Trending Economy

Listen as Radio

Moody's: India-EU FTA to Boost Trade and Exports

A free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU) was announced on January 27, 2026, with expectations for signing and implementation later this year. According to Moody's Ratings, the FTA will enable India to diversify its trade relationships and enhance market access for exporters amid rising US tariffs. The agreement is anticipated to bolster economic security for the EU by expanding access to India's rapidly growing market while mitigating risks associated with concentrated trade ties. While the immediate credit impact may be limited, the FTA is expected to positively influence trade volumes and stability for both parties in the long run. Key sectors such as textiles, automotive, and machinery stand to benefit, with Indian manufacturers likely to see reduced input costs from cheaper European imports. However, competitive pressures may increase for domestic producers, underscoring the need for India to improve its business environment and regulatory framework. sources

Published:
Jan 30 2026, 12 pm

Bartronics, Origo Commodities sign MoU for agri-business expansion

Bartronics India Ltd and Origo Commodities India Private Ltd have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on Project Avio, an initiative aimed at enhancing agricultural support for farmers in India. This project focuses on improving access to agricultural inputs, market linkages, post-harvest services, and trade facilitation, with a goal of generating $1 billion in agri-linked business over the next three years. Leveraging Bartronics' extensive rural network across over 5,000 villages and Origo's expertise in agri-technology and supply chain management, the partnership aims to create an integrated agri-commerce ecosystem. The collaboration will enhance operational efficiency and expand market access for farmers and agri-enterprises. Vidhya Sagar Reddy, Managing Director of Bartronics, emphasized the importance of agriculture in India's economy and the potential of technology-led solutions to improve farmers' income opportunities. sources

Published:
Jan 30 2026, 2 pm

Bitcoin falls to two-month low as $4.8B ETF exits

Bitcoin has plunged to new two-month lows, trading at $81,102 in early Asia, marking a 3.9% drop and extending a decline that has seen the cryptocurrency fall over 34% from its all-time high on October 6. This downturn coincides with three consecutive months of net outflows from US-listed Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), totaling $4.8 billion, raising concerns about the token's status as a digital alternative to gold. Analysts note that Bitcoin's value in gold terms has decreased by 60% since late 2024, further questioning its role as a safe-haven asset amid rising geopolitical tensions. Market sentiment remains bearish, with some traders predicting a potential drop below $80,000, which could exacerbate the selloff over the weekend. Experts suggest that the recent price movements indicate a resumption of the downtrend, challenging Bitcoin's perceived stability in the financial landscape. sources

Published:
Jan 30 2026, 10 am

CPI revision could raise inflation by 20-30 bps: SBI

A report by SBI Ecowrap indicates that following the revision of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) base year from 2011-12 to 2023-24, overall CPI inflation is projected to rise marginally by 20-30 basis points. The report highlights that while the new weights applied to the unchanged index lead to this slight increase, in months of higher food inflation, the new CPI could be lower by the same margin. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) established an expert group to ensure the CPI reflects changing household consumption patterns and global best practices. The new CPI 2024 series will include 358 weighted items across various categories, with significant adjustments in weight structures, such as a reduction in food and beverage weight from 45.86 to 36.75. The first data release for CPI 2024 is scheduled for February 12, 2026, covering data from January 2025 and inflation figures for January 2026. sources

Published:
Jan 30 2026, 9 am

Modi's Budget Focus: Growth Amid Global Risks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming budget is expected to prioritize job creation and economic resilience amid global uncertainties, according to a Bloomberg News survey of economists. With millions entering the workforce annually, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is anticipated to increase spending on infrastructure, including roads and railways, while reforming import duties to stimulate exports. The government aims to maintain fiscal consolidation, targeting a budget deficit reduction to 4.2% of GDP for the fiscal year starting April, down from 4.4%. Despite a challenging investment climate, capital expenditure is projected at approximately 12.04 trillion rupees, with defense spending rising due to ongoing border tensions. Economists predict GDP growth of 6.5% to 7% and inflation around the central bank's 4% target, while the government may resort to record bond borrowing to support its financial plans. sources

Published:
Jan 30 2026, 9 am

Coromandel Q3 Profit After Tax Drops

Coromandel International, part of the Murugappa Group, reported a net profit of ₹488 crore for the third quarter ending December 31, 2025, a slight decline from ₹508 crore in the same period last year. However, total income surged to ₹8,863 crore, up from ₹7,049 crore year-on-year. For the nine-month period, net profit rose to ₹1,784 crore compared to ₹1,476 crore previously. The board has declared an interim dividend of ₹9 per share, nine times the face value. Managing Director S. Sankarasubramanian highlighted the company's robust performance amid challenges such as late monsoon withdrawal and rising raw material costs, with fertilizer plants achieving record production of one million tonnes of NPKs. The phosphatic fertilizer segment maintained market leadership with a 10% year-on-year sales growth. Despite these achievements, shares fell by 1.34% to ₹2,216.95 on the Bombay Stock Exchange. sources

Published:
Jan 30 2026, 9 am

India needs 400 airports, 3,000 aircraft by 2047: Report

A KPMG-FICCI report, unveiled at Wings India 2026, outlines a vision for India's aviation sector, projecting the establishment of 400 airports and a fleet of 3,000 aircraft by 2047. Currently the world's third-largest domestic aviation market, India aims to enhance its infrastructure with a balanced network of mega hubs and regional airports, while air cargo throughput is expected to grow significantly, necessitating digitised multimodal ecosystems. The report highlights the potential for a robust Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry, leveraging India's diverse resources. To meet workforce demands, the National Aviation Skilling Mission anticipates a need for 40,000 pilots and 38,000 maintenance engineers by 2047. As the sector transitions from mobility facilitator to economic driver, the report emphasizes the importance of domestic manufacturing, maintenance, and sustainable technologies to ensure long-term resilience and competitiveness, with the goal of supporting over a billion passenger journeys annually by 2047. sources

Published:
Jan 30 2026, 8 am

Economic Survey: Export diversification mitigates US tariff impact

In response to the 50 per cent tariffs imposed by the US in August 2025, Indian exporters demonstrated remarkable resilience, particularly in sectors such as gems and jewellery, textiles, marine products, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, paper, and leather. The Economic Survey highlighted that market diversification allowed these industries to redirect shipments to alternative markets, notably in West Asia, the European Union, and parts of Africa, mitigating the impact of the tariffs. For instance, the US's share in India's gems and jewellery exports plummeted from 33.7 per cent to 18.7 per cent, while the UAE and Hong Kong's combined share surged to 53.6 per cent. Despite initial growth forecasts being revised downward, actual growth accelerated due to structural reforms and new free trade agreements, including those with the EU and Oman. Overall, merchandise exports grew by 2.4 per cent, while services exports rose by 6.5 per cent during the April-December 2025 period. sources

Published:
Jan 29 2026, 10 pm

Economic Survey predicts mild inflation for FY27

In a notable shift from previous years, rural inflation in India has declined and is now lower than urban inflation, alleviating rural economic stress, according to the Economic Survey presented in Parliament. The survey forecasts that retail inflation, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), will remain benign in fiscal year 2026-27, with both the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the IMF predicting a moderate increase in headline inflation, yet still within the target range of 2-6%. Despite potential risks from currency fluctuations and global uncertainties, inflationary pressures are expected to remain contained. The report highlights a significant drop in domestic inflation, averaging 1.7% for the first three quarters of 2025, largely due to falling food and fuel prices. The RBI has responded by cutting the policy rate by 125 basis points since February 2025, while government measures have aimed to stabilize food prices and reduce volatility. sources

Published:
Jan 29 2026, 10 pm

Economic Survey forecasts FY27 growth at 6.8%-7.2%

In a significant address during the Parliament Budget Session, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Economic Survey, highlighting India's robust macroeconomic performance, with projected GDP growth for FY2026-27 estimated between 6.8% and 7.2%. This forecast surpasses the 6.4% to 6.6% predictions from various multilateral agencies, showcasing India's resilience amid global economic challenges. Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran described India as "an oasis of macro stability," emphasizing the need for enhanced manufacturing and export competitiveness to potentially elevate growth to 7.5% to 8%. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Survey for reflecting strong economic fundamentals and the role of innovation in nation-building. However, the Survey also cautioned about subdued global growth and persistent risks, including potential fallout from the AI boom and ongoing trade conflicts, suggesting a cautious outlook for the medium term as firms adapt to changing conditions. sources

Published:
Jan 29 2026, 9 pm

For the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews

End of news stories. Come back in an hour!