be questions on why the expense and capital synergies take five years to fully realise; we would ordinarily expect this to be achieved in three years.”



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Fuel Prices Pakistan: Iran war impact: Will Pakistan be forced into rationing fuel if conflict drags on? – The Times of India

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Fuel Prices Pakistan: Iran war impact: Will Pakistan be forced into rationing fuel if conflict drags on? – The Times of India


Pakistan could be forced to consider fuel rationing at petrol pumps if the ongoing US-Iran conflict continues for a prolonged period, finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has said.Speaking at the World Bank–IMF Spring Meetings 2026 in Washington, DC, Aurangzeb indicated that while Islamabad has so far avoided rationing, the situation remains fluid and dependent on how the conflict evolves.

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“So far we have stayed away from interventions at the gas stations and at the petrol pumps… from our perspective that’s a much better way to go than going into rationing,” he said, while responding to a question on whether Pakistan may impose fuel restrictions.

Govt prefers price mechanism over rationing

The minister explained that the government is currently relying on price adjustments and targeted subsidies to manage demand, rather than imposing strict supply controls.“What we’ve seen is it has led to law and order situations in other countries,” he said, referring to rationing measures elsewhere. “If demand destruction can be done through price transmission combined with targeted subsidies… that’s a much better way to go.”However, he cautioned that this approach may not hold if the crisis deepens. “I have to put an asterisk there, it all depends how long this goes and how far this goes,” he added, signalling that rationing remains a fallback option.

Oil crisis driven by Hormuz disruption

The warning comes amid heightened global energy volatility triggered by the US-Iran war, which has disrupted supplies through the Strait of Hormuz — a key route for nearly a third of global oil flows,.Pakistan, which imports around 85% of its fuel through the strait, is particularly vulnerable to supply shocks and rising prices. The country has already witnessed sharp fuel price hikes in recent weeks, sparking protests and forcing the government to roll back increases.

Rising prices, public pressure shape policy

Petrol prices in Pakistan surged by over 40% earlier this month before being partially reduced following public backlash. The spike pushed transport costs higher and triggered unrest in several regions.To cushion the impact, the government introduced targeted subsidies for transporters, farmers and other key groups, alongside relief measures such as free public transport in some areas.Aurangzeb’s remarks highlight the delicate balancing act facing Islamabad managing dwindling energy supplies while avoiding public unrest, as the Middle East conflict continues to cast a long shadow over global oil markets.



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India-US trade deal back in focus: Indian delegation to visit Washington next week for talks – The Times of India

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India-US trade deal back in focus: Indian delegation to visit Washington next week for talks – The Times of India


In February, the two countries had announced that they had finalised the framework for the first phase of their bilateral trade pact. (AI image)

India-US trade deal update: Months after India and the US announced an interim trade agreement that reduces tariffs on India to 18%, an official Indian delegation is set to travel to Washington next week for discussions with US authorities, a government source said on Wednesday.According to a PTI source, the visit is scheduled for next week. The agreement had originally been expected to be signed in March, but developments in the Donald Trump tariff regime following a ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States have changed the circumstances.

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In this light, the talks between trade representatives of India and the United States are seen as particularly significant. Officials had earlier indicated that the deal would be concluded only after clarity emerges on the revised tariff structure in the United States.In February, the two countries had announced that they had finalised the framework for the first phase of their bilateral trade pact. As part of this understanding, the US had agreed to bring down tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent.However, the tariff environment in the US shifted after the court struck down sweeping reciprocal tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump. Subsequently, the US administration imposed a uniform 10 per cent tariff on imports from all countries for a period of 150 days starting February 24.Amid these changes, a planned meeting between the chief negotiators from both sides was deferred last month. The two countries had been scheduled to meet in February to finalise the legal text of the agreement.At the time the framework was agreed, India enjoyed a relative advantage over competing nations. That edge has since narrowed, as all US trading partners are now subject to the same 10 per cent tariff.The upcoming talks will also be crucial in the context of two ongoing investigations initiated by the Office of the United States Trade Representative under Section 301.On March 12, the USTR launched a probe covering around 60 economies, including India and China. The investigation aims to assess whether policies or practices related to the enforcement of bans on goods produced using forced labour are unreasonable or discriminatory, or whether they restrict US trade.A day earlier, on March 11, the USTR had initiated another Section 301 investigation focusing on the policies and industrial practices of 16 economies, including India and China.



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