Business

Rural India continues to drive the country’s consumption rebound, outpacing urban markets despite recent policy measures aimed at stimulating city-based spending, according to Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd. (MOFSL).According to MOFSL’s latest ECOSCOPE report titled “Rural Rules, Urban Follows,” rural consumption rose 7.7 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of FY26 — the highest…

Several startups from Singapore and Canada have expressed interest in expanding into India, drawn by its vast consumer base, rapid economic growth, and increasingly supportive startup ecosystem.The companies shared their plans during interactions with PTI on the sidelines of EPIC 2025, a global pitch competition organised by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation…

In a major policy shift aimed at unlocking India’s vast marine wealth, the Centre has notified new rules for deep-sea fishing in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) — prioritising fishermen cooperatives, small-scale fishers, and digital transparency, while banning foreign vessels from Indian waters.The rules, notified on November 4, fulfil the government’s Budget 2025-26 promise…

Pfizer is poised to acquire US-based biotechnology firm Metsera in a $10 billion deal, after winning a heated bidding battle against Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, which has now withdrawn from the race, AFP reported.Metsera, which specialises in obesity treatments, said in a statement that Pfizer’s improved offer of $86.25 per share had been unanimously approved…

Washington’s economy is facing deepening distress as the longest-ever US government shutdown, mass layoffs of federal workers, and cuts to food assistance converge to hit households and small businesses across the capital region, AP reported.The Capital Area Food Bank, which supports more than 400 pantries and aid organisations across the District of Columbia, northern Virginia,…

Markets regulator Sebi has warned investors against putting money into digital or e-gold products, cautioning that such instruments fall outside its regulatory framework and carry significant risks, PTI reported.The advisory follows Sebi’s observation that several online platforms have been promoting “digital gold” or “e-gold” as a convenient alternative to physical gold, without disclosing that these…

Gold prices extended their decline for the third straight week, pressured by a stronger US dollar and cautious remarks from Federal Reserve officials that curbed investor appetite for safe-haven assets, analysts said.The sustained firmness in the greenback and the US central bank’s wait-and-watch stance have kept bullion trading in a narrow range through the holiday-shortened…

India and Australia have reaffirmed their commitment to conclude the second phase of their Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) at the earliest, as Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held talks with his Australian counterpart Don Farrell to review the progress of negotiations, PTI reported.According to an official statement, both sides agreed to work “constructively…

In this CXO Connect conversation with Prasad Sanyal, beauty pioneer Dr Blossom Kochhar looks back at four decades of building India’s aromatherapy movement—from hand-blending creams on her kitchen table to shaping the country’s wellness education ecosystem. When your name is Blossom, destiny doesn’t really do nuance. It arrives in full bloom. Her father, a coffee…

The Tea Board has called on the industry to adopt food safety standards more effectively, saying compliance will be critical for long-term sustainability and competitiveness in both domestic and global markets.Releasing its new Plant Protection Code (PPC), the Board said adherence to food safety norms would not only protect the plantation ecosystem but also ensure…