Business

Understanding the CPI Data Release Retail inflation climbed marginally to 3.4 per cent in March. This figure marks an uptick from the 3.21 per cent recorded in February, according to government data released on Monday. The increase signals a slight moderation in the overall rate of price rise experienced by consumers.The consumer price index (CPI) data provides a granular view of cost of living changes. Market observers are closely monitoring this movement, as inflation levels directly impact central bank policy and consumer spending patterns.Food Basket Inflation Drives March CPI Increase The food basket segment emerged as a primary driver of the inflation increase. CPI inflation for the food segment stood at 3.87 per cent for...

India's retail inflation edged up to 3.4 percent in March 2026, rising from 3.2 percent recorded in February. The acceleration was largely attributed to escalating food prices throughout the month. Despite this sequential uptick, the March print remained below the critical 4 percent mark.The overall Combined CPI index increased to 104.84 in March, up from 104.57 in February and significantly higher than the 101.39 recorded in March 2025.Tracking Food Price Pressures in March Food inflation emerged as the primary driver of the increase, spiking to 3.87 percent in March. This is a notable jump from the 3.47 percent recorded in February.The pressure was evident across different demographics, with rural food inflation reaching 3.96...

Exports from Indore's Special Economic Zone (SEZ) have witnessed a robust surge, crossing ₹14,000 crore in the financial year 2025-26. This 10.50 per cent increase to ₹14,302 crore demonstrates significant resilience in the regional manufacturing hub.The strong performance was reported amid global uncertainties, including US tariff policies and ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The growth trajectory underscores the continuous strength of pharmaceutical exports originating from the zone.Pharmaceutical Sector Drives Export Resilience An official from the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry confirmed that the Indore SEZ's export volume remained largely unaffected by the West Asia conflict that began in March. This...

Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty dipped sharply on Monday, closing nearly 1 per cent lower. The selling pressure was directly linked to the failure of high-stakes US-Iran negotiations. The breakdown heightened global anxieties regarding a prolonged conflict in West Asia.The dramatic slide was fuelled primarily by concerns over crude oil prices, which surged following the collapse of the peace talks. The failure of US and Iranian negotiators to reach an agreement at their historic 21-hour talks in Pakistan left the tenuous two-week ceasefire under serious doubt.Indian Indices Reel Down Following US-Iran Talks Breakdown The 30-share BSE Sensex tumbled significantly, falling 702.68 points or 0.91 per cent to settle at...

A-1 Ltd shares surged to the 5% upper circuit for the second consecutive day on Monday, April 13, 2026. This breakout occurred despite significant weakness in broader domestic stock markets. The surge was fundamentally driven by the company's major corporate announcement regarding its asset structure.The company revealed that more than 90% of its entire tanker and vehicle fleet is now free of debt. Management anticipates that any remaining obligations will be settled within the current year, setting a clear goal of achieving a fully owned, 100% debt-free fleet by October 2026.A-1 Shares Surge on Debt-Free Fleet Milestone Despite market pressure, A-1 defied the bearish trend, closing at ₹ 16.31 apiece on the BSE. The announcement of...

The Indian government reinforced its commitment to logistical stability and essential commodity availability during an Inter-Ministerial briefing in New Delhi. Officials provided comprehensive updates across energy, shipping, and industrial policy, assuring citizens and markets of continued supply robustness.Domestic LPG Supply Maintained at Normal Levels Addressing the briefing, Joint Secretary Sujata Sharma of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas confirmed that the domestic supply of LPG remains normal across the country. She stated that 100% supply assurance is being maintained for all domestic households, noting that no instances of dry-out have been reported at any LPG distributor nationwide.To prevent any potential...

The Indian rupee experienced a sharp decline on Monday, slumping by 56 paise to settle at 93.39 (provisional) against the US dollar. The depreciation was fueled by heightened global uncertainty following the failure of planned peace talks between the US and Iran. These geopolitical developments have simultaneously pressured global commodity prices and triggered a widespread 'greenback' hunt among foreign capital.Forex analysts linked the rupee’s weakness directly to mounting risk aversion in global markets. Specific concerns over the potential blockade of Iranian ports at the Strait of Hormuz further intensified the withdrawal of foreign capital from domestic equities.Currency Market Dynamics and Geopolitical Pressures At the...

Portfolio management services (PMS) firms are mounting pressure on the market regulator, SEBI, to significantly overhaul their operational framework. The industry contends that current restrictions are limiting PMS growth, creating a widening gap when measured against rival products like Mutual Funds and Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).Industry executives have specifically demanded greater access to unlisted markets and permission to participate as anchor investors in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). These two areas are currently restricted under existing PMS structures.The push comes as PMS assets are struggling to maintain pace with the growth of other asset classes in India's highly competitive asset management market...

The Indian equity market faced significant pressure on April 13, struggling to absorb the fallout from failed diplomatic talks between the US and Iran. Following a strong rebound in the preceding session, the market registered a sharp correction, driven by renewed geopolitical jitters and a pronounced jump in global crude oil prices.The concerns triggered a gap-down opening across major indices. While the market saw a mild recovery during the session, it ultimately finished in negative territory, reflecting investor caution across sectors.Sensex and Nifty Close Down Amid Geopolitical Pressure Major indices both registered notable declines by market close. The Sensex slipped by 702.68 points, falling 0.91 percent to settle at...

Brent Crude Surges Past $103 Amid Tensions Escalation Brent crude oil experienced a significant surge, moving above $103 a barrel on Monday. This sharp spike followed the failure of weekend diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran. The development has drastically escalated global energy concerns, injecting profound uncertainty into international markets.The heightened instability is fueling a worldwide energy crisis, placing immense pressure on oil-dependent economies. The current market reaction, while notable, has prompted veterans to question its true reflection of the potential risk.The Global Impact of a Strait of Hormuz Blockade A primary flashpoint for market anxiety is the potential US naval blockade of the Strait of...

India's top cement producers are forecast to post robust volume growth during the fourth quarter of FY26. Analysts point to stronger construction activity and significant government capital spending as the primary catalysts driving demand.Despite the anticipated jump in consumption, profitability is expected to face persistent pressure. This challenge stems primarily from escalating fuel and packaging costs linked to the ongoing West Asian conflict.Domestic Demand Fuels Strong Volume Outlook The sector is backed by significant macroeconomic tailwinds. A recent report noted that capital-intensive sectors such as cement and metals stand to benefit substantially from the government's infrastructure spending initiatives.Total cement...

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a massive rout on Monday, plunging over 5,000 points. The sharp decline was directly attributed to the inconclusive nature of the US-Iran peace talks held in Islamabad. Investors reacted strongly to the lack of immediate diplomatic breakthrough, sending shockwaves through the market.KSE-100 Index Plunges Amid Heavy Selling Trading commenced on a highly cautious note, quickly giving way to heavy selling pressure by mid-day. The benchmark KSE-100 Index saw a precipitous fall of 5,353.67 points, representing a -2.73% drop.Within the first two hours of the trading session, the index fell sharply, closing at 162,624.06. While the market exhibited significant intra-day volatility, the index...

Adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial sector is set to reshape how institutions operate, but the Reserve Bank Deputy Governor warns that this powerful technology demands robust safeguards. Swaminathan J, speaking at SASTRA University, cautioned that utilizing AI without adequate checks could amplify existing financial weaknesses and create entirely new systemic problems.AI’s Transformative Promise in Financial Services Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the way financial institutions manage customer interactions, assess creditworthiness, and process complex documents. The RBI representative noted that the speed of this change is remarkable, transforming core functions like risk monitoring and overall...

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has achieved a major structural milestone, securing the Ministry of Corporate Affairs’ (MCA) nod to reserve the name "National Coal Exchange of India Limited." This development marks a critical step toward formalizing and modernizing India's coal trading ecosystem.The reservation follows NSE's board-approved commitment in February to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary for this highly anticipated initiative. The proposed names under consideration included "National Coal Exchange," "Bharat Coal Exchange," and "India Coal Exchange."MCA Green Light for National Coal Exchange The approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs signifies the institutional validation of the proposed venture. This name...

India's Shapoorji Pallonji Group is reportedly seeking investor approval to extend the maturity period of debt issued by its real estate and civil engineering unit, Goswami Infratech. The proposal relates to high-yield notes currently set to mature on April 30.The delay in refinancing plans has surfaced as the group navigates increased financial complexities, forcing the pushback of crucial funding timelines.Debt Maturity Concerns for Shapoorji Pallonji Group The core outstanding obligation needing attention is the high-yield notes maturing on April 30. Local rating agency Care Ratings has cited the outstanding amount for this debt at ₹83.43 billion, valued at $894.02 million.To manage this debt maturity, Goswami Infratech had...

The digital asset space saw distinct action on Monday as Gyftr, a multibagger stock, jumped over 7.24%. This surge occurred despite significantly weak market sentiments gripping Dalal Street. The stock opened at ₹ 170 apiece, hitting an intraday high of ₹ 193 on April 13, even as the broader market retreated.Meanwhile, the Nifty 50 index tumbled 2% on Monday. This broad market downward trend followed a rally over 6% the previous week. The general market dip was attributed to failed US-Iran war ceasefire talks and the announcement of a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Donald Trump.Company Fundamentals Drive Gyftr's Momentum Gyftr recently underwent significant corporate and financial developments. In an official exchange...

Adani Enterprises shares saw a significant jump in Monday’s trading session, rising 2.07 percent to Rs 2,130.00, according to NSE data. The immediate boost appears linked to the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) adjourning the hearing pertaining to petitions filed by Vedanta against the company’s bid for Jaiprakash Associates.The appellate tribunal delayed the matter because of a change in the bench composition following the unavailability of a member. A new hearing date is expected to be announced shortly, keeping market focus fixed on the ongoing legal saga.NCLAT Adjournment Sparks Market Reaction The stock market reacted positively to the adjournment, propelling Adani Enterprises higher. This movement suggests...

Escalating US-China Geopolitics Over Iran Aid Tensions spiked between the United States and China on Sunday following statements from U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump warned China regarding potential new tariffs on its goods entering the United States. These tariffs would be implemented if Beijing were to provide military assistance to Iran during the ongoing West Asia conflict.The warning was issued in response to reports citing U.S. intelligence. These reports suggested that China might be preparing to send weapons to Iran. This heightened concern surfaced despite a reported fragile two-week ceasefire.Unexpected Trump Pitch to China Over Oil Supply Amid the geopolitical warnings, President Trump made an unexpected proposition to...

Shares of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) surged nearly 10% on Monday, capturing significant market attention. The rally followed the news that the government has successfully unlocked over ₹10,000 crore through a major asset monetization drive at state-owned telecom firms BSNL and MTNL.The successful monetization effort marks a major step in the revival package for the public sector units. The proceeds are crucial for servicing the companies' mounting debt and clearing outstanding bank dues.Monetization Milestone Unlocks ₹10,000 Crore for Telecom PSUs The asset monetization exercise is now reported as complete, realizing substantial capital for the telecom majors. Officials confirmed that approximately ₹3,000 crore was...

Apple's head of artificial intelligence, John Giannandrea, is set to leave the company next week, marking the end of an eight-year tenure. His departure concludes his strategic oversight of Apple's machine learning and AI initiatives, according to Apple's official statement.The transition is tied specifically to the April 15 stock vesting date, concluding an advisory role he assumed after announcing his retirement in 2025. CEO Tim Cook acknowledged Giannandrea's contributions, stating the company is thankful for his role in advancing Apple's AI work.John Giannandrea's Departure Details and Timeline Giannandrea originally joined Apple in 2018, coming from Google where he had managed the company's search and AI operations. During his...