Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex continued their rally on Wednesday rising almost 1% in opening trade. While Nifty50 went above 23,100, BSE Sensex rose over 700 points. At 9:16 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 23,126.65, up 214 points or 0.94%. BSE Sensex was at 74,775.22, up 707 points or 0.95%.Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited says, “Hope is returning to the market with indications of deescalation in the conflict. Remarks from President Trump and from the Iranian regime indicate that the conflict might end soon. Particularly the reiteration from Iran that “non-hostile ships can transit the Strait of Hormuz” is good news that will mitigate India’s energy concerns. These positive geopolitical developments have reflected a sharp decline in Brent crude to around $98. The US 10-year yield also has declined. Gold has recovered. If this positive development sustains, there is room for a sharp rebound in the market. But if the recovery is to sustain FIIs should stop their big sustained selling, which, in turn, will require stability in the rupee. Yesterday’s 399 point recovery in the Nifty was caused more by short covering. In the near-term, mid and small caps can rebound more than large caps since there is no worry of significant FII selling in this segment.”Asian equities moved higher as optimism grew around Washington’s efforts to resolve the nearly month-long conflict in the Middle East. The dollar also weakened.US markets, however, saw choppy trading during Tuesday’s session, as investors weighed concerns over rising oil prices against hopes for a resolution to the conflict. This came even as reports indicated that additional American troops could be deployed to the region despite signs of diplomatic progress.Oil prices fell more than 5% on Wednesday on expectations that a potential ceasefire could ease supply disruptions from the key Middle East producing region, following reports that the US had presented Iran with a 15-point proposal to end the conflict.On the domestic front, foreign institutional investors remained net sellers, offloading shares worth Rs 8,009.56 crore on Tuesday, while domestic institutional investors provided some support by purchasing equities worth Rs 5,867.15 crore.(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)

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has delivered one of the clearest signals yet of Washington’s approach to the ongoing war with Iran, saying: “We negotiate with bombs,” even as the White House insists diplomatic pathways remain open.Speaking as US and Israeli strikes continue across Iranian territory, Hegseth framed the military campaign as both decisive and historic. “Iran had a modern military, a modern navy, a modern air force, modern air defenses, leadership, massive bunker. Never has a modern military been so rapidly and historically obliterated, defeated from day one with overwhelming firepower,” he said. “The air campaign that we’ve conducted, that Israel has conducted alongside us, was one for the history books, truly.”US President Donald Trump has suggested progress is being made, but Tehran has denied any talks, even as intermediaries including Pakistan and Egypt attempt to open channels.Hegseth, however, made clear that military pressure is central to any outcome. “That’s why we see ourselves as part of this negotiation as well. We negotiate with bombs. You have a choice. As we loiter over the top of Tehran, as the President talked about your future, the President has made it clear that you will not have a nuclear weapon.”He linked the intensity of the campaign directly to Trump’s leadership, saying: “We have a President of the United States that when he sends his war fighters out to fight, he unties their hands to actually go out and close with and destroy the enemy as viciously as possible from moment one.”While US officials have quietly floated a 15-point framework to Iran through intermediaries, the situation on the ground continues to escalate. Fresh barrages have been reported across the region, and additional US troops, including Marines and airborne units, are being deployed to the Gulf.Hegseth dismissed comparisons with past conflicts. “This is not Iraq and Afghanistan. This is not a President who’s interested in vague end states. He’s been very clear with us about what we need to accomplish, creating the conditions for them never to have a nuclear capability.”He added that operations would continue without pause. “The War Department agrees our job is to ensure that. And so we’re keeping our hand on that throttle as long as hard as is necessary to ensure the interests of the United States of America are achieved on that battlefield.”

Gold and silver prices rebounded sharply on Wednesday on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India after witnessing heavy selling in the previous two sessions. The recovery was aided by a softer dollar, while easing oil prices helped reduce concerns over inflation and the trajectory of global interest rates.

US President Donald Trump said that Washington and Tehran are “currently in negotiations” and indicated that Iran is keen to reach a peace agreement, although the country has denied engaging in any direct talks with the United States.

On the MCX, silver futures for May 2026 delivery rose by Rs 12,196, or 5.4%, to Rs 2,36,137 per kilogram. Gold futures for April 2026 delivery also advanced, gaining Rs 5,522, or 4%, to Rs 1,44,434 per 10 grams.

The stage is set for a thrilling series decider as New Zealand and South Africa head to Christchurch for the 5th and final T20I. With the series currently locked at 2-2, this match is a winner-takes-all encounter.

The series has been a rollercoaster of momentum. South Africa struck first with a dominant opening win, only for the Black Caps to roar back with consecutive victories to lead 2-1. However, the Proteas showed immense grit in the 4th T20I at Wellington, defending a target of 164 to level the scores.

Both squads are featuring several fresh faces following the 2026 T20 World Cup, providing a glimpse into the next generation of talent. New Zealand will look to their experienced leader James Neesham and the bowling of Ben Sears to clinch the trophy at home, while South Africa relies on the red-hot form of Connor Esterhuizen and the spin masterclass of captain Keshav Maharaj.

NZ vs SA, 5th T20I: Match details

• Date and Time: March 25; 11:45 am IST / 6:15 am GMT / 7:15 pm Local
• Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch

NZ vs SA, Head-to-Head Record in T20Is

Matches played: 24 | South Africa won: 14 | New Zealand won: 10 | No result: 0

Hagley Oval Pitch Report

The Hagley Oval is historically one of the most balanced decks in New Zealand, but it traditionally favors pace and bounce. Fast bowlers tend to dominate here, typically accounting for over 60% of the wickets. The morning/evening moisture often assists early swing. Teams winning the toss often prefer to bowl first, as the chasing side has historically found it slightly easier to navigate the conditions under lights.

Probable playing XIs

New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver (wk), Nick Kelly, Bevon Jacobs, James Neesham (c), Cole McConchie, Josh Clarkson, Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Ben Sears

South Africa: Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Rubin Hermann, Dian Forrester, Jason Smith, George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj (c), Ottneil Baartman, Nqobani Mokoena

Also READ: Connor Esterhuizen propels South Africa to series-leveling win over New Zealand in 4th T20I

NZ vs SA, 5th T20I: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• New Zealand wins the toss and bowls first
• South Africa’s powerplay score: 40-50
• South Africa’s total score: 160-170

Case 2:

• South Africa wins the toss and bowls first
• New Zealand’s powerplay score: 50-60
• New Zealand’s total score: 170-180

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest.

Also READ: NZ vs SA T20I Series: Date, Match Time, Broadcast and Live Streaming details

The Middle East crisis has stretched to its fourth week and oil prices have finally shown sign of relaxation, cooling off sharply on Wednesday. Fuel prices fell over 5%, giving back some of the gains from the previous session, as hopes of a possible diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East raised expectations that supply disruptions might ease.The slide followed reports that the United States had put forward a 15-point proposal to Iran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. US President Donald Trump said Washington and Tehran are “currently in negotiations” and suggested that Iran is eager to strike a peace deal, even as the Islamic Republic has denied holding any direct talks with the United States. He further added that in case the two nations agree to a deal to end the war, oil prices would “drop like a rock.”By 0058 GMT, Brent crude futures were down $6.21, or 5.9%, at $98.28 a barrel, after hitting a low of $97.57. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell $4.67, or 5.1%, to $87.68 a barrel, having earlier dropped to $86.72. The fall came a day after both benchmarks had climbed nearly 5% on Tuesday before retreating in volatile post-settlement trade. Meanwhile fuel prices also moved higher, with petrol climbing to a national average of $3.98 per gallon, according to the AAA motor club, marking a 34% rise since the war began. Diesel prices have surged even faster, reaching $5.35 per gallon, up 42% over the same period.Market participants appear to be adjusting positions amid slightly improved expectations of a ceasefire, leading to some profit booking. At the same time, uncertainty over the outcome of the proposed negotiations has kept the downside from deepening further.At the same time, supply concerns linked to the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved. The conflict has disrupted flows through the key passage, which carries nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.International brokerage Macquarie told ET that even if tensions ease in the near term, oil prices are expected to hold firm in the $85–$90 range, with a gradual climb back towards $110 once normal flows through the Strait of Hormuz resume. It further cautioned that if disruptions continue through April, Brent prices could still rise to $150 per barrel.Looking ahead, the broader outlook points to further upside in crude. Kayanat Chainwala of Kotak Securities said prices could reach $120 per barrel in the near term and may even touch $150 if the conflict drags on.