RBI draft norms mandate disclosure, curb harsh loan recovery practices
The Reserve Bank of India has proposed draft guidelines directing banks and housing finance companies to follow stricter rules while using recovery agents. Banks must give borrowers written details of assigned agents, avoid setting targets that may lead to harsh practices, and not engage agents if a grievance is already filed.
IT stocks go into a tailspin as US data adds to AI disruption
Indian software services stocks experienced a significant sell-off, with the Nifty IT index dropping over 5% for the second time in under 10 days. Unexpectedly strong US jobs data and growing concerns about AI’s disruptive potential are weighing heavily on investor sentiment and valuations.
New CPI series explained: What changed, why it matters, and what’s new
India’s statistics ministry has updated the Consumer Price Index (CPI) base year to 2024 from 2012, reflecting evolving household consumption patterns. The revised index includes more items, expanded price collection, and incorporates online market data, aiming for a more accurate measure of inflation for monetary policy.
Elevated growth, low inflation no fluke: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted India’s strong economic performance, characterized by high growth and low inflation, attributing it to government reforms. She refuted claims of middle-class suppression, citing an expanding taxpayer base and rising real incomes. The budget aims to guide India towards developed nation status by 2047.
Infosys ADRs plunge over 7%, Wipro down 5% as tech turbulence deepens on Wall Street
Infosys’ American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) slumped more than 7% on Thursday, touching an intraday low of $14.59 in early trade, while Wipro’s ADRs fell 5.4% to $2.26. The sharp decline follows a steep sell-off in IT stocks on Indian exchanges, with weakness spilling over to Wall Street.
Who imagined this? SBI overtakes TCS, Infosys in m-cap amid PSU banks’ turnaround: Gurmeet Chadha
SBI has overtaken TCS and Infosys in market value—a feat unimaginable five years ago, says Gurmeet Chadha. The surge reflects PSU banks’ sharp turnaround driven by better risk management and digitisation, even as IT stocks face heavy AI-led selling. Nifty IT has dropped 21% in a year, while PSU banks soar.
Multibaggers: 6 stocks held by over 100 MFs in January, surge up to 130% in a year
JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund adds Hindustan Zinc and 9 others, exits L&T Finance and 16 more stocks
JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund, an offering by JioBlackRock Mutual Fund, added Hindustan Zinc and nine other stocks in its portfolio as the new entrant in January and made a complete exit from L&T Finance and 16 other stocks in the same period. (Source: ACE MF)
Mamaearth Q3 Results: Cons PAT zooms 93% YoY to Rs 50 crore, revenue rises 16%
Mamaearth Q3 Results: Honasa Consumer posted a strong Q3, with net profit surging 93% YoY to Rs 50 crore. Sequential growth remained healthy, while like-for-like revenue hit a record high. Younger brands scaled rapidly, offline reach expanded, and product innovation continued to drive momentum for the company in the period under review.
2 top stock recommendations from Rajesh Bhosale
Indian stock markets are trading in a tight range. The Nifty index is finding it difficult to move past the 26,000 mark. Experts are advising investors to focus on specific stocks. Bajaj Finance and Hero MotoCorp are recommended for buying. Hindustan Unilever’s outlook is cautious. Selective stock picking offers opportunities amidst consolidation.