DAIKIN INDIA PRICE HIKE
India’s truckers brace for first diesel price hike in four years
In the backdrop of impending elections, truck fleet operators across India are seeing storm clouds on the horizon with expected fuel rationing and a steep rise in diesel prices. The flare-up in the Middle East is sending shockwaves through global oil supplies, forcing state refiners to reconsider their strategies amid rising inflation.
Is the RBI fighting the wrong battle? Why rate hikes may not solve India’s current inflation problem
Rising oil prices due to the West Asia conflict have lifted inflation expectations, but underlying demand in India remains weak. Despite market signals pointing to possible rate hikes, historical trends and current macro conditions suggest the RBI may hold off, favouring supportive monetary policy amid fragile growth and supply-driven inflation pressures.
Long-term bonds are cheap now; patient investors may gain big, says Rahul Goswami of Franklin Templeton
Rate cuts are off the table, inflation is creeping up, and the Strait of Hormuz remains a wildcard. In a candid interview with ET Wealth’s Kayezad E. Adajania, Rahul Goswami of Franklin Templeton, sees a clear opportunity in long-dated bonds for investors who can stomach near-term volatility.
Rupee depreciation forces Indian firms to adopt Yuan payments, boost local sourcing
Indian businesses are actively seeking ways to counter the weakening rupee. Companies are now making payments for Chinese imports in yuan, aiming for better supplier prices. Simultaneously, there is a strong push towards sourcing more goods locally. This strategy helps reduce dependence on imported items and manage rising costs. These efforts are crucial for businesses facing currency pressures.
DA hike announcement: How salaries of Level 1-18 employees will rise after 2% dearness allowance hike
DA hike for central government employees: A 2% hike in DA will take it from its current rate of 58% to 60%. With this hike, dearness relief (DR) for pensioners has also been increased to 60%. The announcement is for January 2026 and central government employees and pensioners will get arrears from the back date.
Coming soon: Price hike round 3 in four months for durables
Consumers face another price hike on electronics like ACs, TVs, and smartphones by end April. This marks the third increase in four months. Rising costs of plastics and memory chips are forcing brands to raise prices. Daily essentials like soaps and detergents are also becoming costlier. This trend impacts consumer demand significantly.
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Cement demand to be healthy in Q1FY27E; Likely to hit profitability despite price hikes: Nuvama
Indian cement demand is set for a strong start in the first quarter of FY27. Government infrastructure spending is driving growth. However, rising fuel and packaging costs are a concern. Cement companies are increasing prices to offset these expenses. The sector's performance will depend on the balance between cement prices and production costs.

Paracetamol may get costlier as Vizag chemists warn 30–40% drug cost surge amid Iran war-led pharma cost shock
The ongoing conflict in Iran is impacting India's healthcare sector. Pharmaceutical distributors warn of significant price increases for essential medicines. Soaring raw material costs, particularly from West Asia, are forcing manufacturers to adjust prices. While current stock remains unaffected, future hikes are expected for generic and essential drugs. The government is taking steps to stabilize costs and ensure availability.

Price hikes, outlook cuts - What airlines are doing as fuel costs surge
Global air travel faces significant disruption due to the Iran war, leading to widespread flight cancellations and suspensions across the Middle East. Major airlines have extended cancellations to key hubs like Dubai, Doha, and Tel Aviv, impacting travel plans through late October for many routes.

India smartphone shipments fall to 6-year low in Q1 amid price hikes: Counterpoint Research
India's smartphone shipments experienced a 3% year-on-year decline in Q1 2026, reaching a six-year low due to cost pressures and price hikes. Analysts predict further declines, with Vivo leading the market share. Google emerged as the fastest-growing premium brand, boosted by AI features.

Global Markets | Japan's Nikkei slips from record high on tech drag
Japan's Nikkei share index saw a dip on Friday, pulling back from its record peak. Investors took profits in technology stocks, especially chip-related companies, following rapid gains. This cautious move came after US markets reached new highs. Tokyo Electron and SoftBank Group were among the decliners. The broader Topix also experienced a fall.

Gujarat Gas rises 7% after Nomura upgrade. Is the Iran war a buying opportunity?
Gujarat Gas shares saw a significant jump after a major brokerage upgraded the stock. The US-Iran conflict is creating supply chain disruptions, impacting fuel availability. This situation presents opportunities for Gujarat Gas, especially in the Morbi region. The company is poised for potential volume growth and improved margins. Investors are watching closely as the market reacts to these developments.

DA hike delay: NC-JCM seeks cabinet secretary's intervention for dearness allowance announcement
While the NC-JCM reached out to the cabinet secretary, one of its affiliated bodies, the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers, organised a nationwide lunch-hour protest on Thursday (April 16, 2026) to voice their frustration over the delay in announcing the DA hike. The confederation also wrote a similar letter to the cabinet secretary on April 14, 2026.

Volvo Car India to recalibrate prices by up to Rs 1 lakh from May 1
In a move reflecting global economic trends, Volvo Car will implement a price increase of up to Rs 1 lakh for its vehicles in India effective May 1. The company cites international supply chain disruptions and currency variations as driving factors. If the economic climate doesn't improve, further hikes could follow.

Visiting Japan this year? Here are the new costs you should know about
Japan's travel costs are rising in 2026 due to new taxes and price hikes across accommodation, transport, and departure fees. Kyoto and other regions are implementing lodging taxes, while the international departure tax will triple. Rail pass prices are also increasing, with potential visa fee hikes under consideration.

Global Markets | Japan's Nikkei jumps to record high on Mideast peace hopes; Daikin surges
Optimism over easing Middle East tensions pushed Japan’s Nikkei to record highs, with strong gains in Daikin Industries driving the rally.

Iran war: HUL hikes prices of Dove, Pears, Surf, Red Label
Hindustan Unilever Limited has increased prices for its soap products. This move is a response to escalating costs of raw materials and packaging. The price hikes, ranging from Re 1 to Rs 20, are being passed on to consumers. This development could potentially delay a much-needed revival in consumer demand. FMCG companies were hoping for a boost from GST cuts.

Japan's Nikkei rises to near record high on Mideast peace hopes; Daikin surges
Optimism over easing Middle East tensions pushed Japan’s Nikkei near record highs, with strong gains in Daikin Industries boosting the index.

India's 30-year economic model is over; time to pivot from IT to manufacturing: Saurabh Mukherjea
Saurabh Mukherjea believes India's long-standing economic model is concluding. He anticipates rising inflation and a weakening rupee impacting consumer spending. Interest rate hikes are also expected, posing challenges for lenders. The focus is shifting towards manufacturing exports, benefiting from global trends. This transition presents new investment opportunities in specific export-oriented sectors.

DA hike delay: Central government employee body to hold protest over dearness allowance delay
In a letter to the Cabinet Secretary of India, the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers (CCGEW) writes that its affiliated organisations will hold a lunch hour protest at all work places on April 16, 2026. The government last announced the DA hike in October 2025, which was for July 2025. While central government employees and pensioners have got their arrears for that hike, their wait for the January 2026 DA hike is still not over.

Iran war impact: Essential drugs may cost up to 5% more, for now
The immediate net consumer impact could be 3-5% higher prices, or roughly similar to what consumers paid before the late-September cuts in GST rates. The industry expects the price increase to be in place for 3-4 months, with a rollback option once input costs stabilise.

Startups spot a cool opening as ACs become everyday need
Air-conditioners are becoming an essential purchase in India, attracting startups like Helium and Optimist into a market long dominated by large brands. New entrants are developing affordable, energy-efficient products for urban living, while government incentives for local manufacturing are lowering barriers in a market long dominated by large players.

Rahul backs Rs 20K wage demand; Left flags low wages
Indian National Congress and Left parties have backed a workers’ protest in Noida demanding higher minimum wages and better conditions, citing rising fuel prices and living costs due to the West Asia conflict. Rahul Gandhi said the demands are justified, while trade unions urged authorities to address workers’ grievances through dialogue.

Not just Noida, why workers are protesting across several cities in India
Industrial unrest has erupted in Noida, one of Asia’s largest planned industrial hubs, as workers across thousands of units protest over minimum wage concerns, with violence reported in parts of the electronic city. The agitation comes amid rising global living costs triggered by fuel supply disruptions linked to the US-Israeli war involving Iran.

₹10, ₹20 cola bottles heating up soft drinks fight this summer
Soft drink competition is intensifying as new entrants gain market share, prompting established players to boost marketing and distribution. Despite rising packaging costs, bottlers anticipate a revenue rebound to 15% growth this fiscal, driven by hotter summers and deeper market penetration. While profitability may moderate, healthy cash flows will support continued expansion.

ITC, paints, QSR: Abneesh Roy on what you should buy and avoid right now
Consumer sector outlook for FY27 faces challenges from cigarette tax hikes and crude oil shocks. Abneesh Roy of Nuvama Institutional Equities highlights opportunities in Nestle, Marico, Tata Consumer, Titan, Avenue Supermart, and VMart. Quick service restaurants are advised to approach with caution due to rising costs and market fragmentation. Investors should focus on companies with pricing power and earnings visibility.

Petrol, Diesel price today (April 13): As Diesel, ATF export duties see hike, check fuel rates in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other cities
Petrol, Diesel price today: The prices of petrol and diesel have remained steady despite the ongoing tensions in West Asia. Recently, the government announced a sharp increase in export duties on diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), while keeping the duty on petrol unchanged. In Delhi, petrol is being sold at Rs 94.77 per litre and diesel at Rs 87.67 per litre.

US-Iran truce brings respite, but no quick fix for India Inc's supply pain
CEOs express cautious optimism following the US-Iran ceasefire, anticipating a consumer sentiment boost after a month of geopolitical uncertainty. While markets rallied and oil prices dropped, they caution that supply chain disruptions, LPG shortages, and labor migration will take time to normalize, with inflationary pressures persisting.

Daikin Industries to invest Rs 1,000 crore in India for global R&D centre
Daikin Industries is set to channel a monumental one thousand crore rupees into India to launch its first global R&D hub beyond Japan. This innovative center will specialize in software and product developments tailored for cooling systems.
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