A recent US Commerce Department report indicates a slowdown in inflation, with consumer prices rising just 2.1% in April. This decline occurs amidst concerns that former President Trump's tariffs could drive prices higher.
Related news
Victoria's Secret has postponed its quarterly earnings release following a security breach that disrupted operations and forced its US website offline. The company detected the incident on May 24, initiating response protocols and engaging experts. Preliminary results show $1.35 billion in net sales, exceeding forecasts. The breach, potentially a ransomware attack, impacted in-store services and corporate systems, hindering financial reporting.
The IEA cautions that concentrated critical mineral mining could disrupt global supplies and prices, urging diversification. Executive Director Fatih Birol advises India to incentivize electric vehicles to reduce reliance on oil imports, highlighting the economic benefits of EVs. He also lauded India's successful green energy transition, noting the significant shift in investment towards clean energy sources.
The OECD projects a U.S. economic slowdown to 1.6% in 2025, down from 2.8% in 2024, attributing it largely to President Trump's tariff policies disrupting global trade. These measures have increased U.S. tariff rates significantly, impacting business and consumer confidence. The global economy also faces strain, with growth expected to drop.
WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala acknowledged disruptions to the multilateral trading system and urged India to support China-backed investment facilitation, despite India's opposition. She emphasized India's leadership role for the upcoming MC14, particularly in agriculture, while highlighting the need to address India's concerns in that sector. Reform discussions are anticipated at the mini-ministerial meeting.
Suresh Narayanan, retiring CMD of Nestle India, reflected on the 2015 Maggi crisis as a major career challenge. He successfully revitalized Maggi after a nationwide ban due to safety concerns. Under his leadership, Nestle India saw significant growth, expanding its product portfolio and increasing capital expenditure, demonstrating a commitment to manufacturing in India.
Vodafone Idea is in talks with the government for AGR relief following a Supreme Court dismissal, crucial for its sustainability beyond FY26. CEO Akshaya Moondra highlighted the need for revised pricing amid low ARPU and industry challenges.
Zoho cofounder Sridhar Vembu argues that the primary concern with AI and automation isn't job loss, but equitable wealth distribution. He envisions two potential solutions: drastically reduced costs of goods or increased compensation for human-centric roles. Vembu stresses the importance of regulatory oversight to prevent monopolies and ensure automation benefits are widely shared.
India's foreign exchange reserves rebounded, climbing by $6.992 billion to $692.721 billion in the week ending May 23, according to the RBI. This increase was driven by a rise in foreign currency assets and gold holdings.
Maruti Suzuki India announced a record-breaking achievement, transporting 5.18 lakh vehicles via Indian Railways in FY 2024-25. Since FY 2014-15, cumulative railway dispatches have reached 24 lakh vehicles, servicing over 600 cities through 20-plus railway hubs. By FY 2030-31, the company aims to increase vehicle dispatches via railways to 35 percent, reducing carbon emissions and conserving fuel.
Indian markets are poised for an upswing, fueled by the RBI's significant rate cut and optimism surrounding a potential US-India trade agreement. Investors will closely monitor inflation data, monsoon progress, and global trade discussions. However, global headwinds, including potential shifts in US tariffs and geopolitical tensions, could induce market volatility.