Business & Economy

India’s households are sitting on a massive treasure—and it’s in the form of gold. The total value of gold held across homes in India has now surpassed the country’s GDP, highlighting the nation’s deep-rooted cultural and financial affinity for the precious metal. Record-Breaking Gold PricesGold prices continue to soar, hitting unprecedented levels in the international market. Recently, gold crossed $4,500 per ounce, marking an all-time high. This surge has pushed the total value of gold in Indian homes beyond $5 trillion, exceeding India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Household Gold ReservesAccording to a Morgan Stanley report, as of October last year, Indian households held approximately 34,600 tonnes of gold. Valued at $4,550 per ounce in recent weeks, this stockpile now amounts ...

Railway stocks are on a roll as the Indian Railways plans significant investments to enhance train safety. This surge has caught investors’ attention, making safety-focused railway stocks highly attractive. Railway Stocks on FireIn recent days, railway stocks have witnessed strong momentum. The Railways is gearing up to modernize its network, with a strong focus on safety. Reports suggest that the Union Budget 2026-27 may allocate a record ₹1.3 lakh crore for rail infrastructure and safety—nearly half of the Railways’ total capital expenditure. A significant portion of this fund is expected to be spent on “Kavach” systems designed to prevent train accidents. Concord Control Systems Ltd: A Multibagger in the MakingAmong railway-related stocks, Concord Control Systems Ltd (CCSL) has em...

Despite the rising popularity of electric vehicles worldwide, petrol and diesel continue to power the majority of vehicles. While Venezuela holds the world’s largest crude oil reserves, the cheapest petrol is available in other countries. Petrol Prices WorldwideLibya tops the list with the lowest petrol price at just $0.028 per litre (₹2.52). This means a 35-litre tank can be filled for under ₹90. Libya, which has the largest oil reserves in Africa, contributes around 3% to global oil production. Following Libya, Iran offers petrol at $0.029 per litre (₹2.61), and Venezuela at $0.035 per litre (₹3.15). Other countries where petrol costs less than $1 per litre include Kuwait, Algeria, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Indonesia, the USA, Russia, and Pakistan. In Banglades...

New Delhi: While the government aims to make India self-reliant, the country’s trade deficit continues to widen, highlighting an over-dependence on imports—even for everyday items like umbrellas and glasses. In response, authorities are now considering raising customs duties on certain products to boost domestic manufacturing. Government Plans to Reduce Import Dependence:According to reports, the government is preparing to take major steps in the upcoming budget to reduce import reliance. Measures under consideration include: Increasing customs duties on selected imported items. Providing incentives for local production to strengthen domestic manufacturing. A senior official stated that India remains highly dependent on certain products from other countries, and the governmen...

New Delhi: Gold and silver hit record levels in 2025, with gold delivering nearly 80% returns and silver surging more than 170%. As investors look ahead to 2026, many are turning to the famous predictions of Baba Vanga for insight into potential market trends. Baba Vanga’s Forecasts for 2026:According to Baba Vanga, 2026 will be a year of major changes. She predicted the decline of old powers and the rise of new ones, suggesting that Asia could become the global center of power, with China emerging as the world’s leading military and economic force. She also hinted at a major conflict, which she described as a possible worldwide struggle, reigniting debates on the accuracy of her prophecies. Geopolitical Shifts:Baba Vanga forewarned of tensions in Taiwan, the South China Sea, and alo...

London: A man of Indian origin has been awarded approximately £67,000 (around ₹81 lakh) in compensation after facing racial discrimination and wrongful dismissal at a KFC outlet in the United Kingdom. The decision was delivered by a UK employment tribunal, highlighting strict adherence to workplace equality laws. The Incident:Madesh Ravichandran, originally from Tamil Nadu, alleged that while working at the KFC outlet in West Wickham, South-East London in 2023, he was subjected to repeated harassment by his manager. The tribunal found that he had been the target of racial abuse and discriminatory treatment, confirming that the allegations were “entirely substantiated.” Details of the Discrimination:Judge Paul Abbott, presiding over the case, stated that Ravichandran was mistreated du...

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has officially released its trading holiday calendar for 2026, informing traders and investors in advance about the days when the market will remain closed. Next year, the stock market will observe a total of 15 trading holidays, one more than in 2025, due to various festivals and important national observances. The calendar also highlights festivals falling on weekends and dates for special Muhurat trading. Key Trading Holidays in 2026: Republic Day: 26 January Holi: 3 March Ram Navami: 26 March Mahavir Jayanti: 31 March Good Friday: 3 April Ambedkar Jayanti: 14 April Maharashtra Day: 1 May Bakri-Eid: 28 May Muharram: 26 June Ganesh Chaturthi: 14 September Gandhi Jayanti: 2 October Dussehra: 20 October Diwali (Ba...

Delhi is renowned for its vibrant street food culture, with areas like Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid, and Connaught Place serving as culinary hotspots. Classic favorites include chaat, kachori, chole bhature, samosa, jalebi, and kulfi. Chole Bhature Still Reigns SupremeA recent poll conducted by Navbharat Times revealed the favorite snacks of Delhiites. The survey, conducted via WhatsApp, received an overwhelming response. Chole bhature emerged as the top choice, with 44% of participants naming it their favorite breakfast snack in the city. Rising Popularity of MomosMomos, once a niche snack, have surged in popularity in recent years. Now found in almost every neighborhood, momos have claimed the second spot in Delhiites’ hearts, with 26% of respondents preferring them over other street...

Shares of companies associated with the copper business have witnessed remarkable gains recently, with Hindustan Copper leading the charge. India’s only vertically integrated copper producer saw its stock hit an all-time high as the market opened on Monday. Stock Surges at Market OpenHindustan Copper shares jumped nearly 15% at the start of trading, reaching a new record of ₹545.95 on the BSE. The stock had closed at ₹475.45 in the previous session and opened at ₹542. Over the past seven trading sessions, the stock has surged 48.35%, drawing strong interest from both traders and investors. Drivers Behind the RallyThe rally comes amid rising global copper prices and favorable macroeconomic conditions, which have boosted investor sentiment toward metal stocks. Hindustan Copper benefite...

Gold and silver continued their meteoric rise on Monday, with silver surpassing ₹2.5 lakh per kilogram and gold breaking past ₹1.4 lakh per 10 grams. The rally comes amid robust global demand and geopolitical uncertainties, making precious metals the preferred safe-haven investments. Silver Hits Record LevelsOn the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), March silver futures jumped over ₹10,000 early Monday morning, crossing the ₹2.51 lakh mark per kilogram—a nearly 5% gain. The rally follows Friday’s surge, when silver prices had already increased by more than ₹11,000 per kilogram. Gold Follows SuitGold also saw a strong uptick, with February delivery futures rising ₹350 on MCX, pushing prices above ₹1.4 lakh per 10 grams. On Friday, gold prices had already gained 1%, adding to the momentum...