India’s defence sector has surged, outperforming all others with a 34.82% return in six months, driven by government support and strong order visibility. PSUs like HAL and BEL lead the rally, fueled by ‘Make in India’ initiatives and geopolitical tensions. While defence funds see gains, experts caution against chasing momentum due to potential valuation consolidation.
India’s quick commerce sector is rapidly expanding in metros, but faces hurdles in non-metro cities due to weak demand, low digital adoption, and strong local shopping habits. While the sector has grown significantly, non-metros contribute a small portion of GMV, highlighting the challenges of building profitable businesses in these areas.
China’s dominance in rare earth metals poses challenges for India, which seeks to establish a domestic production chain. Despite holding 6% of global deposits, India’s output remains low due to technical and economic hurdles. Government initiatives and international collaborations aim to reduce reliance on China, but significant investment and technological advancements are crucial for success.
US stocks edged higher, with the S&P 500 reaching a new high, as strong jobs data tempered expectations for a July rate cut by the Federal Reserve, causing Treasury yields to surge. The market rally followed a surprisingly robust US jobs report, leading investors to reassess the likelihood of an imminent rate cut.
US jobless claims fell to 233,000 last week, signaling a robust labor market despite economic uncertainties. The Labor Department’s data showed a decrease of 4,000 claims, surpassing analyst predictions. The four-week moving average also declined, reinforcing the stability in employment trends, with the number of Americans receiving unemployment aid remaining steady.
Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi announced India’s sugar sector has expanded into a Rs 1.3 lakh crore annual industry, crediting policy reforms for driving rural development, energy independence, and green fuel production. Ethanol production capacity has increased more than fourfold in 11 years, reaching 1,810 crore litres annually. Ethanol blending in petrol has risen from…
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) advocates for a comprehensive revamp of India’s critical minerals policy, pushing for automatic mining rights for Exploration Licence holders. They also propose viability gap funding and FTA provisions to secure mineral supply chains. CII projects India’s economy to grow at 6.4–6.7% by 2027, emphasizing the need for reforms to…
India’s residential real estate market experienced a broad-based price increase in the first half of 2025, fueled by surging demand for premium homes. NCR and Bengaluru led the gains with a 14% year-on-year increase. While affordable housing sales declined, the overall market remained healthy, driven by strong traction in the mid-premium range.
Prada is set to meet with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce to discuss a collaboration on a Kolhapuri chappal-inspired sandal line, following criticism for not crediting Indian artisans. The meeting aims to explore co-branded collections, skill development, and cultural exchange. MACCIA proposes a joint working group and a ‘Prada Artisan Excellence Lab’ to ensure ethical…
The US job market is showing signs of a slowdown, with expectations of only 115,000 jobs added in June, marking the weakest gain since early 2023. The unemployment rate is predicted to rise to 4.3%. Experts attribute this to President Trump’s trade tariffs, hiring freeze, and immigration policies impacting business confidence.
