The past week gave us a mixed picture, steady growth in some areas, but clear pressure building underneath, largely due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. Let’s start with India. Infrastructure output slipped by 0.4% in March 2026, a sharp reversal from the 2.8% growth in February. This marks the first contraction since October and reflects how quickly global events can ripple into domestic data. The biggest hit came from energy-linked sectors, fertiliser production plunged

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

Let’s start with India. The HSBC India Composite PMI was revised to 57.0 in March 2026, down from 59.9 in February, marking the slowest expansion since November 2022. The services sector continues to do the heavy lifting, while manufacturing is losing some steam. What stands out is that new orders grew at the slowest pace since November 2023, hinting that domestic demand is easing. At the same time, export demand is picking up, which is a positive sign. The services sector, w

Last week brought a mix of upbeat and cautionary signals for the Indian economy, with several key data points offering a clearer view of where things stand as we move toward the year-end. From a sharp recovery in passenger vehicle sales to steady unemployment levels and a slight softening in business activity, India continues to show resilience despite global uncertainties. India Total Passenger Vehicle Sales In October 2025, India saw a remarkable 15.8% jump in passenger veh

As we reflect on this past week’s economic data, several key indicators highlight both challenges and resilience across global markets. In India, the HSBC India Composite PMI for September 2025 showed a slight slowdown, dropping to 61.0 from 63.2 in August, marking the lowest level since June. This signals a deceleration in output growth across both manufacturing and services, despite the index still sitting comfortably above the long-term average. New orders saw slower growt

India's manufacturing and infrastructure continue to shine, even as global markets flash mixed signals. From record-high factory activity to cooling US housing sales and cautious moves by global central banks, here’s a crisp wrap of the week’s key economic updates.

Last week's market update, we take a closer look at India’s easing inflation, with wholesale price growth slowing to its lowest in over a year. While food prices moderated, the trade deficit remains stable, and passenger vehicle sales saw modest growth. On a positive note, India’s foreign exchange reserves continue to rise. We also touch on global economic trends, with central banks like the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England maintaining cautious stances amidst ongoing u