Most bankers say they will look at reducing deposit rates from April.
The Budget reflects a clear focus on strengthening India's long-term prospects by leaning on nation-building sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Concerned over elevated inflation, Reserve Bank of India on Friday decided to leave the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 4 per cent but maintained an accommodative stance, implying more rate cuts in the future if need arises to support the economy hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The banking sector could see better loan growth in the third quarter of financial year 2026 (Q3FY26) with improved net interest margins (NIMs), though the full impact of latest rate cuts will be largely felt in the fourth quarter. There may be lower slippage in unsecured loans and microfinance institutions (MFIs) along with steady recovery trends, which should lower credit cost.
The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday evening increased the repo rate -- the rate at which the central bank's lends short-term money against government securities to banks -- by 25 basis points to 8 per cent.
Investors and startup executives are calling for extending the period for an entity to be recognised as a startup from 10 to 15 years for deep-tech companies.
India and the US have entered a new phase in their relationship, marked by greater parity, point out Harsh V Pant and Vivek Mishra.
Foreign investors pulled out Rs 17,955 crore (Rs 2 billion) from Indian equities in the first two weeks of this month, taking the total outflow to Rs 1.6 lakh crore (Rs 18.4 billion) in 2025.' This sharp withdrawal follows a net outflow of Rs 3,765 crore in November, extending the pressure on domestic equity markets.
BSE will become the fourth player in currency derivatives in India
Ashakal Aayiram can be celebrated for the return to form for Jayaram, who owns every scene he is in, but the film around him drags and drags, with no end in sight, notes Arjun Menon.
The EPFO on Friday deferred a decision on interest rate on provident fund deposits for 2010-11 following pressure from trade unions that want rates to be raised to 9.5-10.5 per cent from 8.5 per cent.
Beneath its grit and darkness, Kohrra 2 reveals surprising warmth and is a beautiful, beautiful show, promises Mayur Sanap.
In an event-heavy week ahead, stock markets' movement would highly depend on macroeconomic data announcements, global trends, RBI's interest rate decision and trading activity of foreign investors, analysts said. India's industrial production data for October 2025 will be released on December 1, an official statement said on Friday.
Contrary to popular perception on interest rate movement, expected to head north following a likely central bank action on monetary tightening, banks may actually end by cutting rates in the below-prime lending rate region for at least their corporate clients. This is because of the huge pipeline of undisbursed loans the banks are sitting on and their scramble to bloat top line to reach closer to the yearly targets.
'The US reciprocal tariff has added another element of uncertainty and the central bank may prefer to wait and get further clarity.'
Interest rates will continue to be stable with a little downward bias," SBI chairman A K Purwar said. \n\n
Shares of Dr Reddy's Laboratories jumped 5.3 per cent on Thursday to Rs 1,217 apiece, making it the top gainer in the Nifty 50 and the BSE 100 indices. By comparison, the Nifty 50 was up 0.53 per cent at 25,289.
Liquidity will be tight and inflation would be about 4.4.5 per cent. In this scenario, the 10-year yield is unlikely to stabilise below 6.25 per cent.
To balance growth and inflation, tax reforms such as GST and investments in increasing food productivity are vital
Tu Yaa Main feels rather indulgent for a survival drama. You can see where it's headed, and it just grows tiresome after a point, observes Mayur Sanap.
'High taxes have kept away art collectors who will now embrace the new GST.'
Investors must account for currency depreciation in their financial plans and use instruments that can cushion the erosion in purchasing power.
Barclays Plc on Tuesday said its chief executive officer Bob Diamond has resigned with immediate effect after increasing pressure to step down following global interest rate manipulation scandal.
All policy planners want low interest rate, says Jaitley
Notwithstanding global headwinds, the Indian economy saw further momentum in October on the back of goods and services tax (GST) rate rationalisation and festival spending, as indicated by high-frequency indicators, the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) monthly State of the Economy report said.
Wholesale price inflation (WPI) fell to (-) 1 .21 per cent in October, driven by a decline in prices of food articles like pulses and vegetables, as well as lower fuel and manufactured items' prices, government data showed on Friday.
This was the first-ever double Super Over in the history of the T20 World Cup.
The RBI on Wednesday banned zero per cent interest rate scheme for purchase of consumer goods, a move intended to protect customers but may dampen the festive spirit.
Jeethu Joseph's Valathu Vashathe Kallan works better as an emotional drama than an intriguing thriller, notes Arjun Menon.
Now borrowers will compensate for higher provisioning on personal loans/credit cards.
The bank raised the interest rates on Non Resident External rupee deposits of one year to less than 2 years to 3.08 per cent from 2.49 per cent, two years to less than three years to 3.18 per cent from 2.5 per cent and three to five years to 3.45 per cent from 2.81 per cent. Similar hikes have been made in Foreign Currency Non Resident deposits held in dollars, pound sterling, Euro, Australian dollar, Canadian Dollar and Yen.
For NRE (Rupee) deposits for a duration of one year to less than two years, the rate has been increased to 4.92 per cent from the earlier 4.17 per cent, a press release issued here said. For two years to less than three years and three years to five years, the rate has been increased to 4.41 per cent from 3.66 per cent and 4.89 per cent from the earlier 4.14 per cent, respectively, the release said.
Consequently, the reverse repo rate under the LAF will remain unchanged at 7.5 per cent and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate at 9.5 per cent.
New investors should enter gradually and with a long horizon. 'Staggered investment through systematic purchase plans is advisable rather than lump-sum buying.'
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.
Mumbai recorded its strongest housing market performance in 14 years in 2025, with property registrations rising to 150,254, amid a sustained end-user demand and supportive supply-side ecosystem, according to Knight Frank India.
"As long as the global window is open, growth will happen and interest rates will remain stable," ICICI Bank CEO K V Kamath said on Monday.\n\n
Home purchase affordability has improved in the first half of calendar year (CY) 2025, after the RBI reduced the repo rate by 100 basis points (bps), according to real estate consultancy Knight Frank India.
Part of a focus on retail advances, as corporate demand remains subdued; could reverse if RBI raises repo next month
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