Britain plans a significant boost to its defence industry. The government will invest £1.5 billion in new weapons factories. This aims to increase production capacity. The move comes ahead of a major defence review. The review will address the threats from Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. The UK also plans to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP.
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India and the US are progressing towards a bilateral trade agreement, even as the impact of a US court order on potential tariffs is assessed. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the advancements alongside ongoing trade deal negotiations with the EU at the CII's Annual Business Summit 2025.
Jefferies reports a positive outlook for Indian bonds due to falling inflation and anticipated RBI rate cuts. India's 10-year government bond has significantly outperformed US Treasuries. Global investors are increasingly drawn to Indian bonds, seeking higher yields and stability amidst a shift away from G7 debt, signaling confidence in the Indian market.
Little Caesars, the world's third-largest pizza chain, is set to launch in India this month, marking its 30th global market. Partnering with Harnessing Harvest, the Detroit-based brand will open its first outlet in the Delhi-NCR region. This expansion comes as India's pizza market is projected to reach $11.8 billion by 2033, dominated by players like Domino's and Pizza Hut.
Bharat has formally requested consultations with the United States under the WTO. This challenges American tariffs on automobile parts. The move follows Bharat's earlier decision to reserve the right to impose retaliatory duties on select US goods. This is in response to Washington’s tariffs on steel and aluminium. Bharat seeks to discuss the implications of the US measure.
The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee convened amidst expectations of a policy rate cut to bolster economic growth, influenced by global uncertainties. Analysts anticipate a 25-50 bps reduction in the repo rate, currently at 6%, following previous cuts. Experts believe easing rates will stimulate consumer spending, investment, and credit flow to MSMEs.
The Indian femtech sector, after a funding peak in 2021, is now seeing strategic consolidation through acquisitions. IVF Access, a fertility chain, recently acquired Proactive For Her, a digital women's health clinic. This acquisition signals a shift towards integrated platforms offering full-stack clinical care, moving beyond standalone apps to address the entire care journey.
India's services sector performed well in May. The HSBC India Services PMI Business Activity Index increased. This indicates growth in activity, hiring, and international demand. Companies hired more staff at a record pace. Export orders surged, especially from Asia, Europe, and North America. Businesses are optimistic about future activity. The HSBC India Composite PMI Output Index was 59.3 in May.
Bank of Baroda has reduced its repo-linked lending rate by 50 basis points to 8.15%, effective June 7, following the Reserve Bank of India's policy rate cut. This move aims to make loans more affordable for homes, cars, and businesses, potentially boosting credit demand. The rate cut aligns with the bank's commitment to support customers with affordable credit.
Yes Bank shares plunged 7.4% to Rs 21.55 following reports of a 3% equity stake changing hands via block deals, potentially involving a PE investor.
The OECD projects India's economy to expand by 6.3% in 2025-26 and 6.4% in 2026-27, remaining the fastest-growing G20 economy despite global uncertainties. While private consumption and investment are expected to remain strong, export growth may moderate due to weaker global demand and trade policy uncertainty.