Connect with us

Business

Indian Households Anticipate Lower Inflation in the Near Future, According to RBI Survey

Published

on

The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) forward-looking surveys from January 2025 indicate that Indian households are anticipating a decline in inflation in the near term. However, consumer confidence has slightly decreased due to tempered sentiments.

The median perception of current inflation among households has dipped by 10 basis points (bps) to 8.3%, down from 8.4% reported in the previous survey conducted in November 2024.

Meanwhile, the median inflation expectation for a three-month period has risen by 20 bps to 9.3%, and for the one-year outlook, it has increased by 10 bps to 10.2%. According to the survey report, inflation expectations show a rising trend for both the three-month and one-year periods. Households maintain a positive outlook for spending over the next year, reflecting confidence in their financial situations.

The survey also notes an increased proportion of households expecting general price and inflation rises for both the short and long term. Anticipated inflationary pressures are particularly strong for food products and housing across both time frames. For the one-year outlook, households’ price expectations are closely tied to food costs and housing-related expenses.

In terms of consumer sentiments, the survey reveals subdued outlooks regarding spending on both essential and non-essential goods compared to the November 2024 survey. Nevertheless, optimism about future spending remains robust despite some moderation in overall sentiments.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

Benchmark Indices End Three-Day Decline; Pharma and IT Stocks Surge

Published

on

Major benchmark indices made a notable recovery on Wednesday, breaking a three-day losing streak. The rebound was driven by gains in the auto, IT, and pharmaceutical sectors, with broader markets also showing positive movement.

By the end of the trading day, the Sensex rose by 410.19 points, or 0.51%, closing at 81,596.63. Meanwhile, the Nifty increased by 129.55 points, or 0.52%, finishing at 24,813.45.

The BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices recorded gains of 0.90% and 0.51%, respectively, boosting the overall market capitalization of BSE-listed firms from Rs 438 lakh crore to Rs 441 lakh crore.

Among the Nifty50 stocks, nearly 37 ended the day on a positive note. Notable gainers included BEL, which saw a rise of 5.26%, Tata Steel at 1.93%, and Cipla at 1.83%. On the downside, IndusInd Bank fell by 1.98%, while JSW Steel decreased by 1.07% and Kotak Mahindra Bank dropped 0.84%, making them the top losers.

In sector performance, all indices except for Nifty Consumer Durables, which declined by 0.49%, experienced gains. The Realty sector rose by 1.72%, and Pharma saw an increase of 1.25%. The Nifty Bank index grew by 0.36%, with PSU Bank and Private Bank indices rising by 0.67% and 0.11%, respectively. The Nifty Financial Services index climbed 0.56%.

Bajaj Finserv saw a 2% uptick following approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for the acquisition of Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, and Bajaj Allianz Financial Distributors.

On the BSE, around 76 stocks achieved 52-week highs during intraday trading, including Bharat Electronics (BEL), HDFC Life Insurance Company, Max Financial Services, and APL Apollo Tubes. Conversely, Aether Industries and Lasa Supergenerics were among the 25 stocks that reached 52-week lows during the session.

Notably, global brokerage firm Morgan Stanley has projected that India’s benchmark Sensex could reach 89,000 by June 2026, indicating an upside potential of 8% from current levels.

Continue Reading

Business

67% of Indians Open to New Roles Yet Unsure of Job Titles to Pursue: Study

Published

on

Research released this Wednesday reveals that nearly 70% of young professionals in India (67%) are keen on exploring new job opportunities but are uncertain about which job titles or industries to pursue. The study, conducted by LinkedIn—a leading global professional network—surveyed 2,001 employed and unemployed individuals aged 18 to 78 in India. It found that while 65% of respondents can articulate their career aspirations to a friend, they struggle to find the right roles, with 64% stating that job filters are perplexing.

Furthermore, 74% expressed a desire to uncover relevant positions they hadn’t previously considered. As job titles continue to evolve and skills play an increasingly critical role in hiring processes, job seekers are increasingly seeking streamlined ways to find opportunities that align with their skills and objectives, rather than relying on traditional titles or keywords.

The research highlights that for many Indians, professional advancement is defined by acquiring new knowledge, taking confident steps forward, and discovering roles that are a perfect fit. Despite the clear desire for meaningful growth, navigating the job market remains a challenge.

To assist job seekers in finding positions that resonate with their values, LinkedIn is launching a new AI-driven job search experience for Premium Subscribers. This tool leverages generative AI to grasp a job seeker’s intent, skills, and goals—even if they aren’t sure of a specific title or keyword—allowing them to explore opportunities using their own language.

According to Nirajita Banerjee, Senior Managing Editor and LinkedIn Career Expert, young professionals can distinguish themselves by adopting a strategic approach to applications and becoming comfortable with AI technologies. She encourages professionals to embrace new technologies while maintaining a personal connection—network with alumni, engage with new colleagues, and actively participate in discussions on LinkedIn.

Continue Reading

Business

Bihar: International Buyer-Seller Meet Becomes a Game Changer for Local Producers in Patna

Published

on

A two-day International Buyer-Seller Meet held at Gyan Bhavan in Patna has become a pivotal moment for local producers. The event attracted over 70 entrepreneurs (buyers) from 22 countries, including Germany, Japan, and Australia. Additionally, more than 50 buyers and sellers from across India participated. The main aim was to unite key stakeholders in Bihar’s food and allied sectors, enhancing trade, boosting exports, and showcasing the state’s agricultural strengths to a global audience.

Bihar’s Makhana trade is experiencing significant growth following the establishment of a Makhana Board by the Central government, as well as the recent awarding of the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Supported by both the Central and state governments, these initiatives are opening up international opportunities for the state’s food processing sector, particularly concerning Makhanas, mangoes, and litchis.

Businessman Vikas Kumar spoke to IANS about the pronounced interest from international buyers in Bihar’s Makhana. “This conference is a substantial boost for farmers and Makhana exporters,” he stated. “Buyers from various countries are willing to pay up to Rs 500 more than local market prices for Bihar’s Makhana. This represents a significant opportunity, as we are set to forge nearly 20 new international partnerships.”

Kumar noted a rising demand for Makhana-based products, including biscuits, chocolates, toffees, roasted snacks, and chips. “With Bihar producing over 90 percent of the world’s Makhana, the market, already valued at over Rs 100 crore, has immense growth potential. The future looks promising if the government maintains its current support for producers.”

Another local entrepreneur, Sony, who exports carbide-free mangoes and vegetables, praised the event’s informative nature. “Many people don’t know the best places to buy or sell. This conference helped bridge that gap. We utilize hot water treatment instead of harmful chemicals and have received government approvals for many of our processes, allowing us to connect directly with potential buyers seeking safe, high-quality products.”

The event was co-organized by the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) and the Bihar State Department of Industries, bringing together hundreds of producers, entrepreneurs, and traders from Bihar to connect with international buyers and explore new markets.

Union Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan, who inaugurated the event, highlighted its broader vision. “This is a modest effort to link Bihar’s producers with the global market. Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisions Indian food products reaching every table worldwide, and Bihar has a crucial role in making that vision a reality.”

Continue Reading

Trending