Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Thursday’s Indian market saw abrupt swings among several large counters. Tata Power and Adani Total Gas climbed sharply, while TTK Prestige and others fell, highlighting how fast sentiment can shift. Traders pointed to a mix of geopolitical tensions and seasonal demand patterns as key drivers behind the day’s biggest moves.
A CoinSwitch survey ahead of India’s Union Budget finds 61% of crypto investors want taxation aligned with stocks or mutual funds, while 17% favour a separate framework. Despite mixed preferences, 66% describe the current regime as unfair, pointing to the need for clearer, more rational rules that better match how investors view crypto assets.
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Bajaj Auto has refreshed the Pulsar NS400Z with a new 349cc engine, joining KTM and Triumph’s shift toward 350cc performance bikes. The update appears driven by GST-linked pricing benefits in India. While peak power is slightly lower than before, Bajaj says the NS400Z retains its existing features and continues at the same price point.
India’s private sector activity expanded in April, with both manufacturing and services rebounding strongly, according to PMI data. The uptick came even as firms faced higher costs linked to the Middle East conflict and oil shock. Domestic demand stayed resilient, companies increased stockpiling, and employment improved, signaling confidence despite global risks.
India has climbed to sixth worldwide for ultra-high net worth individuals, reaching 19,877 in 2026, with projections placing the number at 25,217 by 2031. The Knight Frank report also flags a 58% surge in India’s billionaire count to 207, putting it third globally. While Mumbai leads, wealth share is spreading to Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad.
Indian government bonds held steady as traders digested a heavy supply event: a large sale of the benchmark 10-year note. Attention then shifted to the auction results, with expectations that yields could rise. At the same time, easing liquidity dragged overnight index swap rates lower, while concerns over high oil prices tied to a fragile US-Iran ceasefire kept risk sentiment cautious.
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Inventurus Knowledge Solutions (IKS) is reportedly close to acquiring TruBridge and is lining up an offshore loan of $675 million to fund the deal. Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, and Deutsche Bank are among the banks involved in arranging the financing. If completed, the transaction would be IKS’s largest acquisition to date, signaling an aggressive expansion push.
The U.S. dollar’s recent slide may be nearing an end as economic resilience, easing fears around policy, and geopolitical shifts strengthen the currency’s outlook. Traders are watching the Dollar Index trend toward 100 to 102, signaling firmer fundamentals. That could put pressure on the Indian rupee, with both global and domestic factors building a case for depreciation.
Dozens of parents, children and activists were detained at India Gate during a “clean air protest” aimed at forcing urgent action over Delhi’s “air emergency.” Participants staged a health-focused demonstration with powerful placards and symbolic props. Police said detentions were limited to people blocking traffic, and many were later released.
Long-term bond yields are moving higher even after Fed rate cuts, as sticky inflation persists and U.S. deficits swell. Investors are demanding a bigger term premium, nudging markets toward a “higher-for-longer” outlook. With 10-year yields testing key resistance, the repricing could hit mortgages, corporate borrowing, equity valuations, and currency trends worldwide.
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Infra.Market says it will double down on a branded B2C approach even as infrastructure remains one of India’s most challenging sectors. In an interview, cofounder Aaditya Sharda highlighted how the startup has stayed profitable since launch and outlined its roadmap toward going public in 2025.
Crude oil prices fell as Middle East tensions eased after a Lebanon Israel ceasefire and the prospect of US Iran talks. President Trump suggested a deal with Iran could be near, following a 10-day truce that reportedly removed a major negotiating obstacle. While analysts warn volatility will persist, they expect prices to stay supported by underlying risk.
XpressBees, backed by Alibaba, is sharpening its strategy to expand across India’s logistics network, aiming to deepen coverage in smaller sellers, omnichannel commerce and even B2B express and managed warehousing. After surviving a harsh market, the company is investing in automation and new services, but its bid to outpace Delhivery and Ecom Express will depend on overcoming cost, execution and competition hurdles.
India’s benchmark 10-year bond yield is expected to record its largest quarterly rise in four years. Escalating oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict are fanning inflation worries, which could pressure government borrowing costs. Banks may also see margins under strain as markets prepare for a tougher new fiscal year with higher yield expectations.
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Boeing agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and pay a USD 244 million fine to settle a U.S. Justice Department probe tied to two fatal 737 MAX crashes. The move is likely to reverberate for Indian carriers such as Akasa and SpiceJet, influencing fleet risk checks, maintenance practices, and technology adoption timelines.
With at least 20 MP children blamed for deaths linked to Coldrif, investigators are zeroing in on how diethylene glycol, a highly toxic substance, could have ended up in cough syrup made by Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharma. ET Prime reports the central question is the supply chain and manufacturing controls that allowed a lethal contaminant to reach patients.
Even without a fresh RBI push for rate hikes, some banks are increasing deposit interest rates. The reason, according to the report, is RBI’s focus on systemic stability, which is nudging banks to strengthen balance sheets by attracting more deposits. As competition for funds rises, banks may offer higher rates to keep liquidity comfortable.
India’s data centres are expanding, and with them comes a quiet demand for reliable power. A fleet of older, gas-based plants—often neglected and underutilised—could find a renewed role. But whether they actually power Digital India hinges on unglamorous realities: policy signals, gas and power pricing, and political will to make the economics work.
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The Election Commission of India has ordered the suspension of Sandip Sarkar, Officer-in-Charge of Hingalganj police station in North 24 Parganas, over allegations of partisan behavior and a suspected nexus with local elements. The EC has initiated disciplinary proceedings, demanded immediate compliance, and proposed filling the vacant post.
The Indian rupee strengthened on Friday after a Reuters report said the RBI took a step to curb state-run oil companies’ dollar demand. That action built on earlier measures which have already narrowed the rupee’s underperformance versus other Asian currencies over the past fortnight. Traders expect reduced FX pressure from these demand controls to support the currency in the near term.
A peaceful Sunday prayer at Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Moers, Germany, erupted into violence when rival Sikh groups confronted each other, involving more than 40 people. Witness accounts say kirpans were drawn and shots fired, leading to chaos inside the gurdwara. The incident reportedly left at least 11 people injured as authorities investigate what sparked the clash and who was involved.
India’s steel sector is stabilising after a slump, but the outlook stays weak as hot-rolled coil prices fall to a five-year low, compressing margins. Earnings at major producers have deteriorated, and a meaningful recovery is not expected until 2027. The industry is banking on steady demand, stable raw-material costs, and extended safeguard duties to curb dumping.
India’s gas expansion is constrained by a rigid, outdated pipeline and market setup, even as Europe advances with flexible, market-led network models. The Entry-Exit framework is touted as a potential turning point for clearer pricing and competition, but success depends on whether policymakers will implement reforms boldly and consistently across the system.
Automakers have rolled out scrappage discounts of up to 3% for new car purchases, betting the incentive will nudge older vehicle owners toward upgrading. But with discounts relatively modest, the real question is whether the savings justify the hassle, eligibility checks, and timing—especially in a market where price sensitivity remains high.
Indian government bonds fell on Thursday as traders priced in rising economic risk after oil jumped past $100 a barrel amid the US-Iran standoff. Disrupted Middle East shipping is expected to raise inflation pressure and cloud India’s growth outlook. The rupee weakened and stock markets dipped, reinforcing a risk-off mood across markets.
India’s crude oil and natural gas output kept falling in 2025-26, extending an 11-year slide as ageing fields drain production and new discoveries fail to replace losses. The result: rising import dependence. Even with policy reforms, foreign investment remains limited and fears over policy stability are discouraging exploration needed to reverse domestic decline.
An asset management company is planning to launch a ₹1,000 crore bond issue, aiming to be among the first movers in the debt market. The strategy banks on current liquidity conditions and signs of early investor interest, positioning the issuer to capture demand ahead of competitors.
India’s USD190-billion services trade surplus—its key cushion against a goods deficit—is facing disruption as AI reshapes how work is priced and delivered. With IT firms leaning into automation and GCC-led services rising, India must accelerate upgrading beyond labor-arbitrage to higher-value capabilities, or risk slower export growth and a weaker external buffer.
Pope Leo XIV called for renewed peace talks between the United States and Iran to end the war, urging de-escalation through diplomacy. In the same remarks, he condemned capital punishment and urged humane treatment of migrants. He also suggested the Church should balance its focus on sexual morality with greater emphasis on justice and freedom as he returned from a trip to Africa.
India’s first CAR T cell therapy, NexCAR 19, is delivering encouraging early results for a specific blood cancer. Now available at 40 hospitals, the indigenous developer ImmunoACT is scaling access and building confidence in homegrown advanced treatment. The big question: can this breakthrough meaningfully change outcomes in the fight against cancer’s toughest battles?
Pakistan says it has successfully test-fired the Taimoor air-launched cruise missile, an indigenous weapon it claims can hit enemy ships from up to 600 km away. Analysts see the move as strengthening Pakistan’s maritime strike reach amid recent naval developments. India’s naval leadership has previously pointed to Pakistani constraints during Operation Sindoor, making this test especially sensitive.
India’s event insurance market is growing, currently valued around INR90 crore. This year, GSB Seva Mandal set a record with INR400.58 crore insured coverage for its five-day festival, underscoring rising demand for comprehensive protection as assets grow richer, crowds swell, and associated risks multiply for organizers and insurers.
Voting began across Tamil Nadu for the Assembly election on Thursday, with DMK and AIADMK among the main contenders. Prominent political leaders and actors cast their votes early, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged especially enthusiastic participation from youth and women. Union Home Minister Amit Shah called for a government that prioritizes public aspirations as polling gets underway.
China’s EV and car market is stuck in a deeper price war, with BYD and rivals expanding discounts despite government calls to slow them. The fight is fueled by overcapacity: factories are producing far more vehicles than the domestic market can absorb. That squeeze is now spreading through the ecosystem, dragging down used car values and pushing automakers to chase growth abroad.
Scientists analyzing a newly spotted interstellar comet say its chemistry carries unusually high heavy hydrogen, pointing to an origin in a frigid, isolated corner of the Milky Way. The likely birthplace was far from other stars and may have existed before the Sun formed, offering fresh clues about conditions that shaped early planet formation.
Blackstone is already among India’s biggest warehousing players after rapidly expanding in about 18 months. It has acquired deals from prominent warehouse operators, but further leapfrogging likely requires moving beyond acquisitions into project development. That shift brings development and execution risks, even as warehouse demand keeps rising and competitors look to scale.
The FIVB has revoked recognition of the Volleyball Federation of India, triggering a governance shakeup. The federation has asked an existing steering committee, including IOA executive member Rohit Rajpal and FIVB officials, to safeguard volleyball in India and focus on athlete welfare. The committee is tasked with ensuring continuity while the dispute plays out.
India is moving ahead with an all-weather, deep-draft port at Vadhavan, north of Mumbai, with an estimated investment of INR 76,220 crore. JNPA Chairman said JICA, ADB and PFC are interested in funding the project, aiming to boost shipping capacity and improve resilience despite weather challenges. Details of timelines and scope were shared in an exclusive interview.
Aspire Impact, an ESG impact measurement and certification firm, has secured investment from The Parinama Group and posted a post-funding valuation of ₹360 million. It appointed Saloni Malhotra as CEO of Aspire Impact Assurance and added UPES Chancellor Dr Ram Sharma to its Board of Advisors. The company says it has grown rapidly, serving major clients and planning global expansion.
As cancer diagnoses rise across India, particularly among younger people, one small state has rolled out a distinct care model aimed at earlier screening and faster treatment. The approach focuses on timely therapeutic intervention to improve outcomes, including better disease-free survival. The initiative highlights how organized cancer management can change the trajectory for patients facing an aggressive disease curve.
Even with RBI inflation estimates looking higher, the central message is that rates may stay put. Benign core inflation, a rebound toward double-digit nominal GDP in FY27, and incentives for private capacity building suggest rate action is unlikely to resume soon. The stance points toward a prolonged pause rather than an immediate hike cycle, per the latest analysis.
Indian markets closed volatile, with IT, energy, and auto stocks weighing sentiment. Amid GST-triggered expectations and rate-related moves, select counters such as Atul Auto, Moschip, DOMS, and ITC saw gains, while Ola Electric, Delta Corp, and Nazara ended lower. Traders remained focused on how policy signals translate into near-term demand.
Bitcoin’s deeper integration with American finance initially promised stability and a new role as an inflation and market-stress hedge. But when it started falling alongside other risk assets, demand weakened and good news failed to lift prices. Trading products and market structure appear to have further amplified swings, leaving Bitcoin harder to react to positively.
After an eight-day losing streak, the Nifty and Sensex finally closed higher, lifted by private banks, auto, and IT. Sun TV, Netweb, Tata Motors, Pfizer, and HUDCO jumped sharply, while Hyundai and Indian Bank fell. Traders pointed to the RBI’s neutral policy stance as the catalyst for a sudden, uneven market reaction.
Insurers want a single empanelment system to make cashless treatment smoother for patients. Hospitals are skeptical, arguing the change could complicate billing, approvals, and operational workflows, effectively delaying care. ET Prime decodes the impact on hospitals, the insurance ecosystem, and the end customer—where the promised simplicity may not land evenly.
Indian sovereign bond yields fell sharply on Monday, with the 10-year benchmark retreating 9 bps. Traders linked the move to reports of possible de-escalation in West Asia and rising hopes of a US-Iran peace framework. Sentiment also improved after a lower-than-expected state borrowing plan for April-June, leaving markets focused on the central bank’s upcoming policy rate decision.
Even without tariffs, Trump’s unpredictable trade moves are unnerving clients and disrupting Indian IT’s expansion rhythms. GCC plans are being slowed as firms prepare contingencies, while worries over optics, rising costs, and potential work shifts toward Southeast Asia keep the sector tense. The result is a cautious, back-foot posture that could linger.
Rajasthan Royals take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in a high-stakes IPL fixture where every point matters. RR are seeking revenge for an earlier defeat and will lean on their batting depth to seize home advantage. SRH, meanwhile, look to their reliable top-order for the breakthrough as both sides battle for crucial standings.
India and Qatar held talks focused on boosting trade and strengthening supply chains after West Asia shipping disruptions. Bilateral trade reached about $14 billion in 2024-25, and both sides aim to double it by 2030. They also discussed exploring a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as India pursues a free trade deal with GCC members.
Indian markets inched higher as auto stocks supported the index while IT and pharma weighed on sentiment. GMDC stood out among the biggest gainers, joining Netweb and MosChip in sharp moves attributed to earnings, market bids, and sector rotation. On the other side, Apollo Micro, SpiceJet, and Vedanta slipped amid earnings pressure and bid or demand concerns.
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