US President Donald Trump plans to reintroduce a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, raising concerns for Indian steel producers facing intense competition and oversupply. Despite the significant tariffs, India's strong domestic market is expected to mitigate adverse effects on its steel industry.
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In November, the RBI sold $20 billion from its forex reserves to stabilize the rupee. Nomura observes that the central bank has sold $89.4 billion since October 2024, yet India's forex reserves remain adequate with a 236% adequacy ratio as of January 3, 2025. Despite a dip from a peak of 266%, the reserves remain robust.
President Donald Trump has suggested a trade deal with China may be possible, despite ongoing tariff escalations between the US and several key trading partners. Both countries are urged to resolve disputes with mutual respect and dialogue. Tariffs have stirred global market anxiety and prompted international responses.
SBI raised concerns over the financial stability of women-centric Direct Benefit Transfer schemes in various states, highlighting a significant strain on state budgets. These schemes, costing over Rs 1.5 lakh crore across eight states, could pose fiscal risks, especially schemes like Karnataka's Gruha Lakshmi and West Bengal’s Lakshmir Bhandar. The report calls for a holistic evaluation of welfare spending.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai were recognized as the most influential global Indians in the HSBC Hurun Global Indians List 2024. Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, and Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja followed. The list also highlighted notable young leaders and emphasized the achievements of influential women leaders overseeing companies worth $436 billion.
Punjab and Sind Bank plans to raise Rs 2,000 crore through Qualified Institutional Placement this quarter, reducing government holding by 3-4%. The government currently holds a 98.25% stake. This fundraising will boost the capital adequacy ratio by March 2025. The bank's net profit surged to Rs 282 crore in Q3, 2024, as bad loans declined.
Venture capital fund Cedar-IBSi Capital forecasts USD 1 billion investment in India's BankTech sector by 2027, highlighting its role in achieving a USD 7 trillion GDP target by 2030. Founder Sahil Anand underscores digital transformation in banking, emphasizing technology's impact on financial inclusion. The fund plans to back 10–15 early-stage startups within this transformative sector.
Indian banks are predicted to see a 12.5% credit growth by FY 2025, according to an HSBC report. Despite GDP slowdown risks and tight liquidity, the retail loan sector showed positive momentum in November 2024, driven by demand for personal, home, and gold loans, with an uptick in credit to MSMEs and corporates.
US President Donald Trump intends to impose reciprocal tariffs on countries like China, Brazil, and India to address trade imbalances and make American industries more competitive. While US tariffs are comparably low, Trump's statements suggest a tit-for-tat approach that might lead to increased prices in the US.
The Federal Reserve decided to maintain its benchmark lending rate between 4.25% and 4.50% despite President Trump's calls for reductions. The Fed highlighted stable unemployment and solid labor conditions, while acknowledging elevated inflation. Experts are uncertain about future rate cuts amid Trump's trade and immigration policies.
Singapore’s Temasek acquires a 9-10% stake in Haldiram Snacks Foods for over Rs 8,500 crore, valuing the company at around $10 billion. The deal, signed on March 11, marks a significant move in India’s FMCG sector, highlighting increased foreign investment. Discussions with Blackstone and Alpha Wave Global for an additional 5% stake are still ongoing.