Author: Staff Writer

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Global markets fall on US Greenland tariff threats

Global markets fell this week after US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on several European countries over his Greenland plans. Investors became cautious, pulling back from stocks and turning to safer assets like gold and silver.

In Asia, major stock markets dropped around 0.5%, while US S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq futures were all pointing to lower openings. The declines came amid uncertainty as the US observed the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, limiting regular trading.

European markets also fell sharply, with France’s CAC 40 and Germany’s DAX among the hardest hit. Traders worried about possible import tariffs on European goods, which could hurt trade and corporate profits.

Bond markets reacted too. US Treasury prices fell slightly, pushing yields higher. Japanese long-term bonds also saw small increases in yields, reflecting the global ripple of the tariff news.

The US dollar strengthened against most currencies, while safe-haven assets like gold and silver rose to record levels before slightly easing. This showed that investors were seeking security amid growing trade uncertainties.

Experts said the tariff threats come at a sensitive time, with markets already balancing central bank policies, corporate earnings, and other global tensions. Potential retaliation from Europe could further affect trade and investor confidence.

Also Read: India’s power utilities make ₹2,701 cr profit after

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Beyond

Gold at ₹1,46,250, Silver at ₹3,05,100 as bullion prices rise

Gold and silver prices moved higher in the domestic market on Tuesday, reflecting continued investor interest in precious metals amid global economic uncertainty. According to market data, the price of 24-carat gold increased marginally by ₹10 to ₹1,46,250 per 10 grams. Though the rise was modest, it extended the recent firm trend in gold prices.

Silver registered a stronger gain, with prices rising by ₹100 to trade at ₹3,05,100 per kilogram. The metal has been witnessing steady buying, supported by both industrial demand and investment interest, making its price movement more pronounced compared to gold.

The price of 22-carat gold also edged up and was quoted at around ₹1,34,060 per 10 grams. Gold rates across major Indian cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai, remained largely in line with national averages, with only minor variations due to local taxes and transportation costs.

Market experts attributed the firm prices to ongoing global uncertainties, including concerns over inflation, interest rate outlooks, and geopolitical developments. In such an environment, investors tend to shift towards gold and silver, which are traditionally viewed as safe-haven assets during volatile times.

Jewellery traders noted that retail demand remains cautious at current elevated price levels. Many buyers are making need-based purchases rather than large investments. However, investment demand from long-term investors and high-net-worth individuals continues to lend support to bullion prices.

Also Read: Sensex falls 350 points, Nifty slips below 25,500

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Beyond

Steel prices rise on safeguard duty and exports

Domestic steel prices in India have witnessed a significant uptick in recent weeks, as mills increased hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices by ₹500‑750 per tonne. The move comes amid the recently imposed safeguard duty, rising input costs, and robust export demand, according to market intelligence firm BigMint.

Since mid-December, HRC list prices have climbed between ₹3,000 and ₹5,250 per tonne, pushing trade-level prices close to ₹52,000 per tonne. The rise is being seen across major steel products, including long products, where supply remains tight. The cost pressures are driven largely by higher prices of imported met coke and other raw materials, alongside a weaker rupee, which has increased the landed cost of imports.

Export demand has also supported the price hike. Indian steel exports surged by 31% year-on-year during April to November 2025, benefiting from pre-buying by European buyers ahead of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) implementation. Safeguard duty on HRC imports has further strengthened domestic pricing power, providing relief to local mills and supporting margins.

Industry experts note that while demand is gradually improving, the market is cautious. Some analysts expect that as new capacities come online and demand growth slows, the price momentum could moderate. However, for now, the combination of strong exports, policy measures, and input cost pressures has created a favorable environment for domestic steel producers.

Also Read: ChatGPT adds ads, Google’s Gemini stays clean

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Technology

ChatGPT adds ads, Google’s Gemini stays clean

OpenAI has started testing advertisements in its ChatGPT chatbot, marking a key shift in how generative AI is monetised. Ads will appear at the bottom of responses for free-tier users and those on the lower-cost ChatGPT Go plan, while paid subscribers,  including Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise,  will remain ad-free. OpenAI assures that ads will be clearly labeled, won’t influence responses, and user conversations won’t be shared with advertisers.

The move is aimed at generating additional revenue from ChatGPT’s large user base, currently estimated at around 800 million weekly active users, without forcing subscription fees on everyone. This step reflects OpenAI’s push to balance monetisation with user trust, especially as AI infrastructure costs continue to rise.

In contrast, Google has no plans to introduce ads into its Gemini AI assistant. Dan Taylor, Google VP of Global Ads, said inserting ads could undermine the assistant’s purpose, which is to help users analyse, create, and complete tasks. Instead, Google focuses on integrating AI-powered ad surfaces in products like AI Overviews in search results, where ads can coexist without affecting the core AI assistant experience.

Also Read: India’s power utilities make ₹2,701 cr profit after

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Beyond

India’s power utilities make ₹2,701 cr profit after

India’s electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs) have recorded a net profit of ₹2,701 crore in FY25, marking a significant turnaround after years of heavy losses. In FY24, these utilities had reported a combined loss of ₹25,553 crore, and the sector had faced even larger deficits in previous years.

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal welcomed the results, calling them a “new chapter” for the sector. He highlighted that a financially healthy power distribution system is essential for India’s economic growth and development goals.

The turnaround is mainly attributed to several policy and operational reforms. Programs like the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) helped modernize infrastructure, install smart meters, and improve efficiency. New rules for electricity tariffs and subsidies also made cost recovery more transparent and reliable.

Efficiency has improved significantly. Technical and commercial losses, energy lost or not billed, have dropped from 22.6% in 2013–14 to 15% in FY25. The gap between the cost of supply and revenue earned narrowed to just ₹0.06 per unit, compared with ₹0.78 per unit a decade ago.

Financial management has also strengthened. Outstanding dues to power generators fell dramatically by 96%, from ₹1.39 lakh crore in 2022 to ₹4,927 crore in January 2026. The average payment cycle for utilities shortened from 178 days in FY21 to 113 days in FY25, ensuring smoother cash flow and timely payments.

Also Read: Sandeep Bakhshi gets reappointed as ICICI Bank CEO

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DGCA fines IndiGo ₹22.2 cr for Dec. flight disruptions

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has imposed a ₹22.2 crore penalty on IndiGo Airlines for large-scale flight disruptions that occurred in December, triggering widespread passenger inconvenience and renewed debate over airline accountability.

The action follows a detailed inquiry ordered by the DGCA after IndiGo faced severe operational breakdowns during the first week of December. Over a span of three days, the airline cancelled more than 2,500 flights and delayed nearly 1,900 services, leaving over three lakh passengers stranded across major airports. The disruption coincided with the implementation of revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms for pilots, which aim to reduce fatigue and enhance flight safety.

According to the DGCA, the crisis was not caused by a single factor but by systemic planning failures. The regulator cited over-ambitious scheduling, insufficient buffer in crew and aircraft deployment, weaknesses in operational software systems, and inadequate preparedness for the new duty norms. These shortcomings, it said, exposed gaps in IndiGo’s management oversight and operational control mechanisms.

Of the total fine, ₹1.8 crore relates to one-time violations of aviation safety and operational rules. The remaining ₹20.4 crore was levied for continued non-compliance over several weeks, during which IndiGo sought repeated exemptions from full implementation of the revised duty norms while continuing to operate a dense flight schedule.

In addition to the monetary penalty, the DGCA issued warnings to senior IndiGo executives, including top management, for failing to anticipate and manage the operational fallout. The regulator also directed changes in responsibility within the airline’s operations control structure.

To ensure long-term corrective action, IndiGo has been asked to submit a ₹50 crore bank guarantee under a Systemic Reform Assurance Plan. The guarantee will be released in phases, subject to DGCA verification of improvements in crew planning, fatigue management, digital systems, leadership oversight, and governance practices.

The penalty has sparked mixed reactions across the aviation sector. While some pilots’ bodies and experts argue the fine is inadequate given the scale of passenger hardship, others point out that existing laws limit the DGCA’s ability to impose harsher financial penalties.

Also Read: EU and Mercosur seal major trade deal

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Corporate

CG Power wins ₹900 cr US Data Centre order

CG Power and Industrial Solutions Ltd has won a major overseas contract worth around ₹900 crore from US-based Tallgrass Integrated Logistics Solutions LLC. This is the biggest single order in the company’s history and marks its formal entry into the global data centre infrastructure segment.

As part of the agreement, CG Power will supply high-capacity power transformers for a large data centre project in the United States. These transformers play a crucial role in ensuring uninterrupted power supply, which is essential for data centres that support digital services such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence and large-scale data storage.

The transformers will be designed, manufactured and tested at CG Power’s facilities in India. The company said deliveries will take place over a period of 12 to 20 months, with shipments made from Mumbai under standard international trade terms. The contract is a direct export order, underlining CG Power’s increasing focus on international markets.

Company management described the order as a strategic breakthrough, stating that it provides a strong platform to enter the fast-growing global data centre sector. With rising digitalisation, demand for data centres is increasing worldwide, leading to higher need for reliable and advanced power infrastructure.

CG Power said the order demonstrates its engineering strength and ability to meet strict global quality and performance standards. It also highlights the company’s capability to deliver mission-critical equipment for projects where power reliability is vital.

The announcement was positively received by the market, with CG Power’s shares seeing an uptick following the news. Entry into the global data centre space is expected to open new growth opportunities and strengthen the company’s export pipeline in the coming years.

Industry experts believe this move could help CG Power diversify its business beyond its traditional domestic and industrial segments.

Also Read: Bharat Coking Coal stock drops 7% after strong market debut

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1 Minute-Read

Bharat Coking Coal stock drops 7% after strong market debut

Shares of Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) fell about 7% after a strong stock market debut, where the stock listed at a 97% premium over its IPO price.

The sharp fall came as investors booked profits following the big opening-day gains. The company’s IPO received strong demand, helping the stock open at high levels. Market experts say such a fall is common after a sharp listing rally.

They advise short-term investors to consider booking profits, while long-term investors may hold the stock based on the company’s business prospects and role in the coal sector.

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Corporate

Tata Motors pushes for budget relief for entry-level EVs

Tata Motors has appealed to the Indian government to provide financial incentives for entry‑level electric vehicles (EVs) in the upcoming Union Budget 2026, citing rising costs that are making affordable EVs less competitive compared to petrol cars. The company’s Managing Director and CEO, Shailesh Chandra, highlighted that while recent reforms such as GST changes and lower interest rates have revived passenger car sales, entry‑level EVs continue to face cost pressures that could slow adoption.

Chandra explained that the recent reduction in GST for petrol cars has narrowed the price gap between conventional vehicles and electric models, putting entry‑level EVs at a disadvantage. He urged the government to consider targeted incentives to make these cars more affordable for the mass market.

In addition to entry‑level vehicles, Tata Motors is also seeking support for fleet EVs under the PM E‑DRIVE scheme. Currently, fleet electric cars—which make up around 7% of passenger vehicle sales but contribute one-third of total passenger kilometres travelled, are not covered under the scheme. Tata Motors argues that including fleet EVs would not only encourage adoption but also have a larger environmental impact, reducing emissions and dependence on imported fuel.

The company also flagged the impact of rising commodity prices and foreign exchange fluctuations, which have squeezed profit margins by an estimated 2%, largely absorbed by the company so far. Chandra indicated that Tata Motors may need to adjust vehicle prices in the coming months to manage costs, a trend reflected in recent price hikes by other automakers.

By seeking these measures, Tata Motors aims to ensure that electric vehicles remain competitive with petrol cars, particularly for price-sensitive buyers and fleet operators.

Also Read: Gold at ₹1,43,770, Silver slips below ₹2.95 lakh

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Corporate

Sensex slumps 500+ points, Nifty slips below 25,550

Markets opened on a weak note on Monday, as global trade concerns and mixed corporate earnings weighed on investor sentiment. The BSE Sensex fell over 500 points in early trade, while the Nifty 50 slipped below the 25,550 mark, tracking negative global cues.

Markets turned cautious after renewed fears of trade tensions following comments from US President Donald Trump on possible tariff hikes. This led to selling pressure across global equity markets and prompted investors to reduce exposure to risk-heavy assets.

On the sectoral front, banking, energy and real estate stocks were among the biggest losers. Heavyweights such as Reliance Industries and ICICI Bank declined 2–3 percent, dragging the benchmark indices lower. ICICI Bank shares slipped after reporting a weaker-than-expected quarterly performance, while Reliance faced selling pressure despite stable earnings, as investors booked profits.

Other major losers included stocks from the PSU banking and metal space, as concerns over global growth and foreign fund outflows persisted. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net sellers, adding to market weakness, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) offered limited support.

However, losses were partially capped by gains in IT and pharmaceutical stocks. Shares of leading IT companies moved higher as the rupee weakened slightly against the US dollar, improving export earnings outlook. Select pharma stocks also gained on expectations of steady demand and defensive buying.

In individual stock action, Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) made a strong debut on the stock exchanges, listing at a premium to its issue price. The positive listing reflected healthy investor demand for quality public sector offerings, even amid broader market volatility.

In the broader market, mid-cap and small-cap indices also traded lower, indicating cautious investor mood across segments. Market experts said volatility may remain elevated in the near term due to global economic uncertainties, earnings announcements and geopolitical developments.

Also Read: India’s first $10bn green ammonia venture in Andhra