Dow Jones Rallies on Optimism, Karnataka Revokes EV Tax Exemption, Warren Buffett Discusses Inflation, and More

Beginning today, April 1, eight new stocks—Adani Power, Cochin Shipyard, Force Motors, Godfrey Phillips India, Hyundai Motor India, Motilal Oswal Financial Services, Nippon Life India AMC, and Vishal Mega Mart—will start trading in the futures and options (F&O) segment.

On Wednesday, April 1, shares of Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) opened more than 4% higher following the company’s business update for the financial year 2025-26.

The Dow Jones jumped over 1,100 points on Tuesday, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq saw gains of 185 points and 800 points respectively. This marked the largest single-day increase for all three indices since May of last year. The relief rally in risk assets also led to a reversal in Gold and Silver, with Gold rising for the third consecutive day, concluding its worst month since 2008.

As global investors become increasingly focused on tax predictability, the milestone of 1,034 cumulative APA signings indicates that India is moving towards providing clearer guidelines on the contentious issue of transfer pricing. For businesses, this shift means fewer prolonged disputes, reduced compliance costs, and enhanced transparency regarding tax liabilities.

Data from Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company shows that a systematic investment plan (SIP) of ₹10,000 in the Kotak Midcap Fund has appreciated to approximately ₹1.59 crore over a span of 19 years.

Karnataka has rescinded its blanket road tax exemption for electric vehicles (EVs), reversing a nearly decade-long policy aimed at promoting clean mobility. Under the new rules, EVs will now incur a one-time lifetime road tax at the time of registration, with rates dependent on the vehicle’s price.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), India is expected to experience significant rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds in several regions in the coming days, with peak activity anticipated in northwest India around April 3 and 4.

As strict digital payment authentication norms take effect from April 1, Razorpay, a multi-channel payment platform for businesses, has launched a biometric ‘Passkey’ solution for card transactions. This initiative is in collaboration with Mastercard, and integration with Visa is anticipated soon.

India Inc is advocating for targeted relief measures, such as moratoriums for distressed firms and expedited trade interventions, to address the repercussions of the West Asia energy crisis, as stated by Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industry, during an interview with CNBC-TV18.

Warren Buffett, the veteran investor, has issued a warning that inflation and concealed risks within the financial system could threaten the stability of the global economy, even as markets seem relatively steady.

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump urged nations that did not contribute to the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran to purchase American oil and go to the Strait of Hormuz and “just TAKE it.” He specifically criticized Britain and France for their lack of support amid the month-long conflict that has disrupted global markets, increased energy prices, and led Iran to effectively halt oil tanker traffic through the Strait.