Where To Invest Amid Geo Tensions | IT Q3 Troubles | IPO Pipeline Swells

Geopolitical tensions, led by U.S. intervention in Venezuela, dominate early 2026 sentiment, sustaining volatility alongside U.S. tariff threats on India. Analyst Abhishek Basumallick expects markets to remain range-bound until clearer earnings visibility emerges. Safe-haven gold retains structural bullishness due to central-bank buying, while oil faces uncertain direction despite potential Venezuelan supply increase. Domestic focus shifts to Q3 earnings: banking, autos, select chemicals, capital goods, and defense appear promising. IT faces muted near-term growth from cautious client spending and AI transition risks—mid-caps like Persistent and Coforge offer relative resilience. Avoid rushing into 2026 new-age IPOs, wait 1-2 quarters post-listing for clarity.