Gold nears one-month high, set for seventh straight monthly rise
Gold surged to a near one-month high, nearing its seventh consecutive monthly gain. Geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning U.S.-Iran nuclear talks and potential military action, fueled a flight to safety. Lower U.S. Treasury yields further bolstered bullion’s appeal. Meanwhile, China’s gold imports saw a significant jump, indicating strong consumer demand.
Wall Street Week Ahead: AI disruption hangs over US markets as investors wary of risks
Artificial intelligence is creating uncertainty for the US stock market. Investors are watching closely for how this technology will change businesses. Key economic reports and company earnings are due soon. Experts are debating whether companies will benefit from AI or be replaced by it. This debate is causing market jitters.
Bad Memories of Another Day for Lenders as Bihar Moves to Regulate Microloans
Bihar’s new microfinance law could stall the sector’s rebound. The state assembly passed a bill regulating money lending, a move that may push up loan defaults, echoing issues seen in other states. Lenders are prioritizing borrower engagement to curb repayment delays, and the industry aims to reassure borrowers while safeguarding asset quality.
IIFL Home Finance inks $300 million loan pact with ADB
IIFL Home Finance has secured a $300 million loan from the Asian Development Bank to expand affordable housing lending for low-income families, with a special emphasis on women. A portion of the funds will back green-certified, energy-efficient homes, helping address India’s substantial housing shortage and extending homeownership to underserved communities nationwide.
Sensex, Nifty singed at the end of a fiery February
Indian equities closed February on a weaker note as the Sensex and Nifty slipped, led by a sharp drop in IT shares amid concerns about AI-driven disruptions. Foreign institutional buyers returned, but domestic institutional purchases slowed. Geopolitical tensions and rich valuations kept risk sentiment under pressure, with analysts forecasting a continued uneasy tone in the […]
Average lending rates on new loans firm up
January saw Mumbai’s new rupee-loan rates climb, propelled mainly by state-owned lenders. By contrast, rates on existing loans dipped slightly and deposit rates declined a touch. The move unfolds in the RBI’s policy backdrop, after its prior repo-rate reduction.