In the past one month, prices of key materials have increased sharply. Local iron rods rose from about ₹50 per kg to ₹55, while branded rods now cost up to ₹70 per kg. Cement prices have also gone up by more than ₹5 per bag.

Experts say construction costs have increased by 5–6% in just 15–20 days. Tiles now cost ₹50–₹100 more per box, and plumbing materials have become expensive due to supply disruptions.

The global conflict has disrupted oil supply and production chains, raising costs worldwide. Many people in Bihar are now delaying house construction due to rising expenses.

The post Iran-America War: Building Material Prices Rise, House Construction Costly in Bihar appeared first on India Podcast.

The decision follows significant Democratic gains in recent off-year elections in Virginia and New Jersey, where economic concerns dominated voter sentiment. Analysts say the electoral setback served as a clear signal that Americans are feeling the strain of high living costs, prompting the administration to take corrective action.

Earlier this year, Trump imposed tariffs on several countries, arguing that the duties would not affect domestic prices. However, data and market responses suggested otherwise. Beef prices, in particular, surged sharply, and tariffs on Brazil — one of the largest exporters — were widely blamed for the spike. Acknowledging these pressures, Trump had recently hinted at easing trade restrictions to stabilise the market.

Under the new order, tariffs are removed from commodities such as bananas, oranges, tomatoes, fruit juices, spices and certain fertilisers — many of which are not produced domestically. Economists argue that reducing import taxes on such items will directly benefit consumers by lowering retail prices.

The policy shift coincides with new trade agreements with Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador and Argentina aimed at reducing import taxes on agricultural goods. Trump also indicated earlier this week that coffee tariffs were likely to be lowered as part of a broader push to boost imports and ease inflation.

While Trump continues to defend his economic strategy, insisting that his policies have strengthened key sectors, Americans continue to face rising costs for essentials like food, electricity and housing. The latest tariff rollback is expected to offer some relief as the administration tries to address growing economic discontent.

The post Trump Lifts Commodity Tariffs: Major Move to Ease Soaring U.S. Prices appeared first on India Podcast.

The Sensex opened sharply higher at 84,238.86, maintaining steady momentum throughout the day. Strong demand for heavyweights like TCS, Infosys, Adani Ports, and Sun Pharma supported gains, while Tata Steel and Tata Motors ended lower.

According to Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services, global equities rallied on improved risk appetite. Optimism grew around the possible resolution of the U.S. government shutdown and expectations of early Fed rate cuts. Positive domestic cues such as easing inflation, robust GDP growth, and healthy FY26 earnings outlook also boosted investor confidence.

Sectorally, Nifty IT rose 2.04%, Nifty Auto gained 1.24%, and Nifty Bank added 0.23%. Broader indices also advanced, with Nifty Midcap 100 up 0.79% and Smallcap 100 up 0.82%. The rupee traded mildly weaker at ₹88.62, while the dollar index hovered near $99.60 ahead of key U.S. CPI data.

The post Indian Markets Gain for Third Day as IT, Auto Stocks Rally appeared first on India Podcast.

Morgan Stanley sees a 50 per cent chance that the BSE Sensex will reach 89,000 by June 2026, implying a 6 per cent upside. It said India’s growth cycle will strengthen, supported by RBI’s rate cuts and a lower cash reserve ratio (CRR).

The firm cited deregulation, liquidity infusion, and a possible India-US trade deal as major catalysts. It added that easing ties with China and GST cuts worth ₹1.5 trillion could lift investor sentiment. Analysts believe falling oil intensity in GDP and stronger exports will help cut real rates and steady inflation.

Morgan Stanley prefers domestic cyclicals such as financials, consumer discretionary, and industrials over defensives. The firm expects stronger foreign inflows and monetary easing to further boost India’s equity outlook in the near term.

The post Morgan Stanley Sees Sensex Surge Ahead appeared first on India Podcast.

The decline followed US President Donald Trump’s earlier comments about imposing restrictive tariffs on China, raising concerns about a renewed trade war. Although Trump softened his tone, investors remained cautious, leading to selling pressure.

Among major laggards were Tata Motors, Infosys, Hindustan Unilever, and Power Grid. Adani Ports, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv, and Axis Bank posted gains, limiting the overall downside. IT and FMCG stocks faced sectoral pressure, while Nifty Financial Services ended higher by 0.35 per cent.

In the broader market, the Nifty MidCap 100 index rose 0.11 per cent, while the Nifty SmallCap 100 index fell 0.17 per cent. Analysts noted that markets may remain volatile as global trade tensions and geopolitical issues continue to influence investor sentiment. A slight recovery in the INR and easing inflation expectations provided minor support, but overall caution kept markets slightly negative.

The post Indian Markets Dip on Global Concerns appeared first on India Podcast.

Experts say declining trust in fiat currencies and sustained ETF buying will maintain the gold price surge 2025. On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), December gold futures reached ₹1,22,284 per 10 grams this week, supported by geopolitical tensions and US Federal Reserve rate cut expectations.

A weaker US dollar is making gold more attractive to international investors. On Monday, MCX Gold December futures rose 1.62% to ₹1,23,313 per 10 grams, while MCX Silver December futures increased 3.44% to ₹1,51,577 per kg.

Globally, spot gold touched $4,060 per ounce, marking its eighth consecutive weekly gain. The surge follows renewed US-China trade tensions, with China warning against new tariffs and urging a return to negotiations.

The post Gold Prices Surge Ahead of Dhanteras 2025 appeared first on India Podcast.

The World Bank increased India’s GDP forecast for FY26 to 6.5%, up from 6.3% projected in June. The rise comes from resilient domestic demand, tax reforms, and strong rural recovery. Bangladesh’s growth is pegged at 4.8%, while Bhutan’s estimate fell to 7.3% due to hydropower delays. Growth in Maldives is expected at 3.9%, and Nepal may slow to 2.1% amid unrest.

Sri Lanka’s forecast has been upgraded to 3.5%, supported by tourism and service exports. South Asia’s overall growth is projected at 6.6% in 2025 but may ease to 5.8% in 2026 due to global and regional risks, including trade uncertainty and AI-related disruptions.

World Bank Vice President Johannes Zutt urged South Asian nations to address risks and embrace AI for productivity gains. The report also advised reforms to boost jobs, improve connectivity, and expand safety nets for workers affected by technology shifts.

The post World Bank Raises India’s FY26 Growth Forecast appeared first on India Podcast.

Recent GST rate cuts and festive season spending are expected to boost domestic consumption. These measures could counter global economic challenges and strengthen India’s growth this quarter. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) kept a neutral stance while watching tariff changes and GST rationalisation.

India’s growth projection for FY26 has risen to 6.8 per cent from 6.5 per cent. Inflation is now expected at 2.6 per cent instead of 3.1 per cent. High-frequency indicators like air passenger traffic, port cargo, and rail freight show slight slowdown. Meanwhile, diesel consumption, government spending, and bank credit have improved.

The Bank of Baroda estimated GST cuts and festive spending could raise consumption by Rs 12 lakh crore to Rs 14 lakh crore. Wedding-related expenses may contribute a large share. Strong domestic consumption keeps India as the fastest-growing major economy in the world.

The post RBI Likely to Cut Rates Amid Inflation Drop appeared first on India Podcast.

Governor Sanjay Malhotra leads the MPC, which meets every two months. The committee examines inflation trends, growth data, fiscal updates, and global conditions. Its decisions directly affect lending rates, borrowing costs, and economic activity.

Analysts are closely watching this meeting. Many expect the RBI to cut rates by 25 basis points. They point to low inflation and global uncertainties as reasons. However, some experts believe the MPC may hold rates steady to assess previous moves and protect stability.

Moreover, the committee will discuss improving liquidity and enhancing credit flow to support growth. This meeting arrives amid mixed economic signals — growth is stable, but global risks are rising. Thus, the decision will carry significant weight.

The RBI will announce its decision on Wednesday, October 1, at 10:00 AM. They will stream it live on their official YouTube channel and social media. Governor Malhotra will explain the reasoning behind the decision at a press conference afterward.

For businesses, banks, and households, this meeting matters. Borrowing costs, credit availability, and investment decisions depend on its outcome. Therefore, the MPC’s announcement could influence India’s economy for months.

The post RBI MPC Meeting Begins Today; Policy Rate Decision Wednesday appeared first on India Podcast.

Setty praised SBI’s fast responses and high-quality services, which capital market leaders widely appreciated. He said the bank will not only provide banking solutions but also help shape India’s financial future.

SBI reported a 12.5% rise in net profit to Rs 19,160 crore for Q1 FY26, compared to Rs 17,035 crore last year. Operating profit grew 15.5% to Rs 30,544 crore. Investor confidence improved as BSE-listed companies reached a combined value of Rs 465 lakh crore, near last year’s peak.

The Reserve Bank of India’s potential easing and softening inflation supported market optimism. Strong performances from PSU, auto, bank, metal, and oil & gas sectors further boosted markets. Experts predict corporate earnings may grow above 15% in FY27 due to GST reforms, improving foreign investor sentiment.

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