The Times of India

May End FY26 With $850Bn Exports, With Services Likely To Top $ Comm Secy

Norms To Curb Exposure To Volatility In Forex, Bullion Mkts

Inadequate Info Delays Nod From Regulator, Impacts Cos' Fund-Raise Plans, Says Pandey

Gold prices surged to a new lifetime high of Rs 1,47,300 per 10 grams on Thursday, driven by consistent demand from jewellers and stockists. This marks a Rs 800 increase, extending a five-day winning streak. Overseas, spot gold saw a slight dip to USD 4,614.45 per ounce.

India's exports to China saw a significant 67.35% surge in December, reaching $2.04 billion. This impressive growth was fueled by strong shipments of electronics, marine, and agricultural products, including oil meals and spices. Despite a widening trade deficit, bilateral trade continues to expand, with China remaining a key partner.

India's merchandise exports to the US declined 1.83% year-on-year to $6.88 billion in December 2025, attributed to higher tariffs imposed by Washington. Despite this, cumulative exports for April-December grew 9.75% to $65.87 billion, with imports also rising. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal expressed optimism for continued positive export territory.

Wall Street steadied on Thursday as technology stocks rebounded, boosted by strong chip industry signals from TSMC's better-than-expected profits and AI demand. A sharp drop in crude oil prices also eased market concerns, while corporate earnings and encouraging economic data supported the gains.

Despite the finance ministry's move to Kartavya Bhawan, the Union Budget printing for 2026-27 will continue in North Block's secure basement press. This tradition underscores the enduring secrecy surrounding the exercise, with staff quarantined for weeks, beginning with the 'halwa' ceremony. While the presentation has digitized, the printing ritual remains anchored to its historical, secure location.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has given in-principle approval to the National Stock Exchange's (NSE) settlement plea in an unfair market access case. This development clears a significant regulatory hurdle for NSE's long-delayed Initial Public Offering (IPO).

India's merchandise exports saw a 1.87% year-on-year increase to $38.5 billion in December 2025, driven by strong performance in engineering goods, electronics, marine products, and pharmaceuticals. Despite this growth, a significant rise in imports led to a widening trade deficit of $25.04 billion for the month.

Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are transforming from mere cost centers to innovation hubs, driving product development and strategic decisions for multinational corporations. Hiring is now focused on specialised skills in AI, cloud, and data, with GCCs increasingly owning end-to-end product lifecycles and shaping global strategies, signaling a profound shift in the nation's talent and economic landscape.

Coca-Cola is preparing for a significant Initial Public Offering of its Indian bottling business, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages. The company aims to raise approximately $1 billion through this listing.

Looking forward, the Union Budget 2026-27 provides a strategic moment to reinforce a health-led growth framework that aligns with Indias long-term vision of Insurance for All by 2047.

Kolkata real estate developers are urging the Union Budget to recalibrate housing policies, advocating for higher tax benefits for homebuyers and a revised affordable housing definition. They emphasize the need to align policies with rising land and construction costs to revive demand, particularly in the mid-income segment.

As the FY27 Budget nears, agriculture stakeholders are pushing for increased investment in technology, digital systems, and climate-ready infrastructure. Experts advocate for a shift from welfare to growth, emphasizing productivity, rural demand, and resilience. Targeted support for the dairy sector, climate-resilient infrastructure, and digital agriculture are highlighted as crucial for long-term economic expansion and food security.

Asian markets saw a mixed close Thursday, influenced by US President Trump's comments on Iran and a sharp drop in oil prices. While Hong Kong and South Korea's indices rose, Japan's Nikkei plunged. US futures remained steady after Wall Street's decline, with Big Tech and bank stocks leading losses, while energy shares offered support.

India's western fashion market shows a split performance post-pandemic. While some global brands like Adidas and Marks & Spencer face declining sales, Uniqlo and Nike are experiencing significant growth. Experts point to a shift towards functional clothing, especially among Gen Z, influencing brand success and market dynamics.

Prolonged visa stamping delays have left many H-1B holders stranded in India, putting them at risk of job losses, pay cuts and potential Indian tax liabilities as interview appointments are pushed back by months.

Nine new Amrit Bharat Express trains are set to expand long-distance rail connectivity, linking West Bengal and Assam with Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. These non-air-conditioned trains offer affordable travel with modern amenities, aiming to boost commerce and tourism across the country.

Gold and silver price prediction today: Abhilash Koikkara, Head of Nuvama Professional Clients Group sees gold and silver prices hitting new lifetime highs in the coming days.

The stock market will be closed on January 15th due to Maharashtra municipal corporation elections, with trading suspended across various segments. Equity derivatives contracts originally set to expire on this date will now mature on January 14th.

Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath criticized the closure of Indian stock exchanges on January 15 for Mumbai's municipal elections, citing poor planning and a lack of appreciation for second-order effects. He argued that such a holiday, driven by local civic polls, undermines global investor confidence. Trading is set to resume on January 16 after the election-related holiday.

Banks across several Indian states are closed today, January 15, 2026, for various regional festivals and local elections. Residents in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh should note these closures. Plan your banking needs accordingly, as many branches will remain shut for upcoming holidays throughout January.

Global oil markets experienced a sharp sell-off as US President Donald Trump's remarks eased concerns over potential supply disruptions from Iran. Trump stated he was informed that the killing of protesters in Iran had halted, leading to a significant drop in West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude prices.

Despite broader government pushes under the Digital India programme, customs adjudication and litigation remain heavily paper-driven. Businesses are still required to file physical replies to show cause notices.

Infosys is under US Department of Justice investigation for alleged H-1B visa misclassification. The company is cooperating with the probe, which could materially impact its business. This follows previous settlements regarding visa fraud and worker compensation issues in the US.

Infosys shares surged on the NYSE after reporting stronger-than-expected December quarter sales, driven by significant large deal wins and an upgraded revenue growth forecast for FY26. The IT giant's performance outpaced TCS, with sequential revenue growth of 0.5% in dollar terms and a revised FY26 guidance of 3%-3.5%.

Global metal prices are surging due to geopolitical tensions, potential US rate cuts, and strong demand from sectors like EVs and solar. Silver and gold have hit record highs internationally and domestically, with copper and tin also seeing all-time peaks. Supply constraints in base metals further fuel the rally.

China's exports surged to a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus in 2025, defying expectations of a slowdown. This resilience, driven by deeper inroads into markets beyond the US and a shift up the value chain, is expected to continue supporting the economy despite weaker domestic demand and ongoing trade tensions.

Logistics firm Shadowfax has lowered its IPO valuation to Rs 7,169 crore, down from over Rs 8,000 crore, to attract more investors amidst market volatility. This move follows Amagi Media Labs' valuation cut. Despite the repricing, Shadowfax's implied valuation remains higher than its last private valuation, reflecting a cautious market sentiment.

India's two-wheeler sales surpassed two crore units in 2025, a 5% increase from the previous year, though still shy of the 2018 record. Exports surged by over 24% to a new high, boosted by global demand. Hero MotoCorp led domestic sales, while TVS Motor saw the sharpest growth, driven by urban demand and supportive economic policies.

Industry body CII urges the government to implement clear green hydrogen mandates and incentives to boost demand and support India's clean industrial transition. Key sectors like refining and fertilisers can anchor large-scale adoption if policy addresses the cost gap.

India's exports to China saw a rare uptick in 2025, yet the bilateral trade deficit surged to a record $116.12 billion. Despite this imbalance, overall trade hit an all-time high, showcasing resilience amidst global uncertainties. Newer Indian products are finding a market in China, signaling a potential shift.

Indian auto component makers anticipate US tariffs to significantly impact exports from the second half of FY26, with new contracts facing uncertainty. Despite global challenges, the sector saw steady growth in H1 FY26, driven by robust domestic demand. However, rising imports and a widening trade deficit pose concerns.

Indian markets mirrored global caution as US stocks dipped, driven by mixed bank earnings and rising oil and gold prices. Investors eyed potential disruptions from Iran, while Treasury yields eased. Despite some positive economic signals, elevated equity valuations demand strong corporate growth to sustain current levels.

A very aggressive small-cap fund can be a good satellite holding for a long-term, high-risk investor. The same fund is a terrible choice as a core holding for someone whose childs college fees are 8 years away and who panics whenever the market falls 10 per cent.

US retail sales saw a stronger-than-expected 0.6% increase in November, driven by holiday shopping momentum and gains in clothing, online, and sporting goods sectors.

IT giant Infosys saw a slight dip in its October-December quarter net profit, down 2.2% to Rs 6,654 crore, despite an 8.89% rise in revenue to Rs 45,479 crore.

Budget 2026 income tax: Will FM Nirmala Sitharaman announce changes in the new income tax regime, which more taxpayers are increasingly adopting to? Times of India surveys tax experts to find out what the top expectations are:

Experts anticipate the government will prioritize public capital expenditure in the upcoming Union Budget 2026, projecting a 10-15% increase from the current Rs 11.21 lakh crore. This strategic move aims to sustain economic growth momentum, despite cautious private sector investment.