Latest Post Office Small Savings Schemes Rates: The government has announced that interest rates for small savings schemes will remain unchanged for the first quarter of FY 2025-26. PPF will continue at 7.1%, NSC at 7.7%, and both SCSS and SSY at 8.2%. Quarterly reviews determine these rates based on guidelines ensuring competitiveness.
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India and Qatar aim to double their bilateral trade to $28 billion in five years, transforming their relationship into a strategic partnership. PM Modi and Amir Al-Thani's high-level meeting led to key agreements on trade, investment, and energy cooperation, including extending India's LNG imports from Qatar. Additionally, they signed MoUs on economic cooperation and cultural exchange.
Vishal Mega Mart Ltd. launched its IPO, raising $944 million and valuing the company at $4 billion. The offering was oversubscribed 27 times, driven by strong investor demand. The company, which operates over 600 stores across India, focuses on value pricing and caters to middle- and lower-income consumers, primarily in smaller cities and towns.
Exiting an investment is as important as entering one. Reviewing your portfolio periodically and making objective decisions can improve long-term returns. If you struggle with investment exits, consult a financial expert.
US President Trump increased tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports to 50%, citing Ontario's electricity price hikes. The decision led to a drop in the US stock market, sparking concerns about economic slowdown and recession risks. Economists warn of inflation and growth challenges, while the White House emphasizes job creation and factory investments in the US.
Jefferies recommends a 10-12% increase in government capex in the 2025-26 Union Budget to maintain infrastructure development and boost stakeholder confidence. Despite a 16% rise in FY25 capex, actual spending lagged, requiring a 32% surge in the remaining months of FY25. Defence spending is projected to grow at a 7-8% CAGR, driven by domestic manufacturing and exports.
India's foreign exchange reserves surged by USD 15.267 billion to USD 653.966 billion by March 7, 2024, following a USD 10 billion forex swap by the RBI. Foreign currency assets and gold reserves saw significant increases, while the reserve position with the IMF decreased slightly. This marks the largest weekly rise in over two years.
Stock market holiday today: The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) are closed for trading today, April 10. Regular trading sessions, operating from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. IST, will continue on Friday, April 11.
The rupee experienced its sharpest single-day drop in two years, closing at 86.58 due to a stronger US dollar following robust job data and new sanctions on Russian oil. Additional factors like reduced forex reserves, FII outflows, and market expectations of prolonged high US interest rates aggravated the decline.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra faces a significant test as the rupee is poised to breach 86 due to a stronger dollar. This complicates GDP growth efforts expected to slow to 6.4% in FY25. Forex intervention has tightened liquidity, impacting interest rates and contributing to capital outflows.
The US is seeing a surge in visitors from India, doubling by 2029 and positioning India as the fourth largest inbound travel market. Despite this growth, long visa wait times and limited direct flights due to restricted airspace usage hinder its full potential.