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Mumbai, Apr 27 (BNP): Indian benchmark indices closed lower on Tuesday, pressured by a sharp rise in global crude oil prices and renewed geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Investor sentiment remained cautious throughout the session amid uncertainty over developments involving the United States and Iran, which kept global energy markets volatile.

At the close, the Sensex declined 416.72 points (0.54%) to 76,886.91, while the Nifty fell 97 points (0.40%) to 23,995.70.

Broader Markets Show Relative Strength

Despite weakness in frontline indices, broader markets outperformed. The MidCap index rose 0.28%, while the SmallCap index gained 0.42%, indicating selective buying interest.

Sector Performance Mixed

Market action was uneven across sectors:

• Oil & Gas and Metal stocks gained on higher crude prices
• Banking stocks remained under pressure, with PSU Bank and Nifty Bank among top losers

On the Sensex, stocks like Adani Ports, ITC, Bharti Airtel, and Tech Mahindra ended in the green, while HCL Tech, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, and Infosys were among the major laggards.

Oil Prices Drive Global Concern

Global crude oil prices surged nearly 3% to around $111 per barrel, driven by concerns over supply disruption and geopolitical uncertainty in West Asia, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.

The rise in oil prices is seen as inflationary for import-dependent economies like India, adding pressure on equities and currency markets.

Rupee Weakens Against Dollar

The Indian rupee also came under pressure, trading near 94.54 per US dollar, impacted by rising crude prices and sustained foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows.

Outlook

Market experts expect volatility to persist in the near term, with global oil price movements and geopolitical developments likely to remain key drivers of investor sentiment.

New Delhi, April 2026: India’s Manufacturing, Engineering, and Infrastructure (MEI) sector is witnessing steady expansion, driven by rising investments, stronger hiring activity, and rapid adoption of advanced industrial technologies.

The sector is entering a structured growth phase, supported by policy measures and growing confidence among industry players.

Hiring Momentum Builds Across Industries

Employment demand in the MEI sector is rising, with companies actively planning workforce expansion. Skilled talent is increasingly required in areas such as automation, engineering operations, project execution, and sustainable manufacturing, reflecting the sector’s transition toward modern production systems.

Semiconductors and Industrial Hubs Gain Strength

Investments in semiconductor and advanced manufacturing clusters are accelerating across states including Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. These developments are expected to generate significant employment and strengthen India’s manufacturing ecosystem.

Industrial centres such as Chennai, Pune, and Bengaluru continue to attract strong investor interest due to infrastructure and talent availability.

Industrial Corridors Improve Efficiency

Large infrastructure networks such as the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor are enhancing logistics efficiency, reducing costs, and improving connectivity between manufacturing hubs.

Technology and Sustainability Driving Change

Manufacturing units are increasingly adopting Industry 4.0 practices, including automation, digital systems, and smart production technologies. Alongside this, there is a growing focus on energy-efficient and sustainable manufacturing processes.

Outlook

With strong investment flows, expanding industrial clusters, and rising demand for skilled talent, India’s MEI sector is positioned to remain a key contributor to long-term economic growth and industrial transformation.

Apr 28 – Accountants and financial advisers are increasingly switching to allowing monthly fee payments to help ease the financial pressure on clients and themselves, new research* from Premium Credit, a leading provider of finance for businesses, shows.

 Nearly two out of five (37%) questioned said cashflow at their business suffered last year and almost all (95%) said clients struggling to pay fees was the main or a contributory factor in the squeeze on cashflow.

 However more than four out of five (85%) expect cashflow to improve over the next 12 months including 15% expecting cashflow to improve significantly over the period. More than half (52%) say that their client base has expanded over the past three years. Just 4% say their client base has shrunk.

 The improvements are against a backdrop of more accountants and financial advisers allowing clients to pay fees monthly. Almost all (97%) say they allow clients to pay fees monthly over an extended period of time. Research** last year found just 70% were doing so.

 Almost all (96%) questioned say they would consider allowing clients to pay fees monthly if asked – that compares to 68% in last year’s survey. There was similar strong support (98%) for offering clients the option to spread the cost of tax bills through instalments.

 The study found that accountants and financial advisers are seeing signs of financial strain among clients as the table below shows. More than 25% say that over five in 10 clients are in poor health or on the verge of failing.

 Nearly two out of three (66%) accountants and financial advisers surveyed say HMRC is getting tougher on tax arrears and debts. That is double the 33% who believe HMRC has become more understanding.

 Recent tax rises affecting SMEs such as Employers’ National Insurance and increases in the minimum wage have hit SME businesses, the survey found. Around half of accountants and financial advisers surveyed (48%) say the Government changes have reduced staff and recruitment at firms they work with while 47% say it has cut profits.

 Jennie Hill, Chief Commercial Officer, Premium Credit (Specialist Finance) said: “Accountants and financial advisers continue to show real flexibility and creativity in how they support clients, while also ensuring their own fees are paid on time.

 “We’re seeing increasing use of monthly payment options being offered, and it’s clearly making a difference. More accountants and advisers are feeling optimistic about their cashflow for the year ahead. Enabling clients to spread the cost of fees through convenient monthly payments benefits everyone — it improves affordability for clients, supports timely payment, and reduces risk to both the business and the client relationship.”