Business & Economy

India’s automobile industry delivered a stellar performance in 2025, registering record-breaking sales across segments, including passenger vehicles, two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and commercial vehicles. Data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) on Tuesday shows that strong festive demand, tax relief measures, and easier financing conditions drove the surge. Passenger Vehicles Hit New Highs Passenger vehicle sales (cars, SUVs, and vans) rose 20.6% year-on-year to 1.276 million units in the October–December 2025 quarter, marking the highest-ever sales recorded in any third quarter. For the full calendar year 2025, passenger vehicle sales stood at 4.49 million units, up 5% compared to 2024. December 2025 alone witnessed a sharp jump, with sales reaching...

As India and the European Union move closer to finalising a long-pending trade agreement, concerns are mounting within India’s automobile industry. Leading global carmakers, including BMW, have cautioned that Chinese automobile manufacturers could exploit the proposed deal to gain indirect access to the Indian market, potentially undermining existing investments. According to a report by The Times of India, BMW has urged the Indian government to incorporate strong safeguard measures before signing the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The company fears that without adequate protections, the deal could open loopholes allowing non-European players, particularly Chinese automakers, to enter India through the EU route. Automobile Market at the Centre of Negotiations Market access f...

The government has imposed a ban on 10-minute delivery services offered by quick-commerce platforms, citing concerns over the safety and working conditions of gig workers. As a result, platforms such as Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy, and Zomato will no longer be allowed to promise ultra-fast deliveries until further notice. The decision was taken by Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya following a fatal road accident in Hyderabad that brought the issue of delivery timelines and rider safety into sharp focus. The incident involved the death of a two-wheeler rider, initially reported to be associated with Zepto, though the company later denied any employment link. Government Intervention After Safety Concerns The Labour Minister held discussions with major delivery aggregators to addres...

After opening on a positive note, the Indian equity market lost momentum as the session progressed, leading to sharp intraday losses for investors. The BSE Sensex slipped 250.48 points, or 0.30%, to close at 83,627.69, while the Nifty50 declined 57.95 points, or 0.22%, to settle at 25,732.30. At one point during the day, the Sensex had plunged more than 900 points from its intraday high, highlighting renewed volatility in the market. The Nifty also fell over 1% during intraday trade before recovering partially by the close. Shares of Trent and Larsen & Toubro fell more than 3%, while Reliance Industries declined over 1%. The market had started the day on an optimistic note, supported by hopes of a US trade deal and encouraging early earnings from IT majors TCS and HCL Technologie...

The United States has announced a sweeping 25% tariff on countries that continue trade relations with Iran, a move that could pose fresh economic and diplomatic challenges for India. As one of Iran’s key trading partners, India now finds itself navigating a complex situation that could affect everything from saffron imports to strategic infrastructure projects. US President Donald Trump described the decision as a “final and decisive measure” aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran amid growing internal unrest. However, the move directly targets Iran’s major trade partners and risks further straining New Delhi–Washington relations. Could India Face an Effective 75% US Tariff? The Iran-related tariff adds to existing trade pressures on India. The US has already imposed a 25% recipro...

Gold prices surged nearly 60% last year, marking the largest annual increase since 1979. A major driver behind this spike has been the aggressive gold purchases by central banks around the world. In November alone, central banks collectively acquired 45 tonnes of gold — the second-largest monthly purchase in 11 months — marking the second consecutive month in which purchases exceeded 40 tonnes. For the first 11 months of the year, total central bank acquisitions reached 297 tonnes. Poland Leads in Gold PurchasesPoland’s National Bank bought the largest amount in November, acquiring 12 tonnes of gold. The country also topped the list in October. As a result, Poland’s total gold reserves have now reached 543 tonnes, accounting for 28% of its total foreign exchange reserves. The bank ai...

India is making significant strides in strengthening its trade relations with the United Kingdom and the European Union, with free trade agreements (FTAs) expected to receive final approval soon. This development could provide a major boost to India’s textile industry while delivering a setback to Bangladesh’s export dominance. According to the Economic Times, buyers from major European and UK clothing brands, including Marks & Spencer, Primark, Next, and Mothercare, have already begun engaging with Indian suppliers. Exporters report that these companies are increasingly inspecting and evaluating factories in textile hubs such as Tirupur in Tamil Nadu. The move comes amid supply chain uncertainties in Bangladesh and expectations of reduced tariffs under the new FTAs, prompting buyer...

New Delhi: Investors, take note—the Indian stock market will remain closed on January 15, 2026, in addition to the regular weekend holidays. Both the BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) and NSE (National Stock Exchange) have issued circulars confirming the trading holiday. Reason for the ClosureThe markets will be closed due to municipal elections in Maharashtra on January 15. As a result, equity, equity derivatives, commodity derivatives, and electronic gold receipts trading will not take place on this day. The BSE circular stated that equity derivatives contracts expiring on January 15, 2026, have now been extended to January 14, 2026. NSE also revised its earlier circular to declare January 15 a capital market and F&O trading holiday. What Is a Settlement Holiday?A settlement holid...

New Delhi: While U.S. President Donald Trump continues his mission to “Make America Great Again,” American workers are witnessing a historic decline in their share of the country’s economic output. According to recent data, labor’s share of U.S. GDP—representing wages, salaries, bonuses, and benefits for non-farm workers—has fallen to 53.8%, the lowest level since records began in 1947. Historical Perspective In 1950, labor’s share stood at approximately 65%. By 1960, it reached a record 66%. In 2001, the figure was 64%, but it has since declined by 10.4 percentage points. Meanwhile, corporate profit margins have surged to 10.9%, marking the second-highest level in history. This indicates that while workers are producing more than ever, the largest portion of economic g...

Mumbai: Shares of Krystal Integrated Services Limited (BSE: 544149 | NSE: KRYSTAL), a leading integrated facility management solutions provider, have been in focus recently, surging nearly 20% over the past month. The rally comes on the back of significant new contracts and strong financial performance. ₹275 Crore Contract Boosts SentimentThe company recently secured three work orders totaling ₹275 crore from the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation for solid waste management. These contracts, spanning five years, cover door-to-door waste collection, segregation, transportation, and road cleanliness in one of Maharashtra’s fastest-growing urban regions. The breakdown of the work orders is as follows: Division C: Estimated cost ₹83 crore Division F: Estimated cost ₹275 crore Di...