LIC Housing Finance said its board has given a nod to borrow Rs 1.23 lakh crore through loans, issue of bonds, and other instruments, in the next financial year.

Shares in Japan and South Korea rose alongside Hong Kong equity-index futures. The S&P 500 ended Wednesday 1.1% higher, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 climbed 1.4%. A gauge of US-listed Chinese companies rose 6.4%, its biggest jump in three months.

Wall Street indexes rose on Wednesday amid hopes of easing US trade tensions, especially from the postponement of auto tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Early optimism from an ISM services report was tempered by increased input prices and slow private payroll growth. Major gainers included car companies like Ford and General Motors, while Intel and CrowdStrike saw declines.

Oil prices stabilized after recent declines due to potential easing of U.S. tariffs on Canadian crude. Investors remain cautious about ongoing tariffs on Mexico and the increased output from major producers. U.S. crude stockpiles rose significantly, while gasoline and distillate inventories fell amid higher exports.

Benchmark BSE Sensex jumped 740 points while Nifty ended its 10-day losing streak, driven by value buying in utilities and power shares. Stocks in focus included Quadrant Future Tek, Varun Beverages, and Coforge, which saw significant movements driven by technical indicators and market momentum.

A significant global trade war and China s emergence as a tech leader are prompting a shift in global investment away from the U.S. While China deployed more stimulus to mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs, Europe proposes a massive fiscal overhaul. Consequently, European and Hong Kong tech stocks are surging, and investors are reevaluating the appeal of U.S. assets.

Investors are considering Donald Trump s unconventional strategies to address the rising U.S. debt, which exceeds $36 trillion. Trump s administration, avoiding cuts to popular benefits, is exploring options like forced debt swaps with foreign governments and selling residency cards to the wealthy, aiming to lower interest payments and boost revenue.

Sanjeev Prasad of Kotak Institutional Equities emphasizes that market corrections alone don t create investment opportunities. He highlights consumer staples overvaluation and identifies select banking stocks where value exists, suggesting that true value should be assessed rather than price movements alone.

Sandeep Tandon of Quant MF emphasizes the importance of flexi-cap and multi-asset funds in managing market volatility. He advises against thematic funds due to concentration risks and highlights the role of professional management in efficiently navigating portfolio shifts.

LIC Housing Finance s board approved a borrowing plan of Rs 1.23 lakh crore for FY26 through various loans and bonds. The company reported a 23.1% increase in Q3 net profit to Rs 1,432 crore. Shares closed at Rs 521.2 on Wednesday, and analysts recommend a Buy with an average target price of Rs 717.