Business

As global uncertainty deepens and multilateral norms weaken, the EU and India are moving toward a historic free trade agreement, signalling a shift toward partnership, diversification, and cooperative global governance 

Hitachi Energy India has received a Rs 26.07 crore tax demand for assessment year 2022–23 and plans to challenge it before ITAT. The company reported strong profit growth in the September 2025 quarter despite a fall in its share price

Indian equity benchmarks fell over 2.5% for the week amid FII outflows, weak earnings, and global trade concerns linked to US tariff rhetoric. Broader indices underperformed, while investors now await cues from Budget 2026 and the US Fed.

The real impact of the India–EU FTA will be shaped by how effectively it is implemented, and how decisively both governments support collaboration beyond tariff reductions and legal frameworks

Demand 5-day work week; Banking services to be hit for three straight days as Jan 25–26 are holidays

Swan Defence and Heavy Industries (SDHI) won a USD 227 million contract from European shipowner Rederiet Stenersen AS to build six 18,000 DWT chemical tankers in Gujarat, marking India’s first chemical tanker order and one of its largest commercial shipbuilding deals

Telangana has secured major international investments at the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos. UPC Volt, a joint venture between UPC Renewables Group and VOLT Data Centers, will establish a 100 MW AI-ready data centre alongside a 100 MW renewable energy facility, with an investment of Rs 5,000 crore over five years.

The BHIM Payments App saw a sharp rise in usage in 2025, with monthly transactions growing from 38.97 million in January to 165.1 million in December, a more than fourfold increase. Transaction volumes rose over 300 per cent, while values crossed Rs 20,854 crore in December.

IndiGo reported a sharp fall in net profit for the December quarter after facing massive flight disruptions and costs linked to new labour laws. The airline also faced regulatory action, fines and schedule curbs following widespread cancellations and delays earlier in the month

The Reserve Bank of India has expressed optimism about India’s economic outlook, saying GDP growth estimates for 2025-26 show the country will remain the fastest growing major economy, supported by domestic demand, export diversification and a resilient banking system

At Davos, US President Donald Trump mixed policy with humour, delivering off-script jokes and self-deprecating remarks during meetings with business leaders. Amid discussions on trade, security, and investments, he lightened the atmosphere with quips on net worth, Greenland, and Federal Reserve projects

Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty climbed nearly 1 per cent in early trade on Thursday, driven by gains in PSU banks, auto and services stocks, as easing global trade tensions and firm overseas cues improved investor sentiment across markets.

The rupee recovered 15 paise from record low levels to trade at 91.50 against the US dollar in early trade on Thursday, supported by improved global risk appetite, easing tariff concerns, and firm domestic equities, even as geopolitical risks continue to weigh on sentiment.

Eternal announced that Deepinder Goyal will step down as Group CEO and Managing Director, transitioning to the role of Vice Chairman pending shareholder approval. Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa will succeed him as Group CEO from February 1. I

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories reported a 14 per cent decline in consolidated profit after tax at Rs 1,210 crore for the December 2025 quarter, impacted by weaker sales in the US and price erosion in key products.

The Congress government in Telangana is facing criticism after senior ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and D Sridhar Babu met executives of Greenko at the World Economic Forum in Davos, even as the company is under investigation in the Formula-E race controversy.

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has announced its foray into the commercial mobility sector with the launch of Prime HB and Prime SD, two purpose-built taxi models. HMIL said the launch underscores Hyundai’s commitment to hassle-free ownership in the commercial segment.

Equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty declined in early trade as global sell-off, geopolitical tensions, US tariff threats and sustained foreign fund outflows weakened investor sentiment, tracking sharp losses on Wall Street and muted cues from Asian markets.

The rupee fell 31 paise to a record low of 91.28 against the US dollar in early trade as rising geopolitical uncertainty, foreign fund outflows and weak domestic equities kept investor sentiment subdued.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s surprise New Delhi visit, pledging deeper cooperation, underscores India’s rising strategic influence in the Gulf

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, UAE Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri met Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to discuss collaboration on infrastructure projects, notably the Bharat Future City.

Prominent Indian business leaders, including heads of Tata Sons, Infosys, Wipro and Bharti Enterprises, are likely to meet US President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, amid expectations of progress in ongoing US-India trade negotiations

The move to discourage 10-minute delivery branding represents an inflection point in India’s gig economy and a successful course correction of a toxic model that has normalised risk for convenience

The Agreement introduces unprecedented investment commitments and consultation-driven governance, offering a template for next-generation investment treaties