The Times of India

The Indian rupee opened weaker against the US dollar on Wednesday, trading at 90.62 due to global geopolitical tensions and import demand. Despite a slight dip in the dollar index, rising oil prices are expected to pressure the rupee further. Meanwhile, Indian stock markets showed a positive start, with the Sensex and Nifty gaining points.

Asian markets showed gains Wednesday, with Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan trading higher. Investors are weighing weak US consumer data and economic concerns against potential Federal Reserve rate cuts. Technology stocks faced pressure globally due to high valuations and AI investment worries, as traders await crucial US jobs and inflation figures.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the main stock market benchmarks, rose in opening trade on Wednesday as global cues remained positive and optimism around the India-US trade deal continued.

Stock market recommendations: IFCI, Swiggy, and Fortis are the top stocks to buy today (February 11, 2026), according toMehul Kothari, DVP - Technical Research, Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers. Heres a detailed outlook:

The US has revised its factsheet on the trade deal with India, notably removing any mention of pulses from the list of agricultural exports. Additionally, the language regarding India's commitment to purchasing American goods has shifted from a firm commitment to an intention to buy, impacting the description of proposed procurements.

Opposition's bid to remove the Speaker failed, exposing internal rifts as pragmatic voices pushed for legislative business. The government emerged stronger, refusing Congress's demands, while regional parties' desire for discussions on their concerns helped end the impasse. The Speaker stepped aside until the notice is addressed.

India's unemployment rate for those 15 and above in rural areas dropped to 4% in Oct-Dec 2025, down from 4.4% in the previous quarter. The overall Labour Force Participation Rate also saw a marginal increase to 55.8%, with female participation rising to 34.9%.

The Supreme Court has urged Madhya Pradesh's advocate general to ensure representation of marginalized communities and women as government lawyers. Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh highlighted the lack of ST advocates and low representation of SCs and OBCs, questioning how these communities can emerge without opportunity.

Responding to Supreme Court's push, the Centre will establish at least one special court in 17 states for NIA terror cases. Each state will receive 1 crore for costs, with existing courts to be designated for these trials. This move aims to expedite justice for serious crimes, preventing prolonged detentions due to overloaded dockets.

Niti Aayog has proposed a roadmap for India's transport sector to achieve net zero emissions by 2070. The strategy involves phasing out diesel vehicles and promoting cleaner technologies like CNG, hybrids, and electric vehicles. Stricter Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms will also be implemented to support this transition.

The Supreme Court has halted Assam's anti-encroachment drive in reserved forests, emphasizing that environmental protection and rule of law must coexist. Alleged encroachers will now have a chance to submit documents, and action will only be taken after a thorough review and a formal notice to vacate.

The ED has issued fresh summonses to Anil Ambani and his wife Tina for questioning next week in connection with an alleged Rs 40,000 crore money laundering probe. The agency has already attached Rs 12,000 crore worth of assets. Tina Ambani's questioning is related to the purchase of a Manhattan apartment using alleged proceeds of crime.

Rahul Gandhi continues to cite Gen M M Naravane's memoir, 'Four Stars of Destiny', despite publisher Penguin India stating it remains unpublished. Gandhi insists Naravane's own social media post confirms its availability, challenging Penguin's claim and suggesting a contradiction. The publisher maintains pre-orders do not constitute publication and warns of legal action against unauthorized circulation.

A brutal killing of a Meitei man visiting his Kuki fiance in Churachandpur has shattered the fragile peace for inter-ethnic couples in Manipur. The incident, captured on video, has reignited fear and deepened the divide, forcing many couples into renewed separation and uncertainty. Hopes for reconciliation are now stalled.

CPM and CPI have filed petitions in the Supreme Court seeking FIRs and an SIT probe against Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. The petitions cite alleged hate speeches and a recent video showing Sarma firing at an image of Muslim men, with accompanying phrases like 'no mercy'.

India has significantly tightened digital rules to combat deepfakes, mandating clear labelling and traceability for AI-generated content. Social media platforms now face stricter compliance, with reduced timelines for takedown of unlawful material and direct responsibility placed on senior officers. These new regulations aim to enhance user safety and accountability in the digital space.

Chief Justice Surya Kant criticized the Supreme Court's gender stereotype handbook as overly technical and inaccessible to common people and rape survivors. He emphasized the need for practical training for High Court judges on handling sexual assault cases. The bench set aside an insensitive Allahabad High Court ruling on an attempted rape case.

Opposition parties, excluding TMC, have submitted a notice to remove Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accusing him of latant partisanship. The move follows repeated denials of permission for Rahul Gandhi to speak, escalating tensions. Birla will abstain from proceedings until the resolution is addressed, likely on March 9.

Global regulatory complexity is now a central corporate strategy for Indian companies, impacting costs, market access, and competitiveness. Companies are embedding compliance into core business planning, moving from a 'wait and see' to a 'preventive vigilance' model. This shift is driven by increasing scrutiny, mandatory reporting, and the risk of severe penalties, making regulatory navigation a key survival metric.

Bangladesh secured a 19% reciprocal tariff from the US, with some exemptions for textiles using American materials. While Indian exporters are watching closely, they remain unconcerned. The slight tariff difference and limited use of US cotton are unlikely to significantly impact Indian garment competitiveness, especially as buyers seek diversification.

The Dadachanji Group has launched KAIRISH Innotech, venturing into custom-built machines, medical devices, and automation for pharma and healthcare. This new entity aims to be a one-stop engineering partner, offering comprehensive solutions from machinery design to sterilization. The move signifies a significant expansion into advanced technological offerings for various industries.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that the India-US deal will be significant for years to come, positioning India as a potential alternative to China for American companies seeking to diversify production. Greer highlighted India's growing role as a trusted partner in global supply chains and its increasing imports of US oil.

The government is divesting approximately 5.3% of its stake in Bhel through an Offer for Sale (OFS), aiming to raise around Rs 4,650 crore. The OFS, with a floor price of Rs 254 per share, will be open for institutional investors on Wednesday and retail investors and employees on Thursday.

Edelweiss Financial Services announced that The Carlyle Group will become the strategic majority investor in its housing finance subsidiary, Nido Home Finance. Carlyle-affiliated funds are committing Rs 2,100 crore, including a Rs 1,500 crore primary equity infusion, to strengthen Nido's capital and governance for affordable housing expansion.

Tata Motors and Stellantis are exploring new manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain collaborations, building on their existing two-decade joint venture. This partnership aims to leverage synergies and navigate evolving automotive megatrends like powertrain shifts and software-defined vehicles. The move signifies a strategic step for both global players in India's growing mobility sector.

India's health insurance sector is experiencing its strongest performance post-pandemic, with the incurred claims ratio dropping to a five-year low of 86.9% in FY25. While overall profitability improved, the group health segment, dominated by public sector insurers, continues to face significant underwriting losses, with claims exceeding premiums.

Gold and silver ETFs saw record inflows last month, surpassing equity funds for the first time. This surge, driven by unprecedented price rallies in precious metals, highlights investor behavior focused on recent performance. Despite a late-month dip, the trend underscores a significant shift in investment preferences.

The Tobacco Board has urged the Finance Minister to reconsider the significant excise duty hike on cigarettes, warning of severe repercussions. This increase, leading to a 60% price jump, risks fueling illicit trade, impacting millions of farmers and workers, and potentially collapsing market prices for tobacco growers.

Over Rs 72,000 crore in unclaimed bank deposits, untouched for a decade, have been transferred to the RBI's Depositor Education and Awareness Fund. Public sector banks hold the largest portion. The government has launched UDGAM to help people trace their money and introduced measures to prevent further accumulation, aiming to boost financial literacy.

Aarvee Engineering Consultants has secured SEBI's nod for its IPO, aiming to raise Rs 202.5 crore via fresh issue and Rs 67.5 lakh shares through an offer for sale. Proceeds will fund debt repayment, bolster Indian and overseas subsidiaries for tech development, and general corporate needs. The infrastructure consultancy boasts a strong project portfolio.

From golden roses to wine workshops, the Love All Members Fest is turning February into a season of daily surprises

India will prioritize competitive pricing and suitable quality for crude oil imports, while carefully navigating geopolitical landscapes and avoiding sanctioned sources. Discussions also centered on the India-US interim trade agreement and the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement, with officials highlighting progress and upcoming developments.

Dr Bruce Levine of the University of Pennsylvania will receive the Genome Valley Excellence Award 2026 at BioAsia for his groundbreaking work in cell and gene therapy, particularly CAR T-cell treatments for cancer. His innovations have significantly advanced personalized medicine and cancer immunotherapy, setting new benchmarks for translational research and global healthcare.

Chinese giant Hisense has launched its first Indian manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh, a significant step in its 'Make in India' localization strategy. The over $30 million plant, set up by Epack Durable, will initially produce 7.5 lakh room air conditioners annually.

Goldman Sachs has boosted India's economic growth forecast for 2026 to 6.9% and reduced its current account deficit estimate to 0.8% of GDP. This positive revision follows the India-US trade deal, which lowers US tariffs on Indian exports. The brokerage also noted the Indian Rupee's recent strength, though further appreciation is unlikely, and expects interest rates to remain stable.