RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced on Friday that the Monetary Policy Committee has unanimously decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at the current level of 5.25 per cent and stick to the neutral monetary policy stance.

The RBI Governor said that the decision to maintain the status quo in the policy rate had been taken after careful consideration of the macroeconomic conditions and the outlook for the economy ahead.

India’s growth cycle is set to accelerate backed by reflation effort of the RBI and the government via rate cuts, bank deregulation and liquidity infusion, continuing capex, tax cuts and relatively stimulating budget, a Morgan Stanley report said on Friday.

The Indian equity markets posted moderate losses in the early session on Friday, as investors waited for cues from the RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision on the key repo rate.

As of 9.25 am, Sensex lost 134 points, or 0.16 per cent, to 83,179, and Nifty eased 56 points, or 0.22 per cent to 25,586.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to maintain status quo in the upcoming policy decision on Friday, as despite policy rate easing, government bond yields have exhibited persistent hardening in recent periods, among other reasons.

According to economists, the choice of eligible securities itself may influence the effectiveness of OMO operations, even when the aggregate quantum of liquidity injection is unchanged.

Listed Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) in 2025 significantly outperformed traditional benchmarks, delivering a strong 19.55 per cent return on an equal weight basis, a report showed on Thursday.

This was well ahead of the Nifty50 TRI (total returns index) at 11.42 per cent and the G Sec Index at 6.81 per cent, according to an ICRA Analytics report.

Gold prices fell moderately on Thursday after two days of surge, while silver posted a sharp fall of over 8 per cent.

MCX gold February futures fell 0.98 per cent to Rs 1,51,552 per 10 grams around 10.25 am on an intraday basis. Meanwhile, MCX silver March futures plummeted 8.39 per cent to Rs 2,46,283 per kg.

Gold and silver prices had risen around 6 per cent in the early morning trade but failed to sustain those levels.

The Indian equity markets posted moderate losses in early trade on Thursday, tracking poor global cues and weakness in metal stocks.

As of 9.23 am, Sensex lost 254 points, or 0.30 per cent, to reach 83,563, and Nifty eased 85 points, or 0.33 per cent to settle at 25,690.

Main broad-cap indices posted moderate losses, as the Nifty Midcap 100 eased 0.04 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 edged down 0.31 per cent.

India’s fiscal strategy has undergone a clear and deliberate shift over the past decade, with the expenditure mix increasingly oriented towards capital-led growth, according to a new report.

Notably, the FY27 Budget reinforces this trajectory, reflecting the government’s conviction that durable growth, private investment crowding-in, and macroeconomic stability are best achieved through sustained public capital formation rather than short-term fiscal stimulus.

Indian equity markets closed almost flat on Wednesday, snapping a two-day rally, as a sharp fall in information technology (IT) stocks weighed on the benchmark indices.

Investor sentiment turned cautious after fresh concerns about advances in artificial intelligence (AI) hit global software stocks.

At the closing bell, the Nifty rose 48.45 points, or 0.19 per cent, to settle at 25,776.00. The Sensex gained 78.56 points, or 0.09 per cent, to end at 83,817.69.

The Union Budget 2026–27 strengthened medium-term earnings visibility for sectors aligned with public capex and policy priorities, even though earnings recovery will take time, a report said on Wednesday.

The report from small case managers said the Budget opened "actionable opportunities across defence ecosystems, manufacturing‑linked businesses, logistics, select auto and ancillaries, energy‑transition themes and innovation‑led pharmaceuticals."

India has joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) at an event organised by the Centre’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in the national capital, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.

The BCIC, launched in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), serves as a one-stop centre providing integrated support services to manufacturing companies and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across BRICS countries, with a focus on strengthening Industry 4.0 competencies.

The seasonally adjusted HSBC India Services PMI touched a two-month high of 58.5 in the month of January, from December's 58.0, noting quicker expansions in new business intakes and output, the S&P Global data showed on Wednesday.

The Indian equity markets posted moderate gains on Wednesday morning with broad-based gains across sectors, weighed down by losses in IT stocks due to AI-driven ‘SaaSpocalypse’.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab President and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, reacting to the bail granted to Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, made it clear that bail should not be misrepresented as exoneration. He said that the people of Punjab must understand that this relief is purely procedural and does not weaken the serious corruption charges against Majithia in any manner.

India ranked among the top ten global markets with residential prices up 9.6 per cent year‑on‑year, significantly outperforming the global average supported by firm domestic demand, improving affordability and a stable macroeconomic environment, a report said on Tuesday.

The report from real estate services firm Knight Frank said that residential sales across the top eight cities remained steady in 2025 at over 3.48 lakh units, with H2 2025 volumes the highest since 2013.

With the new trade deal with the US in place, India is now among the nations with one of the lowest tariff rates being imposed by the Donald Trump administration compared with other Asian economies such as China, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Vietnam.

The US tariff on Indian goods comes close to those being levied on America’s closest allies, which include the United Kingdom (10 per cent), the European Union (15 per cent), Switzerland (15 per cent), Japan (15 per cent), and South Korea (15 per cent).

The Indian rupee surged over 1 per cent on Tuesday, trading at 90.29 to the US dollar, following an India-US trade agreement that sparked investor optimism and prompted foreign inflows.

The local currency had closed at 91.53 on Monday, reaching a two-week high to gain 48 paise in the prior session, after the Reserve Bank of India reportedly intervened in the spot market.

The India-US trade deal should help narrow the current account deficit, stabilise the rupee, and reduce India’s vulnerability to global shocks over time, a report showed on Tuesday.

The US has decided to reduce the reciprocal tariff on Indian goods to 18 per cent from the earlier 50 per cent.

The Indian equity markets surged sharply by around 3 per cent early on Tuesday with broad-based buying across sectors, buoyed by the announcement of the India-US trade deal.

As of 9.25 am, Sensex added 2,421 points, or 2.97 per cent, to reach 84,088, and Nifty gained 741 points, or 2.96 per cent to settle at 25,829.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to hold its monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting from February 4-6 and according to economists, the MPC is expected to vote for a pause on a policy rate cut, while the central bank undertakes direct measures to tackle liquidity, bond stability and currency-related risks.

The Central Bank has already lowered the repo rate by 125 basis points since February 2025 to 5.25 per cent.

Gold and silver extended their decline on Monday, as hike in margin requirements are set to take effect on Chicago Merchantile Exchange (CME) in the US.

MCX gold February futures fell 1.77 per cent to Rs 1,45,132 per 10 grams on an intra-day basis. Meanwhile MCX silver March futures dipped 6.88 per cent to Rs 2,47,386 per kg.

The government support to new technologies through AI mission, National Quantum Mission, Anusandhan National Research Fund, Research and Innovation Fund promises to be a big boost for the Indian higher education institutions that are nurturing India’s future entrepreneurs, industry leaders said on Monday.

The Union Budget 2026 signals a decisive shift in how India is approaching technology, from adoption to strategic capability building.

 A likely boost to capex, services sector growth and AI in the Union Budget, along with slightly slower than expected fiscal consolidation, will likely support FY27 earnings, further helped by increased demand for equities through buybacks, Morgan Stanley has said.

The Budget balances debt-to-GDP reduction with slow fiscal consolidation and support for growth through both cyclical and structural measures.

“We remain constructive on Indian equities – Overweight Financials, Consumer Discretionary and Industrials,” the global brokerage said in its note.

The Indian equity markets traded higher early on Monday, recovering some of the losses made on Budget Day, despite negative global cues.

As of 9.33 am, Sensex added 373 points, or 0.46 per cent, to reach 81,096, and Nifty gained 87 points, or 0.35 per cent to settle at 24,913.

Main broad-cap indices posted losses, as the Nifty Midcap 100 declined 0.50 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 lost 0.85 per cent.

India's largest state-owned lender, State Bank of India, on Saturday announced the launch of CHAKRA -- a Centre of Excellence for financing sunrise sectors critical to India’s economic transformation.

It will serve as a knowledge‑led platform to enable financing for next‑generation, technology‑driven and sustainability‑focused sectors.

As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman gears up to table the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament on February 1, economists say the emphasis this year will be on defence, infrastructure, capex, power, and higher growth in affordable housing, apart from balancing social welfare with fiscal prudence.

Besides, policymakers will also balance growth priorities with fiscal discipline amid heightened global uncertainty.

Gold and silver prices saw a meltdown this week, amid dollar strengthening and aggressive profit booking from investors after an unprecedented rally in metal.

MCX gold February futures dipped 9 per cent while MCX silver March futures slid down 25 per cent on Friday. Currently gold futures stand at Rs 1,49,075, while silver futures at Rs 2,91,922 per kg.

India’s stock exchanges will hold a regular live trading session on the Union Budget 2026-27 on February 1, despite being a Sunday.

Historically, Budget presentations were done on February 1 while markets have opened for trading even when the date fell on a weekend.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026‑27 at 11 am in the Lok Sabha on February 1.

The Indian equity benchmarks gained around 1 per cent during the week, though the trading sessions were volatile but with a cautiously constructive tone amid mixed global cues and rising geopolitical tensions.

Risk appetite weakened toward the end of the week ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27, with volatility resurfacing amid sustained FII outflows and rupee depreciation leading to losses in the last trading session.

A strong economic growth coupled with increasing job prospects and a positive outlook for 2026 is driving consumer confidence in India, according to a report.

Market research firm Ipsos’ report showed that consumer sentiment in India increased by 1.4 percentage points in January 2026, placing the country second among 30 markets with a national index score of 60.7.

India can sustain “J‑curve” gains despite rupee weakness, if trade diversion becomes embedded in durable supply chains and is supported by logistics efficiencies, a report said on Friday.

The report from Emkay Global Financial Services further stressed restrained tariffs on capital goods and intermediaries as well as steady long‑term FDI to sustain the J-curve gains, adding that these factors will matter far more than tariffs over the medium term.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), with the new base year 2024, will increase marginally by 20-30 bps and in the months when food inflation is higher, the new CPI will be low by 20-30 bps, according to an SBI Research report.

The government had formed an expert group to measure CPI accurately, with the changing consumption behaviour of the households and to incorporate latest global best practices including methodological developments.

Gold and silver prices fell on Friday, after hitting record highs in the previous session as investors booked profits and the US dollar gained strength.

MCX gold February futures fell 1.03 per cent to Rs 1,67,656 per 10 grams around 10 am on an intraday basis. Meanwhile, MCX silver March futures dipped 3.42 per cent to Rs 3,86,200 per kg.

The Indian equity markets traded lower early on Friday as the metal stocks plummeted under pressure.

As of 9.30 am, Sensex eased 525 points, or 0.64 per cent, to reach 82,040, and Nifty lost 159 points, or 0.63 per cent, to settle at 25,259.