Business
Winter session: To ensure sin goods stay costly, FM Sitharaman moves bills for extra levies
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced two bills to levy excise duty on tobacco products and a health and national security cess on pan masala, following the withdrawal of GST compensation cess. These measures aim to maintain high taxation on ‘sin goods’ and fund public health and national security initiatives.
Car sales robust in November: Maruti Suzuki hits record high; see top performers
Indian auto sales surged in November 2025, with Maruti Suzuki achieving record figures driven by strong domestic demand and exports. Hyundai and Tata Motors also reported significant year-on-year growth, boosted by GST reforms and increasing EV adoption. Toyota Kirloskar Motor continued its upward trend, showcasing the industry’s robust recovery.
Rupee outlook: Currency slips to 89.53 against US dollar; manufacturing and industrial growth slow
The Indian rupee fell to a new low of 89.53 against the US dollar on Monday, driven by increased dollar demand and trade deficit concerns. Limited central bank intervention and delays in the India-US trade deal further weakened the currency. Economic indicators also pointed to a slowdown in manufacturing and industrial output.
US markets today: Wall Street falls as Bitcoin sinks; manufacturing slowdown and tariff pressures deepen concerns
Indian markets mirrored global trends as US stocks dipped. Bitcoin’s slide impacted crypto firms. Global bond yields rose, influencing investor sentiment. US factory activity showed a decline. Companies faced ongoing supply chain and hiring challenges. Investors watched holiday shopping data and corporate news.
Cyberfraud on rise: Fraudsters shift focus towards small business accounts; exploit PANs and fake Udhyam certificates
Financial fraudsters are increasingly targeting small business and current accounts to move illicit funds, a shift from previous reliance on retail and Jan Dhan accounts. Scammers are exploiting easy access to business PANs and fake Udhyam certificates to open these accounts, which are then used as mule accounts to obscure the trail of stolen money.
Indian buyers secure huge soy oil deal: Traders lock in over 150k tons/month from South America; here’s why
Indian importers are securing substantial volumes of South American soybean oil for delivery in 2026, anticipating a surge in palm oil prices. This strategic move is driven by expectations of tightened palm oil supplies due to Indonesia’s planned biodiesel expansion and concerns over global availability.
IPO buzz: Rs 40,000 crore set to be raised by firms from upcoming listings; led by ICICI Prudential AMC, Meesho
India’s IPO market is buzzing with activity, with nearly two dozen companies set to launch public issues soon, potentially raising Rs 40,000 crore. This surge, driven by strong retail participation and domestic inflows, includes major names like ICICI Prudential AMC and Meesho. Experts anticipate a record fundraising year, highlighting investor confidence and a robust economic…