The Economic Times

Indian stock markets bounced back on Monday. The Nifty and Sensex recovered from budget day losses. This rebound followed a global sell-off in commodities and precious metals. Short covering and easing concerns over a securities transaction tax hike supported the market. Auto sales and falling crude oil prices also boosted sentiment. Foreign investors sold shares, while domestic investors bought them.

India, US trade deal: India now enjoys a significant trade advantage with the United States. Washington has reduced tariffs on Indian products to 18 percent. This move places India ahead of regional export rivals like Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. The deal also sees India's tariffs on US goods reduced. This development is a major boost for Indian exports and strengthens bilateral trade ties.

Indian stocks are set to outperform Asian markets. A new trade deal with the US has removed a major concern for investors. This agreement is expected to bring back foreign capital. The Indian rupee may also see support. Early market reactions show optimism for the upcoming trading sessions. Investors are looking forward to potential growth in Indian equities.

Indian markets showed resilience, recovering some Budget-day losses. Several key companies are under the spotlight today. Bajaj Finance and Adani Enterprises will announce their third-quarter results. RIL faces a legal challenge from the government. Eicher Motors reported strong January sales. Lupin launched a generic cancer drug in the US. Investors watch these developments closely.

Indian stock markets saw a significant recovery on Monday. The Nifty gained approximately 400 points from its lowest point, closing at 25,088. Analysts anticipate continued positive market momentum in the short term. Global market trends and company earnings will influence individual stock movements. Foreign investors were net sellers, while domestic institutional investors also sold shares.

Asian stocks climbed Tuesday, recovering from recent volatility in gold and silver. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose over 1% as precious metals rebounded and Nasdaq 100 futures gained on a strong sales outlook from Palantir. Positive US factory activity data boosted sentiment, signaling a potential manufacturing recovery.

The S&P 500 closed higher, driven by gains in AI-related chipmakers and tech giants like Alphabet and Amazon. Smaller companies also saw significant gains, with the Russell 2000 outperforming major indices. Positive economic fundamentals and strong earnings, particularly in technology, fueled investor confidence despite concerns over tech valuations.

The government, Anuradha Thakur said, intends to stay on the fiscal consolidation path and reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio. This will weigh down the Centre's borrowing costs and free up resources for priority sector spending, Thakur said at a post-budget event, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry.

The Union Budget proposes changes to provident fund trust rules. These changes aim to simplify business operations and reduce legal disputes. Employer contributions to provident funds will no longer need to match employee contributions. Tax on employer contributions exceeding 12% of wages is also being removed.

India's government is investing 20,000 crore over five years in carbon capture technology. This funding will aid hard-to-abate industries like steel and cement. These sectors face high emissions and significant costs for low-carbon solutions. The move signals strong policy support for industrial decarbonisation. It aims to help these industries meet climate goals while expanding production capacity.

Explaining the hike in securities transaction tax (STT) on derivatives, CBDT chairman Ravi Agrawal said that the reforms regarding the minimum alternative tax (MAT) will push more companies to the new tax regime, adding that the government will honour all accumulated MAT credit up to March 31 for companies shifting to the new 22% tax regime.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is confident consumption will remain strong. She defended the increased tax on derivative trading, aiming to deter speculation. The government plans to boost disinvestment and asset monetisation to fund its fiscal goals. Amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code are also planned for the latter half of the budget session.

The government has introduced a special one-time measure for Special Economic Zone units. This allows eligible manufacturing units to sell products in the domestic market at concessional duty rates. Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava stated this is a limited-time window. The aim is to help these export-oriented businesses manage global trade volatilities.

The government will maintain its focus on infrastructure development through increased capital expenditure, despite fiscal constraints and global economic uncertainty. Expenditure Secretary V. Vualnam dismissed concerns from states regarding the discontinuation of revenue deficit grants, emphasizing the need for states to manage their own expenditure. The Centre has enhanced funding for state-level capital investment schemes to encourage public investment-led growth.

The US has slapped a 50% tariff on Brazil, 30% on South Africa and 25% on Mexico. Developed economies such as Canada face a 35% tariff and Switzerland 39%.

Reserve Bank of India is expected to keep interest rates unchanged. Economists foresee a neutral to dovish stance from Governor Sanjay Malhotra. Liquidity support measures and a new open market operation calendar are anticipated. The Monetary Policy Committee will assess budget impacts on inflation, growth, and liquidity. Inflation is projected to stay near the 4% target, while growth remains strong.

Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran states strong manufacturing is vital for the rupee's long-term strength. The recent budget includes measures to boost factory output. He emphasizes that manufacturing prowess influences currency strength more than services. Countries with robust manufacturing bases have seen their currencies retain strength over decades.

India's budget prioritizes infrastructure, signaling stability for long-term investors. Public capital expenditure is rising, creating a predictable environment. This focus is attracting global capital to sectors beyond roads and renewables. Opportunities are expanding into digital infrastructure, energy transition, and urban development. India's growth model, driven by domestic demand and sustained investment, offers a stable outlook for infrastructure projects.

While the US decision offers immediate relief to exporters, especially in seafoods and textile who were among the most affected by the tariffs, sectors like automobile components are waiting for clarity on how the new rate would be applied.

The government aims to raise 80,000 crore through disinvestment and asset monetisation in FY27. DIPAM secretary Arunish Chawla expressed confidence in meeting this ambitious target. Plans are underway to unlock value from land assets of state-run firms by establishing dedicated real estate investment trusts. Industry feedback is also being sought for stake dilution in public sector companies.

New Delhi: Special Economic Zone units will get a temporary window to sell goods domestically. This one-time measure aims to help them navigate global trade uncertainties. The government is also simplifying customs procedures for eligible businesses. These changes are part of budget proposals to empower taxpayers and enhance transparency.

India's latest budget prioritizes technology and skills for future growth. Initiatives like Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and rare earth corridor development aim to boost domestic capabilities. The budget also focuses on education and employment, preparing India's workforce for emerging opportunities. Fiscal responsibility remains key, with a target deficit of 4.3% of GDP for FY 2026-27.

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation will launch a six-month rapid survey in April to assess the economic contribution of functional cooperatives across India. This initiative aims to estimate their gross value added, gross value of output, and employment generation for financial years 2020-21 and 2023-24, addressing existing data gaps.

India's manufacturing activity saw a slight rebound in January, driven by increased new orders and output, though business confidence dipped to a three-and-a-half-year low. While consumer goods led the growth, capital goods lagged, and future output expectations weakened despite buoyant domestic demand and moderate international orders.

India and the US have announced a trade deal, reducing reciprocal tariffs to 18% and easing concerns that have impacted Indian markets. This development is expected to trigger a strong opening on Dalal Street, with export-oriented sectors poised to benefit from improved competitiveness and reduced costs.

US-India trade deal news: The Trump administration is removing a 25% tariff on Indian imports previously imposed due to New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil. This action follows India's agreement to cease buying Russian oil, with a country-specific tariff also being reduced to 18%.

India-US trade deal news: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed gratitude to US President Trump following a phone call where tariffs on Indian goods were reduced to 18%. Modi highlighted the benefits of cooperation between the two large economies and democracies, emphasizing Trump's leadership for global peace and prosperity. India looks forward to strengthening its partnership.

The surge in GIFT Nifty came following the news that India and the US agreed to a trade deal. Donald Trump, on his Truth Social platform, said that he spoke with Prime Minister Modi about trade and ending the war in Ukraine and that the new deal reduces US tariffs to 18%.

The United States will lower its import tariff on Indian goods to 18 percent. This follows a phone call between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India is expected to reciprocate by removing its own tariffs and trade barriers on US products. This development comes after a period of trade disputes between the two nations.

Tata Chemicals reported a wider consolidated net loss of Rs 93 crore for the December quarter, impacted by oversupplied soda ash markets and low export prices. Despite these headwinds, the company's standalone performance showed resilience, and it announced the acquisition of Novabay Pte. Limited to bolster its specialty chemicals business.

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank reported a significant widening of its net loss to Rs 375 crore in the third quarter, a substantial increase from Rs 168 crore in the previous year. The bank also experienced an operational loss of Rs 44 crore, contrasting with a profit in the prior year.

Chalet Hotels reported a robust third quarter with a 28.5% year-on-year increase in net profit to Rs 124 crore and a 27.1% rise in revenue to Rs 581.6 crore. The company's EBITDA grew by 29% to Rs 272.6 crore, driven by strong traction in key operating metrics and double-digit RevPAR expansion.

Kevin Warsh, tapped to become the next Federal Reserve chair, may want to significantly contract the central bank's multi-trillion-dollar balance sheet, but experts agree that financial realities strongly indicate accomplishing this goal will be difficult and slow, if it can be done at all.

Markets rebounded after volatility triggered by the STT hike and higher borrowing plans, aided by policy continuity and falling crude prices. Analysts warn sentiment remains cautious below the 200-day average, advising selling rallies despite medium-term confidence amid global tensions ongoing.

Warner Bros Discovery is likely to hold a shareholder vote on the $82.7 billion deal to sell its streaming and studio assets to Netflix in March, CNBC reported on Monday.

Budget 2026: India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is launching a plan to boost small businesses in Tier II and Tier III towns. This initiative aims to turn these enterprises into formally managed companies. The strategy focuses on equity, liquidity, and professional support. The goal is to integrate these businesses into India's larger corporate growth story and global supply chains.

Warner Bros Discovery is likely to hold a shareholder vote on the $82.7 billion deal to sell its streaming and studio assets to Netflix in March, CNBC reported on Monday.

U.S. factory activity grew for the first time in a year in January, with new orders rebounding sharply, but manufacturing is still not out of the woods as import tariffs raised raw material prices and strained supply chains.

India's government is closely watching the rupee's decline against the US dollar. Officials may take action if the situation becomes concerning. The rupee has weakened significantly, impacting export competitiveness. Budget announcements aim to boost foreign currency inflows. Changes to Alternative Investment Funds and investment rules for overseas investors are also highlighted.

Oracle shares gained 2.5% on Monday after Wall Street analysts said the software company's $50 billion fundraising plan allays worries over its ability to finance a massive data-center expansion with OpenAI.

Wall Street's main indexes opened lower on Monday, as a violent selloff in precious metals unsettled investors at the start of a week packed with corporate earnings and major economic data.

The Reserve Bank of India reports that 98.42 percent of Rs 2,000 banknotes have been returned. This withdrawal began on May 19, 2023. The total value of these notes in circulation has significantly decreased. People could deposit or exchange these notes at bank branches until October 7, 2023.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenues in FY27 are projected to grow at 6.3 per cent, with a buoyancy of 0.94 even after a reduction in tax rates on about 375 items with effect from September 22, 2025, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi said in a post-Budget interview.

Nifty surged after the Budget-day slump, led by auto, energy, and metals. Analysts caution broader trend remains weak below 200-DMA, advising cautious trading and selective stock entries.

Plans are underway to lay underground railway tracks along a 40-km strategic corridor in West Bengal. This vital route, known as the 'Chicken's Neck', will connect the northeast with the rest of India. The existing double line will also be converted to a four-line track. This development enhances connectivity and security for the region.

The government is actively considering further reducing its stake in insurance behemoth LIC through a public offering in the next financial year, Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju said on Monday.

The government is exploring a merger of Power Finance Corporation and REC Ltd. This move is part of a broader restructuring effort for public sector financial institutions. The Power Ministry will work out the details. A similar merger was considered in 2019 but did not materialize. Shares of both companies saw a rise following earlier announcements.

New Delhi. The Union Budget 2026-27 offers significant boosts to agriculture and allied sectors. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a comprehensive package aimed at enhancing farmers' incomes and strengthening the cooperative movement. The animal husbandry sector sees a substantial increase in allocation. A key proposal extends tax benefits to cattle feed, reducing the burden on primary cooperatives.

Hyundai Motor India reported a 6.3% net profit increase to Rs 1,194.9 crore in Q3FY26, driven by strong SUV sales, rural demand, operational efficiency, and positive effects of GST 2.0 and tax cuts.

In a bid to alleviate the pressures of fluctuating global trade, Special Economic Zone units now have the chance to tap into the domestic market. This initiative, designed as a limited-time opportunity, will enable SEZ manufacturers to sell their goods directly within the local tariff area.