India's economic engine is revving up, but navigating the global headwinds requires sharp strategy. The rupee's recent volatility against the dollar underscores the complexities facing Indian businesses, impacting everything from import-export trade to domestic inflation. This week alone, we've seen significant shifts in the IT sector, with major players announcing restructuring and a renewed focus on AI-driven solutions. Meanwhile, the burgeoning startup ecosystem continues to attract substantial funding, despite a cautious global investor sentiment. The government's recent policy announcements on infrastructure development and digitalization are poised to further shape the business landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs and established corporations alike. Understanding these market dynamics is crucial for success in today's rapidly evolving Indian economy. Stay informed with Abtak.com for the latest insights and analysis on key sectors including finance, manufacturing, and technology – empowering your business decisions in a dynamic market. Explore the complete business news section now to stay ahead of the curve.
MUMBAI, April 2 (Reuters) - Indian banks are set to face heightened uncertainty on Thursday after the central bank's curbs on corporate activity made it costlier for lenders to cut arbitrage positions, potentially saddling them with larger losses. Late on Wednesday, the Reserve Bank of India barred banks from offering rupee non-deliverable forwards to resident and non-resident clients. The move was aimed primarily at halting a surge in corporate-driven arbitrage activity seen on Monday, four bankers said, requesting anonymity since they are not authorised to speak to the media. With corporates no longer able to arbitrage between the onshore and NDF markets from Thursday, banks will find it harder and more expensive to unwind positions the RBI has asked them to cut, they said. The central bank, in effect, was directing lenders to cut arbitrage positions that were considered lucrative and low-risk and were compounding the pressure on the rupee. On Monday, banks had relied on corporate arbitrage flows to help reduce exposures in line with the RBI's earlier directive. "Banks that did not cut on Monday and chose to wait will now have to pay a much steeper price," a senior treasury official at a private sector bank said. "The market knows they need to cut positions and have little choice, and will demand a premium." Bankers estimate sizeable positions are outstanding. Of the estimated $30 billion-$40 billion in arbitrage exposure, only around 50%-60% were unwound on Monday, leaving a substantial overhang in the system. The treasury official said his bank, along with most foreign banks, had reduced positions to within RBI limits on Monday, while most state-run banks were yet to fully exit. STEEP COST Banks saddled with positions now face a tougher exit path following Wednesday measures. The cost of cutting positions to RBI levels largely depends on the spread between the onshore market and the offshore NDF. A wider spread raises the cost of unwinding positions, and consequently, increases losses. The spread in the 1-month tenor had widened to nearly 100 paise on Monday before narrowing to around 30-40 paise, helped by corporate arbitrage activity. With those arbitrage flows now curtailed, the spread has widened again to about 100 paise on Thursday, lifting exit costs for banks. SUPPORTING RUPEE The RBI's clampdown on position limits of banks was aimed at supporting the rupee, which has been under pressure from persistently high oil prices linked to the Iran war. However, the impact was blunted when corporates stepped in to exploit arbitrage opportunities, contributing to the rupee slipping to an all-time low of 95.21 on Monday. Analysts said the crackdown on corporate arbitrage was aimed at plugging a loophole that had hindered the rupee's rise. "The latest set of measures by the RBI marks a clear and coordinated shift towards tightening speculative activity and reasserting control over rupee dynamics," Kunal Sodhani, head treasury at Shinhan Bank, said. Reporting by Nimesh Vora; Editing by Sumana Nandy Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
Adani Group's listed stocks, which at one point saw as much as $34 billion wiped off their market value, meanwhile recovered ground as some partners and investors rallied behind it. State Bank of India will not stop lending to ongoing Adani projects that are nearing completion, two sources told Reuters, but will exercise caution when disbursing loans to ensure all terms and conditions are being met. Bank of India, Union Bank, ICICI Bank, Canara Bank, IDBI Bank and RBL Bank, which have relatively smaller exposures to the Adani Group, are undertaking similar exercises, sources said. A regulat ...Read More >
The Reserve Bank of India raised the interest rate caps on Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank (FCNR-B) deposits to attract more capital inflows, amid pressures on the rupee. Starting December 6, banks can offer higher rates -- up to 400 basis points for 1-3 year deposits and 500 basis points for 3-5 year deposits -- until March 31, 2025. This move comes as the rupee faces volatility.The Reserve Bank of India on Friday announced a raise in the interest rate caps on the Indian diaspora's foreign cu ...Read More >
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's retail inflation eased in November as soaring vegetable prices moderated, boosting expectations of an interest rate cut by the central bank at its next policy review amid concerns around slowing growth. Retail inflation eased in November to 5.48%, lower than 6.21% in the previous month and below a 5.53% forecast by economists in a Reuters poll. Food inflation slowed down to 9.04% from 10.87% a month earlier. Food accounts for nearly half of the consumption basket. Vegetable prices rose 29.33% in November from a year earlier after rising 42.18% in October. Indi ...Read More >
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday received the second bomb threat in less than a month. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday received the second bomb threat in less than a month, which was reportedly delivered via email in Russian language to the bank's official website. Acting on the bank's complaint, the Mumbai Police launched an investigation and filed a case against an unknown individual at the Mata Ramabai Marg (MRA Marg) police station. The Zone 1 DCP of the Mumbai Police sa ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 14 (IANS) The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has achieved 15,547 crore transactions worth Rs 223 lakh crore from January to November this year, 'showcasing its transformative impact on financial transactions' in India, the Finance Ministry said on Saturday. The Finance Ministry also said that UPI is now accepted in seven countries including France, UAE, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Bhutan and Nepal. The UPI system provides a cheaper and quicker alternative to the available channels of cross-border remittances. UPI has succeeded in increasing financial inclusion and promot ...Read More >
Mumbai, Feb 10: The rupee on Monday plunged 45 paise and moved closer to the 88 per US dollar-level, weighed down by the strength of the American currency tariff concerns, but eventually settled at 87.45, up 5 paise, following RBI intervention. The American currency gained in the overseas market after US President Donald Trump's plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, along with reciprocal tariffs targeting countries taxing US exports. The move has added jitters over the global trade war with China's reciprocal duties coming into effect, they said. At the interban ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 5 (PTI) The rupee snapped its two-day losing streak and closed 8 paise higher at 85.79 against the US dollar on Thursday, supported by positive domestic equities and a rise in Asian currencies. Forex traders said overnight softening of crude oil prices favoured the rupee. However, a strong US dollar index capped sharp gains. Besides, market participants are now keenly awaiting the outcome of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) monetary policy meeting for further cues, they said. At the interbank foreign exchange, the domestic unit witnessed a volatile trading session -- it opene ...Read More >
CCI has also approved a 25.18 per cent equity stake in Future Generali India Life Insurance Company Ltd (FGILICL) through a bid/resolution plan submitted by Central Bank of India | Image: Wikimedia Commons State-owned Central Bank of India on Thursday said it has acquired a 25.18 per cent stake in Future Generali India Life Insurance Company Limited (FGILICL) for a cash consideration of Rs 57 crore as part of the insolvency process. With the acquisition of 65,43,80,439 shares on Wednesday (June ...Read More >
Mumbai, December 4: The domestic benchmark equity indices closed in green on Wednesday as buying was seen in PSU bank and realty sectors. The investors are keenly watching the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting which will announce its decision around the repo rate on Friday. Banking stocks rose amid volatile sessions in the market due to the possibility of Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) cut by the central bank. Sensex settled at 80,956.3, higher by 110.58 points, or 0.14 per cent, while the Nifty ended at 24,467.45, up by 10.30 points, or 0.04 per cent. Stock Mark ...Read More >
India's growth in gross domestic product (GDP) of 5.4% in the three months ended 30 September, or the second quarter of 2024-25, was a shocker. It undershot even the most pessimistic forecasts. It's the lowest level seen since the third quarter of 2022-23 and a sharp drop from 8.1% growth in the same period last year and also from 6.7% in the first quarter of 2024-25. The consensus expectation stood at about 6.5% and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was expecting around 7% growth till its October policy, only to pare it to 6.8%. Growth in gross value added (GVA), which is the preferred measure ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Reserve Bank has approved the open offer of Burman family -- the promoters of FMCG major Dabur -- to acquire an additional 26 per cent stake in NBFC firm Religare Enterprises Ltd (REL). The central bank also directed maintaining of the current board/management structure of REL. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said it has granted its "approval for the proposed increase in shareholding of existing shareholders" -- four Burman family entities Puran Associates, VIC Enterprises, M B Finmart, and Milky Investment & Trading Company -- in Religare Enterprises Ltd (REL). "The acquirers ...Read More >
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Sanctions imposed by the United States on Russia's third largest lender Gazprombank, which handles the energy trade, are behind the rouble's free fall in recent days, a top executive from VTB, Russia's second largest bank, said on Wednesday. "My assumption is that the sanctions against Gazprombank have had a significant impact, as it has ceased to be a channel for delivering foreign currency to the Moscow Exchange," Dmitry Pyanov told reporters. Pyanov added that stabilisation of the forex market within the next few days should be the focus of the central bank's attention. ...Read More >
At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 84.49 against the greenback, registering a fall of 2 paise over its previous close The rupee fell 2 paise to trade at 84.49 against the U.S. dollar in early trade on Friday (November 29, 2024) dragged down by significant foreign fund outflows and month-end dollar demand from importers. Forex traders said the rupee remains in a weakening mode due to dollar demand from importers and foreign banks. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 84.49 against the greenback, registering a fall of 2 paise over its previous close. On ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jan 22 (PTI) The rupee appreciated 23 paise to close at 86.35 against the US dollar on Wednesday, supported by positive domestic equities and soft American currency index. Forex traders said the rupee is likely to witness high volatility with a negative bias ahead of key events in the global and domestic economic landscape. Moreover, the overall uncertainty about the global economy continued to weigh on both currencies and commodities, keeping investors on edge. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 86.56 against the greenback. During the day, the local unit touche ...Read More >
Mumbai: The RBI is likely to reduce the key interest rate by 25 basis points this week after keeping it on hold for two years, complementing the Union Budget initiatives to push consumption-led demand, though the sliding rupee continues to be a concern. As the retail inflation has remained within the Reserve Bank's comfort zone (less than 6 per cent) for most of the year, the central bank can take rate action to boost growth hit by sluggish consumption, opined experts. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has kept the repo rate (short-term lending rate) unchanged at 6.5 per cent since February 20 ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI) Terming the 5.4 per cent GDP growth in the second quarter as a "temporary phenomena", FICCI President Harsha Vardhan Agarwal on Thursday said the industry body expects India to achieve 6.5-7 per cent economic growth in the current financial year, while projecting a pick up in private investment. In an interview to PTI, Agarwal, who is also the Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Emami Ltd, said the RBI needs to manoeuvre a "tight-rope balancing act" between inflation and economic growth, as he opined that the central bank has been doing a prudent job. Notably, the FI ...Read More >
Mumbai: The rupee declined 14 paise and touched the crucial 86.00-mark (provisional) for the first time against the US dollar Friday as it failed to resist pressure from a stronger American currency and huge outflow of foreign funds. Surging crude oil prices overseas and negative sentiment in domestic equity markets also weighed down the Indian currency, forex traders said. Also, dollar strengthened on increased demand amid the anticipation of restrictive trade measures by the new US administration after Donald Trump takes over as president January 20. At the interbank foreign exchange, the ...Read More >
NEW DELHI, June 2 (Reuters) - India's key iron ore producer NMDC (NMDC.NS), opens new tab is testing a new pricing formula for its output to shield its profits from the volatilities reflected in global benchmarks, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. State-run NMDC, which sells its output locally, currently releases monthly iron ore prices linked to inventories, international prices and domestic market dynamics. The company plans to launch the new formula after initial trials, the source said, declining to be identified as the plan is not public yet. "We are taking bab ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 4: In a significant move to enhance customer experience and protect citizens, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which allows bank account holders to have up to four nominees in their accounts. The higher number of nominees aims to reduce unclaimed deposits in banks. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that depositors will have the option of successive or simultaneous nomination facility, while locker holders will have only successive nominations. Another sweeping change relates to redefining 'substantial interest' for directors ...Read More >
(Bloomberg) -- Indian bonds are poised to gain while the rupee is set to weaken as analysts bet on a softer monetary policy after the government named career bureaucrat Sanjay Malhotra as the new Reserve Bank of India governor. Most Read from Bloomberg Malhotra, a surprise pick, will take charge from Shaktikanta Das under whom the RBI kept borrowing costs unchanged for almost two years. While Malhotra's views on monetary policy are largely unknown, he recently urged revenue officials to prioritize economic growth, and the markets may read his appointment as dovish. The central bank is expec ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 18 (PTI) Reliance Nippon Life Insurance, a subsidiary of debt-ridden Reliance Capital (RCAP), has initiated talks with IndusInd Bank for bancassurance partnership as the IIHL and RCAP deal has reached the final lap. Mauritius-based IndusInd International Holdings Ltd (IIHL), the parent entity of IndusInd Bank, won the bid to acquire RCAP and entities under it. Also Read | Cancer Vaccine Ready for Use, Announces Russia; What Is the Cost? How Effective Is It? When Will It Be Available?. "IIHL and Japan-based Nippon Life have struck a good understanding and they are absolutely c ...Read More >
New Delhi, Feb 4 (PTI) Finance Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey on Tuesday said the government has taken measures to lower fiscal deficit and delivered a non-inflationary Budget, and hoped that the RBI's monetary policy will work in tandem with fiscal policy to support growth. He also said that although rupee depreciation increases inflation on imported inputs, it also adds to export competitiveness. Pandey said that the government has bettered its fiscal deficit projections for the current fiscal as well as the next. The fiscal deficit for FY'25 has been pegged lower at 4.8 per cent of GDP, low ...Read More >
Still, the ongoing U.N. climate talks have thrown a spotlight on their efforts to tackle global warming. While the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, is tasked with agreeing a goal to mobilize hundreds of billions of dollars for climate, leaders of the Group of 20 major economies half a world away in Rio are holding the purse strings. G20 countries account for 85% of the world's economy and are the largest contributors to multilateral development banks helping to steer climate finance. "The spotlight is naturally on the G20. They account for 80 percent of global emissions," U.N. Secretary Ge ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): The gross NPA ratio of public sector banks declined to 3.12 per cent in September 2024 from 4.97 per cent in March 2015 and a peak of 14.58 per cent in March 2018, the government stated on Thursday, reaffirming the robustness of the banking system. The government emphasised its proactive support for the banking ecosystem, addressing both business needs and employee welfare to ensure stability, transparency, and growth. Also Read | Places of Worship Act Validity: Supreme Court Restrains Courts in Country Not to Entertain, Pass Orders on Suits Related to R ...Read More >
Mumbai, Dec 17 (PTI) The rupee consolidated in a narrow range and settled for the day higher by 1 paisa at 84.90 (provisional) against the US dollar on Tuesday, weighed down by disappointing trade balance data and weak domestic markets. Forex traders said the rupee is likely to remain under pressure due to concerns over slowdown in the economy and dollar demand from importers and foreign banks. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 84.89 and touched an all-time low of 84.93 against the greenback during intra-day trade. The unit finally ended the session marginally higher by ...Read More >
-- Benchmark Indian equity indices extended their winning streak on Thursday, mirroring upbeat global sentiment and broad-based buying across sectors. The BSE Sensex climbed 444 points (0.55%) to close at a fresh high of 81,442, while the Nifty 50 advanced 131 points (0.53%) to settle at 24,751, supported by gains in banking, energy, and realty stocks. The rally was also in sync with gains in major Asian markets, as investor confidence was buoyed by hopes of a softer interest rate stance by global central banks and easing geopolitical tensi ...Read More >
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday took strong action against the police officers allegedly responsible for the Bengaluru stampede, suspending several high-ranking officials, including the city's police commissioner. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced a one-man commission to probe the lapses that triggered the deadly stampede. "Cubbon Park Police Station police inspector, station house master, station house officer, ACP, Central Division DCP, cricket stadium in-charge, additional commissioner of police, commissioner of police have been susp ...Read More >
Stock market today: The Indian stock market clocked healthy gains for the third consecutive session on Tuesday, December 3, led by gains in shares of select heavyweights, including Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank and Larsen and Toubro. Benchmark index Nifty 50 jumped 0.70 per cent to the level of 24,445.80, breaking above its 50 and 100-day exponential moving averages (DEMA). According to Trendlyne, an equity research platform, Nifty 50 is above its 100-day EMA of 24,306 and 50-day EMA of 24,364. However, the index is yet to breach its 50-day and 100-day simple moving averages (SMAs) of 24,643 ...Read More >
Dec 3 (Reuters) - India's top renewable energy agency said on Tuesday it withdrew its ban prohibiting Reliance Power (RPOL.NS), opens new tab from participating in tenders for clean energy projects after a court directive. Last month, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) had barred Reliance Power from bidding for its tenders for three years and was weighing criminal proceedings against the company after a bank guarantee turned out to be a fake endorsement. The High Court of Delhi had granted a stay last week on the notice of debarment after the Anil Ambani-owned company challenged th ...Read More >
Mumbai: The rupee slumped to its all-time low of 84.76 (provisional) against the US dollar after dropping 8 paise on Wednesday amid a strengthening greenback and increase in crude prices. Forex traders said a positive trend in domestic equity markets and foreign fund inflows supported the local unit at lower level. At the interbank currency exchange, the rupee opened at 84.66 and traded in the range of 84.65-84.76. Eventually it settled at 84.76 (provisional), 8 paise lower than Tuesday's close of 84.68. Anuj Choudhary, Research Analyst at Mirae Asset Sharekhan, said, the rupee lost initial ...Read More >