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Chakri Lokapriya discusses the potential impact of US fiscal deficits and RBI surplus on the Indian market, highlighting opportunities in defence and infrastructure. He suggests caution with IndusInd Bank due to operational uncertainties and favors financials and industrials, particularly PSU banks and EPC companies. While pharma faces US tariff concerns, companies like Sun and Cipla offer potential upside.

Gold and silver futures surged, driven by Middle East tensions and a weakening dollar. Gold prices at MCX opened higher by Rs 635 at Rs 96,234/10 gms, while silver opened higher by Rs 719 at Rs 98,964/kg. Analysts suggest ranges for trading, while Robert Kiyosaki predicts significant long-term price increases for gold, silver, and Bitcoin.

India’s macro fundamentals are in a really sweet spot & proving to be one of the strongest versus major global economies. Tightly controlled fiscal & current account deficits, lower inflation & stable currency while maintaining growth handle around 6-6.5% are attracting back foreign flows in a major way.

Unified Data-Tech Solutions launched its IPO on May 22, aiming to raise Rs 144.47 crore through an offer for sale. With a price band of Rs 260-273 per share, the IPO closes on May 26 and anticipates listing on the BSE SME platform. The company, specializing in IT solutions, reported strong financials and expects a listing price around ₹331.

After a three-month lull, India's primary equity market is rebounding, with seven companies launching IPOs in May and more planned for June. This resurgence is fueled by a stabilizing secondary market, easing geopolitical tensions, and successful block deals. Investor confidence is returning, and the market favors companies with strong fundamentals and realistic valuations, signaling sustained growth.

Kazakhstan is strategically transforming its economy through Baiterek Holding, attracting global investors with transparent, market-driven policies. By 2027, Baiterek will inject €18.3 billion into key sectors like housing and infrastructure, supported by a €1.8 billion annual capitalization plan. These initiatives aim to foster sustainable growth and modernize critical industries, creating a pipeline of opportunities.

CreditAccess Grameen stock fell 9% in three sessions after Q4 showed rising slippages, higher credit cost, and weakening asset quality. Analysts cut FY27 earnings, but expect a rebound from H2FY26 as collection efficiency improves.

A violent protest in Moro taluka, Noushehro Feroze district, resulted in protesters setting fire to the Sindh Home Minister's house after clashes with police left two demonstrators dead. The unrest stemmed from opposition to canal and corporate farming projects, leading to looting, highway blockades, and injuries to both protesters and police.

Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz Chairman Shafi Burfat has alleged that Pakistan's military is using Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to push an anti-India agenda, claiming that Bhutto is being offered power in exchange for diplomatic efforts against India. Bhutto may face a fate similar to his family, he warned.

Amidst regional tensions, Afghanistan is reportedly planning new dams, potentially restricting water flow into Pakistan, following India's dam projects. A Taliban official, General Mubin, advocated for these dams in the Kunar region to bolster Afghanistan's electricity and agriculture.

Britain and the EU have forged new agreements to enhance defence cooperation, streamline food trade, and ease border checks, marking a significant reset in post-Brexit relations. Prime Minister Keir Starmer semphasized that these deals aim to reduce red tape, stimulate economic growth, and strengthen security ties.

US employment trends reveal a complex interplay of factors. Reduced interstate migration, particularly from cold to warm states, impacts regional job growth. Simultaneously, the rise of AI appears to be suppressing hiring in tech hubs like the San Francisco Bay Area, potentially signaling a structural shift in the labour market and a reordering of economic development across the US.

A Union Bank of India report indicates metal prices may increase the Wholesale Price Index. While overall WPI dropped in April 2025, metal prices rose. Core WPI moderated, but metals like iron and steel played a key role. Fuel WPI fell due to lower global oil prices.

The recently concluded Free Trade Agreement between India and the United Kingdom is expected to benefit both nations economically and could also pave the way for similar agreements with other countries such as the United States and the European Union, says a report by Bank of Baroda.

Reserve Bank of India may give a record dividend to the government. This could offset tax revenue shortfalls due to slow growth. Economists predict a payout between 3 to 3.5 trillion rupees. The windfall will help bridge the gap in tax collections. Government can use this to increase spending on social welfare.

Simple Energy, an electric two-wheeler manufacturer, is planning an IPO by FY27 to raise ₹3,000 crore for market expansion, a new manufacturing unit, and R&D. The company aims to increase its touchpoints from 15 to 500 in the next two years and targets ₹800 crore in revenue in FY26.

The Indian rupee slipped on Tuesday, tracking mild losses in regional peers and dollar demand from foreign banks, though broader weakness in the greenback limited the decline.

Paytm is set to announce its Q4FY25 results with brokerages divided on outcomes. JM Financial and Yes Securities expect a PAT swing to profit, while Motilal Oswal sees narrowed losses. Revenue estimates range from Rs 1,975 to Rs 2,199 crore. UPI incentives, improving EBITDA margins, and operating leverage remain key drivers and monitorables across all forecasts.

The rupee closed at 84.25 against the U.S. dollar, up 0.4% on the day. The currency had touched a peak of 84.1275 in early trading but trimmed gains in the latter half of the session.

The United States aims to reshape India's trade policies. This is part of a proposed agreement. The US seeks tariff cuts and regulatory changes. These changes could benefit American firms. Key areas of focus include agriculture and dairy. The US wants changes to India's minimum price support programs. They also want easier access for US retail giants.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal and EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic met in Brussels, reaffirming their commitment to finalize the India-EU Free Trade Agreement by the end of 2025. The discussions focused on enhancing market access, strengthening supply chains, and ensuring mutual benefits for sustainable development. Both sides emphasized the importance of a fair agreement to boost innovation and support future investments.

Krishnan Ramachandran's reappointment as CEO and MD of Niva Bupa Health Insurance has been approved by the IRDAI for a five-year term, starting May 1, 2025. With over two decades of experience in health insurance and healthcare, Ramachandran previously held leadership roles at Deloitte Consulting L.P., Arthur Andersen and Apollo DKV Insurance.

India and the US are set to begin face-to-face discussions in mid-May regarding their proposed bilateral trade agreement, following virtual talks this week. India aims to finalise the initial phase of the trade pact swiftly, potentially by September-October. Officials are monitoring potential import surges due to global tariff uncertainties, with a dedicated cell established for tracking.

Despite mixed market conditions, India’s financial sector remained resilient in Q4 FY25, with 11.1% YoY credit growth and stable asset quality. Gold loans and vehicle financiers led the performance, while microfinance showed improving collections. With RBI rate cuts likely, FY26 is expected to see 12% credit growth. Shriram Finance and HDFC Bank emerge as top picks for investors.

BJP has accused Arvind Kejriwal of orchestrating hoax calls to mislead voters, alleging that the AAP is claiming votes are being cut by the BJP to support AAP. They also allege distribution of money in slum areas and raised concerns about voter data confidentiality, demanding an investigation.

Lok Sabha election 2024: ​​The BJP-Shiv Sena won 41 of the 48 seats in the 2019 polls, but the Sena has split since and a vast majority of the Bal Thackeray-founded party is now allied with the BJP. The Nationalist Congress Party also split as well with Ajit Pawar joining the ruling alliance in the state, led by Eknath Shinde. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP emerged the top party with 23 seats, followed by the undivided Sena with 18.

Gujarat's upcoming Lok Sabha elections are influenced by PM Narendra Modi's charisma, anti-incumbency, unemployment, inflation, education, healthcare challenges, and BJP's endeavor to secure all 26 seats. ​​Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat will be held in a single phase on May 7. Counting of votes will be held on June 4. Anti-incumbency, unemployment, inflation, education and healthcare facilities are some of the other important issues in the election, where the ruling BJP in Gujarat will attempt to retain all the 26 Lok Sabha seats it won in 2019.

The BJP, riding high on its growing voter base in Telangana, is now aiming to win over 12 out of the total 17 seats and 35 per cent vote share, in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The party doubled its vote share to nearly 14 per cent resulting in eight seats in the assembly elections held on November 30, last year. BRS, which ruled the state for about a decade since its emergence, is low on morale following the defeat, even as its founder and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K Kavitha was arrested on the eve of poll dates announcement, adding insult to the injury.

Kavitha's arrest before Lok Sabha elections may psychologically impact BRS party. Meanwhile, fomer minister Harish Rao announced protests in the state. Moreover, desertion of MPs and leaders who are not contesting polls adds to party's troubles. Nagesh Kumar predictsed that more desertions could happen due to Kavitha's arrest.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee clarified that her fall at home was due to a 'sensation of push.' Initial reports suggested she fell due to 'some push from behind,' leading to injuries on her forehead and nose. Banerjee received treatment at SSKM Hospital and is reported to be clinically stable. The incident sparked speculation, but the police confirmed no complaint has been lodged. Banerjee has suffered injuries in the past and is under a "Z+ category" security cover.

Anita Nariani Schulze is part of the Sindhi minority. Her complaint alleges that her senior and direct managers, both male, consistently excluded her from meetings while inviting her male counterparts, criticised her, micromanaged her work and deprived her of bonuses, despite positive performance evaluations and significant team contributions.

But two senior envoys who attended said there was no direct response from the ministers gathered in Brussels when Blinken said: "We must push back on China together and show strength in unity."

This comes as the San-Francisco based firm is at the receiving end of the Indian government over an issue of blocking and unblocking certain handles tweeting about farmer protests.

Foreign companies looking for incentives under the scheme may have to invest Rs 500 crore over four years, while the threshold for domestic firms is likely to be around Rs 20 crore for five years, the source who did not wish to be named said.

Growth More than in MetrosAccording to companies like Aisle and Truly Madly, which have millions of users and position themselves as “serious” dating apps, and bespoke high-end dating services like Sirf Coffee, a lot more users from such places are not only keen on using these apps, but also willing to pay for it.

“Indian companies need to re-skill, train, and acquire more relevant talent, if they are to successfully integrate AI technologies. Most importantly, they should be willing to make the continued investment. It is an uphill race in which there will be winners and losers,” said Deloitte India CEO N Venkatram.

Ambassador Joao Cravinho, head of the EU delegation, led Ambassadors of various European countries to a quiet lunch with Modi at the capital last year.

"It is the collective wisdom of the marketplace that there is action and we will move with speed. That improves the confidence level of industry."

Directives from the Centre have to be executed at the state level. So, there are many things that are not in Modi’s hands, says Raamdeo Agrawal.

"The fact that we are the world’s largest democracy and we are all aware that power and a role in global affairs for a nation comes from economic strength."

"Now there is a stage three and stage four of digitisation, we will take a call on this only after taking all things into account."

"There is a leadership vacuum in the company, because they made the wrong choice of CEO three years ago and that is playing out right now."

Rupee#CAD#Economic crisis#Food Bill

The team behind The Artist will have spent the first day of the rest of their lives conforming to the grandest, and most lucrative, of Hollywood traditions.

It's the World Book fair, which comes around once every two years sprawling across the giant halls of Pragati Maidan. This is the fair's 20th edition.

An elephant figurine gifted by the then HM LK Advani to US Secretary of State Colin Powell in 2002, has made its way to the State Department hall.

Statistical models used by IMD will still be used for monsoon forecast, but the ministry of earth sciences is putting more emphasis on dynamic models.

Newly discovered documents have revealed the first telegraph messages and joy when England was linked for the first time with India on 23 June, 1870.

Hundreds of worried fans of ailing Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan today performed a yagna here to pray for his speedy recovery.

Alfa Laval (India) today said its parent firm has raised the delisting offer price to Rs 2,850 a share.