Economy

SBI Funds Management's ₹11,693-crore IPO is the largest of 2026 and a textbook case of what an offer-for-sale actually means for a business versus its shareholders. On July 14, 2026, SBI Funds Management Limited, the company behind SBI Mutual Fund, India's largest asset manager by AUM, opens the country's biggest IPO so far this year. The headline number is ₹11,692.91 crore, priced in a band of ₹545 to ₹574 a share, with listing on the NSE and BSE around July 21.

India recorded its highest-ever June vehicle sales in 2026, with 2.557 million registrations and passenger car sales surging nearly 29%. But behind the record numbers lie three major trends: rapid growth in EVs, hybrids, and CNG vehicles, renewed concerns over E20 petrol's impact on older cars, and rising unsold dealer inventory. Here's what these developments mean for consumers, the auto industry, and investors.

Kerala's healthcare sector is witnessing a historic ownership shift as global private equity firms like KKR, Blackstone, and TPG invest over ₹50,000 crore in leading hospital chains. This data-backed analysis explores the major deals, why investors are targeting Kerala, the opportunities for healthcare expansion, and the growing concerns over affordability, consolidation, and the future of patient care.

In a landmark deal that rewrites India's port investment story, Switzerland-based MSC Group — the world's largest container shipping company — has acquired a 49% stake in Vizhinjam International Seaport, Kerala, for ₹13,000 crore. The investment, made through MSC's terminal investment arm TiL, is a partnership with Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), India's largest integrated transport operator.

If you've glanced at the business pages this week, you might have noticed a string of unusually upbeat headlines about the Indian economy. Industrial output is growing faster than expected, Moody's says the country's credit rating is safe, and one of the government's top economic voices is talking about 8% growth like it's actually within reach. Taken together, these stories paint a picture of an economy that's not just holding up under global pressure but quietly building mo

Gold has always held a special place in Indian households. Beyond being a symbol of tradition and wealth, it is increasingly becoming a financial asset that helps people access quick funds when needed. Recent data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) highlights just how significant this trend has become. According to the RBI's latest data, loans against gold jewellery grew by a staggering 123.1% year-on-year as of March 2026. The total outstanding gold loan portfolio jumped f

So what exactly is "inflation targeting"? Think of it like a thermostat for the economy. The government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have agreed: we want prices to rise at no more than 4% a year. That's the "set temperature." If prices start rising too fast, the RBI raises interest rates to cool things down. If the economy is too cold, it cuts rates to warm it up. This system was formally introduced in 2016 when the RBI Act was amended. In March 2026, via a government

The Reserve Bank of India made its big announcement last week, and your social media feed is probably full of terms like "repo rate," "neutral stance," and "CPI inflation." If you switched off the moment those words appeared, this post is for you. Let's talk about what actually happened, and why it matters to your everyday life. First, a Quick Refresher: What Is the MPC? Think of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) as a small group of six very senior economists who meet ever

India built so many ethanol plants that it now makes more ethanol fuel than its cars can drink. Flex-fuel vehicles are the answer, and they are arriving faster than anyone expected. Here is something surprising: India spent a decade racing to make more ethanol, the alcohol-based fuel squeezed out of sugarcane and grain. It succeeded so well that the country now has a problem most nations would envy: more ethanol than the existing fleet of cars and bikes can actually burn. Tha

In May, two numbers crossed on a Bloomberg screen and changed the global ranking. Taiwan's stock market rose to about $4.95 trillion in total value, and passed India's $4.92 trillion. That made Taiwan the fifth-largest stock market in the world, behind only the United States, mainland China, Japan and Hong Kong. India, which used to hold fifth place, dropped to sixth. Here is the odd part. India's economy is worth about $4.15 trillion, more than four times the size of Taiwan'

When the Prime Minister of a nation makes an austerity call to manage a currency crisis, investors need more than just headlines. Here is what actually happened, what it means, and what to do. On May 10, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did something that no Indian leader has done in decades. He asked citizens to voluntarily cut gold purchases, fuel consumption, foreign travel, edible oil use, and fertiliser demand, calling it “economic patriotism.” This would be India’s fi

On March 23, 2026, the Union Power Minister Manohar Lal launched the Indian Carbon Market Portal and announced that formal Carbon Credit Certificate trading would begin within four months. That was not a policy paper. That was a government official naming a live deadline for a market that is already legally operational. It almost sounds futuristic, but India's version is already running, it covers specific named companies, it is backed by enforceable penalties, and it is goin

The weakest opening forecast in over 20 years is in now in 2026! It is forecasted to be 92% of the Long Period Average (LPA) by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This falls in the “below normal” bracket. At first glance, that might sound like a routine deviation. It is not. The RBI's April 2026 Bulletin identified something broader. Climate change, erratic rainfall, and rising temperatures are now having a considerable effect on India's food prices and economic outpu

In March 2026, the U.S. national debt crossed $39 trillion for the first time. Less than five months earlier, it had just hit $38 trillion. At the current pace of roughly $7.2 billion per day, the $40 trillion mark could arrive before the end of this year. To put that in perspective: it took the United States about 200 years to accumulate its first $1 trillion in debt. Today, it adds that much in a matter of months. These are big numbers that can feel abstract. But they have

What if someone told you there's a single number, released every month, that tells you whether Indian businesses are growing or shrinking, whether companies are hiring or firing, and whether prices are going up or coming down? And what if that number comes out weeks before any official government data? That number exists. It's called the PMI. And right now, it's telling a fascinating story about the Indian economy that every investor should be paying attention to. So What Exa

India is moving to nuclear energy and it is going to completely transform our economy. Read more to find out!

When tensions around the Strait of Hormuz disrupted energy flows, India plunged into a crisis, and it exposed a major vulnerability. Nearly 20% of global oil and a significant share of LPG and LNG pass through this passage every day - and India depends heavily on it. India imports nearly 60% of its LPG, and 90% of those imports move through Hormuz. With over 330 million households dependent on LPG cylinders, even a temporary disruption created shock waves in our supply. On Ma

Kerala’s economy is deeply tied to the Middle East. As the Middle East war continues, sectors like remittances, banking, tourism, and real estate face growing risk.

Money is flowing out, the rupee is weakening, and growth is slowing. Are these early signals that India is heading towards a slowdown?

Whenever global oil prices rise, India’s import bill increases sharply. This puts pressure on the country’s trade balance, currency, and inflation levels. Reducing this dependence has therefore become a key economic priority.