Business / The Times of India
Bank of India's net profit soared 82% to Rs 2,626 crore in Q4 2025, fueled by treasury gains and recoveries from written-off accounts. The bank targets 12-13% loan growth and 11-12% deposit growth for fiscal year 2025-26, despite a NIM decrease. The bank is also focusing on cybersecurity and ATM cash availability, in line with regulatory guidelines.
Morningstar DBRS has upgraded India's sovereign credit rating to 'BBB' with a stable trend, citing structural reforms, improved fiscal metrics, and macroeconomic resilience. The upgrade reflects India's strengthened economic fundamentals, supported by infrastructure investment, digital transformation, and a robust banking sector. Further upgrades are possible if India maintains reform momentum and reduces its debt-to-GDP ratio.
Indian medical device firms anticipate significant export growth to the UK under the new FTA, potentially doubling current levels. Lower tariffs promise reduced prices for imported devices, benefiting Indian patients. Experts emphasize the need for mandatory disclosure of manufacturing sites to prevent dumping and ensure fair trade, safeguarding patient safety and regulatory compliance.
India-Pakistan tensions: India has voiced strong concerns at the IMF's Executive Board meeting regarding bailout packages for Pakistan, citing its poor track record and potential misuse of funds for terrorism. India highlighted Pakistan's repeated reliance on IMF programs, questioning their effectiveness and the country's economic policies.
Public sector banks in India have achieved a record cumulative net profit of Rs 1.78 lakh crore for FY25, a 26% increase from the previous year. All 12 PSBs reported profits, marking a significant turnaround from losses in FY18. State Bank of India led with over 40% of the total earnings.
State Bank of India and other lenders are selling a 20% stake in Yes Bank to Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation for Rs 13,483 crore. This marks the largest cross-border investment in Indian banking, making SMBC the largest shareholder. The sale follows Yes Bank's 2020 rescue, with SBI retaining just over 10% stake after the deal.
Escalating India-Pakistan tensions, spurred by Operation Sindoor, triggered a significant market selloff, wiping out Rs 7 lakh crore in investor wealth over two sessions. The NSE Nifty and BSE Sensex both experienced sharp declines as geopolitical risks heightened. While some sectors faced heavy losses, others saw gains, and foreign investors remained net buyers despite the volatility.
US stock markets opened higher, fueled by tech gains and hopes of easing US-China trade tensions after Trump hinted at tariff cuts. However, travel stocks declined due to weak bookings. European and Asian markets mostly rose, while the US 10-year Treasury yield eased amid geopolitical concerns.
Swiggy's net loss nearly doubled to Rs 1,081.18 crore in the March quarter due to heavy investments in Instamart, despite a 45% revenue jump to Rs 4,410 crore. The core food delivery business saw a 17.6% GOV increase, and Instamart's average order value grew by 13.3%. Swiggy is focused on growth and unparalleled convenience to consumers.
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories announced a 21% surge in net profit, reaching Rs 1,587 crore for the March 2025 quarter, fueled by strong sales in the US and India. Annual profit saw a modest 3% rise to Rs 5,724 crore. Revenue climbed to Rs 8,506 crore for the quarter and Rs 32,553 crore for the full year.
The All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) reports that recent Basmati rice price increases stem from heightened international demand, particularly from Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq. AIREA clarifies that these price fluctuations are unrelated to geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, with export operations proceeding smoothly. Increased demand has nudged prices upward, though they remain below previous highs.
India has proposed significantly reducing its tariff differential with the US to under 4% to secure exemptions from existing and future tariffs. This move aims to boost the $129 billion bilateral trade, currently favoring India with a $45.7 billion surplus.
Union Bank of India witnessed a significant 50% surge in net profit, reaching 4,985 crore for the March quarter, fueled by increased non-interest income and reduced provisions. However, the bank anticipates pressure on net interest margins due to potential rate cuts by the RBI. While loan growth fell short of targets at 8.
Sunil Mittal, in collaboration with Warburg Pincus, is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire a 49% stake in Haier's Indian division, Haier Appliances (India) Pvt., valued at approximately $2 billion.
The United States has announced a significant $10 billion order from Britain involving Boeing, revealed during a bilateral trade agreement signing. International Airlines Group (IAG), parent of British Airways, is expected to lead the order, planning to acquire around 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. This deal boosts Boeing's backlog, amid efforts to increase 737 MAX production and navigate trade tensions.
Indus Waters Treaty: Amidst escalating tensions following the Pahalgam attack, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, prompting Pakistan to consider international legal action. The World Bank has clarified its limited role as a facilitator in the dispute over the Indus River's water resources.
China's exports unexpectedly surged in April, defying trade tensions with an 8.1% increase, while imports saw a slight dip. This growth is attributed to redirected trade towards Southeast Asia, offsetting the impact of US tariffs. Despite ongoing disputes and economic adjustments, uncertainties persist, potentially accelerating structural decoupling between the two economic powerhouses.
Asian markets displayed mixed performance ahead of US-China trade talks in Geneva, while US futures saw a slight boost. Wall Street closed higher following a new US-UK trade agreement. China's export growth slowed, with a significant drop in exports to the US. The US economy remains steady, but consumer confidence is fragile amid ongoing trade tensions.
Operation Sindoor impact: Defence stocks surged, with Paras Defence leading gains amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions following Operation Sindoor. Companies like Bharat Forge and Hindustan Aeronautics also saw significant increases.
Gold rate today: Gold and silver prices declined due to profit-taking as the dollar index strengthened. MCX Gold June futures opened lower at Rs 96,020/10 grams, while silver July futures began at Rs 96,136/kg.
Following India's 'Operation Sindoor,' the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) experienced significant volatility. After a 7.6% crash on Thursday triggered by reports of drone attacks in major Pakistani cities, trading was temporarily suspended. On Friday, the KSE-100 showed signs of recovery, rising by 1.9%.
India-Pakistan tensions impact: Escalating tensions with India pose a significant threat to Pakistan's fragile economic recovery, potentially derailing its IMF bailout program and access to international financing. Pakistan's vulnerability stems from its high external debt, limited foreign exchange reserves, and reliance on international aid.
Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are currently stable after recent fluctuations. Experts suggest watching key levels for potential buying or selling opportunities. A break above 96500 could signal a bullish trend. Conversely, dropping below 96100 might indicate a bearish phase.
Operation Sindoor impact: Indian stock markets are likely to open lower due to escalating India-Pakistan tensions. Indian stock market's reaction to the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions has till now been relatively muted.
Analysts have adjusted their outlook on several companies. Investec lowered Punjab National Bank's target due to weak margins, while Morgan Stanley remains cautious on Dabur due to margin erosion and weak domestic revenue. Conversely, Citi is optimistic about MGL, raising its target price.
Global economic growth is slowing down. The United States and China may face economic deceleration. India is expected to grow faster than other countries. India's manufacturing sector is performing well. A good monsoon season is predicted, which may help the agricultural sector. Indian stock markets are showing strength. The Indian rupee is also getting stronger against the US dollar.
India's agricultural exports have rebounded strongly, witnessing a 30% year-on-year growth, signaling a potential resurgence after a period of inconsistent performance. This surge, fueled by a record-breaking rabi season projecting 164.5 million tonnes of food grains, is driven by gains in rice and coarse cereals.
Despite escalating trade tensions and economic uncertainty, initial jobless claims unexpectedly fell, indicating resilience in the labor market. However, economists remain cautious due to tariff impacts and potential inflation. While employers hesitate to lay off workers, some trade-exposed businesses have initiated modest job cuts, and the median duration of unemployment has increased, signaling potential challenges ahead.
HDFC Bank will conduct scheduled maintenance on May 9 and 10, 2025, impacting key services like UPI, net banking, and card transactions. The maintenance is strategically timed during early morning hours to minimize customer inconvenience. Loan and demat services will also face temporary suspensions, and customers are advised to complete urgent transactions beforehand.
Tesla's India head has resigned after nine years, amidst preparations for the company's entry into the Indian market. Tesla's China team will now manage Indian operations, with no immediate replacement named. Despite this leadership change, Tesla is progressing with its India launch plans, securing retail locations and posting job openings, coinciding with potential tariff reductions from US-India trade talks.
Prosus has significantly invested in India, exceeding $8.6 billion, as part of its strategy to build a leading lifestyle ecommerce ecosystem. The company's ecommerce segment surpassed expectations, achieving over $435 million in adjusted EBIT. With a focus on integrating recent acquisitions and driving AI innovation, Prosus aims for further profitability in the coming year.
Canara Bank's consolidated net profit surged 28% to Rs 5,070 crore in the March quarter, driven by reduced provisions and strong non-core income. For FY25, net profit rose to Rs 17,540 crore, despite a slight dip in NII due to margin compression. The bank aims for 10-11% loan growth in FY26 and further NPA reduction.