The Times of India News

India's economic growth forecast for this year has been boosted to 7.2% by the Asian Development Bank, a significant upgrade from its previous projection. This upward revision is attributed to a stronger third-quarter performance, with tax cuts playing a key role in stimulating consumer spending. The ADB also anticipates a robust regional economic expansion.

IndiGo's chairman, Vikram Singh Mehta, apologized for recent flight disruptions, denying they were deliberate. He stated external experts will identify root causes to prevent future chaos. Mehta clarified that the airline followed new pilot rest rules and did not compromise safety. A combination of internal and external factors, not intentional actions, pushed systems beyond limits, causing cancellations.

US President Donald Trump has launched the 'Trump Gold Card,' a new immigration initiative offering a direct path to citizenship for qualified individuals. This program aims to retain invaluable talent for American companies, with applicants potentially contributing billions to the US Treasury. Earlier proposals indicated significant financial contributions for this expedited residency pathway.

The Federal Reserve's FOMC reduced its key interest rate by 25 basis points, bringing it to a near three-year low. This move aims to bolster the US economy amidst deteriorating employment conditions, though concerns about inflation persist due to trade tariffs.

In a groundbreaking achievement for sustainable transit, Indian Railways has unveiled its inaugural hydrogen-powered train. This pioneering 'Made in India' creation, the longest globally on a Broad Gauge, features a robust 10-coach design with a powerful output of 2,400 kW. With zero emissions, this innovation is a game changer for eco-friendly travel, paving the way for a cleaner, greener tomorrow.

As India enters pivotal trade talks with the United States, experts are advising a careful approach regarding the potential reduction of tariffs on American agricultural exports. There is a recommendation for New Delhi to hold off on any commitments until the US Supreme Court has ruled on tariff authority.

India has rolled out tougher pilot duty regulations in a bid to enhance safety standards, yet this has thrown a wrench into IndiGo's operations, affecting countless travelers. According to IATA's Willie Walsh, the initial turmoil can be traced back to inadequate preparation, suggesting that as time passes, the system will find its rhythm again.

India's investment landscape is transforming, with mutual fund assets projected to surpass Rs 300 lakh crore by 2035. Mass and mass-affluent investors outside major cities are driving this growth, alongside a rise in long-term investment habits. Younger generations and women are increasingly participating, fueled by digital platforms, indicating a more inclusive and resilient domestic investor base.

The IMF chief urges China to rebalance its economy, warning that relying solely on exports is unsustainable for its size and risks global trade friction. Despite US tariffs, China's exports are growing, with its trade surplus exceeding $1 trillion. Weak domestic demand and property woes hinder a shift towards consumer spending, prompting concerns from trading partners.

Indian electronics industry leaders are urging the government to permit joint ventures with Chinese firms under the automatic route, capping their equity at 26%. This move aims to boost advanced component manufacturing by replacing case-by-case approvals with clear guidelines, potentially unlocking significant FDI.

Elon Musk downplayed the achievements of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a cost-cutting initiative he led for Donald Trump, stating it achieved only limited gains before folding. Musk expressed regret over the role, citing backlash against him and Tesla, and indicated he would not repeat the experience.

US stocks saw minimal movement Wednesday morning as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's policy announcement. While the S&P 500 and Nasdaq edged down, the Dow remained flat. Traders are anticipating a third interest rate cut this year, with attention also on future rate guidance.

India is a tough nut but offers 'best' proposals in trade talks with the US, according to USTR Jamieson Greer. Discussions are underway for a bilateral trade agreement, aiming to resolve tariff issues and boost trade to $500 billion by 2030. Both nations are negotiating a framework deal and a comprehensive agreement.

The National Stock Exchange has introduced a 15-minute pre-open session for equity derivatives, a significant structural change aimed at enhancing stability and transparency. This move follows concerns over retail trader losses and volatility in India's hyperactive derivatives market, with the goal of improving price discovery and preventing erratic trades.

Gold prices experienced a mixed trend on Tuesday, with domestic futures seeing a slight increase while international rates declined. February gold futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange rose by Rs 173 to Rs 1,30,280 per 10 grams. Meanwhile, Comex gold for the same month traded marginally lower at $4,234.3 an ounce.

Elon Musk's Starlink is set to launch satellite internet in India, with prices expected between Rs 2,500-3,500 monthly for consumers. The company has secured necessary licenses for various sectors, though official pricing awaits regulatory approvals and spectrum allocation.

Silver futures hit a new record high on Wednesday, fueled by investor optimism for US Federal Reserve rate cuts and tight supply. Gold prices also saw a slight increase. Analysts point to expectations of a 25-basis-point rate reduction, despite persistent inflation concerns, as a key driver for silver's surge. Global markets are closely watching the Fed's decision.

India and the European Union are moving closer to a free trade agreement. A preliminary outline is ready. Both sides are keen on an early deal. Discussions have been positive. An announcement on the agreement's conclusion is anticipated soon. Negotiations cover trade in goods and services, investment, and intellectual property. This pact could boost bilateral trade significantly.

Nvidia is set to introduce a pioneering location verification tool for its AI chips, an initiative influenced by US calls to restrict advanced technology sales to certain countries. This optional software update, utilizing state-of-the-art confidential computing, will monitor chip activity and location through the analysis of communication delays.

India and the US are actively pursuing a bilateral trade agreement, with a US delegation currently in Delhi for crucial discussions. Both nations aim to finalize the initial phase of the deal, addressing tariff challenges for Indian exporters. This progress follows recent talks and underscores the commitment to boosting bilateral trade significantly.

Forget quick tips; a decade-long investment requires a structured approach. The article outlines a five-step checklist, starting with fund category based on goals and risk tolerance. It emphasizes long-term track records, consistent performance, behavior during market downturns, and finally, costs and fund hygiene.

IndiGo faces potential competition law investigation following thousands of flight cancellations due to crew shortages. India's competition watchdog is considering probing the airline for misusing its dominant market position.

SpiceJet is significantly boosting its winter operations, adding up to 100 daily flights to meet surging demand amid IndiGo's widespread cancellations. This expansion, supported by reactivated aircraft, aims to capitalize on market gaps. IndiGo's pilot shortage led to over 5,000 flight cancellations and a government-mandated schedule reduction, creating an opportunity for competitors and potentially rebalancing market share.

Despite recent operational disruptions and flight cancellations, HSBC maintains a 'Buy' rating on InterGlobe Aviation, citing the airline's strong fundamentals and cost advantage over rivals. While acknowledging increased expenses and temporary reputational damage, the brokerage believes the airline's long-term prospects remain intact, with no structural damage to its competitive position.

Amazon has pledged a massive $35 billion investment in India by 2030, building on its existing $40 billion. This significant capital infusion will focus on AI-driven digitization, boosting exports to $80 billion, and creating one million new jobs. The move follows Microsoft's substantial AI investment announcement, signaling a major tech push in the country.

E-commerce platform Meesho debuted on Dalal Street after a Rs 5,421.20 crore IPO, which saw an overall subscription of 79 times. The company reported strong revenue growth and narrowing EBITDA losses in FY25, with significant user expansion outside major cities. Despite positive operational metrics, risks related to cash-on-delivery and competition persist.

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are expected to trade sideways as analysts anticipate a Federal Reserve rate cut already priced in. Silver, however, shows a positive bias, nearing all-time highs driven by industrial demand and tightening inventories. Investors are closely watching the Fed meeting for potential volatility, while China continues to boost its gold reserves.

Asian markets declined, mirroring Wall Street's sluggishness, as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's policy decision. While a rate cut is expected, focus is on the Fed's statement and future projections. Tech earnings from Oracle and Broadcom are also under scrutiny amid AI bubble concerns.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in green on Wednesday. While Nifty50 was above 25,850, BSE Sensex was up over 100 points.

President Trump asserted that consumer prices are significantly decreasing, dismissing concerns as a 'hoax' while campaigning. Simultaneously, he voiced alarm over a potential Supreme Court ruling that could curb his authority to impose tariffs, warning of dire national security and financial consequences for the United States.

The government is launching a pilot project to link subsidized fertilizer allocation to farmers' land size, aiming to curb diversion and pilferage. This initiative comes as India faces high chemical nutrient use impacting soil health. Meanwhile, fertilizer imports are projected to rise significantly due to increased domestic demand.

Stock market recommendations: Anand Rathi's Mehul Kothari highlights three top stock picks for investors: Hindustan Copper, Hindustan Petroleum, and Shaily. These selections are based on technical analysis, including breakout retests and strong structural formations, suggesting potential for significant gains over the coming months and up to a year.

India's IPO market is set to hit a record $23-$25 billion this year, driven by new-age tech companies. These startups, along with healthcare and consumer firms, are expected to dominate the market next year. Early investors are seeing significant exits, with domestic capital playing a crucial role in this robust IPO surge.

BlackRock is injecting Rs 3,000 crore into Aditya Birla Group's renewable energy arm, Grasim, valuing the business at Rs 14,600 crore. This significant investment, made through BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners, signals strong investor confidence in India's clean energy sector. The group aims to expand its renewable capacity to over 10GW, leveraging this partnership for accelerated growth.

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pledging the chip giant's support for India's Semiconductor Mission. Tan lauded the government's comprehensive policy for semiconductor design and manufacturing. Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence that Intel's involvement will foster an innovation-driven future for India's youth, creating a robust electronic component ecosystem.

Singapore's Temasek, a global investment firm, has committed $50 billion to India and plans significant expansion in the coming years. Chairman Teo Chee Hean met with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, outlining focus areas including financial services, consumer markets, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and renewables. Discussions covered broad investment opportunities across India.

A government panel has proposed a 'hybrid model' for AI firms, granting them a blanket license to use copyrighted works for training AI systems. This framework mandates royalty payments to intellectual property rights holders, who cannot opt out. A centralized, non-profit entity will manage these payments, simplifying access for developers and ensuring fair compensation for creators.

Microsoft is injecting a massive $17.5 billion into India, its largest investment in Asia, to bolster cloud and AI infrastructure. This significant commitment, alongside Google's plans, underscores India's growing importance as a global AI hub. The investment aims to enhance skilling and operations, positioning India as a frontier AI nation ready for transformative growth.

The US Federal Reserve is poised for a quarter-point rate cut this week, but internal disagreements signal future reductions will be challenging. Despite rising unemployment, inflation remains a concern, creating a complex economic landscape. Analysts anticipate significant dissent among policymakers, making consensus building difficult as the Fed navigates mixed economic signals.

Mumbai airport experienced significant disruptions last week as IndiGo cancelled 905 flights and delayed 1,475 others, impacting over 40,000 passengers with cancellations and 2.6 lakh with delays. The crisis, peaking on December 4-5, stems from new crew rostering rules affecting pilot rest periods and disrupting schedules across the airline's network.

Nilesh Shah of Kotak Mahindra AMC predicts capital markets will soon surpass bank lending in India, signaling a significant shift in economic financing. He emphasized the need for wiser investment habits, urging Indians to avoid unproductive savings and improve financial literacy. Radhika Gupta of Edelweiss Mutual Fund advocated for early-age investing incentives, including lock-in periods, to foster long-term wealth creation.

US job openings held steady in October, indicating a cooling labour market. Layoffs saw an uptick, while quits declined, suggesting employers might lean towards job cuts over natural attrition. This data emerges as the Federal Reserve considers another interest-rate cut amid mixed economic signals, with inflation still a concern but job market softness bolstering rate cut expectations.

The Indian rupee is experiencing significant pressure, hitting record lows against the US dollar due to trade deficits, US tariffs, and capital outflows. The Reserve Bank of India is reportedly employing a sophisticated, unpredictable intervention strategy, communicating confidential directives to dealers to manage volatility without depleting reserves or hindering growth. This approach aims to curb speculation while maintaining market stability.

Airlines are projected to earn a meager $7.90 per passenger in 2026, a profit margin so low that Apple makes more selling an iPhone cover. Despite connecting economies and supporting millions of jobs, the aviation industry faces persistent headwinds like supply chain issues and delivery delays, capping profitability.

US stocks traded cautiously on Tuesday, with major indices showing mixed movements ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision. Investors are closely watching for future policy cues, especially regarding potential rate cuts amid a weakening jobs outlook. Stock-specific news, including Nvidia's AI chip sales and CVS Health's raised forecasts, also influenced intraday trading.

Renault and Ford are joining forces. They will build affordable electric cars and vans for Europe. This move aims to compete with fast-growing Chinese automakers. The first new electric car is expected in 2028. This partnership will also focus on commercial vans. Both companies want to strengthen their position in the European market.