The Reserve Bank of India’s recent monetary policy measures aim to bolster the rupee by attracting significant capital inflows, estimated between $40-75 billion. Despite rising inflation and revised growth forecasts, the Monetary Policy Committee is expected to maintain the repo rate at 5.25% with a neutral stance in August, prioritizing stability and external sector defense.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the Economic Advisory Council to discuss strengthening India’s economic growth amidst global uncertainty. The Reserve Bank of India kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25%, citing geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns, while revising GDP growth and inflation projections downwards and upwards respectively for FY2026-27.
India’s investor base has reached a new peak with over 26 crore unique trading accounts on the NSE. The exchange added the latest crore accounts in under four months, highlighting rapid growth beyond major financial hubs. This surge is fueled by digitalization, simpler KYC, and positive market performance, with individual investors now holding a significant
India is launching E85 petrol, an 85% ethanol blend, at discounted prices. This move aims to boost clean fuel adoption and cut reliance on imported fossil fuels. The government plans a phased rollout of E85 dispensing stations nationwide. Vehicle manufacturers are introducing E85 compatible models. This initiative is expected to benefit farmers and save foreign
Tech stocks, particularly semiconductors, experienced a significant downturn Friday, driven by investor caution over AI valuations and robust US jobs data. The PHLX Semiconductor Index saw its steepest drop since March 2020, erasing billions in market value. This retreat follows a period of record highs, with strong employment figures fueling concerns about interest rate cuts.
Consumers are increasingly opting for smaller pack sizes of everyday goods, from edible oils to soaps, as rising costs strain monthly budgets. This shift, driven by economic stress and geopolitical factors, is leading FMCG companies to reduce grammage in popular low-priced packs to maintain affordability and protect profit margins.
The Reserve Bank of India is introducing new rules for bank deposit interest rates. Banks must now publish their interest rate schedules online each morning and stick to them throughout the day. This ensures customers know the exact rates available. Additionally, banks can now consider withdrawal risk when setting rates for large deposits, adding a
The Indian government is preparing further policy steps to protect the economy from the West Asia conflict. These measures will ensure sufficient availability of goods and raw materials. The focus is on stabilizing the Indian currency and foreign exchange flows. Additional measures will be announced as needed. The government is closely monitoring trade deficits and
Government and RBI measures to boost foreign investment in government securities led to a bond rally, with benchmark 10-year G-Sec yields softening. Exemptions from long-term capital gains and withholding taxes for FPIs in G-Secs, along with expanded investment options, are seen as positive for the fixed income market.
