Business

Popular “Labubus” dolls, which took the internet by storm in 2025, are now making headlines for the wrong reasons. A New York-based NGO, China Labor Watch (CLW), has revealed that Pop Mart, the Chinese company behind these dolls, has been employing children and subjecting workers to exploitative conditions in its factories. Allegations of Child Labor and Excessive OvertimeThe investigation focused on the Shunjia Toys factory in Jiangxi province, where 16- and 17-year-old teenagers were reportedly made to work without legal protections. Workers were forced to meet unrealistic production targets through excessive overtime, in clear violation of Chinese labor laws. Pop Mart has pledged to investigate the allegations and promised strict action if the claims are verified. The dolls, known...

Gold prices are expected to maintain their upward momentum in the coming week, driven primarily by safe-haven demand and expectations of interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, silver may see some stabilization or range-bound trading following last week’s sharp surge. Gold Continues Its RiseIn the domestic market, gold futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) rose ₹3,698, or 2.7%, last week, reaching a record ₹1,43,590 per 10 grams on Wednesday. According to Pranav Meer, Vice President of Commodity and Currency Research at JM Financial Services, “A weak rupee and strong safe-haven demand have supported gold prices in the domestic market. However, profit-booking on Friday caused slight softness.” Internationally, COMEX gold futures climbed $94.5, or 2.09%, to c...

Crude oil prices have eased once again, as fears of a potential U.S. strike on Iran have subsided. Analysts say that global supply currently exceeds demand, providing a major advantage to oil-importing countries like India. Lower petrol and diesel prices will help curb inflation and free up government funds for developmental spending. Decline in Crude PricesThe drop in oil prices follows a reduction in concerns over a U.S. military strike on Iran. Previously, Brent Crude and WTI (West Texas Intermediate) had reached their highest levels in months, challenging earlier predictions of a sluggish year. While traders were caught between geopolitical fears and fundamental market factors, most analysts now agree that crude oil supply significantly exceeds global demand. Goldman Sachs recently ...

Double-Return StocksThe stock market has witnessed significant ups and downs over the past year. While the Sensex has shown only modest gains of around 9% over the last 12 months, certain stocks have delivered exceptional returns, doubling or even multiplying investors’ money. Here’s a look at five such multi-bagger stocks: 1. L&T FinanceOne of India’s leading non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and part of the renowned L&T Group, L&T Finance shares have returned over 107% in one year. The stock closed at ₹296.25 on Friday, up from around ₹144 a year ago. 2. Silver Touch Technologies LtdThis IT solutions and digital transformation company has seen its stock surge by 144% in one year. From ₹655 a year ago, it closed at ₹1,598.45, hitting a 5% upper circuit during the w...

Motor Insurance: A Critical Financial ShieldMillions of vehicles on Indian roads operate without third-party insurance. In the event of an accident, the owner of an uninsured vehicle is personally liable for damages to other people, vehicles, or property. Such costs can run into lakhs or even crores of rupees, making motor insurance a vital financial safeguard. According to Niharika Singh, ED of IFCO Tokio General Insurance Company Limited, despite the legal requirement, more than 50% of vehicles in India still run without insurance. Third-party motor insurance provides essential protection against unexpected expenses such as vehicle repair, medical costs, and legal liabilities. Types of Motor InsuranceMotor insurance is of two main types: Comprehensive Insurance – Covers both da...

Good News for EPFO MembersEmployees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) members will soon be able to transfer their Provident Fund (PF) money directly to their bank accounts through UPI (Unified Payments Interface). This facility is expected to roll out from April 2026 as part of a major initiative by the Ministry of Labour. Under this plan, a portion of your EPF account will remain frozen, but the majority of the funds can be withdrawn using the UPI payment gateway. Once transferred, the money can be used freely for any purpose. EPFO is currently working on addressing software and system issues to ensure smooth implementation. The new system will benefit around 8 crore EPFO members across India. How the Transfer Will WorkMembers eligible for this facility will be able to see the wit...

Electric Scooter Prices FallElectric scooters have become significantly more affordable, now reaching price levels comparable to petrol scooters. Several models are available for under ₹1 lakh, signaling a shift in the market. Industry experts note a clear trend: electric scooters, once considered expensive and niche, are now competing directly with petrol scooters in the mainstream segment. Leading manufacturers like Bajaj, TVS, and Hero MotoCorp have launched cost-effective electric models in the ₹85,000–₹95,000 range. This price parity could accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across India. Affordable Models Leading the ChangeBajaj Auto recently launched the Chetak C25 01, priced at around ₹91,000, its most affordable model in the Chetak series. TVS and Hero MotoCor...

New Rules for Mutual FundsMutual fund investors have received a significant relief as market regulator SEBI has introduced a new way to disclose expenses through the Base Expense Ratio (BER). Under the new system, fund houses will have to separately show management fees and government taxes (GST and STT), giving investors a clear picture of how much of their money is spent on fund management and how much goes to taxes. Previously, all expenses were combined and shown as the Total Expense Ratio (TER). These new rules will come into effect from 1 April 2026. Investor Protection and Expense LimitsSEBI has clarified that all mutual fund scheme expenses must be borne by the scheme itself and must stay within a prescribed limit. If a fund’s expenses exceed the SEBI-specified limit, the Ass...

Dr. Ayushi Jain Gupta founded NORA in 2022, a company specializing in eco-friendly outdoor furniture and planter pots. The brand aims to provide sustainable, stylish, and affordable products. Today, NORA generates an annual revenue of ₹1.2 crore. From Medicine to BusinessDr. Ayushi Jain Gupta, based in Gurugram, pursued an MBBS from Shenyang Medical College, China, followed by an MBA from the Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM). Instead of continuing a traditional medical career, she chose the challenging path of entrepreneurship. Driven by her love for nature and the desire to solve everyday problems, she co-founded the Gurugram-based startup NORA in 2022. NORA is not just a brand; it bridges modern lifestyle and environmental sustainability. The startup specializes i...

Mumbai: India’s foreign exchange reserves witnessed a sharp decline in the first week of 2026, but showed a modest recovery in the following week. During the week ending January 9, 2026, the country’s forex reserves increased slightly by $392 million, supported by a rise in gold reserves. Current Reserve Levels According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India’s total foreign exchange reserves now stand at $687.193 billion, up marginally from the previous week’s decline of $9.809 billion. For context, the reserves had previously reached a record high of $704.885 billion during the week ending September 27, 2024. Foreign Currency Assets (FCA) Decline Within the total reserves, Foreign Currency Assets (FCAs)—a key component—fell by $1.124 billion in the week ending January 9, f...