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US markets showed slight gains in trading on Friday, continuing their recent upward momentum. With minimal news driving trading, market participants awaited the latest updates on consumer sentiment and inflation. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged lower by 37.71 points to 42,285.04 (-0.09%), while the Nasdaq Composite rose 31.66 points to 19,143.98 (+0.17%) at the initial minutes of trading. The S&P 500 posted a modest gain of 3.34 points, or +0.06%, to 5,920.27.In commodities, gold prices fell sharply by 1.49% to $3,178.40, while oil rose 0.73% to $62.07 per barrel, buoyed by expectations of tighter global supply. The US 10-year Treasury yield declined to 4.394%, down 0.061 points, indicating increased bond buying amid inflation and policy uncertainty. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) slipped by 1.18% to 17.62, reflecting relative calm in equity markets. On the currency front, the euro edged slightly higher to $1.119 against the US dollar.The cautious tone in US markets comes as earnings season winds down and economic signals remain mixed. More than 90% of companies in the S&P 500 have reported quarterly results, with most beating expectations. However, a growing number of firms have cut or withdrawn full-year forecasts due to continued uncertainty around US trade policy and global supply chain disruptions.Earlier, Futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq each gained 0.4% prior to the official market open.Markets received a slight boost earlier this week after the US and China announced a 90-day pause in their ongoing trade dispute. Still, investors remain wary of what follows as tariff uncertainties persist. President Donald Trump’s unpredictable trade strategy has left businesses and investors struggling to assess long-term impacts.Adding to the cautious sentiment, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned Thursday that the global economy may be entering a phase of more frequent and persistent supply shocks, potentially leading to sustained inflationary pressures. These concerns were echoed by major corporations like Walmart, which reported strong earnings but refrained from issuing a profit forecast due to tariff-related cost pressures.In notable corporate news, Charter Communications shares jumped 6.8% in pre-market trading after news broke of its proposed $34.5 billion merger with Cox Communications, signaling a major consolidation in the US cable industry. The combined entity will retain the Cox Communications brand and base its headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, while maintaining a significant presence in Atlanta.Globally, European markets were mostly higher at midday. Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 both rose 0.6%, and Britain’s FTSE 100 climbed 0.4%, supported by gains in industrials and financials.In Asia, markets had a mixed session. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was flat at 37,753.72 after data showed a steeper-than-expected economic contraction of 0.7% in Q1. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 0.5%, and the Shanghai Composite fell 0.4%. Shares of Alibaba slid 4.3% after missing earnings estimates. Elsewhere, South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.2%, Australia’s ASX 200 gained 0.6%, and Taiwan’s Taiex advanced 0.5%.
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Luxury skincare expansion: L’Oreal acquires majority stake in Medik8; announces 1 billion Euro deal
[ad_1] Cosmetics maker L’Oreal agreed to acquire a majority stake in British skincare brand Medik8, in a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the booming skincare market. The French beauty giant announced the deal on Monday, though financial terms were not disclosed.The transaction, which sees UK-based private equity firm Inflexion selling its majority holding, reportedly values Medik8 at around 1 billion Euro, according to a source familiar with the matter. Inflexion will retain a minority share, while L’Oreal has secured the option to eventually buy out all remaining shareholders, Reuters reported.“We are delighted to welcome Medik8 to the L’Oréal family. As a premium skincare range, with high levels of proven efficacy at an accessible price point, Medik8 perfectly complements our existing skincare portfolio,” Cyril Chaupuy, president of L’oreal Luxe said.“This acquisition further strengthens L’Oreal’s luxe portfolio, adding a premium […]
270 million pulled out of poverty! How Modi government achieved a remarkable dip in extreme poverty & what’s the road ahead? Explained
[ad_1] India’s GDP has more than doubled in the last decade, and experts believe that this has trickled down to the poorest. (AI image) Marking a big achievement over the last decade, extreme poverty in India has dropped substantially from 27.1% in 2011-12 to 5.3% in 2022-23, according to the latest World Bank data. The remarkable progress under the Narendra Modi government has come despite the World Bank raising its poverty threshold to $3 per person per day from $2.15 per person per day earlier.Incidentally, India’s huge reduction in extreme poverty comes at a time when globally there has been an increase in the number of people below the poverty line. According to a government fact sheet, India has emerged a statistical outlier in the positive direction.The latest data is being seen as a boost in the government’s economic growth […]
Ayodhya land prices: Circle rates revised first time in 8 years; soar up to 200%
[ad_1] For the first time in eight years, Ayodhya has seen a sharp revision in its circle rates, with property prices rising between 30% and 200% across various parts of the district, officials told PTI.The prices are particularly steep within a 10-kilometre radius of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, an area witnessing a real estate boom fuelled by religious tourism and rapid infrastructure growth. Here, circle rates have jumped over 150%, pushing land values in the prime zone to Rs 26,600–27,900 per square metre, compared to Rs 6,650–6,975 earlier.Shanti Bhushan Chaubey, sub-registrar of Sadar (Faizabad) tehsil, said the hike followed a proposal submitted last September. “After addressing objections, the new circle rates were approved by District Magistrate Tikaram Funde and have now been enforced,” he said.According to Chaubey, the sharpest hikes were recorded in areas with the most land activity. “Localities […]
China exports: Global shipments rose 4.8% in May; inflow to US falls nearly 35% amid trade talks
[ad_1] China’s export growth lost momentum in May, rising 4.8% year-on-year, a sharp slowdown from the 8.1% surge recorded in April, as per the customs data released on Monday.The deceleration came amid a sharp drop in shipments to the United States, down 35% year-on-year, as tensions between the two economic giants continued to cloud trade prospects.The figures were released just hours ahead of another round of US-China trade negotiations scheduled for later in the day, in London. These talks come after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping last week. Zichun Huang of Capital Economics anticipated exports growth to revive in June, thanks to a 90-day suspension on most of the tariffs the two countries have imposed on each other.China’s imports also fell in May, down 3.4% year-on-year, leaving the country with a trade […]
Tata Motors future plans: Rs 33,000-35,000 crore investment to boost passenger vehicles; hoping to lead in EV segment
[ad_1] Automaking giant Tata Motors is planning massive investment plans for the future, earmarking Rs 33,000 crore to Rs 35,000 crore for FY 26-30 on product actions. The Mumbai-headquartered company is targeting 30 product actions, including the launch of seven new models, as it looks to sharpen its competitive edge in India’s fast-evolving passenger vehicle (PV) market.As part of its long-term strategy, the automaker aims to secure a 16% market share, including electric vehicles (EVs), by FY27, rising to 18–20% over the next few years. Tata Motors expects the domestic PV industry to hit annual sales of 60 lakh units by 2030 and is positioning itself to ride that wave with a refreshed and expansive portfolio.“Looking ahead, we will strengthen our portfolio by FY30...7 new nameplates and 23 product refreshes will holistically enhance the portfolio,” the company told analysts in […]
India’s two-wheeler industry: Growth to surpass Covid-19 levels soon; driven by RBI rate cuts and robust domestic demand
[ad_1] The two-wheeler industry in India is set to undergo a massive selling surge, surpassing pre-Covid-19 levels, driven by RBI’s rate cut, strong domestic demand and significant recovery in exports. According to a report by CareEdge Ratings, the sector is expected to register a healthy volume growth of 8–9% in FY26. This follows three years of strong performance, with volumes rising by 8% in FY23, 10% in FY24 and 11% in FY25.A key factor behind this growth is the Reserve Bank of India’s cumulative 100 basis points rate cut since February 2025, including a 50 bps reduction last week, which is anticipated to make vehicle loans more affordable and spur demand.“The cumulative 100 bps rate cut by the RBI since February 2025, with the recent 50 bps rate cut announced last week, is expected to enhance affordability and boost demand” […]
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Luxury skincare expansion: L’Oreal acquires majority stake in Medik8; announces 1 billion Euro deal
[ad_1] Cosmetics maker L’Oreal agreed to acquire a majority stake in British skincare brand Medik8, in a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the booming skincare market. The French beauty giant announced the deal on Monday, though financial terms were not disclosed.The transaction, which sees UK-based private equity firm Inflexion selling its majority holding, reportedly values Medik8 at around 1 billion Euro, according to a source familiar with the matter. Inflexion will retain a minority share, while L’Oreal has secured the option to eventually buy out all remaining shareholders, Reuters reported.“We are delighted to welcome Medik8 to the L’Oréal family. As a premium skincare range, with high levels of proven efficacy at an accessible price point, Medik8 perfectly complements our existing skincare portfolio,” Cyril Chaupuy, president of L’oreal Luxe said.“This acquisition further strengthens L’Oreal’s luxe portfolio, adding a premium […]
270 million pulled out of poverty! How Modi government achieved a remarkable dip in extreme poverty & what’s the road ahead? Explained
[ad_1] India’s GDP has more than doubled in the last decade, and experts believe that this has trickled down to the poorest. (AI image) Marking a big achievement over the last decade, extreme poverty in India has dropped substantially from 27.1% in 2011-12 to 5.3% in 2022-23, according to the latest World Bank data. The remarkable progress under the Narendra Modi government has come despite the World Bank raising its poverty threshold to $3 per person per day from $2.15 per person per day earlier.Incidentally, India’s huge reduction in extreme poverty comes at a time when globally there has been an increase in the number of people below the poverty line. According to a government fact sheet, India has emerged a statistical outlier in the positive direction.The latest data is being seen as a boost in the government’s economic growth […]
Ayodhya land prices: Circle rates revised first time in 8 years; soar up to 200%
[ad_1] For the first time in eight years, Ayodhya has seen a sharp revision in its circle rates, with property prices rising between 30% and 200% across various parts of the district, officials told PTI.The prices are particularly steep within a 10-kilometre radius of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, an area witnessing a real estate boom fuelled by religious tourism and rapid infrastructure growth. Here, circle rates have jumped over 150%, pushing land values in the prime zone to Rs 26,600–27,900 per square metre, compared to Rs 6,650–6,975 earlier.Shanti Bhushan Chaubey, sub-registrar of Sadar (Faizabad) tehsil, said the hike followed a proposal submitted last September. “After addressing objections, the new circle rates were approved by District Magistrate Tikaram Funde and have now been enforced,” he said.According to Chaubey, the sharpest hikes were recorded in areas with the most land activity. “Localities […]
China exports: Global shipments rose 4.8% in May; inflow to US falls nearly 35% amid trade talks
[ad_1] China’s export growth lost momentum in May, rising 4.8% year-on-year, a sharp slowdown from the 8.1% surge recorded in April, as per the customs data released on Monday.The deceleration came amid a sharp drop in shipments to the United States, down 35% year-on-year, as tensions between the two economic giants continued to cloud trade prospects.The figures were released just hours ahead of another round of US-China trade negotiations scheduled for later in the day, in London. These talks come after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping last week. Zichun Huang of Capital Economics anticipated exports growth to revive in June, thanks to a 90-day suspension on most of the tariffs the two countries have imposed on each other.China’s imports also fell in May, down 3.4% year-on-year, leaving the country with a trade […]
Tata Motors future plans: Rs 33,000-35,000 crore investment to boost passenger vehicles; hoping to lead in EV segment
[ad_1] Automaking giant Tata Motors is planning massive investment plans for the future, earmarking Rs 33,000 crore to Rs 35,000 crore for FY 26-30 on product actions. The Mumbai-headquartered company is targeting 30 product actions, including the launch of seven new models, as it looks to sharpen its competitive edge in India’s fast-evolving passenger vehicle (PV) market.As part of its long-term strategy, the automaker aims to secure a 16% market share, including electric vehicles (EVs), by FY27, rising to 18–20% over the next few years. Tata Motors expects the domestic PV industry to hit annual sales of 60 lakh units by 2030 and is positioning itself to ride that wave with a refreshed and expansive portfolio.“Looking ahead, we will strengthen our portfolio by FY30...7 new nameplates and 23 product refreshes will holistically enhance the portfolio,” the company told analysts in […]
India’s two-wheeler industry: Growth to surpass Covid-19 levels soon; driven by RBI rate cuts and robust domestic demand
[ad_1] The two-wheeler industry in India is set to undergo a massive selling surge, surpassing pre-Covid-19 levels, driven by RBI’s rate cut, strong domestic demand and significant recovery in exports. According to a report by CareEdge Ratings, the sector is expected to register a healthy volume growth of 8–9% in FY26. This follows three years of strong performance, with volumes rising by 8% in FY23, 10% in FY24 and 11% in FY25.A key factor behind this growth is the Reserve Bank of India’s cumulative 100 basis points rate cut since February 2025, including a 50 bps reduction last week, which is anticipated to make vehicle loans more affordable and spur demand.“The cumulative 100 bps rate cut by the RBI since February 2025, with the recent 50 bps rate cut announced last week, is expected to enhance affordability and boost demand” […]
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