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With equity markets lacking momentum, the metal sector has emerged as a clear outperformer. While gold and silver continue to rally, experts warn that precious metals are entering a speculative zone. Interestingly, strong demand in gold and silver has spilled over into aluminium, copper and zinc, lifting metal stocks sharply. The metal sector gained nearly 25% last year, far ahead of Sensex and Nifty, and continues to lead in early 2026 as well. Steel stocks remain laggards but are showing early signs of a catch-up move. For investors seeking relatively safer exposure instead of pure commodity speculation, metal equities offer a compelling alternative. Hindalco stands out for aluminium and copper exposure, while Vedanta offers a diversified play across aluminium, copper, zinc and even silver.
In this episode of Business Today Presents – Andhra Pradesh 360: From Bharat to the World, we speak with Shri Bhaskar Katamneni, Secretary – IT & Electronics, RTGS & HRD, Government of Andhra Pradesh, on how the state is building scale and momentum across electronics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. The conversation looks at the state’s core strengths, including dedicated clusters, progressive land and incentive policies, and a focus on speed and predictability for investors. We also discuss Andhra Pradesh’s role in India’s semiconductor ambitions, spanning fabs, ATMP/OSAT and the broader electronics value chain, along with the factors driving growing global investor interest.
With HCLTech, TCS and Infosys all delivering better-than-expected Q3 numbers, investors are now asking the big question - which IT bellwether offers the best opportunity? On valuations, HCLTech clearly stands out, trading at a lower forward P/E of around 20x compared to TCS at nearly 23x. This valuation comfort, combined with strong execution and steady deal momentum, puts HCLTech in a sweet spot among large-cap IT stocks. Infosys ranks second, supported by improved guidance and demand visibility, while TCS appears relatively expensive at current levels. Based purely on valuation and near-term price momentum, experts prefer HCLTech as the top pick, with expectations of continued outperformance and upside potential in the coming quarters.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal said the biggest transformation in New India is the rise of self-confidence among the country’s youth, enabling them to break away from rigid career paths and societal pressure. Highlighting the impact of the new education policy and changing mindsets, he said young Indians today are willing to experiment, pursue unconventional ideas, and trust their own abilities — a shift that was missing in earlier generations.
A disturbing video from Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda district hospital has sparked outrage across the country. The viral visuals show rats crawling freely inside the orthopaedics ward, darting across patient beds, climbing rods, and rummaging near stored medicines — raising serious questions about hygiene, safety, and accountability in government-run healthcare facilities. Patients and their families describe fear, disgust, and helplessness as they seek treatment amid such conditions. Following the backlash, hospital authorities carried out pest control measures, placed glue traps across wards, and announced plans for a complete renovation. Officials have also urged attendants not to leave food inside hospital premises. But the incident has once again exposed a deeper crisis — crumbling infrastructure, weak monitoring, and systemic neglect — in public hospitals meant to serve the most vulnerable.
Reliance Industries, the heavyweight of Dalal Street, is set to announce its Q3 earnings today, and the numbers could decide market direction for the coming week. Expectations are high as investors track strong performance in the oil-to-chemicals (O2C) business, where EBITDA growth of nearly 15% is anticipated despite crude volatility and lower Russian oil imports. While Jio has already delivered solid results, the spotlight now shifts to Reliance Retail, which continues to face competitive pressure and slower revenue growth. Investors are also keenly watching the buzz around a potential Jio IPO and the company’s massive ₹40,000 crore capex push across O2C, retail, telecom, and new energy. Will retail surprise positively or weigh on the stock? All eyes are on RIL tonight.
In a major setback for the Mamata Banerjee government, the Supreme Court has stayed all three FIRs filed by the West Bengal Police against Enforcement Directorate officers over the IPAC searches. The apex court has also issued a notice to the TMC government, seeking its response within two weeks on the ED’s plea to transfer the probe to the CBI. The ED has alleged obstruction by TMC leaders and state police, even claiming its microphones were muted during Calcutta High Court proceedings. The Supreme Court expressed deep concern over disruptions in court, questioning whether the High Court had been turned into a protest arena. With elections approaching, Bengal’s political battle is only heating up.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew Dragon undocked early from the International Space Station, marking the first planned medical evacuation in the station’s 25-year history. One crew member developed a health issue in orbit, prompting the return of all four astronauts for full medical testing on Earth. NASA confirmed the astronaut is stable, emphasizing the move was precautionary, not an emergency. After splashdown off California, the crew will undergo evaluations, providing valuable data for future long-duration missions, including Artemis and lunar exploration.
Mumbai’s first civic election in eight years has sparked controversy, with opposition leaders alleging that marker pens were used instead of indelible ink to favour the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Videos circulated by the Congress claim ink can be wiped off, while Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demonstrated its indelibility. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and the BMC rejected the allegations, and the State Election Commission clarified that voters cannot vote twice, even if ink is erased. Tensions remain high as debates over election integrity continue.
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CARS24 expects to capture close to 10% market share in India’s used-car market over the next three to four years, growing at nearly twice the industry rate, CFO Shivanshu Makkar told Business Today. Makkar said the GST reduction on new cars caused short-term pressure, as inventory was bought at higher prices, but profitability rebounded sharply by December. He added that structural disruption has begun in the used-car market, with organised platforms gaining share.
Bengaluru-based EV maker Simple Energy has unveiled its Gen 2 electric scooter lineup, led by the Simple Ultra that claims an IDC range of up to 400 kilometres, the longest yet in India. The new range brings meaningful upgrades across design, performance and usability, including traction control, cruise control, regenerative braking, and a redesigned touchscreen dashboard. With reduced weight and enhanced storage, the Gen 2 scooters aim to address range anxiety and everyday riding comfort. Business Today TV test "rides" it on the roads of Bengaluru!
Chennai is immersed in colour, culture, and tradition as Tamil Nadu celebrates the harvest festival of Pongal with the grand Chennai Sangamam, Namma Ooru Thiruvizha. Held from January 14 to 18, the five-day cultural festival showcases the richness of Tamil heritage through performances by over 250 renowned artists and more than 1,500 folk performers from across the state. Inaugurated by the Chief Minister, the festival highlights Tamil identity, pride, and inclusivity. Beyond music and dance, Chennai Sangamam offers traditional food, handicrafts, and folk games, turning the city into a vibrant cultural celebration.
Gold continues to act as a natural hedge against global uncertainty, with sustained volatility driving investor demand and pushing prices higher, Sadaf Sayeed, CEO of Muthoot Microfin, said. Some global banks have projected gold prices could move towards $5,000 per ounce if uncertainty persists. Silver has already seen a strong run-up and could rise further, though future gains will largely depend on supply dynamics, especially amid export restrictions by some countries on precious metals. On the microfinance sector, Sayeed said loan disbursements are improving quarter-on-quarter, with Muthoot Microfin targeting around 15% growth this year and disbursements of nearly ₹10,000 crore in FY. She added that the sector is seeking a credit guarantee scheme and a refinancing window in the upcoming Budget to ease liquidity and support funding at the grassroots level.
The ongoing revision of base years for key economic indicators such as CPI, GDP and the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) will help the Reserve Bank of India achieve its twin objectives of price stability and sustained economic growth, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said. Calling it a “timely and welcome step”, Malhotra said strengthening India’s statistical systems will allow for more calibrated policymaking and improve assessments of inflation and real economic momentum. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation is revising the indicators after more than a decade. The new CPI series with 2024 as base year will be released on February 12, followed by the new GDP series with 2022–23 base year on February 27. The revised IIP series with FY23 base year is expected by end-May.
Addressing the 28th CSPOC, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Global South must forge new paths amid unprecedented global changes. He highlighted India’s efforts during its G20 presidency to place Global South concerns at the centre of the agenda and said India is building open-source digital platforms to help partner countries strengthen systems, democratic institutions and parliamentary practices.
Iran is witnessing its deadliest wave of unrest in years as nationwide protests against the Ayatollah Khamenei regime spiral into violent crackdowns. Streets across the country are ablaze, with the government admitting at least 2,000 deaths, while human rights groups warn the toll is far higher. The crisis deepened after an execution order was issued against a 26-year-old protester without trial or legal representation—the first such sentence linked to the current uprising. As the United States backs protesters and Russia warns against foreign interference, Iran risks becoming a major geopolitical flashpoint, with the world closely watching the unfolding turmoil.
Cash handouts and election freebies may emerge as decisive factors in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls. With campaigning over, multiple allegations of voter bribery have surfaced across Mumbai. In Colaba, a car allegedly carrying cash was intercepted, while CCTV footage in Chembur showed money distribution claims. Similar accusations have erupted in Worli and Navi Mumbai, even triggering violence in some areas. Political parties have traded blame, with leaders questioning the Election Commission’s credibility. Alongside these controversies, competing parties have rolled out attractive welfare promises, making money power and sops a potential game-changer as Mumbai heads to the polls.
Residents of Kunwar Singh Colony in West Delhi were forced to live with toxic, contaminated water entering their homes—water they drank, cooked with, and bathed their children in. Despite repeated complaints, authorities failed to act. India Today reported from the ground, documenting residents’ suffering and exposing the scale of the problem. Following the coverage, the Delhi government began replacing decades-old pipelines with new ones. Today, clean water has started reaching homes, bringing relief to residents. The report underscores how accountability and sustained media pressure can help secure basic rights.
As India prepares for Union Budget 2026, one word is dominating all discussions - capital expenditure or capex. In this explainer, we break down why government spending on infrastructure is so critical right now. With global trade slowing and geopolitical risks rising, India is relying on capex to support jobs, boost demand and attract private investment. States are pushing for more funds for housing, cities and rural development, while industries expect a strong infrastructure push. The government may raise FY27 capex to ₹12–12.5 lakh crore, expand incentives under Drone Shakti, and even create a ₹25,000 crore fund to revive stalled projects. Watch this explainer to understand how Budget 2026 could shape India’s growth story in the coming years.
PROMO | BT Golf 25-26 Presented By AU Small Finance Bank Tees Off On 17 Jan In Bengaluru
Gold Too Risky? Why Metal Stocks Could Be The Smarter Bet Now
Andhra Pradesh: India’s Electronics Powerhouse
HCLTech Vs Infosys Vs TCS: Which IT Bellwether Is The Best Buy After Q3 Results?
India’s Biggest Change Is Youth Self-Confidence, Says Union Minister Piyush Goyal
