BTTV brings you a new market show - 'Daily Calls,' where you can gain invaluable insights and clarity on your market queries through our live sessions featuring expert analysts. Whether you're confused about where to invest, how to invest, or how to build and structure your portfolio.
India is set to host the prestigious AI Impact Summit next month under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a major milestone in the country’s technological journey. Speaking from IIT Madras, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said India’s entire ecosystem — from government to academia and industry — is actively preparing to harness artificial intelligence across education, agriculture, healthcare, logistics and manufacturing. He highlighted that the Government of India has established a Centre of Excellence for AI in Education, with IIT Madras chosen as its national hub, and noted that institutions across the country are now integrating AI into curricula, teaching methods and administrative systems as India positions itself at the forefront of the global AI revolution.
At Market commentary show of Business Today on January 14, 2026, a financial market update highlighted a powerful rally in precious metals, particularly silver, which hit record highs amid geopolitical tensions, currency debasement fears, and flight-to-safety demand. Silver surged dramatically, up 16.5% year-to-date and 42% in the past month, with MCX prices jumping over ₹10,000 early in the session. Gold rose more modestly, gaining 5.9% YTD and 7% monthly. Related metal stocks like National Aluminium, Hindalco and Hindustan Zinc showed strong momentum. Commodity expert Vandana Bharti, Head of Commodity Research at SMC Global Securities, attributed silver's explosive performance to persistent supply shortages, critical minerals demand, and high volatility. She advised holding existing positions but exercising extreme caution on fresh trades—preferring corrections for buying, avoiding aggressive derivatives, and considering safer options like SIPs in ETFs. The rally extends to copper, aluminum, and other base metals, fueled by supply constraints and rising industrial needs (AI, renewables). While bullish on upside targets, experts urged caution due to potential sharp corrections in this overheated environment.
Indian equities ended lower on Tuesday after giving up early gains driven by optimism over U.S. trade developments. The Sensex closed 250 points lower at 83,627, while the Nifty slipped 57 points to end at 25,732. The Nifty Bank bucked the trend, rising 128 points to 59,578. Selling pressure was seen in realty, consumer durables and pharma stocks, while selective buying emerged in IT and PSU banks. QSR and rice stocks remained in focus. ONGC, Eternal, Tech Mahindra, Hindalco and ICICI Bank were among the top gainers, while Trent, L&T, Reliance Industries, Dr Reddy’s and InterGlobe Aviation featured among the top losers.
As Mumbai heads to long-delayed civic elections, residents are questioning the priorities of political parties. Despite the BMC being India’s richest civic body, the city has gone over three years without an elected administration, leading to weakened accountability and worsening everyday problems. From pothole deaths and garbage piles to water shortages and lack of basic infrastructure, Mumbaikars say governance has taken a backseat to ideology and alliance politics. Citizens like ‘Pothole Dada’ Dadarao Bilhore have stepped in where the system failed. As voting begins, the public’s demand is simple, less politics, more delivery.
As Mumbai heads into a high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election, five key factors are set to decide who controls India’s richest civic body. From voter turnout and class-wise participation to the consolidation or split of Marathi votes, the battle lines are sharply drawn. Hindutva messaging, governance promises, alliance arithmetic and minority vote dynamics will all play a decisive role. With the BJP pushing a triple-engine pitch and rival Senas banking on identity and legacy, even small shifts at the ward level could alter the final outcome. In the BMC race, Mumbai itself is the ultimate prize.
Silver is on a historic run. After delivering a stunning 180% rally in 2025, the metal has already surged another 26% in just the first two weeks of 2026, crossing $89 per ounce and eyeing the $90-$100 zone. Geopolitical uncertainty, safe-haven demand, heavy inflows into silver ETFs, and rising industrial usage from AI, electric vehicles, and clean energy are driving prices higher. However, experts caution that while momentum remains strong, this may not be the best time for aggressive fresh buying. Technical levels suggest upside toward $95-$100, but volatility remains high. Investors are advised to hold existing positions and avoid chasing the rally blindly as FOMO builds in the market.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said festivals like Pongal inspire people to turn gratitude towards nature into a way of life. Emphasising sustainable living, he highlighted the need to keep soil healthy, conserve water and use natural resources responsibly for future generations. The Prime Minister said initiatives like Mission LiFE, One Tree for Mother and Amrit Sarovar reflect this commitment. He added that sustainable farming practices, natural agriculture, agri-tech innovation, water management and value addition will play a crucial role in shaping India’s agricultural future and making farming more environmentally friendly.
With oil prices remaining largely stable over the past few years, the oil and gas sector has stayed under the radar despite global uncertainties. While geopolitical tensions and occasional supply-related concerns continue to cause short-term nervousness, the long-term outlook for crude oil remains bearish, driven by the rise of renewable energy, electric vehicles and structural shifts in global demand. Oil marketing companies are expected to benefit from lower crude prices over the long term, while exploration companies like ONGC appear attractively valued despite a muted outlook for oil prices. Positive developments in overseas assets and steady earnings visibility over the next 2–3 years add to the investment case. Among OMCs, HPCL stands out as the most attractively valued stock. The key question remains: is this a value opportunity or a sector best approached with caution?
Global leaders have gathered in Davos for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting amid the most complex geopolitical environment since 1945. Despite rising political tensions and slower trade growth, the global economy remains resilient, with growth expected to exceed 3% this year. The focus this year is on the “Spirit of Dialogue,” as collaboration is seen as essential to address challenges such as economic recovery, cybercrime, pandemics, and trade uncertainty. With more than 3,000 participants from 130 countries - including 64 heads of state and government and 1,700 business leaders - this is one of the most diverse and high-level gatherings ever. Leaders are also discussing how frontier technologies and global cooperation can help revive growth and stability.
Violent protests in Iran have escalated into the biggest challenge to the Ayatollah regime in decades, with conflicting death tolls adding to global alarm. As Tehran faces internal unrest and international scrutiny, US President Donald Trump has announced a 25 percent tariff on countries doing business with Iran. Washington is weighing further punitive steps, including military and diplomatic options. While Iran says it is open to talks based on mutual respect, it has also warned it is fully prepared for war. With China exposed through Iranian oil imports, fears of wider geopolitical fallout continue to grow.
The bull run in precious metals shows no signs of slowing down, with both MCX Gold and MCX Silver hitting fresh record highs. Silver surged by ₹7,000 to trade near ₹2.82 lakh per kilo, while gold jumped ₹600 to around ₹1.43 lakh, marking yet another milestone in their ongoing rally. Even as equity markets remain sluggish, gold and silver continue to outperform, driven by global uncertainty and sustained investor demand. Sharad Avasthi, Head of Research (PCG), SMIFS caution, however, that while momentum remains strong, replicating such sharp returns over the next few months may be challenging. Historically, silver has seen powerful rallies followed by steep corrections, and at current levels, the risk-reward equation appears stretched. Gold too may struggle to move significantly higher unless geopolitical tensions escalate further. In this discussion, we analyse what’s driving the surge, the risks involved, and whether investors should remain cautious at record-high levels.
India’s sugar industry is facing mounting stress as rising input costs and weak policy support squeeze mill viability. The Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has urged the government to urgently revise the minimum support price of sugar to ₹40–41 per kg, citing a sharp rise in cane prices since 2019. ISMA Director, Deepak Ballani, has also flagged low ethanol allocation and stagnant ethanol prices, warning that underutilised distillery capacity could deepen industry losses. With farmer payments, ethanol blending targets and rural livelihoods at stake, the industry says immediate policy intervention is critical.
Metals are emerging as the only clear bright spot in an otherwise muted market, with silver leading the charge and silver ETFs hitting record highs. Stocks like Hindalco and a host of other metal counters are seeing strong buying interest, while the Nippon Silver ETF has surged over 4.5%, signalling relentless momentum and renewed investor focus on the precious metal space. However, the sharp rise in silver is also raising questions around sustainability. While safe-haven demand and investment flows continue to support prices, silver has historically been one of the most volatile commodities, known for sharp rallies followed by equally steep corrections. Experts Sharad Avasthi, Head of Research (PCG), SMIFS point out that such spikes tend to occur once every 15–20 years, often driven by speculation, supply narratives and evolving market stories. With silver having already delivered a multi-fold move in this cycle, the debate now centres on whether there is more upside left or if the risk of a sudden crash is rising. In this video, we analyse the drivers behind the silver rally, the role of speculation, and whether investors should chase momentum or exercise caution at record-high levels.
A major political controversy has erupted after the BJP hosted a delegation of the Chinese Communist Party in Delhi, even as tensions rise over the Shaksgam Valley. The visit marked the first high-level BJP–CPC engagement since the 2020 Galwan clashes. While the BJP says it was only a courtesy meeting with no formal agenda, the Congress has attacked the move, questioning China’s expanding infrastructure activity in disputed territory. With Beijing rejecting India’s sovereignty claims and New Delhi pushing back diplomatically, the meeting has triggered sharp political reactions and intensified debate over India’s China policy.
US President Donald Trump has once again defended his tariff policy, claiming it has forced foreign automakers to shift production to the United States. Citing Canada, Japan and Mexico, Trump said tariffs encouraged companies to build cars in America rather than overseas. He also pointed to duties on Chinese automobiles as evidence of a tougher trade stance. According to Trump, the policy has brought billions of dollars in investment and strengthened domestic manufacturing. The remarks come amid renewed debate over tariffs, their impact on global trade, and whether protectionist policies deliver long-term benefits for the US economy.
In a major relief for gig workers, the Narendra Modi government has asked quick-commerce platforms to drop their 10-minute delivery promises, citing serious safety concerns. After intervention by the Union Labour Ministry, companies such as Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy and Zomato will remove time-bound guarantees from ads and social media. Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya warned that aggressive timelines were endangering delivery partners’ lives. Blinkit has already altered its tagline. The move has been welcomed by delivery workers and trade bodies, with the government stressing that rider safety must come before speed-driven business models.
US President Donald Trump’s latest threat of a 25 percent tariff on countries trading with Iran has sent fresh shockwaves through global commerce. While India’s exports to Iran, especially rice, appear vulnerable on paper, the real risk lies in growing uncertainty. With trade already restricted under US Treasury rules, immediate damage may be limited. However, currency volatility, shipping insurance risks, and lack of legal clarity could still hurt Indian exporters. As China pushes back and tariff tensions rise, Trump’s unilateral trade moves once again underline how unpredictable policy announcements continue to destabilise global trade.
Ajay Sahai, CEO & DG of FIEO, said India need not be overly concerned about the U.S. President’s statement announcing a 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran. He explained that India’s trade with Iran is limited to humanitarian goods such as food and pharmaceuticals, which are outside US OFAC sanctions. However, he flagged concerns over Iran’s sharply depreciating currency, which could affect Indian exports worth ₹1,500–2,000 crore in the pipeline due to reduced consumer purchasing power. Sahai welcomed renewed India–US trade dialogue and urged the upcoming budget to prioritize R&D incentives and skilling to strengthen long-term export competitiveness.
Pakistan is making a bold push to expand its defence exports, and Indonesia could be its next major customer. Talks between Jakarta and Islamabad are centred on the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet and Shahpar armed drones, with reports suggesting a potential deal involving more than 40 aircraft. For Indonesia, the move is part of a wider effort to modernise its ageing air force and diversify its military suppliers, alongside recent purchases from France and commitments to Turkey’s fighter programme. For Pakistan, securing a deal with Southeast Asia’s largest economy would be a major breakthrough, strengthening its credibility as a defence exporter at a time of economic pressure. While both sides are being cautious publicly, the negotiations signal a growing strategic and industrial partnership that could reshape Pakistan’s role in the global arms market.
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.





