India’s forex reserves cross $700 billion: Value of gold holdings surges; foreign currency assets fall slightly

India’s foreign exchange reserves rose by $4.496 billion, reaching $702.28 billion for the week ending October 17, majorly driven by an increase in the value of gold reserves, the Reserve Bank of India said Friday.Last week, the overall reserves had increased by $2.176 billion to $697.784 billion, reported PTI.Foreign currency assets (FCA), the largest part…

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US inflation at 3% in September: Gas prices rise, rent growth eases; Trump’s tariffs raise consumer goods costs

US inflation hits 3% (AP) US inflation remained elevated in September, fueled by a surge in gas prices, even as rent growth slowed, reflecting a mixed picture for consumers in an economy with steady growth but sluggish hiring.According to the labor department report, cited by AP, consumer prices rose 3% from a year earlier—the highest…

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Social security benefits to rise 2.8%: Retirees to see $56 monthly boost; senior citizens say increase not enough

Social security benefits to rise 2.8% (AP) The Social Security administration on Friday announced that its benefits will increase by 2.8% in 2026, giving retirees an average monthly boost of more than $56. The rise reflects moderating inflation after several years of higher cost-of-living adjustments (COLA).The increase will take effect in January for nearly 71…

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BSE shares rally: Gain 15% in a month as regulatory fears ease; top things investors should watch out for

BSE’s stock has staged a strong recovery after weeks of anxiety over regulatory reforms, gaining 15% in a month as concerns over the weekly options expiry rule fade and traders return. The stock jumped nearly 2% to Rs 2,533.70 on Thursday before settling at Rs 2,486.50, raising doubts about the rally’s sustainability.Amid speculation that the…

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‘Why single out India?’: Piyush Goyal slams double standards on Russian oil; questions Germany, UK for seeking exemptions from US sanctions

Speaking at the Berlin Global Dialogue, Piyush Goyal stressed on India’s independent trade policies. Commerce minister Piyush Goyal has hit out at the Western nations double-standards on Russian oil, questioning Germany and UK’s reported move seeking exemptions from US sanctions.Speaking at the Berlin Global Dialogue Goyal stressed on India’s independent trade policies, firmly saying that…

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Trump sanctions to hit India: Will New Delhi’s crude oil imports from Russia stop? Here’s what analysts say

Trump sanctions to hit India: Indian refiners are preparing to scale up crude oil purchases from the Middle East, Latin America, and the United States to compensate for reduced imports from Russia, analysts told news agency PTI.This comes after the US government on Wednesday imposed fresh US sanctions on two of Moscow’s biggest producers, Rosneft…

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Gold reserves vs dollar assets: Why is RBI buying gold & reducing investments in US treasury securities – top points to know

The central bank has added 600 kilograms to its gold reserves this fiscal year. (Representative image) In a strategic shift, India is betting on gold rather than dollar-based assets for its foreign exchange reserves. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is showing a preference for gold over dollar-based investments, data suggests. As of October 10,…

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Trump-Xi meeting: Asian stock markets surge after confirmation; US-China trade tensions expected to ease

Representative image (AI-generated) Asian stock markets remained mostly high on Friday after the White House confirmed that US President Donald Trump will meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping next week.The announcement eased some uncertainty over trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies, although the likelihood of a major trade deal remains unclear.Chinese markets also gained…

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Lesson from China’s export restrictions: India eyes fertilizer plant project in Russia; aim to protect against supply shocks

Representative image (AI-generated) Indian fertiliser companies are preparing to set up a urea manufacturing facility in Russia, a move that is likely to be announced during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India in December. This would be India’s first fertiliser venture in Russia.The plant will use Russia’s abundant ammonia and natural gas reserves, ensuring…

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