Business

Ludhiana, April 9 The country's merchandise exports are expected to decline by 2-3 per cent in 2025-26 due to global economic uncertainties, exacerbated by the West Asia crisis, according to FIEO.Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President S C Ralhan said that the crisis may have led to a decline in shipments by 7-8 per cent in March.The joint attack launched by the US and Israel on Iran on February 28 severely disrupted the country's exports to West Asia, pushing up shipping freight, air transport prices, and insurance costs.Disruptions in the movement of oil and gas from Middle East countries have also led to an increase in the prices of raw materials such as steel, plastic, and rubber, Ralhan said."Exports are...

Mumbai, April 9 – Indian equity benchmarks declined on Thursday, ending a five-day winning streak, as rising oil prices and uncertainty surrounding the US-Iran ceasefire weighed on investor sentiment.The Nifty closed 0.93 per cent lower, falling 222.25 points to end at 23,775.10. The Sensex also slipped sharply, ending 1.20 per cent or 931.25 points down at 76,631.65.Commenting on the technical outlook of the Nifty, experts said that the intraday charts showed price action remained range-bound with a slight negative bias, marked by the formation of lower highs, indicating sustained selling pressure throughout the session."A decisive and sustained move above 24,000 is required to improve sentiment and confirm strength, while...

MCX silver futures witnessed notable weakness today, falling by 1.17% to ₹ 2,37,100 per kg. This downturn reflects a prevailing sense of caution across the broader commodities market.The metal opened at ₹ 2,35,850 and struggled throughout the session, testing an intraday low of ₹ 2,35,133. Despite touching an intraday high of ₹ 2,37,589, the overall momentum has been decidedly downward.Driving Factors Behind Silver Price Pressure Market experts suggest that near-term pressure on silver prices is rooted in several macroeconomic factors. Weak safe-haven demand is a primary concern for the precious metal sector.Furthermore, the strength of the US dollar and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are dampening bullish sentiment...

New Delhi, April 9 – German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz India reported its highest-ever annual sales on Thursday, selling 19,363 units in FY25-26, up 2.29 per cent from 18,928 units in the previous fiscal, driven by strong demand for its premium and core luxury segments.The company also recorded a 7.45 per cent growth in the January-March 2026 quarter, selling 5,131 units compared to 4,775 units in the same period last year.The German luxury carmaker said its performance was supported by a strong product portfolio, network upgrades, and a differentiated customer experience.The premium luxury segment remained a key growth driver, with a 16 per cent increase in FY2025–26 and a 25 per cent rise in the March quarter. This segment...

Industry Engagement Key to Strengthening India's Innovation Ecosystem Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, has strongly urged the private sector to significantly accelerate its participation in Research & Development (R&D) activities. The Minister emphasized that robust industry engagement is critical for strengthening the overall innovation ecosystem of India.Dr. Singh highlighted that the government has already taken substantial enabling measures. These steps include opening up critical sectors like space and nuclear energy to private players. Furthermore, dedicated mechanisms such as the RDI fund have been established to support growth.Systemic Reforms: Focus on Researcher Experience and...

High-Level Talks Cement India-Bhutan Energy Partnership for Sustainable Growth The deepening ties between India and Bhutan were underscored today as the Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, visited the Kingdom. His four-day visit signifies another crucial milestone in the bilateral relationship.The engagements highlight a shared national ambition: substantially strengthening collaboration in energy security and sustainable development.Shri Manohar Lal held a high-level meeting with the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Shri Tshering Tobgay. During this meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their mutual commitment to advancing cooperation within the clean energy sector.Expanding Power Cooperation Through...

New Delhi, April 9 German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz reported a 7 per cent increase in total sales at 5,131 units in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 4,775 units sold in the same period last year.In 2025-26, the company's Indian arm, Mercedes-Benz India, posted its best-ever fiscal sales of 19,363 units, compared to 18,928 units in FY 24-25. The top-end vehicles (TEV), priced above Rs 1.5 crore, accounted for 27 per cent of the total sales.Despite the impact of the West Asia conflict on market sentiment, Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director & CEO Santosh Iyer told

HRS Aluglaze share price witnessed a significant surge, hitting the 5% upper circuit limit on Thursday, April 9. The sharp rally was immediately triggered by the company's announcement of securing substantial new business orders totaling ₹ 26.94 crores. This development signals robust demand within the aluminum fabrication sector.The announcement, made under Regulation 30 of SEBI Listing Obligations, highlights the company’s strong footing in the construction supply chain. These newly acquired contracts are anticipated to be fulfilled within the next three to twelve months.Analyzing the Significant Order Book Expansion The company has successfully diversified its client base by securing contracts across seven distinct clients. The...

Mumbai, April 9 The German auto major, Volkswagen Group, is aiming for a 5 per cent market share in the Indian passenger vehicles market before the turn of the decade, with alternative fuel technologies playing a key role in achieving this target, a senior company official said on Thursday.The group, which in 2018 announced its India 2.0 strategy led by its brand Skoda, had set a target to achieve 5 per cent market share by 2025, but missed it due to events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, the group has about 2.5 per cent share in India.Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd (SAVWIPL) manages the Indian operations of six Volkswagen Group four-wheeler brands – Skoda, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, and the British super...

Colombo, April 9 Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached a staff-level agreement on economic policies to conclude the combined fifth and sixth reviews of the island nation’s reform program, the global body said in a statement on Thursday.An IMF team was in Sri Lanka from March 26 until April 9 to conduct the combined fifth and sixth reviews of Sri Lanka’s reform program supported by the global lender’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF).The two tranches together will release USD 700 million from the USD 2.9 billion bailout in 2023.The IMF noted that ongoing economic reforms implemented by Sri Lankan authorities have supported the country’s recovery, with foreign reserves increasing and both real GDP growth and...

SEBI Issues Stern Advisory on Broker Oversight Practices The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a significant directive, nudging market intermediaries to heighten their internal surveillance mechanisms. The advisory specifically targets the oversight of 'authorised persons' associated with brokerage firms. This move signals heightened regulatory vigilance across the market infrastructure.SEBI's increased focus underlines a growing concern regarding operational compliance within the brokerage ecosystem. Regulators are actively addressing potential vulnerabilities that could translate into systemic risks if left unattended by industry players.Heightened Scrutiny on Associated Personnel The core thrust of the...

The Indian benchmark indices witnessed a sharp reversal on Thursday, April 9, crashing over 1,000 points. The Sensex fell 1.3% to 76,557, while the Nifty 50 shed 1.07% to 23,740. This significant downturn followed a backdrop of record gains for the indices just days earlier.The sell-off was fueled by persistent geopolitical uncertainty. Concerns regarding the durability of the US-Iran ceasefire lifted crude oil prices and heightened overall investor caution across markets.Geopolitical Tensions Drive Index Sell-Off Despite the US-Iran ceasefire, key global choke points remained sources of anxiety. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route accounting for nearly 20% of global energy flows, remained largely blocked.Further...

The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has formally begun intensive preparations for its Initial Public Offering (IPO). The exchange recently convened with all 20 of its investment bankers to draft the definitive offer document and establish a clear preliminary timeline. Initial reports suggest the NSE aims to file its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with SEBI by June or early July.NSE Kicks Off Final Preparations for Landmark IPO Filing The preparatory work involves multiple stakeholders drafting the necessary disclosures and outlining the IPO roadmap. The exchange initiated discussions with bankers to begin the drafting of the offer document immediately. Furthermore, NSE plans to contact all eligible retail shareholders by...

Mumbai, April 9 Global brokerage firm Morgan Stanley said on Thursday that the Indian markets are poised for a strong rally, with the Sensex likely to touch the 95,000 level by December 2026.In its latest India Equity Strategy Playbook report, the brokerage firm said that the current combination of depressed valuations, improving earnings momentum, and cautious investor positioning reflects conditions typically seen near the end of market downturns.In the base case scenario, the headline index, the Sensex, is expected to reach the 95,000 mark by December 2026, implying an upside potential of 22 per cent from Wednesday's closing, according to the brokerage.It noted that downside risks appear limited compared to potential gains...

New Delhi, April 9 – India’s online retail market is projected to reach approximately $65–66 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV) by 2025, with an annual growth of over 20 per cent, reaching $170–180 billion by 2030. This would capture roughly one in ten retail dollars, according to a report released on Thursday.The report, from Bain and Company and Flipkart, stated that e-retail gross merchandise value grew by 19–21 per cent in terms of value.The report noted that growth was accelerated throughout the year, supported by improving macroeconomic conditions and consumer sentiment.In 2025, private consumption growth rose from 8 per cent (2022–24) to 10.5 per cent, driven by GST cuts, income tax relief, easing inflation, and lower...

New Delhi, April 9 – Railways are set to play a key role in driving India’s economic growth as the country targets a freight capacity of 3,000 million tonnes by 2030, a report has said.According to the ASSOCHAM-AESCLA report, railways currently account for up to 30 per cent of freight movement, indicating substantial growth potential.It highlighted that the sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by initiatives such as Dedicated Freight Corridors and near-complete electrification, which are improving efficiency and sustainability.The report pointed out the need to increase rail’s modal share through capacity expansion, further development of Dedicated Freight Corridors, greater private sector participation, and improved...

Amir Chand Jagdish Kumar (Exports) Ltd has experienced a severe downturn following its market debut, hitting its lower circuit limit on April 9. The stock’s decline marks its fifth consecutive day of losses, causing it to plunge approximately 43% from its Initial Public Offering (IPO) price.The weak listing performance has gripped investors, raising questions about the company’s immediate market appetite despite strong foundational segments.Analyzing the Five-Day Price Correction The selling pressure remained relentless, pushing the stock to the 5% lower circuit limit on Thursday. On its debut day, the stock demonstrated significant weakness across both major exchanges.On the BSE, the listing began at ₹ 195, representing an 8.02%...

Ozone Overseas has initiated steps toward a substantial public listing, signaling significant capital infusion plans. The company, backed by Nuvama, aims to raise up to ₹1,500 crore through its Initial Public Offering (IPO). The announcement confirms that the firm has finalized the appointment of key banking partners to manage the offering process.Ozone Overseas Initiates IPO Process with Major Funding Target The move marks a significant corporate milestone for Ozone Overseas. The company intends to utilize this large-scale capital infusion for its future growth trajectory. Raising up to ₹1,500 crore suggests ambitious expansion plans across its operational verticals.The successful appointment of specialized bankers signals the...

Mumbai, April 9 – The benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty plunged on Thursday afternoon trading after a strong rally in the previous session, as fresh tensions in West Asia threatened the ceasefire reached between the US and Iran.Weak trends in Asian markets and continued outflows of foreign funds also contributed to the market decline.The 30-share BSE Sensex fell by 938.55 points or 1.21%, hitting a day's low of 76,624.35. The 50-share NSE Nifty declined by 237.9 points or 0.99%, closing at 23,759.45.Among the 30 companies in the Sensex, Larsen & Toubro, InterGlobe Aviation, HDFC Bank, Infosys, ICICI Bank, and Eternal were among the major laggards.NTPC, Bharat Electronics, Tata Consultancy Services, and Power Grid were among the...

Gold and silver rates faced significant pressure on Thursday, April 9, 2026. The global market remained cautious as the escalating crude oil prices, fueled by Israel's strike on Lebanon, overshadowed any immediate relief following the US-Iran ceasefire announcement.The caution seen in global markets translated directly to commodity trading. Gold saw a notable dip, even after an initial rebound driven by value buying. Silver experienced a sharper decline, falling by 2% or more than ₹ 4,700 per kg.Impact of Global Uncertainty on Precious Metals Market sentiment was heavily influenced by geopolitical flashpoints. Despite the US and Iran announcing a ceasefire, the report of Israel attacking Lebanon created immediate waves of...