Markets

December Trade Performance Shows Mixed Trends India’s merchandise exports recorded a growth of 1.87 per cent to USD 38.5 billion in December 2025, reflecting resilience amid ongoing global economic uncertainty. However, a sharper rise in imports led to a marginal widening of the trade deficit during the month.Imports increased 8.7 per cent year on year to USD 63.55 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of USD 25.04 billion in December 2025. This compares with USD 24.53 billion in November 2025 and USD 22 billion in December 2024.Exports in November 2025 had seen a much stronger rise of nearly 20 per cent, highlighting month-to-month volatility in global trade conditions.Sectoral Pressures and Growth Drivers Several key sectors...

Deloitte Sees Scope for Wider EV Participation Potential changes to the Production Linked Incentive scheme for automobiles in the upcoming Budget could help remove key bottlenecks for electric vehicle manufacturers and enable broader participation in India’s green mobility transition, according to Deloitte.Deloitte noted that sales momentum in the automobile sector is expected to continue into 2026, particularly for electric vehicles, which already benefit from a concessional GST rate of 5 percent. However, participation under the existing automobile PLI framework has remained limited.Limited Success of Current Automobile PLI Scheme The automobile PLI scheme, introduced to promote advanced technology and zero-emission vehicles, has...

India’s unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above rose marginally to 4.8 percent in December 2025, compared with 4.7 percent in November, indicating largely stable labour market conditions with a slight uptick driven by urban areas.Urban Unemployment Ticks Higher, Rural Rate Steady The unemployment rate remained unchanged in rural areas at 3.9 percent during December 2025. In contrast, urban unemployment increased to 6.7 percent from 6.5 percent in the previous month. Among rural males aged 15 years and above, the unemployment rate stayed low and stable at 4.1 percent.Urban female unemployment showed a mild improvement, easing to 9.1 percent in December from 9.3 percent in November. In the remaining gender segment...

Strong Early Passenger Traction After Commercial Launch Adani Group backed Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd has crossed the 1 lakh passenger milestone within just 19 days of commencing commercial flight operations, highlighting strong early demand from the Mumbai metropolitan region.As of January 12, the airport handled a total of 1,09,917 passengers. This included 55,934 arriving passengers and 53,983 departing passengers. January 10 emerged as the busiest day during the period, with 7,345 passengers recorded across arrivals and departures.Operations Scale Up Steadily Commercial passenger flight services at the Navi Mumbai International Airport began on December 25. The airport has an initial capacity to handle up to 20...

Ahmedabad, January 15, 2026 – Zydus Lifesciences Limited (BSE: 532321 | NSE: Zyduslife) has received final approval to market Eltrombopag Tablets in multiple strengths, expanding its presence in the high-value specialty generics segment of the United States pharmaceutical market.Approval Details and Product Scope The approval covers Eltrombopag Tablets in four dosage strengths: 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, and 75 mg. The drug is primarily used in the treatment of thrombocytopenia, a condition characterised by abnormally low platelet counts associated with specific blood disorders. Eltrombopag functions by stimulating bone marrow cells to enhance platelet production, thereby lowering the risk of bleeding-related complications.Manufacturing...

Sector Seen as Growth Engine Ahead of Union Budget As preparations gather pace for the Union Budget for FY27, agriculture industry leaders are calling for higher investments in digital infrastructure, climate-resilient farming practices, and technology adoption to transform a sector that supports nearly half of India’s workforce but contributes less than one-fifth to national output.Agriculture and allied activities account for about 45 percent of India’s workforce while contributing roughly 18 percent to gross value added. Industry voices say Budget 2026-27 offers a key opportunity to reposition agriculture as a driver of productivity, employment, and rural demand rather than being viewed only through a welfare lens.EY India’s...

Raichur, January 15, 2026 Shilpa Medicare Limited (NSE: SHILPAMED | BSE: 530549) has ceased to be the owner of its Canadian subsidiary following a transfer of equity shares, marking a strategic exit from the overseas unit without any impact on its current financials. Transaction Details The company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Koanna Healthcare Canada Inc., allotted 2,84,21,020 equity shares to an individual buyer based in Quebec, Canada. The transaction was executed on January 14, 2026, for a total consideration of CAD 2,000. Following the completion of this share transfer, Koanna Healthcare Canada Inc. is no longer a subsidiary of Shilpa Medicare with effect from the same date. Shilpa Medicare clarified that the investment in the...

Review of Net Open Position Framework The Reserve Bank of India has proposed changes to the rules governing banks’ foreign exchange positions, aiming to refine the framework used to measure and manage currency risk across the banking system.The amendments follow a comprehensive review of the existing instructions related to the net open position framework, which captures the difference between a bank’s total foreign currency assets and liabilities and reflects its exposure to exchange rate movements.Alignment with Global Banking Standards The proposed guidelines are designed to bring the domestic framework closer in line with standards followed internationally by major banking regulators. The central bank has also indicated that the...

Record-Breaking Day Highlights Operational Scale Indian Railways continues to redefine freight transportation, setting a new single-day record on the Dedicated Freight Corridor by delivering a faster, more reliable, and cost-effective end-to-end rail freight solution.On Sunday, a total of 892 interchange trains were handled in a single day between the Dedicated Freight Corridor network and five zones of Indian Railways. This surpassed the earlier high of 865 trains, recorded on January 4.Capacity, Planning, and Traffic Management Drive Results The milestone reflects the growing operational capacity of the corridor, supported by stronger planning frameworks and robust traffic management systems at Dedicated Freight Corridor...

Mumbai, January 15, 2026: The Reserve Bank of India will conduct an open market purchase of Government of India securities worth ₹50,000 crore on January 22, 2026, as part of its ongoing liquidity management operations. The purchase will be carried out through a multi-security auction using the multiple price method. The central bank will buy a basket of government bonds across medium to long-term maturities, with no predefined amount allocated to any single security. Securities Included in the AuctionISINSecurityMaturity DateIN00202200117.10% GS 2029April 18, 2029IN00202100956.10% GS 2031July 12, 2031IN00201900657.57% GS 2033June 17, 2033IN00202000966.19% GS 2034September 16, 2034IN00202101526.67% GS 2035December 15...

Bengaluru, January 14, 2026 – Billionbrains Garage Ventures Limited (BSE: 544603 | NSE: GROWW), the parent entity of the Groww platform, has entered into definitive agreements for a strategic investment in its asset management subsidiary, Groww Asset Management Limited (Groww AMC), involving both primary and secondary share transactions.Under the transaction, State Street Global Advisors Inc. has agreed to invest an aggregate amount of up to ₹580.03 crore in Groww AMC. This includes up to ₹381.35 crore to be received by Billionbrains Garage Ventures from the sale of a portion of its existing stake, and up to ₹198.68 crore as fresh capital infusion into Groww AMC through primary subscription of shares.Transaction Structure and Impact...

Consultancy Outlook Points to Strong Services and Manufacturing Performance The Indian economy is expected to record a growth rate of 7.3 to 7.5 per cent in the financial year ending March 2026, with growth likely to ease to around 7 per cent in 2026-27, according to an outlook shared by Grant Thornton Bharat.The projection aligns closely with the First Advance Estimates released by the National Statistics Office, which peg India’s growth at 7.4 per cent in 2025-26. This marks a notable improvement over the 6.5 per cent expansion recorded in the previous financial year, supported by sustained momentum in the services and manufacturing sectors.Exports Remain Resilient Amid Global Headwinds Despite external pressures, including...

Tirupur, January 14, 2026: Garment Mantra Lifestyle Limited has achieved export sales of ₹100 crore in the current financial year, marking the highest-ever export performance in the company’s history and a defining milestone in its growth journey.The achievement underscores the company’s successful transition into a strong export-oriented apparel and textile player, supported by rising demand from international markets, particularly across the Gulf region and the Middle East. The milestone reflects consistent execution, expanding global customer acceptance, and a focused strategy centered on export-led growth.Garment Mantra’s performance has been driven by its emphasis on quality manufacturing, product innovation, timely order...

Mumbai, January 14, 2026: India celebrates Makar Sankranti today, marking the Sun’s transition into Makara (Capricorn) and the beginning of the auspicious Uttarayan period. While the festival is widely observed across the country under different regional names such as Pongal, Lohri, and Uttarayan, trading activity in the equity markets continues uninterrupted.Stock Markets Open on Makar Sankranti Despite the festive sentiment, Indian stock markets remain open for normal trading today. There is no scheduled trading holiday on account of Makar Sankranti for the domestic exchanges, allowing investors and traders to participate in the markets during regular hours.Trading across equity, equity derivatives, currency derivatives, and...

Reforms and Integrated Planning Drive Efficiency Gains India’s logistics sector has recorded a major efficiency milestone, with logistics costs reduced to 7.97 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. The government said this progress reflects the outcome of sustained reforms and integrated planning across the logistics and transportation ecosystem, bringing India closer to global benchmarks in cost efficiency.The reduction highlights improvements in infrastructure planning, modal integration, and execution across freight networks, supporting smoother movement of goods and lowering overall logistics expenditure for the economy.Rail-Led Infrastructure Expansion Under Gati Shakti As part of these efforts, Indian Railways has...

Edible Oil Imports Record Annual Growth India’s vegetable oil imports increased by 8 percent year on year in December, reaching 13.83 lakh tonnes, driven primarily by higher inbound shipments of edible oils.Data released by the Solvent Extractors' Association of India shows that total vegetable oil imports, which include both edible and non-edible oils, stood at 13,83,245 tonnes in December, compared with 12,75,554 tonnes in the same month last year.Within this, edible oil imports rose to 13,62,245 tonnes during the month, up from 12,29,790 tonnes in December 2024, indicating stronger demand in the domestic market.Non-Edible Oil Imports Decline In contrast, imports of non-edible oils declined sharply. Shipments fell to 21,000...

Funding Marks Milestone for Indian Cybersecurity Firm’s Global Growth Cybersecurity company CloudSEK has raised USD 10 million, equivalent to around ₹90 crore, from Connecticut Innovations, the strategic venture capital arm of the State of Connecticut. The funding marks a significant step in the company’s global expansion strategy, particularly in the United States.First Indian-Origin Cybersecurity Firm Backed by a US State Fund CloudSEK co-founder and chief executive officer Rahul Sasi described the investment as a landmark achievement for both the company and the broader Indian cybersecurity ecosystem. He said the funding reflects growing global recognition of Indian innovation in advanced cyber threat intelligence.With this...

Indian Currency Opens Weaker Against the US Dollar The Indian rupee weakened by 5 paise to 90.22 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday in Mumbai, tracking a stronger American currency, rising crude oil prices, and continued foreign fund outflows.At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 90.24 and moved marginally higher to 90.22 against the greenback in initial deals. This marked a decline of 5 paise from its previous close.On Monday, the rupee had ended slightly higher at 90.17 against the US dollar.Global Uncertainty Lifts Dollar Demand Market participants pointed to heightened geopolitical concerns and global trade uncertainty as key factors driving demand for the US dollar. The increased global...

Trump Issues Immediate Trade Warning Linked to Iran US President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping trade measure under which any country continuing business dealings with Iran will face a 25 percent tariff on all trade conducted with the United States. The declaration was made through a public post on Monday and was described as effective immediately.Trump stated that the tariff would apply to any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran, calling the order final and conclusive.India, China and UAE Named Among Iran’s Major Trade Partners The announcement places several of Iran’s major trading partners in focus, including China, Turkey, India, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan and Armenia. India has consistently...

Ninth Budget for Nirmala Sitharaman, One Short of Morarji Desai’s Record Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget in Parliament on Sunday, February 1, marking the first time the annual Budget will be tabled on a Sunday. The announcement was made by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.This will be Sitharaman’s ninth Union Budget presentation, placing her one short of the record held by former finance minister Morarji Desai, who presented 10 budgets during his tenure.Budget Session to Begin on January 28 The Budget Session of Parliament will commence on January 28, with President Droupadi Murmu addressing members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha assembled in the Lok Sabha chamber.Following the President’s...