GST IMPACT
ICICI Bank credit card rule changes in November and December 2026: Higher replacement fees; insurance benefits discontinued; what cardholders should know
ICICI Bank is set to implement revisions to certain credit card fees and will eliminate some complimentary benefits for its cardholders. Beginning in December 2026, eligible credit cards will see increased replacement costs, along with the termination of specific associated insurance covers.
Jaguar Land Rover to launch its first electric vehicles in key growth market India in 2027: MD
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will enter India's luxury electric vehicle market in 2027 with the Range Rover Electric and Range Rover Sport Electric. The company will also launch the new Jaguar GT next year. JLR India plans to initially import the EVs to test demand, expand its retail network to 40 outlets and capitalise on India's growing premium car market.
Planning a wedding? Hidden costs that can derail your budget and drain your savings
Vendor fine print, last-minute guests and family pressure can push your wedding bill way above the initial budget. Here’s how to spot the hidden costs before they hit you. You could also maintain a dedicated savings account or have one person oversee expenses to track payments for every function and ceremony, especially if various family members are doing the spending.
ETMarkets Smart Talk| Higher yields offer opportunities, but investors need not rush into long-duration funds: Shriram Ramanathan
In this edition of ETMarkets Smart Talk, Shriram Ramanathan, CIO–Fixed Income at HSBC Mutual Fund, discusses the changing dynamics in India’s bond market, the outlook for interest rates and yields, and how investors should navigate the choice between debt mutual funds, fixed deposits and government securities. He also explains why liquidity and flexibility could matter more than rushing to lock into longer-duration bets in the current environment.
Samvat 2083 begins: Will the good times roll for Indian businesses?
Samvat 2083 begins with Indian businesses entering the new year on a note of cautious optimism. Strong GST collections, festive demand and the RBI’s upgraded FY27 growth forecast point to economic resilience. But weak hiring, easing manufacturing momentum, food inflation and crude oil risks cloud the outlook.
Britannia Industries plans further price hikes amid food inflation impacting margins and boosting rural demand
Britannia Industries is responding to persistent inflation by considering additional price hikes for its products. The company has already raised prices by 3.5% in the September quarter, but this only partially addresses rising costs. Increased competition from companies like Reliance Industries adds pressure on their pricing strategy and market share. Demand is improving, particularly in rural and semi-urban markets, which reflects changing consumption patterns.
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Gold taxation explained: How much tax you pay on selling physical gold, ETFs, fund of funds and SGBs
Tax on capital gains from gold investment: Investing in gold can yield gains, but investors must be informed about the associated tax liabilities. Different types of gold investments, including physical gold, ETFs, and FoFs, have varying tax implications. Gold held for less than 24 months generates short-term capital gains, while long-term gains apply to gold held longer. Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) have specific tax exemptions if held until maturity, which investors should note.

Diwali shopping gets costlier this year: From milk, ghee, butter to dry fruits, here's why festive buying is burning a hole in your pocket
Milk and ghee prices: Rising costs of key ingredients are affecting both consumers and manufacturers during this Diwali season. Dairy prices have seen significant increases, with major brands raising their rates amid high demand. Additionally, dry fruit prices have surged, reaching record highs over the past year. Corporate gifting has also become more expensive, forcing companies to reduce their gift quantities or opt for smaller packages.

'Surcharge an enhancement of rate of sales tax': SC upholds states' power to levy additional sales tax
The Supreme Court reaffirmed a 1974 ruling regarding states' power to levy additional sales tax. This ruling clarified that such levies are enhancements to existing sales tax rates. The court found that previous challenges did not hold merit due to changes in tax legislation. The Goods and Services Tax framework significantly altered the taxation system for states. Therefore, the legal question presented has been rendered academic by these developments.

Time to pick the right business, hold it longer: 5 stocks from the auto ancillary space with upside potential of up to 20%
In times of uncertainty in the market, investors should look for sectors where there is some underlying transformation taking place that is bigger, and will last longer, than the impact of any war or election results. One such is the auto ancillary sector.

Cancelled flight ticket? GSTAT says airlines can refund GST to passengers and claim it back from the government
Taxpayer wins GST refund denial case after depositing GST on airline ticket with the govt and later refunding the GST back to passengers due to cancelled ticket; GSTAT orders GST department to issue GST refund with interest to taxpayer

Festive demand lifts dry fruit, chocolate imports this season
During the festive season, India's import of tree nuts and chocolates rose significantly, reflecting a 10-12% annual demand increase. The reduction in goods and services tax has made these gourmet products more accessible to consumers. In 2025, dry fruit imports during this period accounted for a substantial share of annual purchases.

From GST to e-invoicing: Closing the loop on Digital India
India has already built the rails. It is time to let the invoice travel on them.

Should you buy gold now? Experts see prices rising, but watch these risks
Gold prices have experienced a notable drop, creating favorable opportunities for those looking to buy during the festive and wedding seasons. Experts suggest that gold demand may rise in the near future. Nevertheless, market volatility driven by US Federal Reserve rate changes should prompt caution among investors. It is essential for buyers to evaluate their financial objectives and consult with financial advisors regarding suitable gold investment strategies.

GST decriminalisation decisions set benchmark for trust-based governance: CII
The Confederation of Indian Industry praised the GST Council's recent decisions aimed at decriminalising certain offences. The Council recommended raising the prosecution threshold from Rs 1 crore to Rs 5 crore, promoting trust in businesses.

GST collections jump 22.9% to Rs 2.31 lakh crore in October as festive demand beats high inflation and interest rates
India's GST collections in October reached ₹2.31 lakh crore, reflecting a 22.9% year-on-year increase. Strong consumption trends are indicated by rising passenger car sales and record digital payments. Power consumption also surged nearly 22% compared to last year, further emphasizing economic strength. Despite a high inflation rate of 5.5%, demand has remained robust, supporting growth forecasts. Analysts suggest this growth aligns with leading indicators of a consumption-driven economy.

Varun Beverages shares fall over 4% as Q3 margin pressure weighs despite a 33% YoY revenue growth
Varun Beverages reported strong Q3 CY2026 revenue, profit and volume growth, but its shares fell as higher packaging costs weighed on margins. EBITDA margin declined 140 basis points year-on-year, while the company announced an interim dividend of Rs 0.50 per share.

Finance ministry estimates India’s Q2 FY27 GDP growth at 7.35%
The finance ministry’s nowcasting model estimates India’s GDP will grow 7.35% in Q2 FY27, following 7.8% growth in the previous quarter, supported by stronger industrial output, energy consumption, port traffic, GST collections and automobile sales.

India is addressing Wall Street’s favourite ‘elephant’ in the room to its own advantage
The Indian government has identified 762 potential applications of artificial intelligence across 62 ministries and departments, spanning farming, railway safety, tax compliance, public grievances, customs and healthcare. While some tools are already in use, others remain in pilot or development stages.

Festive demand, capex to fuel India’s industrial growth in H2 FY27 despite risks: Report
Festive demand and sustained public capital expenditure are expected to support India's industrial activity in the second half of FY27, although unfavourable base effects, weak monsoon conditions and higher input costs could weigh on production, according to a report by Union Bank of India.

Tractor demand drying to likely 3-year low at arid farms
Tractor sales are projected to fall by up to 10% year-on-year, while vehicle dealers in some markets are also seeing sharp declines in sales of entry-level cars and two-wheelers. Tractor sales were up 8% to 610,000 units in the first half of the current year from a year-ago period, according to Tractor and Mechanisation Association. The pressure is also visible in entry-level motorcycles and cars, which have a large rural market.

HUL sales rise 15% to hit 14-quarter high, but inflation clouds demand outlook
Hindustan Unilever posted a turnover of ₹18,071 crore for the September quarter, highlighting a 15% rise. Even with a price increase of 7.5%, the company's volume growth remained stable at 7%. Homecare emerged as the standout performer, boasting a robust 22% sales growth. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation climbed to ₹4,089 crore, an 8% boost. However, ongoing inflation and wage issues in rural sectors pose significant challenges.

Akasa Air hikes pilots' salaries by up to 15% to retain them
The revised pay structure will take effect January 1, 2027, with fixed monthly salaries increasing across all eight pilot grades, from first officers to designated examiners.

Reckitt’s base effect GST boost in India to unwind in Q4, says CEO
Reckitt's India operations showed strong growth momentum in the July-September quarter compared to the previous year. The prior year was affected by GST-related stock depletion, leading to a more favorable comparison now. Specifically, the company reported double-digit growth for brands like Dettol, Durex and Harpic. Reckitt is also focusing on enhancing execution through AI-enabled sales transformation in India.

Hindustan Unilever to take calibrated price hikes as commodity inflation stays high, says CEO Priya Nair
Hindustan Unilever has raised prices by around 7.5% in response to rising input costs across its portfolio. Despite these increases, consumer demand remains strong in both urban and rural areas of India. The company is focusing on balancing further price adjustments with cost savings through procurement and supply-chain efficiencies. Positive indicators of economic resilience include electricity demand and GST collections, alongside improved rural demand.

Hyundai Motor India's Q2 profit falls 24% as commodity costs blunt tax-cut boost to demand
Hyundai Motor India reported a profit drop of 24% in the second quarter due to increased raw material costs. Rising commodity prices for materials like copper and steel squeezed profitability despite strong vehicle demand. The company's profit after tax for the quarter was Rs 1,196 crore, down from Rs 1,572 crore the previous year. Total revenue increased significantly to Rs 20,696 crore, marking a record quarter.

Auto sector margins may improve from third quarter but El Nino, West Asia crisis key risks: Report
Automobile sector margins are projected to improve gradually after the second quarter of FY27 as manufacturers increase prices. The growth in automobile sales across segments has been strong, driven by a favourable base and festive season demand. However, growth rates may moderate in the upcoming quarters as the base normalizes.

NSDC raises Rs 4 crore through Social Stock Exchange for global skilling initiative
The funds raised will be used to provide skilling and employment opportunities to 600 youth from economically weaker other backward classes (OBC) households in Madhya Pradesh. The programme, with an estimated outlay of Rs 11.25 crore, aims to prepare 600 candidates for international employment opportunities, with 300 candidates earmarked for Japan and another 300 for Germany, the ministry of skills development and entrepreneurship said in a statement on Thursday.

We have to change the conversation from media costs to business value: Publicis Media's Lalatendu Das
India's advertising sector is experiencing a transformative phase driven by innovations in artificial intelligence and the rise of the creator economy. Marketers are prioritizing agencies that provide tangible business outcomes over mere media optimization. As a result, there is a transition in advertising budgets from traditional celebrity endorsements to content created by influencers.
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