In the latest figures, inflation was driven by higher prices of pulses, rice and wheat. On an annual basis, cereal prices have risen 5.26 per cent.

Disciplined investment has helped the MONEY TODAY-Value Research Lifestage Portfolios perform well yet again despite the prevailing uncertainty in the rising market.

The decision to provide higher DA to employees will cost the exchequeran additional Rs 9,303 crore per annum, an official spokesperson said.

On the heels of the provident fund board increasing interest rates, the central bank wants banks to compensatesmall savers for rising inflation.

Bankers said interest rates may be raised next month in response to the Reserve Bank of India raising short-term lending and borrowing rates.

The figure is compiled under the new series with 2004-05 as the base year. Inflation for previous week settled at 11.47 per cent under the old series.

The central bank increased its key short-term lending rate by 25 basis points and borrowing rate by 50 basis points to check rising prices. The new rates come into effect immediately.

According to the assessment, strong IIP numbers, along with good inflation figures according to the new index, would push RBI to revise rates this Thursday.

The new Wholesale Price Index released by the commerce ministry marks inflation for August 1.27 percentage points lower than the 9.78 in July. According to the old index, inflation stood at 9.5 per cent for the month.

The Sensex, which has gained almost 1,000 points in the last fivetrading sessions, advanced to 19,346.96, its highest level since January 2008.

Food inflation went up to 11.47 per cent for the week ended August 28, from 10.8 per cent, on the back of increase in prices of cereals, fruits and milk.

Annual food inflation rose marginally to 10.86 per cent for the week ended August 21, after the previous two-week decline, despite a fall in vegetables prices.

Is there respite from rising inflation? Don't depend on predictions, just be prepared. Plan your finances by calculating its impact on your goals.

The year 2007 was remarkable for virtually every asset class. Money Today reached out to experts on stocks, real estate, mutual funds and commodities for their views on the way the markets will pan out in the coming times.

Long-term capital gains from shares and equity funds (where over 60% of the corpus is invested in equities) are tax free. But the gains from the sale of other assets are taxable.

Falling inflation is good, but not when it comes with falling investment, income and jobs.

The world of business has seen more ups and downs in 2008 than there are on a Himalayan trek. Not surprisingly, leaders from the world of politics and business were surprised by the dramatic turn of events, making statements that, in retrospect, made them appear a little out of their depths.

Increased government spending can help fight economic slowdown. But it won’t. And the reason is not lack of funds. What is needed is a comprehensive booster dose of steroids to resuscitate the economy. Manmohan Singh’s diagnosis is not off the mark, but the delivery is. A report by Puja Mehra.

To steel tycoon Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, the Lifetime Achievement Award for embodying and exemplifying the ideals of free enterprise and entrepreneurial capitalism, by American business magazine Forbes.

Agri-commodities can be a hedge against inflation in any portfolio. But at current high prices, should you invest in them?