Retail inflation stood at 2.75 per cent in January under the new series of All India Consumer Price Index (CPI), with 2024 as the base year, released on Thursday.
Mutual fund industry extended its bull run in 2025, adding a staggering Rs 14 lakh crore to its asset base and pushing total AUM to a record Rs 81 lakh crore by November, powered by surge in retail participation and record SIP inflows. Venkat Chalasani, chief executive officer of AMFI, told PTI that the industry's outlook remains positive, with steady SIP inflows continuing to offset foreign portfolio investor outflows and strengthening market resilience.
Listed capital market companies in India delivered strong fourth-quarter earnings growth, with a universe of 12 firms posting 30 per cent year-on-year revenue growth and 19 per cent earnings growth in Q4FY26, despite mark-to-market (MTM) losses impacting headline profitability for some.
UPI transactions in India reached record highs in May, driven by summer travel and the IPL, with transaction value hitting Rs 29.90 lakh crore and volume reaching 23.2 billion.
Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) reported encouraging results for Q4FY26 with improved asset quality and earnings, but analysts maintain a cautious near-term outlook due to geopolitical tensions, monsoon risks, and specific portfolio concerns.
'When I look at India's relative valuations, these are by far the lowest I have seen in my 35-year career.' 'The relative 12-month trailing performance is among the weakest I have seen, and foreign investor positioning is at a 16-17 year low.'
Moody's Ratings has highlighted that Indian banks are among the most exposed in the Asia-Pacific region to the West Asia crisis, primarily due to India's high dependence on energy imports, which could lead to increased inflation, higher interest rates, and strained borrower cash flows.
Petrol and diesel prices in India have been increased by Rs 3 per litre each, marking the first rate hike in over four years. This decision follows a period of stable prices during recent state elections, despite rising global crude oil prices and significant losses for fuel retailers.
Petrol and diesel prices in India have been increased for the second time in a week, following a long freeze on revisions. The increase comes as global crude prices surge and state-run oil firms look to recoup losses.
Tata Motors' commercial vehicle (CV) business is strategically repositioning itself from a traditional truck manufacturer to a comprehensive logistics and mobility platform, aiming to reduce dependence on cyclical vehicle demand by accelerating growth in digital, international, and services segments.
Industry bodies representing alcoholic beverage manufacturers have welcomed the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which will see tariffs on UK whisky and gin reduced, boosting bilateral trade and supporting premiumisation. However, domestic manufacturers are calling for state governments to withdraw concessions currently enjoyed by imported liquor brands.
A new report by Google and Deloitte projects India's e-commerce market will nearly triple to USD 250 billion by 2030, driven by Gen Z shoppers, quick commerce expansion, and AI.
Mixed-use real estate projects, integrating residential, commercial, retail, and hospitality segments, are gaining significant traction in India as developers seek to maximise returns, optimise land use, and diversify cash flows, with experts predicting 35-40% of urban real estate supply will be mixed-use by 2030.
The Indian rupee plummeted to a new all-time closing low of 95.81 against the US dollar, driven by surging crude oil prices, persistent inflation concerns, and a strengthening dollar index.
India's electric two-wheeler (e2W) manufacturers have urged the government to extend subsidies under the PM E-Drive (Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement) scheme beyond March 2026, cautioning that a withdrawal could slow near-term demand even as confidence in long-term electric mobility adoption remains intact.
Retail giant Walmart has announced that India has become one of its fastest-growing sourcing hubs globally, with the company having procured over $40 billion worth of goods from the country. This initiative aims to expand supplier capabilities, improve compliance standards, and help Indian manufacturers scale exports worldwide.
'This is not just a cosmetic refresh,' said Suhas Rajkumar, founder and chief executive officer of Simple Energy. 'We have re-engineered the battery integration, made the scooter lighter, improved performance and expanded the portfolio so customers can choose based on real usage needs.'
N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Consumer Products (TCPL), stated that India continues to experience credible economic growth, driven by strong demographic fundamentals and accelerating digital public infrastructure, despite a fragmented global landscape.
Reliance Industries' digital arm, Jio Platforms, may see its initial public offering (IPO) delayed to the second half of fiscal 2027, according to CreditSights. The delay is primarily attributed to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which could impact market conditions and investor sentiment.
Apple CEO Tim Cook expresses strong optimism about the Indian market, citing its potential for growth and the company's recent successes in the region.
Following through announcements with enforcement of measures is key, as a run through recent Indian economic history shows, points out A K Bhattacharya.
India's wholesale price inflation surged to 8.30 per cent in April, up from 3.88 per cent in March, primarily driven by a significant increase in the prices of fuel, power, and crude petroleum, according to data from the commerce and industry ministry.
India's mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market is projected to maintain an annual run-rate of approximately $200 billion, evenly split between domestic, inbound, and outbound transactions, despite global geopolitical turbulence, according to Rajesh Singhi, global co-head, M&A Advisory, Standard Chartered Bank.
Vietnamese automobile major VinFast is rapidly expanding its retail network in India, aiming for 75 dealerships across 60 cities by the end of 2026, while also building a comprehensive EV ecosystem.
Nayara Energy, a private fuel retailer in India, has increased petrol and diesel prices following a surge in global oil prices due to Middle East tensions. This move contrasts with state-owned retailers who continue to freeze prices.
India's home-grown EV startups say the government's auto PLI scheme is helping big players while shutting out innovators building electric two- and three-wheelers from scratch.
Analysts are increasingly optimistic about India's capital markets, with HDFC AMC, CAMS, and KFin Technologies identified as top investment picks. This optimism stems from a structural shift in household savings towards financial instruments and an expected multi-year earnings expansion for market infrastructure providers and asset management companies.
Silver prices surged by Rs 11,800 to Rs 2.57 lakh per kg and gold advanced by Rs 3,000 to Rs 1.58 lakh per 10 grams in the national capital, driven by fresh buying from jewellers and stockists ahead of Akshaya Tritiya.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced annual salary hikes effective April 1, with top performers receiving double-digit increases, while also renewing its multi-year strategic partnership with UK retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) to support its omnichannel and data-driven transformation with AI.
The Indian banking sector is projected to experience a steady 9-13 per cent industrial credit growth in the first half of 2026, driven by capital expenditure, infrastructure development, and sectoral demand recovery, according to a Ficci-IBA survey.
TransUnion Cibil CEO Bhavesh Jain highlights the improved retail portfolio quality in January but stresses the need for lenders to continuously engage with borrowers on credit usage and repayment, similar to the approach taken during the Covid-19 pandemic, as the impact of the Iran war on credit quality is still being assessed.
Trading pattern in the stock market this week will largely depend on the ongoing Q3 earnings announcement from corporates, global trends, and foreign fund movement, analysts said. Moreover, geopolitical developments and any update on trade negotiations would also be keenly tracked by investors, experts noted.
Despite India's electric passenger vehicle market experiencing an 83.6% year-on-year surge in FY26, new foreign entrants VinFast and BYD have significantly outpaced Tesla, which struggles with high import duties, a limited retail footprint, and a lack of local manufacturing commitment.
Small- and midcap stocks have delivered their biggest monthly rally in 12 years, but rising oil prices and global tensions could make the road ahead volatile.
Brokerage firm Jefferies maintains a 'Buy' rating for Paytm, citing its dominant merchant payments platform and projected revenue growth.
'As re-industrialisation gathers pace across regions like Asia, Europe and the US, a wide range of products and inputs will see demand.'
Even as non-life insurers reported muted premium growth in October, standalone health insurers saw a robust 38 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) surge. This growth was driven by pent-up demand in the retail health insurance segment.
In an event-heavy week ahead, stock markets are expected to track Q3 corporate earnings from several blue-chip firms, including TCS and Infosys, while inflation data and global trends would also dictate investors' sentiment, analysts said.
HDFC Bank, India's largest private-sector lender, has revised its FY27 growth trajectory, stepping back from earlier guidance to align with a more measured 12 per cent year-on-year expansion, citing geopolitical uncertainties.
'So far our production is not affected. But every day the situation prolongs, it does bring risks in terms of shipments getting delayed.'
