Business

New Delhi: With just two days to go for the presentation of Budget 2026, India’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector is gearing up with high expectations. Industry leaders are urging Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to implement further tax relief measures and policies that can boost consumption and stabilize costs for domestic producers. Relief from Price VolatilityFMCG companies are seeking budget provisions that can shield domestic players from fluctuations in raw material costs and provide a stable operating environment. Industry representatives also hope for measures that will expand global market access for Indian products. Boosting Rural ConsumptionMayank Shah, Vice President of Parle Products, highlighted that FMCG sales are increasingly driven by rural and small-town...

India’s economy is on a strong upward trajectory, with growth accelerating, inflation easing, and both consumers and businesses increasing spending and investment, according to the Economic Survey 2026 presented on Thursday. Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) V. Anantha Nageswaran elaborated on the survey’s findings at a press conference, highlighting key indicators that point to a resilient and expanding domestic economy. GDP Growth Accelerates The survey projects real GDP growth to accelerate to 7.4% in FY26, up from 6.5% in FY25 and a pre-pandemic average of 6.4% (FY12-FY20). The growth is being driven by strong domestic demand, encompassing both private consumption and investment. Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE): Growth remains robust at 7.0% in FY26, slightly down fro...

Silver prices have been soaring at an unprecedented pace, outpacing gold, and raising concerns among investors and market analysts. A recent report by WhiteOak Mutual Fund has cautioned that speculative trading could trigger a sudden correction in silver, potentially causing sharp price fluctuations. Silver Hits New Highs On Thursday, silver prices on MCX crossed ₹4 lakh per kilogram for the first time. Remarkably, it has surged from ₹2 lakh to ₹4 lakh in less than two months, with just ten days pushing the price from ₹3 lakh to ₹4 lakh. The report, titled “Gold is Talking, Silver is Screaming: A Case for Prudent Repositioning”, highlights the parabolic nature of silver’s rally and signals potential risks. Gold vs. Silver: Diverging Signals According to the report, gold and sil...

New Delhi: The Indian government has indicated that the long-awaited India–United States trade agreement could be finalised within the current year, according to the Economic Survey 2026 tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday. The Survey noted that while India faces certain external challenges, there is no immediate threat of a major economic disruption. It cautioned, however, that slower growth among key trading partners, higher trade tariffs, and volatility in global capital flows could periodically impact India’s exports and investor confidence. Importantly, the Survey stated that ongoing trade negotiations with the United States are expected to conclude this year, which could help reduce uncertainty on the external front. India and the US have bee...

New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Economic Survey 2026 in Parliament on Thursday ahead of the Union Budget 2026, scheduled for 1 February. The survey paints a positive picture for India’s economy, projecting strong growth amid global economic uncertainties. India’s Growth Momentum According to the survey, India’s GDP is expected to expand at 7.4% in 2026, higher than the 6.5% growth recorded in 2025. Growth drivers include rising investment and a robust manufacturing sector. This estimate surpasses the 7.3% projection by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The survey notes that, despite India achieving its best economic performance in decades, global challenges such as geopolitical tensions, tight liquidity, and fluctuating demand have limited the benefits ...

New Delhi: Hindustan Copper Ltd. shares witnessed a sharp rally on Thursday, hitting their 52-week high amid a global surge in copper demand. Over the past four days alone, the stock has jumped 40%, while in the last 30 days, it has gained around 50%. In the past six months, the stock has soared over 180%. Market Performance On Thursday, Hindustan Copper shares rose 17.7% to ₹721 on the BSE. By 11:30 AM, the stock was trading at ₹731.55, up 15.62%. This rally began last week when the stock closed at ₹531.80 on 22 January, followed by consecutive gains of 5% on Tuesday and 12.5% on Wednesday, creating strong momentum in the metals sector. Global Copper Prices on the Rise The global copper market is witnessing significant price appreciation. On Thursday, MCX January copper contra...

New Delhi: Traditionally, retiring railway employees and officers in India were presented with a 20-gram gold-plated silver coin as a token of appreciation. However, the Railway Board has decided to discontinue this practice starting this month. End of a Long-Standing Tradition For decades, several Indian institutions, including the railways and armed forces, have followed British-era traditions. While some practices are gradually changing, the retirement gift of gold-plated silver coins has now been officially terminated. Reasons Behind the Decision Sources within the railways indicate that the move is driven by a combination of rising silver prices and concerns over fraudulent coins. Recently, reports from Madhya Pradesh revealed that some coins distributed to retiring staff ...

New Delhi: Delhi-based aviation charter company VSR Ventures has come under scrutiny following the crash of a Learjet 45 in Baramati yesterday. The company, known for its popularity among politicians, has raised questions regarding its operational practices and regulatory compliance. Trusted by Political FiguresThe Learjet 45 was carrying Maharashtra’s former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar at the time of the crash. VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd has long been a preferred charter operator for politicians, often providing aircraft on credit and extending flexible services to VIP clients. Company Origins and FleetVSR Ventures began operations in 2014 with a Pilatus and a Beechcraft B-200. Over the years, the company has expanded to a fleet of 17 aircraft, including business jets and turboprops,...

New Delhi: The recently concluded India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has delivered a blow to Turkey, a known ally of Pakistan. While the FTA will allow Indian goods preferential market access in the EU, Turkey will not benefit and will continue to pay the same tariffs on Indian products. Why Turkey Misses OutThe reason lies in the customs union between Turkey and the EU, which has been in effect since 1996. Under this arrangement, Turkey is bound by the EU’s external tariffs. This means that if the EU reduces duties for any country under an FTA, Turkey is required to extend the same concessions to that country. However, in the case of the India-EU FTA, Turkey is not part of the agreement, and therefore cannot use it to export Indian goods duty-free. According to an offic...

New Delhi: Precious metals saw a sharp surge on Thursday, with silver crossing the ₹4 lakh per kilogram mark on the MCX. Gold also recorded a significant jump, fueled by growing demand for safe-haven assets amid geopolitical tensions. On the MCX, March delivery silver rose by more than ₹17,000 per kilogram, reaching ₹4,03,845 per kg at 9:40 AM. Meanwhile, February delivery gold gained over ₹11,000 per 10 grams, trading at ₹1,78,020 per 10g. Both metals reached their all-time high levels on the exchange. Rapid Rise in Silver PricesSilver prices have surged by ₹1 lakh in just 10 days. On December 19, silver traded at ₹3 lakh per kilogram. It had previously taken about a month to rise from ₹2 lakh to ₹3 lakh per kilogram. Jewelers have expressed concern over the sudden spike in MCX silv...