Category: BUSINESS

Muscat, December 19:
India and Oman have signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement aimed at strengthening economic cooperation and expanding bilateral trade between the two countries. The agreement was finalised in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his official engagement with Omani leadership.

Under the pact, nearly 98 per cent of Indian exports to Oman will enjoy duty-free access, significantly benefiting sectors such as textiles, engineering goods, food products and pharmaceuticals. Officials said the agreement marks a major step in deepening India’s strategic and economic ties with the Gulf region.

New Delhi, December 18:
India has been strengthening its strategic communication framework to address modern conflict scenarios, integrating digital diplomacy, media engagement, and public messaging to influence both domestic and international audiences. Experts note that effective communication plays a crucial role in countering misinformation, shaping narratives, and projecting India’s stance on geopolitical and security issues.

The government is reportedly focusing on coordinated messaging across social media, traditional media, and international platforms, ensuring that policies, military actions, and diplomatic moves are clearly conveyed. Analysts emphasize that this approach is increasingly important in an era where information warfare and perception management can significantly impact national security and international relations.

New York, December 18:
Gold prices remained steady ahead of the release of critical US inflation data, as investors awaited indicators that could influence Federal Reserve monetary policy. Analysts noted that a lower-than-expected inflation reading could support gold’s safe-haven appeal, while higher figures may trigger rate-hike expectations, impacting precious metal markets.

Meanwhile, silver prices hovered near record highs, driven by strong industrial demand and investor interest in precious metals as a hedge against inflation. Market experts highlighted that ongoing economic uncertainties, combined with supply constraints, have contributed to silver’s sustained rally, making both metals focal points for traders and portfolio managers ahead of the inflation announcement.

Bengaluru, December 18:
In a move to improve last‑mile connectivity for commuters, authorities have announced the launch of new bus stops linked to the Namma Metro Yellow Line. The initiative aims to make travel more seamless for daily passengers by synchronising bus services with metro schedules at key stations along the route, helping reduce wait times and enhance the overall efficiency of public transport in Bengaluru.

Officials said the new feeder buses will operate at convenient intervals throughout the day, with timings coordinated to match peak metro services. The expanded route network will include stops near major residential and commercial hubs, allowing commuters to easily transfer between buses and the Yellow Line for smoother, more integrated journeys across the city.

New Delhi, December 18:
The Delhi High Court has criticised a petitioner for abusing the legal process, describing them as a “serial litigant” after multiple repetitive and vexatious filings. The bench noted that such misuse of judicial resources hampers the court’s ability to address genuine grievances and causes unnecessary delays in the justice system.

The court emphasised that the legal system is meant to serve those with legitimate claims and warned that persistent frivolous litigation could attract penalties or dismissal of future petitions. Legal experts say this ruling underscores the judiciary’s growing intolerance for procedural abuse and its intent to maintain efficiency and integrity in court proceedings.

Mumbai, December 18:
Global asset management firm Invesco has expressed cautious optimism regarding India’s economic performance in 2026, citing strong domestic consumption, resilient service sector growth, and ongoing infrastructure investments as key drivers. The firm expects India to maintain steady GDP growth, supported by government reforms, increased foreign investment, and a growing middle-class consumer base.

However, Invesco also highlighted potential headwinds, including global economic uncertainties, inflationary pressures, and geopolitical risks that could impact trade and investment flows. The firm advised investors to remain selective and focused on high-quality assets, while keeping an eye on macroeconomic developments and sector-specific opportunities in India’s evolving financial landscape.

Muscat, December 18:
The India-Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA), expected to be signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, is projected to provide a significant boost to industrial exports from India, including automobiles, textiles, and engineering goods. Experts believe the agreement will reduce tariffs, streamline customs procedures, and enhance market access for Indian manufacturers, strengthening bilateral trade relations between the two countries.

Current trade volumes between India and Oman have shown steady growth, with India exporting machinery, chemicals, and textiles, while Oman exports oil, metals, and fertilizers to India. Analysts expect that the FTA will not only increase the value and diversity of Indian industrial exports but also encourage joint ventures, technology transfer, and long-term investment partnerships, further deepening economic engagement in the Gulf region.

Mumbai, December 18:
Brokerage firm **Motilal Oswal Financial Services has reaffirmed its ‘Buy’ rating on Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), citing undemanding valuations and robust long-term fundamentals as key drivers for investor confidence. The brokerage values TCS at 26 times FY28E earnings per share, underlining that the stock’s current valuation presents an attractive entry point for investors amid broader IT sector volatility.

Motilal Oswal has set a target price of ₹4,400 for TCS, implying a potential upside of around 37 per cent from prevailing market levels, reflecting optimism about the company’s future earnings trajectory. Analysts highlighted TCS’s leadership position in digital and AI-led services, strong deal pipeline, and disciplined execution as key reasons for the Buy call. Institutional investors and market participants are watching TCS’s ability to capitalise on enterprise technology transformation and cloud-related opportunities as it navigates evolving demand conditions.

Mumbai, December 18:
Shares of Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles Ltd. climbed sharply on Thursday, gaining over 3.5% in early trade after top global brokerages JPMorgan and Bank of America (BofA) initiated coverage on the stock with positive outlooks. The stock hit an intraday high of around ₹403 from Wednesday’s close near ₹386, buoyed by optimism around the company’s growth prospects heading into 2026. Both brokerages started coverage with bullish ratings — overweight from JPMorgan and buy from BofA — reflecting confidence in the commercial vehicle segment’s performance and Tata Motors’ strategic positioning.

Analysts from both institutions set a target price of ₹475, implying roughly 20% upside from current levels, driven by expectations of improving demand, disciplined margin management and value creation from initiatives such as the Iveco acquisition. The positive broker actions have lifted investor sentiment and contributed to the stock’s upward momentum in the broader auto sector. Market participants are now watching how these forecasts translate into earnings and deliveries in the coming quarters.

Vijayawada, December 18:
In a key infrastructure decision, the Andhra Pradesh government has extended the deadline for the construction of the Machilipatnam Greenfield Port. The extension provides additional time to developers to complete the strategically important port project.

Officials said the port is expected to play a crucial role in boosting maritime trade, logistics and industrial development in the region. The government reiterated its commitment to ensuring timely completion while addressing operational and technical challenges.