The Economic Times

The Federal Reserve increased interest rates for the first time in over three years. Policymakers anticipate at least one more quarter-percentage-point hike by year-end. Shorter-dated U.S. Treasury yields rose after the rate hike announcement. Market bets on a future rate increase at the next meeting ticked higher. Inflation expectations for the next decade remained around 2.3 percent.

The US dollar rises against major currencies after the Federal Reserve hikes interest rates and signals further tightening to tackle inflation. The dollar index reaches a nearly five-week high, while traders see an 80% chance of a Bank of Japan rate hike on Friday. Bitcoin remains steady after Tuesday's sharp fall.

Gold prices fall more than 1% after the US Federal Reserve raises interest rates and signals further hikes, pushing the dollar higher and weighing on non-yielding bullion. Spot gold drops to $4,240.10 an ounce after hitting a session high of $4,365.57, while silver, platinum and palladium also decline.

US stocks end lower after the Federal Reserve raises interest rates as expected and signals further tightening to tackle elevated inflation. The Dow falls 1.17%, while the S&P 500 drops 0.43% and the Nasdaq is nearly flat. Lower crude prices weigh on energy stocks, while chip shares gain.

The Federal Reserve increased interest rates by 0.25 percent. This action was driven by a strengthening US economy and rising inflation. Domestic spending remains resilient and job gains are keeping pace. Inflation has stubbornly stayed above the Federal Reserve's target for years. The central bank's focus remains on achieving price stability.

The US Federal Reserve increased interest rates by twenty-five basis points on Wednesday. This move aims to control inflation that remains significantly above the central bank's target. Consumer inflation stayed at three point four percent in August, prompting this necessary action. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh faces a significant test of his credibility with this decision. Analysts anticipate another rate increase in December, impacting financial conditions.

Indian equities rebounded on September 16 after Tuesdays sharp sell-off, with Sensex gaining 333 points and Nifty rising 99 points. Large caps led gains, while broader markets declined. Groww, Paytm and Pine Labs featured among the most active stocks.

India's market watchdog has intervened, prohibiting two companies for their role in stock derivative price manipulation. They reportedly employed advanced options and futures strategies to make significant profits, deliberately incurring losses in stock futures to sway option prices. The focus of this manipulation was notably on smaller-cap stocks, which are more susceptible to such tactics.

Indian equities gained as easing crude prices, softer Japanese bond yields and expectations of a largely priced-in US Fed hike improved sentiment. Analysts identified Policybazaar, PNB, PVR Inox, Radico Khaitan and Hindalco as stocks showing bullish technical setups and rebound potential.

Morgan Stanley is converting eight municipal bond mutual funds to ETFs. This move will transition nearly ten billion dollars in assets under management. The firm plans to launch seven new ETFs for these assets. Demand for municipal ETFs remains strong due to tax effectiveness and flexibility. These conversions are a defensive measure to retain client assets.

The National Stock Exchange allocated shares worth over $700 million to anchor investors. India's Life Insurance Corporation and Norway's Norges Bank were among the top participants. This allocation precedes NSE's significant $2.3 billion initial public offering. The exchange's IPO is an offer-for-sale by existing shareholders. Public subscription for the shares opens on Thursday and closes Monday.

J.B. Hunt shares fell significantly after its finance chief warned of lower third-quarter profits. Higher transportation and diesel prices increased company expenses considerably. Other trucking firms also experienced share price declines following this news. The company faces challenges with intermodal prices lagging behind rising operational costs. Increased driver hiring and fuel expenses are impacting the trucking industry this year.

Ron Barons portfolio, valued at about $66 billion, is led by SpaceX, Tesla, MSCI, Arch Capital and Gartner. The holdings reflect a focus on long-term growth across space, electric vehicles, financial infrastructure, insurance and data-driven services, alongside substantial positions in technology companies.

US stocks open higher on Wednesday after a two-day slide, helped by easing oil prices as investors await the Federal Reserves interest-rate decision. The Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq gain at the open, with markets closely watching the Feds policy signal for clues on the direction of borrowing costs.

Indian government bonds saw gains as crude oil prices retreated from recent highs. Traders squared short positions before the Federal Reserve's anticipated policy decision later today. Global debt markets stabilized after Saudi Arabia offered additional oil cargoes through Oman. The Indian central bank is also expected to tighten policy next month due to rising inflation. Bond yields eased while OIS rates tracked offshore markets, reflecting market expectations.

ASF Group has struck a major leasing agreement, providing Genpact with four lakh square feet at the prestigious ASF Insignia in Gurugram. This move marks a significant milestone, as Genpact will occupy an entire commercial tower, contributing to one of Delhi-NCR's largest office space deals. Notably, the office leasing sector across seven major cities reported a twenty-seven percent surge in the June quarter.

Eight BSE 100 Largecap TMC stocks hit fresh 52-week lows despite the Sensex gaining 332 points on Wednesday. Shree Cement, Maruti Suzuki, IRFC, Britannia, Ambuja Cements, Godrej Consumer, Bank of Baroda and Muthoot Finance recorded new yearly lows.

Indian equities recovered on September 16, with Nifty and Sensex gaining over 0.4% as banking and heavyweight stocks attracted value buying. Broader markets remained weak, while FMCG and PSU banks advanced. Investors now await the Federal Reserves rate decision and guidance.

UPI payments to merchants above two thousand rupees will attract a zero point four percent merchant discount rate. Merchants will pay eighteen percent GST on these charges, which is effective October 15th. Registered merchants can claim input tax credit on the GST paid on these fees. This tax structure aims to generate significant GST revenue for the government annually.

AI is moving beyond technology and reshaping how investors analyse markets, manage risk and construct portfolios. As algorithms become increasingly integrated into investment decisions, human judgement remains critical. Sandeep Tandons masterclass at the ET Alpha Wealth Summit 2.0 will explore how AI and human expertise could shape the future of wealth management.

Bitcoin fell below $75,000 to a September low after the US Senate rejected the CLARITY Act cloture vote 50-49. Ethereum and major altcoins also declined, while rising Treasury yields, regulatory uncertainty and weaker sentiment added pressure to cryptocurrency markets.

The Indian rupee has dropped to its lowest value since late July, driven by heightened demand for the dollar and expectations of U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. While the Reserve Bank of India's interventions have helped maintain the rupee above a critical threshold, investors are eagerly awaiting signals from the Fed regarding future monetary policy, as a hawkish stance could further pressure the currency.

Due to concerns over misleading practices, the government has mandated that cab aggregators remove the option for advance tipping. Authorities have deemed this tactic an unfair trade practice, resulting in Rapido being fined ten lakh rupees. As investigations into Uber and Ola persist, its established that tipping must remain at the discretion of consumers after their journey.

IPL 2027 auction: BCCI will hold the IPL 2027 mini auction in India, ending a three year run of overseas venues that included Dubai, Jeddah and Abu Dhabi, according to Cricbuzz. The decision, taken at a Governing Council meeting on September 15, follows franchise concerns over overseas logistics.

Radhakishan Damanis 1.58% stake in NSE could see its value swing by nearly Rs 40 crore for every Rs 10 move in the exchanges share price after listing. His 3.91 crore shares are valued at around Rs 6,980 crore at the upper IPO price band of Rs 1,785.

Tier-2 cities now lead India's land transactions, a significant shift from previous years. This trend signals emerging real estate supply outside major metropolitan areas. Developers are exploring satellite towns for larger land parcels and integrated projects. Improved infrastructure and economic activity are driving this growth in these emerging urban centers. This evolving landscape promises substantial future development opportunities across India.

Pakistan's airports authority has extended the airspace ban for Indian aircraft. This restriction will now remain in effect until October 24. The ban applies to all Indian registered aircraft and airlines. This measure follows previous airspace restrictions imposed by both nations. The extension impacts flights within Pakistan's Karachi and Lahore flight information regions.

After elder sister revoked her 1st Will, younger sister forcefully grabbed her house and refused her entry; elder sister writes a 2nd Will giving house to adopted daughter; Punjab and Haryana HC upholds this 2nd Will. An SLP has been filed against this high court judgement in Supreme Court. SC's decision is pending.

Retailers Association of India warns new UPI fees could reverse digital payment gains. Small merchants may shift transactions back to cash, impacting government formalization efforts. The association argues UPI debit transactions should not incur merchant discount rates. They propose the government should underwrite UPI network costs instead. RAI will seek a graded MDR structure and incentives for small retailers.

As part of the recent regulatory changes, hallmarking fees for gold and silver jewellery have been updated. Jewellers will now incur a fee of seventy-five rupees for each gold article and thirty-five rupees for silver articles. These adjustments, mandated by the Bureau of Indian Standards, ensure that all hallmarked jewellery meets the required standards, reinforcing consumer trust in gold and silver products.

India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade approved seven companies to import 642 cars. These imports will occur under the India-UK free trade agreement's tariff rate quota provisions. The government had sought applications for a quota of approximately 5,000 vehicles for the year 2026. This approval marks the first allocation under the 2026 quota following recent applications. The agreement allows concessional customs duty on vehicle imports from Britain.

The Cockroach Janta Party founder launched a campaign for tribal schools. This initiative aims to highlight government neglect and discrimination faced by students. Many tribal students have died due to poor facilities and lack of care. The campaign will inspect infrastructure and draw attention to these issues. Focusing on tribal education is crucial for the nation's future development.

India's Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar addressed G20 energy meetings. He highlighted India's significant progress in energy security and clean energy expansion. The minister also discussed regulatory efficiency improvements and digital platforms used. Bilateral talks focused on emerging energy technologies and cooperation with US and Canada. India reaffirmed its commitment to a balanced and future-ready energy strategy.

Every possible means...: EU to tackle unsustainable trade deficit with China, says Von der Leyen

Canada could become the EUs first associate member under a proposal from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The plan would deepen cooperation beyond trade into defence, energy, critical minerals and technology as Canada and Europe seek stronger economic ties amid uncertainty over US trade policy.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Iran and the United States to remain rational. He encouraged both nations to exercise restraint and engage in substantive consultations. Wang also called for effective measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz soon. China does not want regional tensions to spill over into Yemen and the Red Sea. China's policy toward Iran remains consistent and stable, fostering communication.

JM Financial retained Buy ratings on Dr Reddys Laboratories and Aurobindo Pharma, seeing up to 28% upside over the next 12 months. The brokerage expects stronger earnings growth, business diversification and new product launches to support both drugmakers.

European shares recovered after two sessions of losses as a pause in oil prices eased pressure on risk assets ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy decision. Banks led gains, while investors tracked bond yields, inflation concerns and geopolitical developments.

Chinas slower loan growth is emerging as a new normal as weakening property and local government sectors reduce credit demand faster than emerging industries can make up for it, PBOC Governor Pan Gongsheng said. Although new bank lending recovered in August from Julys record contraction, it remained below market expectations, with weak household and business borrowing continuing to weigh on overall credit growth.

Seed round led by Zeropearl VC will support two new centres in Delhi NCR, expansion of specialist teams and technology-led patient care

Vipraj Nigam will replace Varun Chakravarthy in India's Asian Games cricket squad. Chakravarthy sustained a side strain and is out for an indefinite period. The young leg-spinner Nigam represents Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. He has taken thirteen wickets in nineteen IPL matches played so far. The men's cricket competition for the Asian Games begins on September twenty-fourth.

Mutual funds raised holdings in several stocks in August, with eight companies combining strong institutional accumulation and gains of up to 30% since the beginning of the month.

Federal Reserve Rate Impact on India: Federal Reserve rate hike is set to intensify pressure on Indias rupee, bond yields, inflation and markets. With the US Fed expected to raise rates by 25 basis points, higher US Treasury yields, a stronger dollar and surging crude oil prices could deepen Indias market pressure. The RBI faces rising challenges from currency weakness, imported inflation, liquidity risks and volatility.

Vijay Sethupathis 2024 Tamil crime thriller Maharaja is set to receive a Hollywood remake after attracting international attention, particularly following its strong performance in China. Producer Sudhan Sundaram confirmed that a Hollywood agency has approached the makers for the remake rights and is working to develop the project with an A-list actor. Interstellar star Matthew McConaughey has been linked to the project by social media speculation, but his casting has not been confirmed.