Stock market outlook: Q3 earnings, inflation data in focus this week; global cues to steer sentiment

Indian equity markets are set for an event-heavy week ahead, with investors closely tracking the onset of the December quarter earnings season, key domestic and global inflation data, and developments on the global macro and geopolitical front, analysts said, PTI reported.Quarterly results from several heavyweight companies across information technology, banking, financial services and energy sectors,…

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Companies flag location spoofing among hybrid, gig workers

BENGALURU: Background verification firms and corporate forensic teams are flagging cases of location spoofing, particularly among hybrid employees and gig workers. In several instances, employees have been pulled up after allegedly misrepresenting their actual work location, with such discrepancies surfacing during random audits, compliance checks, or client reviews. Investigations found that some used travel routers…

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AI shopping: Google partners Walmart, Shopify and Wayfair to turn Gemini into in-chat checkout platform; what you need to know

Google has expanded the shopping capabilities of its Gemini AI chatbot by partnering with major retailers including Walmart, Shopify and Wayfair, enabling users to browse and buy products directly within the chatbot, the company said on Sunday, AP reported.The move, announced on the opening day of the National Retail Federation’s annual convention in New York,…

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Highway build feat: NHAI sets four Guinness world records on Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada corridor; bituminous paving milestones logged

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Sunday said it has set four Guinness World Records during construction of the Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada Economic Corridor on NH-544G, marking a major execution milestone on the under-implementation project, according to a statement reported PTI.On January 6, NHAI created two Guinness World Records near Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh. The…

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Gold & silver outlook: Bullion seen holding firm next week; US tariff verdict, geopolitics in focus

Gold and silver prices are expected to remain firm next week as traders brace for heightened geopolitical risks and uncertainty around the US Supreme Court’s impending verdict on President Donald Trump’s tariff policy, analysts said.Market participants will also track inflation data from major economies including the US, India and Germany, alongside trade and investment numbers…

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Crypto rules tightened: Live selfies, geo-tagging mandatory for users; FIU rolls out tougher KYC norms

India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has rolled out stringent new Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) norms for cryptocurrency exchanges, making live selfie verification and geographical tracking mandatory during user onboarding, according to guidelines issued on January 8, PTI reported. Under the updated framework, crypto exchanges are classified as Virtual Digital Asset (VDA)…

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Budget 2026: CII pitches demand-led, faster privatisation of PSEs; seeks three-year pipeline

Industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has called for a faster, demand-driven privatisation strategy for public sector enterprises (PSEs) in the Union Budget 2026-27, urging the government to adopt a predictable roadmap to unlock value from disinvestment and mobilise resources for capital expenditure amid global economic uncertainties.In its Budget proposals, CII suggested an accelerated…

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Budget 2026: Govt should avoid hiking surcharge on super-rich, reviving wealth tax; why experts warn of capital flight

Tax experts have cautioned the government against raising the income tax surcharge on high-income individuals or reintroducing a wealth tax in the Union Budget 2026-27, warning that such moves could push wealthy taxpayers to relocate to low-tax jurisdictions and hurt investment and job creation.At present, individuals earning over Rs 50 lakh are subject to a…

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Market sell-off: 7 of top-10 firms lose Rs 3.63 lakh crore in a week; Reliance, HDFC Bank biggest drags

The combined market capitalisation of seven of India’s 10 most valued companies fell by Rs 3,63,412.18 crore last week, with Reliance Industries emerging as the biggest laggard amid a broader sell-off in equities, PTI reported.The benchmark BSE Sensex declined 2,185.77 points, or 2.54 per cent, during the week, reflecting weak investor sentiment.“Indian equity markets ended…

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