The Economic Times

Market expert Sudip Bandyopadhyay suggests Budget 2026 can stabilize equity sentiment by addressing FPI concerns, particularly through the removal of long-term capital gains tax. A clear divestment strategy and targeted sectoral support in banking, BFSI, defence, and infrastructure are also highlighted as crucial for boosting market confidence and encouraging foreign investment amid global uncertainties.

Market expert Sunil Subramaniam anticipates Budget 2026 could be a positive trigger amid weak equity sentiment, driven by reform-led optimism. He suggests AI-focused initiatives and support for private capex, including expanding PLI schemes and public sector bank financing, could attract foreign capital and boost the economy.

The India-EU Free Trade Agreement offers significant preferential market access, boosting Indian industries like Capital Goods, Engineering, Metals, and IT. While some sectors see neutral impacts, smaller labour-intensive segments and defense stand to gain from duty elimination and expanded export horizons. This pact reconfigures competitive structures, fostering export growth and value-chain participation.

As Budget 2026 approaches, investors in virtual digital assets are seeking relief on taxation, particularly the ability to claim losses, as gains remain taxed at 30%. Foreign investors are also demanding tax certainty in international taxation, especially with India's transition to a new Income Tax Act.

Investors eye the Union Budget 2026 for policy direction amidst global uncertainty. Tata Asset Management's CIO Rahul Singh anticipates a focus on capital expenditure and customs duty rationalisation, with limited room for fiscal stimulus. He notes a decline in India's valuation premium, making it more attractive for emerging market flows.

CME Group has raised margin requirements for gold and silver futures after historic price crashes triggered extreme volatility. The hikes, effective Monday, aim to stabilise markets as collateral demands rise across precious metals. The move follows steep declines in gold and silver, intensifying pressure on leveraged traders.

India's sugar production has seen a significant jump of 18.35 percent. As of January 31 of the 2025-26 season, output reached 19.50 million tonnes. This increase is driven by higher production in key states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. More sugar mills are operational this season. ISMA projects a substantial overall rise in sugar production for the entire season.

Bitcoin hovered near $84,000 as markets reacted to Kevin Warshs nomination as US Federal Reserve Chair. While short-term volatility persists amid ETF outflows and macro uncertainty, reduced leverage and oversold conditions may support a near-term rebound across major cryptocurrencies if sentiment stabilises.

Budget 2026 arrives amid weak market sentiment, thin participation, and geopolitical pressures. With fiscal constraints and limited scope for major tax changes, the focus is expected on structural reforms like power sector and IBC revamps. While these could support long-term equities, short-term market revival may remain muted.

Gold and silver demand remains robust despite record-high prices, driven by investment, industrial use, and central-bank accumulation. China and India continue strong consumption, while Western markets increase allocations for diversification and hedging. Tight supply and resilient global appetite suggest that upward price momentum for precious metals may persist in 2026.

Madhusudan Kelas portfolio faced sharp volatility with nine stocks plunging 1545% over the past seven months, even as he introduced one fresh bet in Q3.

Bitcoins digital gold appeal is fading as traders pivot to precious metals. Gold and silver funds saw strong inflows, while Bitcoin-linked funds faced withdrawals. Crypto-native platforms now offer commodity perps, reflecting growing investor preference for metals as hedges and speculative assets amid dollar weakness and heightened macro uncertainty.

India Budget 2026-27: Economists foresee Union Budget 2026 focusing on job creation, agriculture, and digital growth. Key sectors like defense, infrastructure, and rural development may receive significant investment. Experts also call for equitable distribution of capital, benefiting smaller industries and all states. Welfare schemes need better targeting to reach the truly needy. GST reforms and private sector engagement are also discussed.

Defence expert Douglas MacGregor believes India will not always align with US interests. He criticizes US President Donald Trump's approach to trade relations. MacGregor highlights India's historical ties with Russia and downplays expectations of war with China. India is currently negotiating trade deals with the US and other nations.

Gold prices slumped 12% in their worst single-day fall in over a decade after a stronger US dollar triggered profit booking. The sharp correction followed record highs and renewed macro re-pricing. With MCX open on Budget Day, investors will closely track key support levels and volatility cues.

The upcoming Union Budget should prioritize strengthening National Company Law Tribunals. More benches are needed to boost efficiency in insolvency cases under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. Recent amendments aim for a cooperative resolution approach, involving existing management initially.

Union Budget news: India faces a significant backlog of customs disputes. A Customs Amnesty Scheme could offer a one-time settlement for eligible cases. This would reduce litigation, ease pressure on courts, and improve revenue collection. The scheme would focus on non-fraudulent disputes, drawing lessons from successful GST and DGFT initiatives. This reform aims to benefit the government, industry, and judiciary.

Benchmark indices and broader markets have historically shown subdued performance on Union Budget day, with less than 1% movement. However, a week after the event, both Nifty and Sensex have shown stronger gains. Three months post-budget, while the Nifty experienced significant swings, it generally trended upwards, with the exception of a notable fall in 2020.

Benchmark indices and broader markets have historically shown subdued performance on Union Budget day, with less than 1% movement. However, a week after the event, both Nifty and Sensex have shown stronger gains. Three months post-budget, while the Nifty experienced significant swings, it generally trended upwards, with the exception of a notable fall in 2020.

The upcoming Budget must focus not just on attracting capital but improving how efficiently it circulates through the economy. Faster corporate restructurings, stronger recovery mechanisms, better mobilisation of household gold and simpler capital-gains rules can meaningfully enhance market depth, investor confidence and long-term capital formation, earning the Budget full marks from markets.

Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee warns that India's political polarization is eroding transparency, making the country a mystery to global investors despite robust growth. He emphasizes that media freedom and credible data are crucial for attracting stable foreign investment, cautioning against policy unpredictability and internal divisions.

Sudan's Foreign Minister Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim is in Delhi for the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' meeting, underscoring Sudan's post-war reconstruction needs.

Defence stocks are showing resilience ahead of the Union Budget 2026, with many Nifty India Defence index constituents outperforming the broader market. Investors anticipate key announcements that could further boost the sector, with specific stock performance expected to hinge on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's proposals.

Indian stock markets NSE and BSE, along with MCX and NCDEX, will remain open on Sunday, February 1, for Budget 2026. Investors can trade during live sessions as the Finance Minister presents the Budget, enabling real-time market reaction amid cautious sentiment and muted expectations.

As Budget 2026 approaches, analysts expect a low-impact event for equities amid muted expectations. With Nifty already down sharply in January, a non-event Budget may help stabilise sentiment rather than trigger volatility in a cautious, range-bound market.

The Economic Survey advocates for a national input cost reduction strategy to address the inverted duty structure, proposing a three-tier Swadeshi framework. This approach aims to lower input costs, boost advanced manufacturing, and integrate India into global value chains by focusing on strategic urgency, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness.

Oil prices held near six-month highs Friday, nudged by lingering U.S.-Iran tensions, though gains paused amid prospects of dialogue and a potential ceasefire. While U.S. sanctions were issued, a stronger dollar and rising crude output also pressured prices. Analysts anticipate prices to hover around $60 this year, balancing oversupply fears with geopolitical risks.

The U.S. dollar strengthened on Friday. This followed the selection of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair. The currency recovered from an earlier sharp decline. Analysts suggest the short-term selloff was overdone. Warsh is seen as a safe choice, unlikely to aggressively lower interest rates. This news boosted the dollar's performance.

European stocks closed higher on Friday, extending a winning streak to seven months. Investors reacted to corporate earnings and news of a US presidential nominee for the Federal Reserve. Banks led gains, with Spanish lender Caixabank seeing a significant rise. Swiss watchmaker Swatch and German sportswear maker Adidas also reported positive results. However, some companies faced weaker-than-expected earnings.

In a strategic move, Canara Bank will raise 4,000 crore through tier-2 bonds by the end of March, aiming to support a promising 13% increase in fiscal year advances. With board approval for a more ambitious fundraising strategy, the bank also plans to reinvest profits to boost its expansion efforts.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India has given the National Stock Exchange the go-ahead for its initial public offering. This marks a significant milestone after a decade of planning. The NSE's IPO is anticipated to be the largest in terms of size and post-market capitalization. Investor interest is high, with a surge in retail participation in unlisted shares.

The Indian stock markets faced a downturn on Friday, ending January with a notable 3.1% declinethe sharpest drop seen in January since 2016. Analysts suggest that investors are holding back in anticipation of the upcoming budget. Still, there's a silver lining on the horizon, with expectations of a gradual market recovery soon.

The Indian rupee faced a turbulent Friday, marking a grave closing low and inching closer to 92 against the dollar. However, the Reserve Bank of India's prompt measures acted as a safety net, preventing it from breaching this crucial milestone before the weekend's budget.

Silver experienced a dramatic 25% plunge on MCX, falling from a record high of Rs 4 lakh to Rs 2.91 lakh per kg. This sharp reversal followed a strong rally, with a stronger US dollar, gold's decline, and profit booking cited as key factors. Despite the correction, silver's industrial demand and supply deficits suggest potential for future gains.

Investors brace for a significant week as major companies like Alphabet and Amazon release earnings. A key US jobs report is also due. Following Microsoft's earnings miss, market watchers are keen to see if other tech giants can meet high expectations. The Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates will also be closely observed.

Wall Street indexes closed lower Friday as investors reacted to President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh to lead the Federal Reserve, viewing it as a hawkish choice. Concerns over inflation, potential government shutdown, and mixed earnings reports also weighed on the market. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all saw declines.

Delhis air quality in January 2026 has slightly worsened compared to last year, with an average AQI of 307 versus 306 in January 2025, according to CREA. This makes January 2026 the second-best since 2022, which had an average AQI of 279.

Friday witnessed a steep drop in the prices of gold and silver, primarily spurred by the strengthening US dollar and a liquidation of yen carry trades. This sharp decrease affected both spot pricing and exchange-traded funds in the precious metals sphere, prompting many investors to cash in on profits after a bullish January.

India's inflation measurement is getting a significant upgrade. New items like AirPods and hand sanitisers are joining the Consumer Price Index. The base year is shifting to 2024 from 2012. This overhaul aims to provide a more accurate picture of price changes. The changes will help the Reserve Bank of India make better monetary policy decisions.

India has signed a free trade agreement with the European Union. This pact protects key sectors like dairy, agriculture, and fisheries. Minister Piyush Goyal described the deal as a robust and transformational partnership. The agreement brings India to the international high table. It addresses regulatory practices and protects the Indian automobile market.

The upcoming Union Budget 2026-27 is set to boost the social sector with new welfare schemes for vulnerable groups. Key initiatives include health observatories in eight states to combat diseases, community-managed tribal creches, and sports hubs in schools. The budget also focuses on employment generation, malnutrition, and infrastructure development in remote areas, while preserving tribal culture.

Get ready for an in-depth analysis of Budget 2026 with ET NOW! Join us Sunday, February 1, starting at 7 am for preliminary insights before the Finance Minister takes the stage at 11 am. Our lineup of financial experts, including the insightful Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar, will interpret the crucial announcements and fiscal strategies unfolding throughout the day.

Positive news on government financesby December, the fiscal deficit has shrunk to 54.5% of its annual goal. This achievement is primarily driven by robust net tax collections and a healthy increase in total receipts. Meanwhile, revenue expenditure has been kept in check, and capital investments have surged.

With high US tariffs hopefully behind us, India's net FDI inflows are set to surge. Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran predicts a promising rise in private investment for FY25. The upcoming free trade agreements are anticipated to greatly enhance merchandise exports. Emphasizing growth, the idea of an 'entrepreneurial state' promotes decisions that prioritize tangible development outcomes.

Investors holding physical securities can now breathe easy. Sebi has opened a special one-year window, from February 5, 2026, to February 4, 2027, allowing them to transfer and dematerialise shares that faced procedural or documentation issues before the April 2019 mandate. This initiative aims to resolve long-standing grievances and grant rightful access to these assets.

American Express forecast annual profit largely above Wall Street expectations on Friday, underscoring resilient spending by its young and affluent customers, but a small miss on holiday-quarter profit weighed on its shares.

Bombardier shares dropped 9% on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to decertify the private jet maker's large-cabin planes and all Aircraft made in Canada and slap 50% import tariffs on new planes until Canada certified the latest aircraft produced by U.S. rival Gulfstream.

Markets regulator Sebi has streamlined the process of crediting securities to dematerialised accounts by doing away with the requirement of letter of confirmation, a move that will reduce the period of transfer of securities from 150 days to 30 days.