Business

Vritika Agarwal, a 26-year-old from Agra, turned her creative passion into a thriving business. Leaving behind her Chartered Accountancy (CA) aspirations, she learned the art of making custom-made candles and launched her brand “House of Aura” with an initial investment of just ₹25,000. Today, her startup earns up to ₹1.5 lakh per month, leaving many inspired by her journey. Choosing Passion Over ProfessionAfter completing her B.Com, Vritika aimed to become a CA. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she realized her true inclination lay in creativity. Despite her parents’ initial skepticism, she left CA studies and started freelancing on social media. For three years, she helped various brands build a digital presence before deciding to start her own venture – House of Aura. Starti...

Chartered Accountant Nitin Kaushik has issued a crucial warning for investors: before thinking about investments, prioritize paying off high-interest loans from Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). According to Kaushik, loans with interest rates of 16–18% quietly erode your wealth, while average long-term investments generate only 12–13% returns. Paying off debt, he says, is equivalent to earning a guaranteed return. In a post on social media platform X, Kaushik emphasized that financial freedom does not begin with investing in mutual funds or stocks. Instead, it starts with eliminating the “wrong type of debt.” He specifically pointed out NBFC loans with high-interest rates as the silent killers of wealth. The Hidden Cost of High-Interest LoansKaushik explained with an example: ...

Renowned economist Peter Schiff, famously known as ‘Dr. Doom’ for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, has advised investors to focus on gold while staying cautious about silver. Schiff highlighted that gold is currently undervalued at $4,534 per ounce, presenting lower downside risk compared to silver, which remains highly volatile in the short term. In a recent post on social media platform X, Schiff warned, “There is significant short-term risk in buying physical silver at this time. I am not selling my silver, but waiting for the market to stabilize before buying more is prudent.” Contrastingly, Schiff’s outlook on gold is highly positive. “Now is the right time to buy gold. At $4,534, it’s a bargain and carries less risk of decline compared to silver,” he said. Silver’s Vola...

Silver witnessed extreme volatility today, with prices swinging sharply in just a short span of trading. Silver Hits Record High Before Sharp DropIn early trading, silver soared to ₹2,54,174 per kilogram on the MCX for March futures. However, during the afternoon session, prices plummeted by ₹21,000 in just one hour, hitting a low of ₹2,33,120 per kilogram. This decline was not limited to India—global silver markets also experienced similar fluctuations. Reason Behind the FallOn Monday, silver prices crossed $82 per ounce in international markets for the first time. But profit-booking and renewed optimism over a potential peace agreement between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky caused prices to fall below $75 per ounce. Trump had stated on Sunday...

As January 2026 approaches, bank holidays across India have been officially announced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). If you are planning to visit a bank next month, it is important to check the holiday calendar to avoid inconvenience. Total Holidays in JanuaryIn January 2026, banks will remain closed for 16 days, although holidays will vary by state. Public and private sector banks will observe these holidays on occasions such as New Year’s Day, Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, Bihu, Makar Sankranti, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti, and Republic Day. Some states may have banks closed for two or three consecutive days depending on local festivals. Additionally, banks will remain closed on every Sunday and on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. Key Bank Holidays in January ...

The United States remains the world’s largest economy, and its stock market is now at record highs. With a total market capitalization reaching $72 trillion, no other country—or combination of countries—comes close. U.S. Market Outshines Global PeersThe U.S. public equity market alone exceeds the combined market capitalization of Europe, China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, France, and the U.K. In fact, the U.S. market is 3.5 times larger than Europe’s total market and similarly 3.5 times larger than the combined market of China and Hong Kong. The Nasdaq has doubled in value since 2022, now standing at $38 trillion, while the New York Stock Exchange’s market capitalization has grown by $10 trillion to $32 trillion. In comparison, the combined stock exchanges of China and Hong Kong are val...

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...