🏦 Economy
State Finance Ministers Chart Fiscal Path for India's "Developed Nation" Goal
India's state finance ministers and secretaries concluded a two-day conference centered on funding the "Viksit Bharat" initiative, a national objective to achieve developed nation status by 2047. Discussions focused on optimizing resource…
Goldman Sachs Links Low Consumer Sentiment to 'Happiness' Decline Despite Strong Economy
Despite robust economic indicators, consumer sentiment remains depressed. Goldman Sachs research suggests this divergence stems from a decline in societal 'happiness' factors rather than purely economic conditions. The analysis explores how…
Boosting Savings and Private Capital Essential for India's 7-8% Growth, Says N.K. Singh
India's ambition for sustained economic growth rates between 7% and 8% hinges on its ability to significantly increase domestic savings and attract more private capital. N.K. Singh, former head of the 15th Finance Commission, emphasizes that relying…
Moody's Raises India's FY27 Growth Forecast to 7% on Resilience, Flags Inflation
Moody's Investors Service upgraded India's economic growth projection for fiscal year 2027 to 7%, citing persistent domestic demand and manufacturing strength. While the agency acknowledged India's resilience against global headwinds, it highlighted…
India’s Center Plans State Finance Minister Conference Ahead of GST Council Meeting
India's central government will convene state finance ministers before the upcoming Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting. The conference aims to foster consensus on critical fiscal matters, including central transfers to states, tax rate…
Fed's Hawkish Stance Pressures RBI Towards Rate Hike Amid Persistent Inflation
The US Federal Reserve's recent hawkish shift is intensifying pressure on the Reserve Bank of India to tighten monetary policy. With India's retail inflation already elevated, the divergence in policy stances risks capital outflows and currency…
Bank of England Holds Rates, Diverging From Fed Amid Inflationary Pressures
The Bank of England opted to maintain its benchmark interest rate at 5.25% on September 17, 2026, defying expectations for a hike despite persistent inflation. This decision contrasts with the Federal Reserve's recent rate increase, highlighting a…
Fed Hikes Rates: Warsh Affirms Price Stability as White House Cries Foul
The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points, the first hike since 2023, drawing sharp criticism from the White House. Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh emphasized price stability as essential for economic growth, stating the…
Fed rate hike looms as markets weigh 'one-and-done' vs. new tightening cycle
Global investors are anticipating a US Federal Reserve rate hike this week, with focus shifting to whether it signals a new tightening cycle or a singular adjustment. The market reaction hinges on the Fed's guidance, as a one-off increase could…
August Inflation Spike Ignites Speculation of Early RBI Rate Hike
India's August retail inflation hitting 5.3% has intensified market discussions about an earlier-than-expected interest rate hike by the Reserve Bank of India. This piece examines the implications for monetary policy, focusing on the central bank's…
India's Forex Reserves Reach Record High of $785.71 Billion
India's foreign exchange reserves surged by a record $44.903 billion, hitting a new peak of $785.706 billion in the week ending September 4, the Reserve Bank of India reported. This substantial increase was primarily driven by a rise in foreign…
Stubborn August Inflation Pushes Fed Toward Another Rate Hike
Persistently high August inflation figures strengthen the case for a Federal Reserve interest rate increase at its upcoming meeting. Despite policy rates holding steady since January, the latest Consumer Price Index report, combined with rising…
India's Private Sector Growth Hits Four-Year Low as PMI Falls in July
India's private sector activity experienced its slowest expansion in over four years, with the Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) declining to 54.3 in July from 57.1 in June. Inflationary pressures and geopolitical tensions continue.
War-Risk Premiums Stay Elevated Despite Iran-US Deal on Strait of Hormuz
Despite a US-Iran agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, marine cargo and war-risk insurance premiums are unlikely to fall significantly. Insurers seek clear navigation guarantees and sustained de-escalation evidence, citing residual security risk.
Middle East Tensions Drive Oil and Bond Yields Higher
Global financial markets reacted to escalating Middle East tensions, with oil prices rising on supply concerns and bond yields increasing due to heightened uncertainty.
India's Supreme Court Upholds Retrospective 28% Tax on E-Gaming Firms
India's Supreme Court has affirmed the central government's retrospective 28% GST levy on online real money gaming, based on the full face value of bets. This ruling also allows states to ban online money gaming, a dual blow to the sector.
AI Excitement Blamed for Declining Dividend Yields and Shifting Investment Landscape
The historical reliability of dividend aristocrats as an investment strategy is waning, with AI-driven market excitement diverting capital from traditional income-generating stocks. This shift has pushed dividend yields to historic lows.
India's Peak Power Demand Surges to 270 GW Amidst Record Heatwaves
India's power demand hit a new peak of 270 GW in May, driven by severe heatwaves across the country, marking the fourth consecutive monthly record. The surge has pushed temperatures above seasonal norms in several regions & is straining infrastructure.
India: SEBI Proposes New Price Discovery Mechanism for IPOs and Relisted Stocks
India's capital markets regulator, SEBI, has proposed changes to the price discovery process for initial public offerings (IPOs) and relisted securities. The changes aim to enhance price accuracy and reduce volatility, introducing a new call auction.
India's Core Sector Output Rises 1.7% in April, Boosted by Steel and Cement
India's eight core sectors saw output growth of 1.7% in April, a 50 basis-point increase from March, driven by stronger performances in steel, cement, and electricity. Despite a contraction in fertilizer output.
Corporate Capex Growth Slows Amid Geopolitical Tensions and Inflationary Pressures
Corporate capital expenditure growth is projected to decelerate to 4% over the next two years, according to Moody's. This slowdown is primarily driven by escalating input costs, geopolitical conflicts, and persistent inflation.
SEBI's AI Trading Framework Balances Innovation with Market Integrity
India's Securities and Exchange Board (SEBI) is set to issue guidelines for AI-driven trading, addressing both the opportunities for automation and the inherent cyber risks. This regulatory move aims to fortify market integrity against AI.
Fed Chair's Rate Cut Ambitions Face Market Skepticism and Internal Dissent
Incoming Fed Chair Warsh advocates for lower rates and a smaller balance sheet, confronting market predictions for no cuts in 2026 amidst persistent inflation concerns.
India’s FY27 GDP growth may slip to 6.2%: ICRA
The prevailing consensus on robust emerging market GDP growth in FY27, particularly in economies like India, understates structural fragilities. Elevated crude oil prices and contracting exports are contributing to this shock.