The Times of India

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.

Leading e-commerce firms Flipkart, Swiggy, and Zepto have removed their '10-minute' delivery branding. This follows government intervention due to road safety concerns and delivery rider pay issues.

Indian stock markets, including BSE and NSE, will be closed on January 15 due to municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra.

Various associations have in their pre budget submissions, argued that disallowing set-off of losses between VDAs is economically distortive and ultimately counterproductive for tax revenues.

Maharashtra has topped NITI Aayog's fourth Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024, showcasing its strong export potential and policy support. Tamil Nadu and Gujarat followed, with the index assessing states on export policies, business environment, infrastructure, and outcomes. Uttarakhand led among smaller states and UTs.

India's highway network has surged, becoming the world's second-largest with over 61% expansion in a decade. Future plans emphasize access-controlled highways, technology, and sustainability. Significant public-private partnerships and a new infrastructure trust are set to fund ambitious development, despite ongoing challenges with approvals and execution.

Gold prices have reached an all-time high, driven by expectations of US Federal Reserve interest rate cuts and escalating geopolitical tensions. This surge reflects strong demand for safe-haven assets as investors anticipate easing monetary policy and ongoing global uncertainties. Local prices in major Indian cities also saw significant increases today.

Reliance Industries experienced a weak start to 2026, losing significant market capitalization due to concerns over Russian crude exposure and slowing retail growth. Despite near-term pressures, brokerages remain positive, anticipating strong performance in the energy business and multiple catalysts for stock outperformance throughout the year.

Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation returned to positive territory in December, rising to 0.83% after two months of deflation. This uptick was primarily driven by increased prices in manufacturing, minerals, and food products, while fuel and power remained in deflation. Retail inflation also climbed, prompting the RBI to maintain its accommodative stance.

Pakistan has reportedly entered into an agreement with a company linked to World Liberty Financial, which is a crypto venture associated with the family of US President Donald Trump, to explore the use of its stablecoin for cross-border payments.

Indian equity benchmarks opened Wednesday's session with uncertainty, fluctuating between gains and losses. Investors remained cautious due to continued foreign fund selling and global tariff concerns. Despite some heavyweight stocks weighing down the indices, gains in Tata Steel, Axis Bank, and NTPC provided support.

The upcoming Union Budget offers a moment to consider how crypto taxation can better align incentives with outcomes. The existing framework is perceived by many participants as relatively stringent.

US President Trump's proposal for a 10% credit card interest rate cap aims to ease affordability, potentially saving consumers billions. However, critics warn this could restrict credit access for those with lower scores and negatively impact the broader economy. The banking industry strongly opposes the move, citing severe consequences for consumers and the economy.

Gold price prediction today: Maneesh Sharma of Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers sees the gold and silver price rally continuing amidst ongoing global economic and geopolitical uncertainty.

China achieved a record trade surplus of nearly $1.2 trillion in 2025, driven by robust exports to global markets that compensated for reduced shipments to the United States. Despite ongoing trade friction, experts predict exports will continue to be a significant growth driver for China's economy in 2026, with the trade surplus expected to remain above $1 trillion.

The Indian rupee opened weaker on Wednesday, continuing its downward trend against the US dollar. This decline is attributed to rising crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and foreign fund outflows. While global risk aversion and weak domestic markets are pressuring the currency, optimism around a potential India-US trade deal and a possible rate cut may offer support.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the equity benchmark indices, started Wednesday on a negative note, slipping in trade. While Nifty50 was near 25,650, BSE Sensex was down over 120 points.

Asian markets mostly rose, led by Japanese stocks extending a record rally amid a weaker yen. US stocks retreated as banking shares fell after JPMorgan's earnings missed guidance. Investors await a Supreme Court ruling on Trump's tariffs and a heavy bank earnings slate, while inflation data reinforces expectations of a Fed rate pause.