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Indians significantly increased spending on premium and big-ticket items like smartphones, large TVs, and washing machines this Navratri-Dussehra season. GST reductions made products more affordable, driving sales across categories, including mass apparel and footwear. Retailers reported strong year-on-year growth, with Navratri sales reaching a decade high.

India’s IT services sector anticipates modest Q2 2025 results due to macroeconomic uncertainty and client caution. While Tier-I firms like Infosys and HCLTech show slight growth, mid-tier companies are set to outperform. Margins remain steady, but GenAI’s deflationary impact and vertical headwinds pose challenges.

AIIB chief economist Erik Berglof states US tariffs create unprecedented global uncertainty, surpassing Covid or GFC impacts. He notes China’s preparedness and leverage, while global supply chains remain robust, with “China plus one” benefiting nations like India. Berglof emphasizes India’s need for greater integration into Asian value chains, despite its domestic focus.

RBI’s tokenization initiative has significantly reduced fraud and improved transaction success rates since 2022. Now, Visa is introducing its Payment Passkey, a biometric and cryptographic authentication alternative to OTPs, which has shown nearly 50% lower fraud rates. This move, supported by RBI’s flexible framework, positions India as a global leader in secure and innovative digital

Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged over 4% to record highs after Sanae Takaichi’s election as LDP leader, with investors optimistic about her pro-market policies. The yen weakened amid expectations of higher public spending. Analysts noted Takaichi’s election, strong corporate sentiment, and a global oil rebound boosted confidence, though short-term corrections are possible.

Gold and silver markets are experiencing a “super bull run” ahead of Diwali 2025, with prices surging over 47% and 52% respectively this year. Analysts predict continued growth, driven by global uncertainties, central bank policies, and strong festive demand, with gold potentially reaching Rs 1.22 lakh and silver Rs 1.50 lakh.

US authorities are auctioning 600 million tonnes of coal from federal lands, expedited by a Trump executive order, despite many power stations planning to cease coal use within a decade. While the administration cites rising electricity demand, declining market forecasts and low valuations from key buyers like NTEC raise questions about the actual demand for

World Bank economist Franziska Ohnsorge highlights India’s significant untapped potential in services and manufacturing exports for foreign investors. Computer services exports surged 30% post-ChatGPT, indicating strong opportunities, while manufacturing faces constraints from limited trade agreements. Although private investment growth remains robust, India’s FDI to GDP ratio is notably weak by international standards.

The Ministry of Textiles has launched the ‘Swadeshi Campaign’ to significantly boost domestic demand for Indian handloom, handicrafts, and textile products. This initiative targets urban youth and Gen Z, aiming to reposition Indian textiles as symbols of pride and heritage.

EU Ambassador Herve Delphin stated the India-EU FTA could be a “game changer” for bilateral trade, diversifying supply chains amid global tariff hikes. Despite challenging negotiations and unresolved issues like market access, the EU remains committed to a meaningful deal by December 2025, aiming to leverage their significant economic complementarity.