Business

The rupee appreciated 15 paise to 95.32 against the US dollar in early trade as the dollar weakened and crude oil prices eased. Gains in domestic equities supported the currency despite foreign fund outflows and continuing tensions in West Asia

India's crude oil imports remain largely insulated from Strait of Hormuz tensions due to diversified sourcing, a Kpler analyst said. However, prolonged regional instability could disrupt LPG and LNG supplies, increase freight and insurance costs, and put pressure on energy prices

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman welcomed AustralianSuper's additional AU$500 million investment in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, calling it a vote of confidence in India's growth. The announcement coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Australia visit and broader energy and investment cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Australia's Governor-General Sam Mostyn in Melbourne after the third Australia-India Annual Summit, highlighting stronger bilateral ties. India and Australia adopted a defence declaration, signed multiple MoUs, and reaffirmed cooperation across trade, security, technology, education and the Indo-Pacific

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has cut India’s GDP growth forecast for FY2026 to 6.6% from 6.9%, citing higher energy prices due to the Middle East crisis. Despite the moderation, India remains the fastest-growing major economy.

India, fresh from sealing its landmark free trade pact with the European Union, is now aggressively expanding negotiations across North America, Latin America, Africa, the Gulf, and Oceania. Chief negotiator Darpan Jain said New Delhi’s strategy aims to cover “almost the entire world.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged early finalisation of the India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), inviting Australian firms to invest in India's high-growth sectors while highlighting expanding trade, innovation, critical minerals, education partnerships and stronger bilateral economic cooperation during his Australia visit

The IMF lowered India's 2026 growth forecast to 6.4% due to higher global oil prices driven by the Middle East conflict but raised its 2027 outlook, citing resilient domestic demand, stronger economic activity, easing energy pressures, and sustained medium-term growth prospects despite global uncertainty

Sensex and Nifty rebounded in early trade on Thursday after a sharp fall in the previous session, supported by foreign fund inflows and buying in blue-chip stocks. The Sensex rose nearly 496 points to 76,998.54, while the Nifty gained 149 points to 24,025.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the Australia-India CEOs Forum in Melbourne alongside Australian PM Anthony Albanese, pitched India as a long-term investment destination. He highlighted complementarities between the two economies while urging faster conclusion of the proposed Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).

Tata Group expects its automotive business to reach USD 100 billion over the next five years, backed by major investments, new product launches and stronger collaboration with JLR. The company also aims to increase passenger vehicle market share to 20 per cent by FY30

Indian benchmark indices plunged over 2 per cent on Wednesday as rising crude oil prices, weak global cues and renewed Middle East tensions hurt investor sentiment. The selloff wiped out nearly Rs 4 lakh crore in investor wealth amid broad-based weakness across sectors

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that small, non-polluting enterprises will not need government approvals to begin operations for their first three years. The move aims to boost entrepreneurship, reduce regulatory hurdles, attract investment and strengthen the state's business ecosystem

India and Indonesia signed 14 agreements, including deals for BrahMos cruise missiles and Astra air-to-air missiles, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jakarta. The two nations also expanded cooperation in maritime security, critical minerals, space, education and digital payments

The rupee appreciated 48 paise to close at 94.95 against the US dollar, supported by improved global risk sentiment, softer crude oil prices and a weaker dollar. Analysts said easing inflation concerns and foreign fund inflows also boosted the currency

The Centre has dismissed reports of an imminent E-25 petrol rollout, saying no decision has been taken beyond E-20 blending. It said any future increase would follow scientific validation and reaffirmed that E-20 has been extensively tested and safely used nationwide

The government said ECLGS 5.0 has issued over 4.11 lakh guarantees worth ₹1.55 lakh crore since its launch, with MSMEs receiving 98 per cent of guarantees by number. The scheme aims to boost liquidity for businesses affected by West Asia-related disruptions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced integration of India’s UPI with Indonesia’s payment system to ease cross-border transactions. The two countries also expanded cooperation in technology, critical minerals, maritime security, space, education and cultural heritage during bilateral talks in Jakarta

The Indian rupee strengthened 15 paise against the US dollar in early trade, supported by improved market sentiment after Saudi Arabia cut crude prices for Asia. Easing Middle East tensions, lower oil prices and renewed foreign investor buying also boosted the currency

Indian benchmark indices advanced in early trade, supported by positive global cues, easing crude oil concerns and renewed foreign investor buying. IT and banking stocks led gains, while analysts said improved technical indicators and stronger fundamentals continued to support market sentiment

Microsoft is cutting 4,800 jobs globally, including 1,600 in its Xbox gaming division, as part of a broader restructuring. The company cited business challenges and competitive pressures, while clarifying that the layoffs are not driven by artificial intelligence replacing employees.

Persistent rural and gender digital divides, cybersecurity risks, limited broadband, weak data privacy enforcement, and low digital literacy continue to hinder inclusive growth

Union Minister Piyush Goyal said India's new free trade agreements are creating opportunities in manufacturing and innovation. Speaking at the launch of IIM Udaipur's online bilingual BBA programme, he urged students to develop practical skills and embrace technology-driven education

Foreign Institutional Investors sold a net $3 billion worth of Indian equities in June, while Domestic Institutional Investors invested $9 billion, offsetting the outflows. Analysts expect market sentiment to remain driven by monsoon progress, corporate earnings, crude oil prices and global developments.