US stocks closed higher as investors shrugged off the risk that Trump's planned tariff moves on steel and aluminium might ignite trade war. Dow gained 0.36%, S&P added 0.66% and Nasdaq closed 0.98% higher. Metal stocks gained the most, names like US Steel, Alcoa gained in excess of 2.50%. USD index moved higher near 108.30, 10 year also inched up near 4.50% and cboe vix closed lower near 15.77. Crude futures saw a quick rebound as US trade tensions with China and worries over inflation spike escalated. WTI moved near 72.50 and Brent traded above 76. Indian markets continued to trade lower, Sensex fell 549 points and Nifty fell 178 points to close below 23400 levels. Most sectors ended lower as Budget proposals and RBI rate cut move optimism got an offset from INR hitting new intraday low of 88 to dollar, continued FPI outflows and earnings disappointments. *Dalal street is at crossroads of positive equity cues from the US, European markets and worries over INR moves, FPI unloading, earnings. Participants may continue to build a portfolio of quality stocks as the near term uncertainty throws up a lot of opportunities to acquire stocks at decent valuations. The current downmoves in SMID names is clearing up a lot of froth that got built up during the last quarter of CY 2024 and some stocks may be getting cheap from a long term investment angle.* (2.53 am IST)