Business

Air India has ordered 30 additional Boeing 737 Max jets during Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad, expanding its Boeing order book to nearly 200 aircraft. The airline recently finalized the purchase of 20 737-8 jets and 10 737-10 jets, exercising existing options to meet growing travel demand.

India’s active internet users reached 958 million in 2025, driven by rapid rural connectivity growth. Rural users form 57% of the base. Short-video consumption, AI adoption, quick commerce and multi-device usage are accelerating, underscoring India’s fast-evolving digital economy nationwide trends 

WhiteOak Capital advises investors to book profits on silver, now overvalued relative to historical levels, and reduce precious metals allocation. Funds recommend reallocating into diversified Indian equity funds or blue-chip stocks for better long-term growth and liquidity

Airbus will deliver the first Made-in-India C-295 military transport aircraft in Q3 2026, marking a major milestone in domestic aerospace manufacturing. The company projects India’s commercial aircraft fleet to triple to 2,250 aircraft over the next decade.

India’s gold demand fell 11% to 710.9 tonnes in 2025 due to record-high prices, but value rose 30% to ₹7.51 lakh crore. Jewellery demand declined, while investment demand surged. 2026 demand is projected at 600–700 tonnes

Vietnam and the EU upgraded ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, strengthening trade and diplomatic relations amid U.S. tariff pressures. The move enhances market access, supports supply-chain diversification, and aligns with Vietnam’s goal of becoming a high-income nation by 2045

Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee called the India-EU free trade agreement a strategic alignment signaling reduced dependence on the US but cautioned that efficiency, logistics, and supply-chain improvements are crucial for India to fully benefit from the pact

  British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a comprehensive strategic partnership during talks in Beijing, seeking to reset strained ties, expand trade and cooperation, and jointly address global challenges amid geopolitical uncertainty and economic pressures 

The rupee touched a record low of 92 against the US dollar in early trade, pressured by strong dollar demand, rising oil prices and global risk aversion, even as the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged.

Amazon has announced the layoff of 16,000 employees globally as part of additional organisational changes. The company said it will support affected staff while continuing to hire and invest in strategic areas critical to its long-term growth

Government capital expenditure may cross Rs 12 lakh crore in the Union Budget 2026-27, according to an SBI report. The study projects higher infrastructure spending, modest revenue growth and a fiscal deficit of around 4.2 per cent of GDP

Gold and silver prices scaled record highs on Wednesday, driven by strong buying, a weakening US dollar and rising geopolitical tensions. MCX gold rose to Rs 1,62,387 per 10 grams, while silver surged over 6 per cent amid robust global demand.

The Union Health Ministry has eased pharmaceutical regulations, allowing companies to start drug development and low-risk clinical studies via online intimation to CDSCO, cutting approval timelines, reducing regulatory burden, and boosting research and innovation in the Indian pharma sector

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said India emerged on top in the India-EU free trade agreement, gaining greater market access and mobility benefits. He noted EU’s globalization push amid US protectionism and highlighted ongoing concerns over India’s Russian oil purchases

Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty surged in early trade on Wednesday, extending the previous session’s rally, as optimism over the landmark India–EU free trade agreement boosted investor sentiment despite continued foreign fund outflows.

The rupee strengthened by 11 paise to 91.57 against the US dollar in early trade on Wednesday, aided by a softer dollar index and optimism following the landmark India–EU free trade agreement, forex traders said.

Sensex and Nifty surged in early trade, extending gains on optimism over the landmark India-EU free trade agreement. Banking, energy and defence stocks led advances, while Asian Paints slid on weak earnings. FIIs sold, DIIs bought heavily amid global cues

Mercedes-Benz India MD and CEO Santosh Iyer says FTA will strongly drive technological innovation within the Indian automotive sector

India has safeguarded sensitive sectors, including dairy, cereals, poultry, soymeal, certain fruits and vegetables, balancing export growth with domestic priorities

The India-EU Free Trade Agreement underscores stability and rules-based cooperation at a time of global uncertainty

India and the European Union signed a landmark free trade agreement, described as the “mother of all deals,” aiming to create a market of two billion people. The pact will cut tariffs on most goods, boost key sectors, and deepen strategic cooperation, alongside defence and mobility agreements

Traditional ritual marks the lock-in of Budget officials as Finance Minister prepares to present her ninth consecutive Budget amid 7.6% GDP growth expectations and global headwinds

PM Narendra Modi invited global investors to India’s energy sector, highlighting a USD 500 billion opportunity. He outlined plans to expand refining capacity, LNG infrastructure, city gas distribution, and oil exploration, aiming for USD 100 billion investment by 2030

Gold and silver surged to record highs on Tuesday amid a weaker dollar, geopolitical tensions and expectations of US Fed rate cuts. Safe-haven demand and central-bank buying lifted MCX gold and silver, while analysts see further upside despite possible near-term consolidation