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The ministry has also estimated a $4.43 billion trade surplus in goods and services in February, the first surplus after the Covid-19 pandemic. In February, India’s gold imports slipped to $2.3 billion from the past month’s $2.68 billion. Meanwhile, crude oil imports dropped to $11.8 billion from $13.4 billion in January, data showed. Sequentially, goods exports were up 1.31% from January 2025. “This was a difficult year for us for trade. We are positively moving in the direction of above $800 billion exports,” said commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal, adding that services exports are growing above 14%. Live Events E

Indian lenders as early as next month. Multiple-and simultaneous-central bank measures to boost systemic liquidity will help reduce the rates on instruments such as certificates of deposit (CD) and commercial paper (CP). Lower capital costs should also bring down lending rates earlier than expected. «The central bank's stance on liquidity management seems to have shifted toward 'accommodative' from 'neutral', as reflected in the large liquidity infusion through multiple tools,» said Soumyajit Niyogi, director-core analytical group at India Ratings. «If this continues, the overall rates in the economy, including lending rates by banks, may start softening.» However, the bet is on short-term rates easing first in FY26, when lower inflation is expected to help prolong the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) easing cycle.

Blackwell Ultra GB300 AI chip, developments in quantum computing, and new AI-driven innovations in robotics, autonomous systems, and data centers.

Falling on a Monday this year, the national holiday gives many a well-deserved break to enjoy parades and festivities. However, for those yet to complete their shopping, it's important to note that most stores will operate on reduced hours, similar to their Sunday schedules, as mentioned in a report by Irish Mirror. Although shops like Dunnes, Lidl, Tesco, Aldi, and SuperValu are open, the bank holiday status means many will open later and close earlier than usual. To avoid disappointment, customers are advised to check specific store hours online before making a trip.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. New Delhi: When Bell Laboratories developed the first silicon solar cell in 1954, a technological breakthrough that converted sunlight into electricity, the invention made headlines. “It may mark the beginning of a new era," went a story in The New York Times, “leading eventually to the realization of one of mankind’s most cherished dreams—the harnessing of the almost limitless energies of the sun." That hope was born out of a humbling statistic: the amount of sunlight that strikes the earth’s surface in an hour and a half is enough to meet the world’s energy demand for a year.

In a statement today (17 March), MHA's directors said admission to London's Alternative Investment Market (AIM) would provide a raft of benefits, including the chance to «strengthen its market position as a fast-growing accountancy firm, enhance its profile with existing clients […] and continue to attract, incentivise, develop and retain staff».  AIM companies valued at over £1bn hit nine-year low amid rise in takeovers and main market moves The float, which is set to take place «in the coming weeks», will seek to raise up to £125m through ordinary shares with investors also set to b...

Salesforce and initial public offering (IPO)-bound electric two-wheeler manufacturer Ather Energy on Monday announced an automotive dealer management system using autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) agents. The mobile app-based solution will allow dealers to make decisions in real time and improve customer satisfaction, the two companies said. The Ather dealership platform aims to reduce customer turnaround time which usually takes about four weeks to address. Through the collaboration, the two partners are also exploring how a shortage of skilled workforce in certain domains can be resolved. Ather Energy currently has 350 dealers across the country and will be looking to expand its footprint in the coming months, the firm said. The interface will also track the operational efficiency of different functions using AI-powered platforms.

Sunita Williams floating effortlessly in the microgravity environment of the International Space Station (ISS). Her hair, a striking mane of salt-and-pepper curls, moved freely around her head, completely unaffected by gravity. For many, this image might raise an interesting question, how do astronauts manage their hair in space? It turns out haircare is just as essential beyond Earth as it is on the ground.

New York State plummeted this month by the most in nearly two years, a survey showed on Monday, with new orders falling sharply and input prices climbing at the fastest rate in more than two years in the latest sign the economy may be weakening, as per a report. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York said its Empire State manufacturing index plunged by nearly 26 points — the largest drop since May 2023 — to a reading of negative 20.0 from positive 5.7 in February, Reuters reported. The reading was lower than all 26 forecasts in a Reuters poll of economists, which had a median expectation of minus 1.50. «New orders and shipments declined,» the report said. «Input prices increased at the fastest pace in more than two years, and selling price increases also continued to pick up. Optimism about the outlook waned considerably for a second consecutive month.» It was the latest survey to paint a picture of a weakening factory sector struggling to adjust to President Donald Trump's roll-out of tariffs on a rapidly widening range of imported goods. Trump on Monday repeated his threat that more tariffs are coming in early April, and he reiterated that he had no intention of granting exemptions for the hefty levies on steel and aluminum imports that went into effect last week.

Viduthalai, helmed by acclaimed director Vetrimaaran, is set to stream on ZEE5 in Hindi starting March 28. This political crime thriller, which has already garnered significant buzz, features a stellar ensemble cast, including Vijay Sethupathi as the mysterious revolutionary Perumal, alongside Soori, Manju Warrier, Kishore, and Rajiv Menon. Following the critical acclaim of Viduthalai: Part 1, released in March 2023, the sequel promises to escalate the stakes with its gripping narrative.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. SELLES-SAINT-DENIS, France—In a vast factory surrounded by forest, workers here are assembling the missiles that will help rearm Europe and supply Ukraine. Europe’s ability to wean itself off a post-Cold War reliance on U.S.

The S&P 500 down 6% since his inauguration as investors are withdrawing funds from the US and investing them in stocks abroad, reported New York Times.

net direct tax collections to comfortably meet the upwardly revised target of Rs 22.37 lakh crore by the end of this fiscal. Net direct tax collections from April 1, 2024, to March 15, 2024, stood at Rs Rs 21.26 lakh crore, up 13.13% year on year, boosted by total advance tax collections of Rs 10.44 lakh crore, up 14.62%, official data released Monday said. The advance tax collection for the March quarter of Rs 2.94 lakh crore Corporates have paid Rs 7.57 lakh crore advance tax and individuals, firms and LLPs have paid Rs 2.87 lakh crore as advance tax from April to March 15 period. Out of the net direct tax collections corporate tax stood at Rs 9.69 lakh crore and personal income tax stood at Rs 11.01 lakh crore.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reassured depositors of IndusInd Bank that “there is no cause for concern” amid recent worries about the bank’s financial health. IndusInd Bank recently revealed that it faced some financial discrepancies concerning its currency derivative transactions over the past seven to eight years, which will result in a financial hit of Rs 1,600 crore. “There has been some speculation relating to IndusInd Bank in certain quarters, perhaps arising from recent events related to the bank. The Reserve Bank would like to state that the bank (IndusInd Bank) is well-capitalised and the financial position of the bank remains satisfactory,” the RBI said in a press release on March 15, 2025. Also read: After DCB Bank, Shivalik SFB, this bank slashes FD interest rates: Check latest FD interest rates

Thames Water has received court approval for up to 3 billion pounds of emergency funding

In a stock exchange notice today (17 March), the board said that while its net asset value had increased 13.4% since its IPO in 2020, the board and investment manager felt that the private equity portfolio offered «a better opportunity set in the current environment». Gravis' Matthew Norris: Why private equity is snapping up REITs for a bargain The trust currently invests in a split of public and private UK equities and according to the RNS notice, 70% of the trust is currently invested in PE, 23.5% in listed stocks and the rest in cash. Indeed the latest interim report for 2024 sh...

A whole lot of chutzpah, leaps of faith, and a dash of putting yourself out there. You wouldn’t know from Manoj Pipersania’s demeanour that he’s painfully shy. Over a virtual call from Jaipur, the 46-year-old Founder and CEO of Softserv Solutions talks animatedly about everything from being visible for the sake of his employees (more on that later) to his penchant for shooting and getting a pilot’s licence. Softserv Solutions is more than a template IT firm specialising in business automation. Established as a private limited company in 2012, the company also offers tailored barcode solutions for use cases such as warehousing, clinical research, and RFID tagging for jewellery and other products. Its 20,000 sq ft headquarters in Jaipur belies the fact that Softserv is a micro enterprise employing just over 60 people. As Pipersania puts it, “We are the richest company in the world.” And scale has little to do with it. Pipersania started out in the early aughts as a CCNA (short for Cisco Certified Network Associate) IT specialist who configured ATMs for state-run Bank of Baroda before moving to Nepal to automate financial processes for a cooperative bank in the country. Running on just three hours of sleep a night, he’d write programmes and shop them to local businesses that needed to automate their processes. Thereon, he hopscotched from one job to another across countries — in India for Electronic Data Systems, now an HP subsidiary, then the US’ largest health insurer, UnitedHealth Group.

Shares of Axis Bank Ltd.(up 2.38 per cent), ICICI Bank Ltd.(up 1.52 per cent), IndusInd Bank Ltd.(up 0.76 per cent), Federal Bank Ltd.(up 0.42 per cent) and Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.(up 0.41 per cent) ended the day as top gainers in the pack.

Trump administration's tariffs on imported goods from Canada, Mexico and China — some already in place, others set to take effect in a few weeks — are already driving up the cost of building materials used in new residential construction and home remodeling projects. The tariffs are projected to raise the costs that go into building a single-family home in the US by USD 7,500 to USD 10,000, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Such costs are typically passed along to the homebuyer in the form of higher prices, which could hurt demand at a time when the US housing market remains in a slump and many builders are having to offer buyers costly incentives to drum up sales. We Buy Houses in San Francisco, which purchases foreclosed homes and then typically renovates and sells them, is increasing prices on its refurbished properties between 7 per cent and 12 per cent. That's even after saving USD 52,000 in costs by stockpiling 62 per cent more Canadian lumber than usual. «The uncertainty of how long these tariffs will continue has been the most challenging aspect of our planning,» said CEO Mamta Saini.

Shriya Lohia has etched her name in motorsports history by becoming the first Indian female driver to compete in Formula 4 (F4) racing. At just 16, she has already achieved a major milestone by scoring points in the inaugural Indian Formula 4 Championship, representing the Hyderabad Blackbirds, one of the country’s top racing teams. Her journey into motorsports began at the young age of nine when she took up karting. With an exceptional talent for speed and precision, she quickly rose through the ranks, securing over 30 podium finishes across various competitions. Her consistent performance and dedication earned her multiple accolades, including four recognitions from the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), the governing body for motorsports in the country. In 2022, Shriya’s remarkable achievements were further honoured with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, India's highest civilian award for children, recognizing her excellence in motorsports. As she continues to break barriers, Shriya stands as a trailblazer for aspiring female racers in India, proving that talent and determination can drive success in a male-dominated sport.

Jyotivardhan Jaipuria, Founder & MD, Valentis Advisors, says after the correction, they are getting a little more constructive on the market. He is no longer worried about high valuations of the Indian market because relatively, the valuations are looking okay. Now, we trade at around 65% premium to emerging market PEs, which is more or less in line with global averages and way below what it was six months back. As for earning growth, the March quarter will likely be closer to 8% and next year it may be 11-12%. Once earnings growth picks up, the market will feel relatively better and start moving up. Jaipuria also says he likes banks, pharma and in the consumption space the three picks are white goods, travel and probably auto ancillaries. Do you think banks will lead this rally going ahead and that is the sector to be in at this point in time because we have a lot of them saying yes, because the valuations are now reasonable, it is attractive, and banks is where one should be. Jyotivardhan Jaipuria: We also like banks and unfortunately, we are with the consensus here. The reason we like banks is valuations. If we do 10-year valuations for all sectors, banks are the only sector where valuations currently are below the 10-year valuations. So, to that extent, there is a lot of margin of comfort there because at low valuations, you need fundamentals to improve a bit, and then you can get decent share price performances, so that is why we like the banks.