The Times of India

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.

India watches Iran's protests with unease, fearing a weakened state would disrupt its strategic environment. Iran serves as India's vital western corridor to Central Asia via Chabahar Port and a crucial counterweight to Pakistan's regional influence. A collapse risks jeopardizing connectivity projects and India's multi-alignment policy.

The Supreme Court denied bail to student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots case, citing a hierarchy of culpability. While five co-accused were granted bail, the court found Khalid and Imam to be ideological drivers central to the alleged conspiracy's planning and preparation, distinguishing their roles from mere facilitators.

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.

India's High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, has vehemently denied allegations of the Indian government's involvement in Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing, demanding concrete evidence. Patnaik stressed that accusations lack substantiation and that ongoing legal proceedings do not implicate India as a state. He reiterated India's willingness to act if credible proof is provided.

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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, celebrating India's diverse harvest festivals. He highlighted their significance in honoring nature, farmers, and cultural traditions, wishing for prosperity and well-being for all citizens.

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.

Chef Gautam Kumar, once feeling like a misfit from rural Bihar, defied expectations to become a celebrated chef. He transformed his perceived disadvantages into strengths, championing ancient Indian culinary wisdom, particularly Ayurveda, in elite kitchens.

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.

CEO: India Is Attractive For AI Training As Data Centre Costs 30% Cheaper Than West

Budget 2026 for defence: According to FICCI, enhancing defence spending is essential with a higher capital outlay within a steadily rising defence budget and a significant boost in funding for DRDO to accelerate modernisation and indigenous technology development.

The US Commerce Department has signaled a policy shift, approving Nvidia to export its H200 AI chips to China under strict conditions. This move allows for case-by-case licensing reviews instead of automatic rejections for these advanced processors, though the most cutting-edge chips remain off-limits.