Business

New Delhi: Once considered a forgotten grain and pushed to the verge of extinction, Khapli wheat, also known as Emmer wheat, has made a remarkable comeback. Driven by rising health consciousness and the growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases in urban India, this traditional grain is now being sold at three to five times the price of regular wheat flour. As consumers increasingly shift toward functional foods to manage conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and hormonal disorders, Khapli wheat has emerged as a premium health product. Over the past two years, leading FMCG players such as ITC, along with brands like Urban Platter, Anveshan, GirOrganic, Sattvik, Conscious Food, Amla Earth, and several niche organic companies, have launched Khapli wheat flour in the market. Why Khapl...

New Delhi: Despite sharp global volatility, heavy foreign investor selling, and a steep fall in the rupee, the Indian stock market largely remained range-bound this year, supported by strong domestic investor participation. However, not all stocks managed to hold their ground. Several high-flying multibagger stocks of 2024 have delivered a rude shock to investors in 2025. In 2024, as many as 133 stocks delivered multibagger returns, with gains going as high as 576%. But in a sharp reversal, 13 of these stocks — each with a market capitalization above ₹2,000 crore — have turned into major laggards this year, posting declines of up to 63%. Biggest Fallers from Last Year’s Stars Topping the list is Insolation Energy, which had soared 393% in 2024 but has plunged 63% this year, with i...

New Delhi: After gold’s historic rally, silver has emerged as the biggest surprise performer of 2025, delivering explosive gains and heading toward its best annual performance in 46 years. On Friday, silver prices witnessed a dramatic jump, rising by more than ₹17,000 in a single session to touch a new lifetime high. On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), silver surged to an intraday high of ₹2,42,000 per kg before settling at ₹2,40,935 per kg. In the international market, silver prices on COMEX climbed to a record $79.70 per ounce. Silver Nears Global Asset Milestone The rally has pushed silver close to becoming the second most valuable asset in the world, after gold. Its global market capitalization has reached approximately $4.4 trillion, placing it just 4.5% shy of overtaking ...

New Delhi: Gold has emerged as the best-performing asset of the year, defying expectations and repeatedly scaling new record highs—not just in India, but across global markets. Investors waiting for prices to cool off have been left surprised, as every dip has been followed by an even sharper rise. In Delhi, 24-carat gold closed at an all-time high of ₹1,42,300 per 10 grams (inclusive of taxes) on Friday, December 26, 2025. Over the past year, gold prices in India have surged by more than 80%, making it one of the fastest rallies in decades. A Historic Rally To put the rise into perspective, gold was trading at ₹78,950 per 10 grams on December 31, 2024. In less than a year, prices have jumped by ₹63,350, marking an extraordinary 80.24% increase. The rally is equally dramatic in...

New Delhi: Taiwan is preparing to make a significant investment in India’s technology and manufacturing ecosystem, with plans underway to establish a large, advanced technology park in the country. The proposed project could prove transformative for western Uttar Pradesh, with the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) region near Greater Noida emerging as the leading contender. According to sources, the initiative is being driven by the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (TEEMA), which represents some of Taiwan’s largest electronics and technology companies. TEEMA is exploring the development of technology hubs across four countries—India, the United States, Mexico and Poland—as part of a broader strategy to diversify and strengthen global s...

New Delhi: The Union Budget for the next financial year is expected to continue its strong emphasis on infrastructure spending, with indications that Indian Railways may receive a higher allocation than the highways sector. The move is aimed at stimulating economic growth, boosting employment and strengthening domestic demand. According to a report by India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra), the Railways could be allocated around ₹2.7 lakh crore in Budget 2026–27, up from ₹2.5 lakh crore in the current financial year. The likely increase is attributed to a growing pipeline of railway projects, including new lines, capacity expansion and modernisation works. In contrast, the highways sector may see only a marginal rise in budgetary support, as significant investments have already been mad...

New Delhi: Indian Railways has announced a revision in passenger train fares across all classes and categories, with the increased rates coming into effect from December 26, 2025. The hike applies to tickets booked on or after this date. However, the Railways has clarified that passengers who booked reserved tickets in advance will not be required to pay any additional charges. The fare rationalisation has been introduced to balance rising operational costs with passenger convenience. Railway officials cited increasing expenditure on employee salaries, pensions and overall operational expenses as the primary reasons behind the move. No Impact on Already Booked Tickets Addressing a major concern among travellers, the Railways confirmed that tickets booked before the fare hike will ...

New Delhi: The year 2025 will be remembered as a test of patience and resilience for Indian markets. Domestic equities faced sustained pressure from global trade tensions, persistent foreign investor sell-offs, a weakening rupee and geopolitical uncertainty. Yet, despite repeated bouts of volatility, India’s underlying economic fundamentals remained largely stable, offering important lessons for investors and policymakers alike. Markets Navigate a Challenging Year Indian stock markets spent most of the year moving within a narrow range. Sluggish corporate earnings growth in several sectors dampened sentiment, even as global cues remained uncertain. However, confidence gradually improved toward the end of the year. By early December, the Nifty index had recovered most of its losses, t...

New Delhi: Tata Group company Tata Steel has come under legal scrutiny overseas after a lawsuit worth $1.6 billion (approximately ₹13,000 crore) was filed against its Dutch subsidiaries in the Netherlands. The case has been initiated by a local non-governmental organisation (NGO), alleging environmental and health-related damages. In a regulatory filing to the stock exchanges, Tata Steel informed investors that the lawsuit has been filed by Stichting Frisse Wind (SFW) in a district court in the Netherlands. The NGO has sought compensation, claiming that emissions from Tata Steel’s IJmuiden plant have adversely affected the health of residents living in nearby areas. Allegations by the NGO According to the petition, toxic and harmful substances released from the IJmuiden facility h...

New Delhi: While commercial flights have begun at the Navi Mumbai airport from December 25, the much-anticipated Noida International Airport at Jewar, touted as India’s largest airport, is facing further delays due to serious safety and security shortcomings. According to official sources, the Jewar airport has failed to meet more than 25 mandatory security and safety standards, leading to a delay in obtaining critical safety clearance. As a result, passengers may have to wait longer before flights can take off from the greenfield airport located near Delhi. Construction of the Navi Mumbai and Jewar airports began around the same time, but the contrast in progress has now become evident. While the Adani Group’s Navi Mumbai airport has commenced commercial operations, the six-runway J...