Business

Gold saw an extraordinary surge in 2025, not only in India but also in global markets. Dubai, a key gold trading hub, witnessed record-breaking prices for the precious metal last year. Dubai Gold Price SurgeAt the start of 2025, 24-carat gold in Dubai was priced at 318 AED (≈ ₹8,800) per gram. By 31 December 2025, it had surged to 520 AED (≈ ₹12,750) per gram, marking a remarkable 63.5% increase. This translates to ₹1.27 lakh per 10 grams. Similarly, 22-carat gold rose from 294.5 AED to 481.5 AED per gram, a 63.5% increase, while 21-carat gold gained roughly 176.75 AED per gram over the year. 14-Carat Gold Remains StableIn contrast, 14-carat gold, launched in the UAE on 29 November 2025, saw only a modest 2.3% increase during the year. Its relatively low jump is attributed to its lig...

India’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for smartphones, launched in 2021–22, has delivered remarkable results, making smartphones the country’s top export item. Under this scheme, Apple alone has exported $50 billion worth of iPhones from India. Record Exports by AppleAccording to a report by the Economic Times, Apple has exported iPhones worth $50 billion from India through its vendors up to December 2025. These exports are part of the PLI program, which Apple joined in FY 2021–22. The figure is expected to grow further, as three months remain in the five-year PLI period. With a market capitalization second only to Nvidia globally, Apple has leveraged India as a key manufacturing hub. An official noted that in the first nine months of FY 2025–26, Apple alone exported appro...

India’s sole producer of coking coal, Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), is set to launch its Initial Public Offering (IPO) this week. The company’s shares are seeing strong demand in the grey market, with the Grey Market Premium (GMP) exceeding 70%. IPO DetailsBCCL, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, is the country’s leading coal-producing company. This IPO will mark the first mainboard IPO of 2026. The public issue will open on Friday, 9 January, with the company aiming to raise ₹1,071 crore. The IPO is a fully Offer-for-Sale (OFS), with Coal India Limited planning to sell 46.57 crore equity shares at a price band of ₹21 to ₹23 per share (face value: ₹10 each). Following the IPO, BCCL shares will be listed on both the BSE and NSE mainboard. Grey Market ResponseBCCL’s IPO has ga...

New Delhi: The recent arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the United States has sparked concerns over global oil markets. Venezuela, home to the world’s largest oil reserves, could see its oil fields come under U.S. control, potentially causing major disruptions in the global economy. However, experts say that the unfolding crisis is unlikely to have an immediate impact on India’s crude oil supply or fuel prices. According to The Times of India, while geopolitical tensions may affect global markets, India’s imports from Venezuela have been relatively low in recent years. India-Venezuela Oil TradeIn 2024, Venezuela ranked 18th among India’s crude suppliers, falling to 21st between April and October last year. During this period, India imported slightly over $300 million w...

New Delhi: The government is expected to present the Union Budget for FY 2026-27 on 1st or 2nd February. This year, several initiatives targeting women are likely to be announced, focusing on enhancing financial access and protection. According to the Economic Times, the government aims to provide women with greater access to credit and insurance through Jan Dhan accounts. The plan also includes measures to improve grievance redressal, particularly in relation to insurance claims. Women-Oriented Financial InitiativesThe upcoming budget may introduce special credit cards, loans, and insurance plans for women. The government also intends to expand existing initiatives launched in last year’s budget, including the rural credit score program and financial support for first-time entrepren...

New Delhi: India is set to witness a new milestone in rail travel with the launch of the country’s first Sleeper Vande Bharat train. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to flag off the train, which will operate between Kolkata and Guwahati, according to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The launch is anticipated within the next 15–20 days, possibly on 18 or 19 January 2026, with the exact date to be confirmed shortly. Ticket Prices:The fare structure has already been finalized with affordability in focus: 3rd AC (with meals): ₹2,300 2nd AC: ₹3,000 1st AC: ₹3,600 Railway Minister Vaishnaw highlighted that the Vande Bharat fares are significantly lower than air travel. For instance, a flight from Guwahati to Howrah costs between ₹6,000 and ₹8,000, while the Sleeper Van...

New Delhi: Following a historic rally in 2025—when gold surged 62% and silver skyrocketed 144%—the first trading day of 2026 has opened with a mixed trend in precious metals. While gold traded nearly flat, silver plunged by over ₹1,800, signaling caution for investors. MCX Trading Update: Gold (Feb 5 delivery): Closed the previous session at ₹1,35,447 per 10 grams. It opened at ₹1,35,299 and fluctuated between ₹1,35,080 and ₹1,35,559 in early trade. By 12:50 PM, gold traded at ₹1,35,440, down ₹7 from the previous close. Silver (Mar 5 delivery): Closed the previous session at ₹2,35,701 per kilogram and opened flat at the same level. Early trading saw silver slide to ₹2,33,850, recovering slightly to ₹2,34,950 by 12:50 PM, down ₹751 (0.32%) from the previous close. Sarrafa Mark...

New Delhi: After a record-breaking rally in 2025—when gold surged 62% and silver jumped 144%—the new year has opened with a mixed trend in precious metals. On 1 January 2026, gold traded nearly flat, while silver saw a sharp drop of over ₹1,800. MCX Prices: Gold (February 5 delivery): Closed at ₹1,35,447 per 10 grams in the previous session; opened today at ₹1,35,299, ranging between ₹1,35,080 and ₹1,35,559 during early trade. At 12:50 PM, gold traded at ₹1,35,440, down ₹7 from the previous close. Silver (March 5 delivery): Closed at ₹2,35,701 per kilogram in the previous session; opened flat at ₹2,35,701. Early trading saw silver drop to ₹2,33,850, and by 12:50 PM it was trading at ₹2,34,950, down ₹751 (0.32%). Local Sarrafa Market TrendsIn the national capital’s Sarrafa mar...

New Delhi: Diners, take note—restaurants cannot forcefully levy service charges on customers. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a ₹50,000 fine on Bora Bora Restaurant in Mumbai for adding service charges to bills without customer consent. The restaurant is operated by China Gate Restaurant Private Limited. Reason for the FineThe CCPA issued the order on 29 December 2025 after it was found that the restaurant was automatically adding a 10% service charge to customer bills, including GST, which is strictly against the rules. By law, service charges are optional, and restaurants cannot include them in bills without explicit consent. Customer Complaint Triggered ActionThe investigation followed a complaint from a Mumbai customer via the National Consumer Helpli...

New Delhi: Tobacco stocks faced a sharp decline on the first trading day of 2026, with shares of ITC and Godfrey Phillips falling up to 15%. The Finance Ministry has set 1 February 2026 as the date for imposing an additional excise duty on tobacco products. Details of the New Excise DutyThe notification states that the new duty will apply based on cigarette length, ranging from ₹2,050 to ₹8,500 per 1,000 cigarettes, effective from 1 February. ITC shares dropped nearly 9% to ₹365, while Godfrey Phillips fell 15% to ₹2,335. This new tax will be levied in addition to the existing GST, replacing the current compensation cess, which will cease from 1 February. According to the government, GST rates will be: 40% on pan masala, cigarettes, tobacco, and related products 18% on beedisA...