India’s benchmark equity indices ended lower on Friday after surrendering strong early gains amid renewed investor concerns over surging crude oil prices and sector-specific selling pressure. The BSE Sensex declined 160.73 points to close at 75,237.99, while the NSE Nifty slipped 46.10 points to settle at 23,643.50, breaking a two-session winning streak. Weakness in metal, oil and gas, and PSU banking stocks weighed heavily on sentiment despite a positive start to the trading session.

ITC Hotels reported a robust financial performance for the March quarter, posting a 23.1 percent rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 317.43 crore amid sustained growth in India’s hospitality sector. Revenue from operations also climbed significantly to Rs 1,253.70 crore, reflecting rising travel demand, stronger occupancy trends, and improving premium hospitality consumption. Alongside its earnings announcement, the company revealed plans to acquire Zuri Hotels and Resorts for an enterprise value of Rs 205 crore, signaling a strategic expansion of its hospitality footprint.

Ola Electric Mobility Ltd has approved a major capital infusion of Rs 2,000 crore into its technology and battery subsidiaries as the company accelerates efforts to strengthen its position in India’s rapidly evolving electric vehicle market. The investment, cleared during a board meeting on May 15, includes Rs 500 crore allocated to Ola Cell Technologies Pvt Ltd through compulsory convertible preference shares. The move reflects Ola Electric’s long-term strategy to deepen vertical integration, enhance battery manufacturing capabilities, and expand proprietary technology infrastructure.

Flipkart has further consolidated its leadership position in India’s highly competitive e-commerce sector by maintaining an estimated 50-60 percent share of gross merchandise value (GMV) while recording the strongest weekly active user growth among major platforms. Recent market assessments indicate that the company added approximately 8.5 million weekly active users week-on-week, underscoring growing consumer engagement and repeat purchasing behavior.

India’s electric mobility sector is entering a transformative growth phase, with EV battery demand projected to surge from 20 GWh in 2025 to 200 GWh by 2032, according to projections released by India Energy Storage Alliance. The findings highlight the rapid acceleration of the country’s electric vehicle ecosystem and underscore the strategic importance of localized manufacturing and supply chain development. Industry experts believe India’s biggest long-term opportunity may extend beyond vehicle assembly into batteries, components, and advanced energy technologies.

Swiggy has clarified that proposed modifications to its board nomination structure are aimed at helping the company eventually qualify as an “Indian Owned and Controlled Company” (IOCC) under India’s foreign exchange regulations. The clarification came after institutional investors sought greater transparency regarding the rationale behind the governance-related amendments. The company stated that the proposed changes are part of a broader strategic and regulatory alignment process.

Jio Platforms has appointed Akash Ambani as managing director for a five-year term, a strategic leadership move that comes as the company prepares for a highly anticipated initial public offering. According to a regulatory filing, the appointment became effective on April 9, 2026. Industry observers view the decision as part of a broader succession and expansion strategy within the Reliance Group’s digital business empire.

Indian equity benchmarks opened higher on Thursday as investor sentiment improved following positive global market cues and renewed optimism surrounding ongoing US-China discussions. The benchmark Sensex climbed more than 450 points in early trade, while the Nifty advanced nearly 170 points, supported primarily by gains in banking, infrastructure, pharmaceutical, and metal stocks. Market participants also tracked strong domestic institutional inflows, which helped offset continued selling pressure from foreign investors.

LIC Housing Finance reported a slight moderation in its net interest margin during the fourth quarter of FY26, reflecting ongoing pressure on lending spreads within India’s competitive housing finance sector. The company’s Net Interest Margin (NIM) declined to 2.80 percent from 2.85 percent a year earlier. Despite the margin compression, the lender successfully reduced overall expenses, highlighting a continued emphasis on operational efficiency and cost optimization.

Ola Electric is reportedly in discussions with multiple domestic and international automobile manufacturers to supply lithium-ion battery cells and battery packs from its Krishnagiri gigafactory, signaling a strategic shift beyond its in-house electric scooter business. The Bengaluru-based company currently operates India’s only active gigafactory with an installed capacity of 6 GWh and has commercially deployed its proprietary 4680-format Bharat Cell at scale through its subsidiary Ola Cell Technologies.