The Economic Times

Gold surged to a near one-month high, nearing its seventh consecutive monthly gain. Geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning U.S.-Iran nuclear talks and potential military action, fueled a flight to safety. Lower U.S. Treasury yields further bolstered bullion's appeal. Meanwhile, China's gold imports saw a significant jump, indicating strong consumer demand.

Trump Media & Technology Group is exploring a significant move. The company plans to spin off its Truth Social platform. This will create a separate publicly traded entity. Discussions are underway with potential partners. This strategic shift aims to separate social media assets from a new fusion energy venture.

European shares hit a record high, marking their longest monthly winning streak since 2012-2013, buoyed by positive corporate updates. However, heavyweight banks experienced a significant decline due to concerns over private credit markets and potential AI disruptions. Defensive sectors like healthcare and food and beverage saw gains as investors sought stability.

The Nifty IT index plunged 19.5% in February, its steepest monthly drop since 2008, as AI disruption fears and new tools from Anthropic triggered heavy selling. Tech stocks erased Rs 5.7 lakh crore in market value, with Coforge and LTIMindtree among the worst hit.

Global stocks saw a dip on Friday. Concerns over AI's impact and high tech valuations weighed on markets. Meanwhile, rising US-Iran tensions pushed oil prices higher. Sterling also experienced a fall following a Labour election defeat. Investors are closely watching these developments.

U.S. stocks faced significant declines on Friday, heading for their largest monthly drop in a year due to persistent investor worries. Financial and tech sectors were particularly hard hit by concerns over AI costs, revived tariff uncertainties, and geopolitical tensions, alongside hotter inflation data.

Gold loans surged 128% year over year, while renewable-energy lending rose 62%. Export credit declined 17.2%. Total bank credit increased 14%, outpacing deposit growth. Retail loans grew 15%, corporate lending improved to 12%, and the gems-and-jewellery and engineering sectors each posted 36% growth. Overall credit expansion now exceeds deposits.

January saw Mumbai's new rupee-loan rates climb, propelled mainly by state-owned lenders. By contrast, rates on existing loans dipped slightly and deposit rates declined a touch. The move unfolds in the RBI's policy backdrop, after its prior repo-rate reduction.

Howard Marks believes AI possesses many investor qualities like data processing and unemotional decision-making, but lacks crucial human elements like skin in the game and intuitive risk assessment. While acknowledging AI's rapid advancement and potential, he advises a cautious, selective approach to investing in the technology, warning against going all-in.

Bihar's new microfinance law could stall the sector's rebound. The state assembly passed a bill regulating money lending, a move that may push up loan defaults, echoing issues seen in other states. Lenders are prioritizing borrower engagement to curb repayment delays, and the industry aims to reassure borrowers while safeguarding asset quality.

IIFL Home Finance has secured a $300 million loan from the Asian Development Bank to expand affordable housing lending for low-income families, with a special emphasis on women. A portion of the funds will back green-certified, energy-efficient homes, helping address India's substantial housing shortage and extending homeownership to underserved communities nationwide.

Indian equities closed February on a weaker note as the Sensex and Nifty slipped, led by a sharp drop in IT shares amid concerns about AI-driven disruptions. Foreign institutional buyers returned, but domestic institutional purchases slowed. Geopolitical tensions and rich valuations kept risk sentiment under pressure, with analysts forecasting a continued uneasy tone in the near term.

Artificial intelligence is creating uncertainty for the US stock market. Investors are watching closely for how this technology will change businesses. Key economic reports and company earnings are due soon. Experts are debating whether companies will benefit from AI or be replaced by it. This debate is causing market jitters.

India-EU FTA: India and the EU are set to grant each other Most Favoured Nation status, a key provision in trade deal. This agreement, expected to boost bilateral trade significantly by reducing tariffs on most goods, also includes commitments on digital trade and customs cooperation.

India's economy expanded by 7.8 percent in the December quarter. Manufacturing output saw a significant increase. Festive season consumption also remained strong. New government numbers show a revised GDP series. Full-year growth for FY26 is now projected at 7.6 percent. Consumption and investment are expected to be key growth drivers.

India-EU FTA: Among other things, the text allows rejected EU applicant to seek written explanation of reasons for why import license application was rejected and then allows for reapplication.

New GDP data presents a challenge for India's fiscal targets. The government may find it harder to meet deficit and debt goals next fiscal year. However, economists believe the Centre can manage these issues long-term. Debt is expected to remain within the targeted range by FY31. Fiscal deficit and debt ratios for upcoming years will likely be revised upwards.

India's Statistics Ministry has released a new GDP series. The base year is now 2022-23, replacing the older 2011-12. This update uses new data sources to better reflect the current economy. The ministry will also release back series data soon. This aims for more accurate economic measurement.

India's journey to a $4 trillion economy faces a slight delay. Revised GDP estimates for 2025-26 show a lower nominal GDP. This pushes back the timeline for India to become the third largest economy. Experts anticipate strong real GDP growth driven by consumption and investments.

A revised GDP calculation trims India's economy by Rs 12 lakh crore. This could push the fiscal deficit higher, with FY26 projected near 4.5% of GDP. The data-rich approach improves accuracy, but the revision will influence upcoming fiscal targets and budgeting priorities.

French bank BNP Paribas acquired 5.28 lakh shares of State Bank of India for Rs 64 crore. The transaction occurred through a block deal with Societe Generale. SBI shares have shown strong investor returns over the past year. The bank recently surpassed Tata Consultancy Services in market capitalization.

Infosys and Wipro ADRs tumbled on the NYSE amid AI-driven fears and higher-than-expected US wholesale inflation. Block's CEO Jack Dorsey announced significant workforce reductions, citing AI's potential to enable smaller teams to achieve more, a move that boosted Block's stock. European markets mostly mirrored the pessimistic sentiment.

Shriram Pistons and Rings raised Rs 1,000 crore via 18- and 24-month NCDs from mutual funds to partly finance its Rs 1,670-crore acquisition of Grupo Antolins India entities. The deal diversifies SPRL into automotive interiors, reducing EV transition risks and strengthening its business profile.

Netflix jumped more than 9% on Friday as investors applauded its decision to exit the race for Warner Bros Discovery, a months-long bidding war with Paramount Skydance for some of Hollywood's most prized assets.

The Government of Singapore, HDFC Mutual Fund and the Monetary Authority of Singapore bought promoter shares worth thousands of crores in Vishal Mega Mart as Samayat Services LLP offloaded a 14% stake via bulk deals. The stock fell despite solid quarterly profit and revenue growth.

India FDI inflows: Singapore was the top source of overseas investments in April-December this fiscal, followed by the US. FDI equity inflows in July-September FY26 were $16.4 billion.

Shares of Dell Technologies jumped 17.5% on Friday after the company forecast revenue from its AI server business will double in fiscal 2027, underscoring surging demand for infrastructure catering to artificial intelligence.

Shares of CoreWeave slumped around 15% on Friday, after the company's plans to double capital expenditure this year stoked investor concerns about margin pressure and effective returns from its artificial intelligence push.

Block shares soared more than 16% on Friday after the fintech firm announced it would nearly halve its workforce as part of an overhaul to embed artificial intelligence tools across its operations.

Wall Street's main indexes opened lower on Friday as AI anxiety dragged on tech stocks, with the Nasdaq bracing for its steepest monthly drop since March 2025, while hotter-than-expected inflation data also dampened sentiment.

Nithin Kamath says post-Covid investing has transformed Indias markets, with over 11 crore unique investors and rising first-time participation. Savings are shifting from deposits and real estate to equities, especially mutual funds, while direct stock investing growth remains comparatively modest and steady.

Oil prices rose about 3% on Friday as traders remained on alert for potential supply disruptions after the United States and Iran extended nuclear talks.

Executive learning solutions provider XED Executive Development on Friday said it has fixed a price band of USD 10-10.5 per share for the USD 12 million IPO, which will open for subscription at GIFT City on March 6.

Barclays shares fell on Friday after media reports it and other banks face potential losses related to the collapse of UK mortgage provider Market Financial Solutions Ltd, amid wider concerns about lending standards and the fast-growing market for private finance.

Sunway Healthcare Holding on Friday launched the prospectus for its initial public offering that is expected to raise up to 2.86 billion ringgit ($735.98 million) in what could be Malaysia's largest listing in almost a decade.

Indian markets fell sharply, with the BSE Sensex dropping 961 points amid global worries and foreign outflows. However, stronger-than-expected GDP growth of 7.8% and upbeat signals from GIFT Nifty improved sentiment, suggesting a positive start and near-term resilience despite volatility.

Wealth creation demands more than savings accounts. Robert G. Allen highlights that millionaires grow fortunes through investments like stocks and real estate. These assets historically outpace inflation, unlike savings accounts where money can lose purchasing power. Investing focuses on capital growth, while saving preserves it. Embracing calculated risks and diversification is key to financial independence.

Indian government bond yields fell in February as surplus banking liquidity supported demand ahead of record government borrowing in the next fiscal year, while the yield curve steepened as rates across tenors were impacted by varied factors.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in a post-budget webinar on Technology, Reforms and Finance for Viksit Bharat, emphasized delivery-focused governance, efficient public investment, and greater private participation. Key discussions highlighted boosting infrastructure, strengthening financial markets, simplifying tax compliance, and fostering coordination between government, industry, and financial institutions to ensure budget reforms translate into tangible outcomes by 2040.

Credent Global Finance raised Rs 30 crore through a QIP to strengthen its growth capital following a sharp jump in quarterly earnings. The fundraise supports its expansion strategy as revenue and net profit surged sharply year-on-year. The company also expanded its leadership team to drive its next phase of growth.

India's economy shows strong growth momentum. GDP grew 7.8% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2026. This figure surpassed expectations. The nation has updated its economic data with a new base year. Experts anticipate continued resilience and robust performance in the coming fiscal year. Policy certainty and favorable conditions support this positive outlook.

India's foreign exchange reserves dropped $2.11 billion, reaching $723.608 billion in the week ending February 20. This follows a record-breaking surge of $8.66 billion in the preceding week, which had pushed reserves to an all-time high of $725.727 billion.

India's steel market has reversed course. Hot-rolled coil prices have risen significantly. This surge is driven by higher raw material costs, a government safeguard duty on imports, and strong infrastructure demand. Experts believe these factors will support prices in the near term. Demand is expected to grow, and producers' margins are improving. The outlook for Indian steel appears favorable.

Shares of Block jumped over 20% after Jack Dorsey announced strong Q4 profits and plans to cut 4,000 jobs, citing rising AI-driven efficiency. Markets rewarded the structural cost reset, highlighting how investors increasingly favour productivity gains from artificial intelligence over workforce size, despite concerns around social and organisational impact.

Realty firm Brigade Group has tied up with Primus Senior Living to develop three housing projects in South India for elderly people with an estimated revenue of Rs 750 crore.

Nifty and Sensex tumbled sharply amid broad-based selling in auto, financial and FMCG stocks. Several counters including XTGlobal Infotech and Tejas Networks rallied, even as others declined on regulatory and deal-driven triggers.

Redington shares surged up to 17% after a teaser from Apple CEO Tim Cook hinted at major product launches next week. With Apple contributing nearly one-third of Redingtons revenue, investor enthusiasm spiked ahead of expected updates to iPhone, iPad and Mac lineups, reinforcing optimism around the distributors growth prospects.

Astra Microwave Products is planning a demerger. Its space, meteorology, and hydrology business will become a new company called Astra Space Technologies Private Limited. This move aims for sharper management focus and better operational efficiency. Shareholders can expect value unlocking. The company expects to complete this by the first quarter of FY28.

India's economy showed strong growth in the October-December quarter at 7.8 percent. For the full fiscal year ending in March, the South Asian economy is projected to grow by 7.6 percent. This revised data comes as the government revamps its economic reporting practices. The National Statistics Office unveiled these updated figures on Friday.