Plan your bank visits carefully as several branches will be closed on specific dates this July due to regional holidays. West Bengal and Mizoram observe closures today, July 6. Further state-specific holidays are scheduled across Meghalaya, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Sikkim, and Tripura. Remember, Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays also mean branch closures. Digital
A Chinese AI startup, Z.ai, is making waves with its new model, GLM-5.2, offering advanced coding and AI agent features at a lower cost than US rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic. This development is attracting developers and sparking discussions about China’s growing AI competitiveness, especially as US restrictions push users towards alternative solutions. For Indian
India faces renewed trade uncertainty as the US Trade Representative moves forward with a probe into forced labor, potentially replacing existing tariffs. Hearings are underway, with a proposed 12.5% tariff impacting over 50 nations, including India. This development could shift trade deal negotiations, with the US possibly using structural overcapacity issues as leverage for bilateral
Titan’s online jewellery arm, CaratLane, is eyeing a West Asian debut through its recent acquisition, Damas Jewellery. While recent regional conflicts have temporarily halted expansion plans, CaratLane sees Damas’ extensive store network as a strategic entry point. This move could see CaratLane counters integrated within Damas’ over 140 outlets across six GCC nations, offering a
Urban Indians significantly boost their spending on Saturdays and Sundays, with a 1.6 times higher expenditure compared to weekdays. Fashion, entertainment, electronics, and dining see a marked increase as people enjoy leisure time. This trend is particularly strong in major metros and among higher-income groups, indicating a shift towards aspirational consumption.
Indian stock markets are poised for a week driven by crude oil prices, global cues, and the commencement of the corporate earnings season, with TCS set to announce its June-quarter results. Investors will also be watching the monsoon’s progress and foreign investor activity. Key economic data from the US, including Federal Reserve minutes, will provide
Life insurance policyholders are increasingly cashing out early, with surrenders now surpassing maturity payouts, according to the RBI’s Financial Stability Report. This trend, particularly driven by private insurers, signals potential policyholder dissatisfaction and mis-selling concerns. Soaring distribution costs are further exacerbating the risk of agents pushing unsuitable products to meet acquisition targets. Regulators are now
