The Trump administration is moving to cut more than $100 million in federal health care grants for Illinois, a step quickly met with a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Kwame Raoul and his peers in three other states.
Asian equities reached a record high, outperforming US markets due to attractive valuations and robust growth prospects. This surge occurred as Treasuries declined following stronger-than-expected US jobs data, tempering expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. The market now awaits US inflation figures for further direction.
Canara Bank has lowered its one-month and overnight MCLR rates by five basis points, effective February 12. The new rates of 7.90% and 7.85% respectively will lead to reduced borrowing costs for customers. This move aligns with the RBI's aim for transparent interest rate transmission amidst growing credit demand.
Indian companies saw mixed results in the December quarter. Consumer sectors like automobiles, banking, cement, and pharma performed well due to festive demand and GST cuts. However, labor code changes impacted profitability. Future trends will depend on rural demand, US trade measures, and raw material prices. Companies are focusing on new launches and efficiency to drive growth.
Proposal would increase local accountability by setting water and electricity reporting requirements and water efficiency standards, and ensure community engagement.
NTPC's shares have surged, outperforming the power index, as investors anticipate strong capacity additions and green energy growth. The company is accelerating renewable energy projects through its subsidiary NGEL and investing in energy storage and nuclear technologies. Analysts maintain a 'buy' rating, citing diversification efforts and project execution.
The government is on the brink of a historic merger between Power Finance Corp and REC, with plans for preferential share allocation to retain public ownership. This initiative could potentially see the government's stake drop to under 51% after the consolidation.
Analysts are divided on BHEL's 4,422 crore offer for sale, with caution on valuation but optimism over its order book. While short-term investors may see no immediate upside, those with a medium to long-term horizon could find merit in bidding. The OFS is seen as a divestment exercise rather than a rerating trigger.
Foreign investors accelerated selling in financial services in the latter half of January, offloading 5,402 crore. Overall, overseas investors withdrew 29,056 crore across 15 sectors, with healthcare also seeing significant outflows. Metals and mining, however, attracted 8,837 crore in inflows, driven by precious metal momentum.
