Basmati rice prices have come under sharp pressure, falling ₹5-7 per kg in just one week as escalating unrest in Iran disrupts trade and delays payments. Iran, India’s second-largest Basmati export market, imported nearly $750 million worth of rice last year, making it a crucial destination for Indian exporters. With communication links broken and payments stuck, over ₹2,000 crore of exporters’ money is currently at risk. Large stockpiles are building up at Iranian ports and Indian harbours like Mundra, creating supply stress amid a bumper rice crop in India. The Rice Exporters Federation has urged caution, warning that if the crisis persists, Basmati prices could fall sharply, even by 30-40%, echoing past Iran-related disruptions.
With the Union Budget 2026 just weeks away, expectations are running high after last year’s big tax reforms. However, this time the government is unlikely to offer further tax cuts, instead shifting focus toward growth-driving sectors. Experts expect stronger policy support for logistics, infrastructure and power, especially as India signs new trade agreements and pushes manufacturing under the PLI scheme. The renewable energy push could also help bring down power costs over the next few years. Another key area to watch is India’s digital stack, including digital payments, cross-border UPI and digital currency initiatives. Semiconductor and data centre investments are also likely to get a boost. We break down what this Sunday Budget could mean for markets, businesses and investors.
As the Q3 earnings season unfolds, investors are watching closely to see if India’s six-quarter earnings slowdown is finally coming to an end. Early signs suggest a pickup in consumer spending, helped by festive demand, GST cuts and improving confidence. Autos, especially small cars and first-time buyers, are showing strong traction, while manufacturing and PLI-linked companies are also reporting better momentum. Commodity prices and consumption trends point to a healthier operating environment in the third quarter. However, mid-cap and small-cap companies may face pressure as growth expectations moderate and margins tighten. We break down which sectors are likely to outperform, which could struggle, and whether this Q3 marks the beginning of a genuine earnings recovery for Indian markets.
The IT earnings season has kicked off on a positive note with both HCLTech and TCS reporting Q3 numbers that came in slightly ahead of expectations. While profitability was impacted by one-time labour code and retirement costs, the underlying business momentum appears to be improving. AI-led deal wins, stronger client engagement and a growing order pipeline are driving confidence across both companies. HCLTech stood out with strong deal intake, while TCS reiterated that 2026 should be a better growth year. As enterprises shift toward AI-enabled solutions, IT companies are seeing renewed demand for faster and smarter digital transformation. We analyse which of the two IT majors looks better positioned for investors after these Q3 results.
In this episode of What's Hot on Business Today, we discussed the kick-off of Q3 earnings season with TCS and HCLTech delivering results slightly ahead of street estimates. Market Expert Deven Choksey, highlights robust domestic economic growth, improving consumer spending, and corporate earnings, despite market volatility driven by FII outflows and high-valuation IPO pressures. Deven Choksey views US tariff threats (including 500% on Russia-linked imports and Iran-related) as unsustainable and counterproductive, expecting a balanced India-US trade deal soon. He praises positive signals from US Ambassador Sergio Gore and sees opportunities in semiconductors via PaxSilica.On IT, he notes AI-driven deal wins, margin expansion potential (especially at HCLTech), and optimism for FY26-27 growth. He anticipates a strong Q3 recovery across consumption, manufacturing, and commodities, with the upcoming February 1 Budget likely focusing on logistics, power, and digital infrastructure rather than major tax cuts.
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India is close to a key agreement with G7 nations on sharing research and development of critical materials, Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said during his visit to Washington, D.C. Discussions at the G7 meet focused on funding new projects, recycling, technology transfer and research collaboration to strengthen global critical mineral supply chains. The development comes as the US announced that India will soon be invited to join Pax Silica, an exclusive grouping of nations working on critical minerals. Market Expert Dharmesh Kant, Head of Equity Research, Chola Securities say the deal could benefit metal recyclers and critical mineral-linked stocks, with recyclers emerging as early beneficiaries amid rising global demand and strategic diversification away from China.
Ahead of Budget 2026, sources say the Coal Ministry has proposed a massive ₹35,000 crore incentive package for coal gasification, nearly quadrupling the existing ₹8,500 crore corpus announced in 2024. The proposed viability gap funding aims to support India’s transition towards cleaner coal and could benefit major PSUs and private players including Coal India, BHEL, GAIL, NTPC and NLC. The move is expected to help reduce annual imports by up to $15 billion and support India’s target of 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by 2030, subject to cabinet approval.
India’s IT majors TCS and HCL Tech reported earnings largely in line with expectations, but concerns remain over growth outlook and valuations. While margins were stable and currency tailwinds supported reported earnings, management commentary failed to offer strong visibility on future growth. Rising labour costs, muted demand and guidance tweaks have raised questions on whether current valuations are justified. Market Expert Dharmesh Kant, Head of Equity Research, Chola Securities say short-term trading opportunities may emerge, but long-term investors may need to stay cautious as the sector faces consolidation and margin pressure.
Which mutual funds can deliver alpha in the next market cycle? In this special segment, Feroze Azeez of Anand Rathi Wealth shares high-conviction mutual fund picks across large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap and flexi-cap categories. The focus is on funds with strong portfolio foundations, disciplined investment styles and the potential to outperform over a three-year horizon. From aggressive large-cap strategies for risk-tolerant investors to balanced large-and-mid-cap options aimed at steady compounding, the discussion highlights where smart money could be deployed today. The segment also stresses the importance of staying invested through market cycles rather than chasing short-term performance. A must-watch for investors building a long-term mutual fund portfolio.
In this Business Today segment, Anand Rathi Wealth's Joint CEO Feroze Azeez and CFO Rajesh Bhutra discuss strong Q3 FY26 results, marking the 17th consecutive quarter of over 20% year-on-year growth. Despite market volatility, the firm achieved ~30% revenue growth, driven by consistent client trust, market-agnostic performance, and strong advice during tough times. AUM nears ₹1 lakh crore, with client families rising to 13,200 and ultra-HNI (platinum) segment expanding to over 200 families (28% of AUM). The company plans cautious domestic expansion to 40 cities in 4-5 years and international growth via UK/Bahrain licenses. Aziz remains optimistic for 2026, citing 1.5 years of time correction, robust DII inflows offsetting FII outflows, and high probability of above-median Nifty returns. Recommended funds include Quant Large Cap, HDFC Flexi Cap, Kotak Emerging Equity, and Invesco Small Cap.
In this Business Today Television earnings conversation, the interviewees from HCLTech discuss Q3 performance, margins and demand trends. One interviewee says discretionary spending is not broadly back and adds, 'It is coming back in pockets', citing activity in areas such as data centres and hyperscalers. The discussion also covers the impact of labour-code related provisions and restructuring costs, including the expectation of a similar restructuring impact next quarter and a smaller recurring impact going forward. On hiring and talent, the speakers cite fresher additions, attrition trends, and AI capability-building, including the statement that 'More than 150,000 people have been now upskilled on AI'. The conversation also touches on deal bookings, sector performance, acquisitions, and GCC-related competition.
Conflicting signals emerge on India–US trade talks, keeping markets on edge. While the US Ambassador claims a bilateral trade call is scheduled today, news agency Informis reports no talks planned this week and no communication from Washington. Markets had seen a brief uptick on hopes of progress, but uncertainty has returned. Market Expert Dharmesh Kant, Head of Equity Research, Chola Securities warns that continued ambiguity could delay FII inflows and keep volatility elevated, with geopolitical risks adding further pressure. Dharmesh Kant decodes what this means for Indian markets, FIIs, and key stocks in focus.
Indian markets have underperformed sharply, but is it really because stocks are expensive? In this video, a market expert breaks down why the recent sell-off has more to do with foreign investor behaviour and global events than valuations. Despite strong reforms, rate cuts and GST changes, India saw heavy FII selling triggered by two India-specific shocks — the India-Pakistan conflict and the global tariff war. Interestingly, while foreign investors sold old-economy stocks like banks, IT and consumer names, they continued to buy IPOs and new-age companies. The result was the worst one-year underperformance in 30 years. But one trigger — easing tariffs or a strong Budget — could quickly reverse sentiment and spark a powerful market rally.
Indian markets got a strong start as the Sensex and Nifty rallied after fears of extreme US tariffs began to ease. Investors had earlier priced in a worst-case scenario, including massive trade penalties and a potential breakdown in US-India relations. But recent comments from Ambassador Sen helped bring expectations back to more realistic levels. While this doesn’t mean a major trade deal is imminent, it does reduce the risk of a damaging shock. With the Union Budget around the corner, this relief gives the government room to act decisively and reassure markets that India can handle global pressures even without a US agreement. If a deal does come later, it could be an added bonus — or as they say, “sone pe suhaga.”
Helios Capital’s Samir Arora shares his favourite new-age stocks and explains how to invest in high-growth platform companies. From Zomato (Eternal) and Paytm to PB Fintech, Delhivery, PhysicsWallah and Ather, the key theme is simple: invest in businesses that are doing something truly different and have already been accepted by customers. Arora says investors should not get scared by high price-to-earnings ratios when companies are just turning profitable, as growth in these platforms can be far higher than in IT or consumer staples. Instead of focusing on near-term profits, he suggests looking two to three years ahead. In a balanced portfolio, he believes 15–20% should be allocated to such high-growth opportunities.
Maruti Suzuki has announced a major capacity expansion in Gujarat to address rising demand and production constraints. The company’s board has approved the acquisition of land at the Poraj Industrial Estate from GIDC, marking Maruti’s second manufacturing facility in the state after Hansalpur. The expansion will be executed in phases and is expected to enhance the automaker’s annual production capacity significantly, with an investment of nearly ₹4,960 crore towards land acquisition, development, and preparatory activities. The company plans to fund the project through internal accruals, with a strong focus on domestic demand, exports, and electric vehicles.
The U.S. has invited India to participate in the Pax Silica initiative, aimed at strengthening global supply chains for critical minerals, semiconductors, and advanced technologies. Market expert Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Group Chairman, Inditrade Capital, says the move could reshape geopolitical alliances and reduce global dependence on China for rare earth materials. According to Bandyopadhyay, a user-led alliance involving the U.S., India, Japan, and South Korea could create a powerful counterweight in critical resource negotiations. Indian sectors that could benefit include domestic automobile and EV manufacturers such as Tata Motors, Mahindra, and Bajaj Auto, along with mining players like GMDC. While NMDC may see indirect gains, the development is seen as a strategically positive step for India’s long-term economic and technological growth.
Indian markets saw a sharp rebound after positive signals emerged on India–US trade talks, offering much-needed relief following last week’s sell-off. Statements from the U.S. Ambassador to India helped improve investor sentiment, triggering a swift market rally. Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Group Chairman, Inditrade Capital say a potential trade deal could have a strong psychological impact on foreign investors, easing risk aversion towards India. However, caution remains as previous rounds of optimism around the trade agreement have failed to translate into concrete outcomes. While export-oriented stocks have shown early signs of recovery, investors are advised to avoid aggressive positioning at this stage. A wait-and-watch approach may be prudent until clarity emerges on timelines, terms, and sector-specific implications of the proposed deal.
Avenue Supermarts (DMart) has delivered a strong Q3FY26 performance, beating Street estimates across key metrics. Revenue rose 13.3% to ₹18,100 crore, while net profit jumped 18% to ₹855 crore. EBITDA grew 20% to ₹1,463 crore, with margins improving to 8.1% from 7.6% last year. The stock responded positively, rising over 2% on the back of these numbers. However, concerns remain around slowing sales per square foot, intense competition from quick commerce players, and rich valuations. With CLSA maintaining a bullish target of ₹6,185, the big question is whether this rally is sustainable. We decode the earnings, margins, store expansion, and what lies ahead for DMart.
Gold and silver are on a historic run as global uncertainty and geopolitical shocks continue to drive safe-haven buying. Spot gold has surged to a record $4,563 per ounce in 2026, while silver has hit $83.5. In India, gold is near ₹1.40 lakh and silver is approaching ₹2.60 lakh. But is this rally sustainable? In this discussion, we break down why central banks are aggressively accumulating gold, how ETF flows are pushing prices higher, and why silver’s rally may be riding on sentiment rather than fresh fundamentals. While bullion can add stability to a portfolio, history shows that sharp rallies are often followed by cooling phases. So should you still ride the trend or wait for a pullback?
Iran Crisis Hits Rice Prices: ₹2,000 Crore Of Indian Export Payments At Risk
Union Budget 2026: After Tax Cuts, What Next? Decoding Budget Expectations
Q3 Earnings: Is The Six-Quarter Weakness Finally Ending?
AI Deals, Margins & Growth: Decoding HCLTech And TCS Q3 Results
What’s Hot: HCLTech Vs TCS - Who Wins After Q3 Results?
