The Economic Times

Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve Chair, has strongly defended the central bank's independence. He emphasized that political interference could damage the Fed's credibility. Powell also indicated that an interest rate hike is not expected soon. Inflation remains above the target, driven by goods prices, while services sector disinflation continues. The Fed remains committed to serving the public interest.

Under the EU-Turkey Customs Union, Turkiye has to match the EU's common external tariff. So, when the EU lowers its tariffs for an FTA partner such as India, Turkiye would have to extend the same benefit to India.

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady, citing a tight labor market and inflation above its target. This decision occurs amidst political pressure from US President Donald Trump and concerns over the Fed's independence.

Under the existing system, the authority then oversees claim settlements and verifications, with the relevant companies playing a key part in the stipulated processes. The proposed move aims to do away with further verification by the IEPFA in cases of low-value claims to ensure faster settlement, as per the draft rules firmed up by the authority.

Indian manufacturing CXOs prioritize tax relief and reduced compliance costs in the upcoming budget, with over half flagging it as a top concern. The survey also highlighted the need for demand-side support, faster approvals, and improved logistics, with MSMEs identified as requiring the most policy assistance.

India's insolvency law is set for significant changes. These amendments aim to bring the system in line with global practices. The goal is to enhance the rescue of struggling companies. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India chairman highlighted these upcoming improvements.

India and the European Union are pushing for an early operationalization of their free trade agreement. The deal, in the making for two decades, is expected to be in effect within a year. This agreement offers access to a massive EU market. India is actively engaging with EU stakeholders to expedite the process.

Canadian PM Mark Carney's upcoming India visit in March is poised to secure a significant 10-year uranium supply deal worth 2.8 billion Canadian dollars. The trip also aims to finalize agreements for long-term energy supplies, including crude oil, LPG, and LNG, as well as critical minerals, seeking to reset bilateral ties.

Canada is positioning itself as a dependable energy partner for India. Canadian energy minister Tim Hodgson stated Canada can supply crude oil, LNG, and LPG at competitive prices. This move aims to diversify Canada's energy exports beyond the United States. Canada sees energy as a key to doubling trade with India by 2030.

India and the US are engaged in highly cordial trade negotiations, with a US delegation visiting New Delhi for talks. Both nations are working to finalize the initial phase of a bilateral trade agreement. This visit follows the imposition of tariffs on Indian goods due to their purchase of Russian crude oil.

CSB Bank reported flat Q3 profit as higher provisions and sharp slippages offset strong loan and deposit growth. Shares fell sharply amid earnings disappointment and whistleblower allegations, even as management expressed confidence over asset quality and margin stability.

Cochin Shipyard reported an 18% YoY decline in Q3 net profit, while revenue rose 18%. Sequential profit and revenue growth, an interim dividend, and global expansion through a JV and acquisition highlight strategic initiatives.

Indian markets rose on optimism from the India-EU free trade agreement and supportive global cues. Sensex and Nifty extended gains, led by metals, financials, and energy sectors, while broader market participation reflected strong investor confidence.

A major winter storm that hit the United States in recent days is expected to cause billions of dollars in insured losses, analysts at brokerage UBS said in a note.

Lodha Developers reported robust Q3 results with net profit rising slightly and revenue up 14% year-on-year. Record pre-sales, expansion into new projects, and strategic balance sheet management strengthened growth and market presence.

Satin Creditcare Network posted a fivefold rise in Q3 net profit, driven by lower provisions, strong business growth, and disciplined lending, marking 18 consecutive profitable quarters despite sectoral challenges.

Currently, India does not publish official seasonally adjusted IIP data. Adopting such a measure would bring India in line with global best practices, as countries like the United States, China, France, United Kingdom, South Africa and members of the European Union regularly release seasonally adjusted IIP figures.

IIP data includes output data from various sectors such as manufacturing, mining, electricity generation, output of capital goods, among others. India currently publishes only raw, unadjusted monthly data, which can be heavily distorted by seasonal patterns, shifting festival dates and differences in working days. The data is often revised to account for these disruptions.

A key tool used by the U.S. central bank to stabilise global financial markets in times of crisis could be weaponised by the Trump administration, Kenneth Rogoff, a former IMF chief economist said, when asked if that was a possibility.

eClerx Services approved a 1:1 bonus share issue alongside robust Q3FY26 results. Net profit rose 40% year-on-year, while revenue grew strongly, supported by steady execution, higher USD revenues, and resilient operating performance despite marginal margin compression.

The S&P 500 breached the 7,000-point mark for the first time on Wednesday, driven by unrelenting optimism over artificial intelligence and expectations of strong Big Tech earnings as well as monetary policy easing.

The S&P 500 opened at 7,000 mark on Wednesday, while the Nasdaq inched towards a record high, fueled by a gain in chip stocks and as investors geared up for a Federal Reserve rate decision as well as a slew of Big Tech earnings.

Nifty extended gains for a second session, driven by buying in financials, metals and energy. Holding above the 200-DMA, technical indicators signal improving momentum with analysts expecting the index to trade between 25,200 and 25,600 short term.

India and the EU have concluded a trade agreement. Mass market cars are fully protected. Import duty concessions for passenger vehicles above Rs 25 lakh will be phased in with annual quotas. This move aims to encourage EU manufacturers to launch new models and gradually start local manufacturing in India. Auto part concessions will also be reduced over time.

StockHolding Services Ltd (SSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of StockHolding Corporation of India Ltd on Wednesday announced the launch of StockFin 2.0 app to cash in on growing stock market participation.

The Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady on Wednesday in a pause that investors see lasting beyond U.S. central bank chief Jerome Powell's final meetings in March and April, with his successor expected to take office by the summer and policymakers split over whether more reductions in borrowing costs are warranted.

Garden Reach Shipbuilders posted robust December quarter results, with profit up 74% and revenue rising 49% year-on-year, driven by strong execution, operating leverage, and a healthy order book supporting sustained growth along with interim dividend announcement and solid balance sheet.

Divestment, when designed as a governance instrument rather than just a sale, transforms state ownership into a continuously scrutinized economic asset. This approach enhances price discovery, capital allocation, and productivity, as demonstrated by the BCCL IPO and the oil and gas sector's market capitalization growth. Effective divestment requires clear objectives, credible disclosures, and sustained governance follow-through.

Domestic aluminium prices jumped to a record on MCX, tracking sharp gains on global exchanges. A weakening US dollar, supply constraints, and rising demand from EVs, renewables, and infrastructure supported bullish momentum and strengthened the near-term technical outlook.

Hindustan Zincs OFS drew strong institutional interest, with the non-retail portion subscribed 142%. Vedantas discounted stake sale reassured markets, lifted stock prices, and reinforced confidence in Hindustan Zincs cash flows, scale, dividends, and long-term investment appeal.

S&P Global Ratings on Wednesday upgraded Biocon Biologics ratings with a stable outlook.

Eight midcap stocks posted over 50% EBITDA growth in the December quarter, signalling stronger profitability and improved operational performance.

Larsen & Toubro Q3 Results: Engineering and construction major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) reported a 4.3% YoY decline in its December quarter consolidated net profit at Rs 3,215 crore compared to Rs 3,359 crore reported in the year ago period.

Five financial services stocks, including MCX India, SBI and Axis Bank, hit fresh 52-week highs as strong market momentum sparked monthly gains of up to 17%.

Foreign institutional investors have reduced exposure to Nifty 50 stocks, with holdings dropping to 25.5% by December 2025 amid global risk aversion. However, FIIs are selectively increasing positions in mid and smallcaps. Meanwhile, rising DII ownership continues to reshape market structure, offsetting promoter dilution and adding stability to Indian equities.

Indian equity benchmarks extended gains on Wednesday. CSB Bank, BEL, Vedanta, Hindustan Zinc, CarTrade Tech, Hindustan Copper and Shadowfax Technologies remained in focus.

Kerala's economy grew by 6.19 percent in 2024-25. Per-person income also increased, surpassing the national average. However, public debt surged to over Rs 3.10 lakh crore. The debt-to-GSDP ratio rose to 24.83 percent. Inflation remained high at around 9 percent. Fiscal deficit widened significantly.

CSB Bank shares tumbled 14% on Wednesday after the lender reported a flat Q3 profit and a sequential rise in gross and net NPAs. While NII and operating profit saw strong double-digit growth, asset-quality pressures weighed on sentiment. Management said overall business momentum remains strong, with improvements expected in the current quarter.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Wednesday, helped by gains in chip stocks, while investors geared up for quarterly earnings results of some of the so-called Magnificent Seven companies and a Federal Reserve rate decision.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) has significantly improved corporate dispute resolution, fostering transparency and accountability. However, challenges like resolution delays and capacity constraints persist. The proposed seventh amendment aims to address these issues by introducing group and cross-border insolvency, and creditor-initiated processes, enhancing efficiency and global alignment.

Mutual funds trimmed stakes in 148 small-cap stocks over two quarters, with 11 names crashing up to 55% in six months. Data shows sustained selling pressure as fund managers reassess exposure amid weak price performance and shifting market trends.

Pine Labs swung to a consolidated profit of Rs 42 crore in Q3FY26 after a loss last year, driven by 24% revenue growth and strong platform volumes. EBITDA rose 59% YoY, while GTV hit Rs 4.5 lakh crore. Transaction growth stayed robust, though operating cash flow remained negative due to festive-driven working capital needs.

Indias industrial momentum strengthened sharply in December 2025, with the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) rising 7.8 per cent year-on-year, marking its fastest pace in more than two years, government data released on Wednesday showed. The reading follows an upwardly revised 7.2 per cent expansion in November, signalling broad-based acceleration across sectors.

The Indian rupee closed marginally weaker on Wednesday, lagging Asian peers, on dollar demand linked to maturing non-deliverable forwards positions and month-end importer demand, while positive cues from a broad-based decline in the greenback capped losses.

India Budget: EY suggests the upcoming Budget should boost capital expenditure, focusing on advanced tech like AI, space, and robotics, alongside defense. While personal tax reforms may be limited, the report anticipates the fiscal deficit target will be met. Continued fiscal consolidation is advised to encourage private investment, with a call to increase public infrastructure in emerging technology sectors.

Elon Musks SpaceX may be heading for a record-breaking IPO, potentially raising $50 billion. From reusable rockets to Starlinks recurring revenue, the listing could reshape global markets while testing investor appetite for future technologies.

India and the European Union have signed a significant free trade agreement. This landmark deal is expected to transform business environments for Indian industries. It will strengthen supply chains and create new avenues for innovation-led Indian manufacturers. TVS Motor Company sees this as a major milestone, focusing on opportunities in Europe and beyond.

SBI Life Q3 Results: SBI Life announced a 5% rise in net profit to Rs 577 crore for the third quarter. Net premium income saw a 22% increase. Growth was driven by industry momentum and higher policy volumes. The company maintained its leadership in individual rated premium. Assets under management grew 16%. The financial position strengthened with a 15% rise in net worth.

Bharat Electronics Ltd. shares surged to a 52-week high following robust December quarter results. The defence major reported a 21% year-on-year jump in net profit to Rs 1,580 crore and a 24% revenue increase to Rs 7,154 crore. This strong performance, driven by defence indigenisation and a growing order book, signals continued momentum for BEL.

ACC Q3 Results: ACC's net profit saw a significant drop of 63 percent year-on-year for the December quarter. The company posted a profit of Rs 404 crore. However, its revenue from operations showed growth, increasing by 22 percent to Rs 6,391 crore. This performance reflects a mixed financial outcome for the Adani Group firm during the period.