US markets today: Wall Street holds near records ahead of Fed meeting; retail data and corporate results influence trading

US stocks stayed close to record highs on Tuesday as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s first interest rate cut of the year, expected on Wednesday. The S&P 500 rose 0.1% from its recent peak, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 52 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.1% higher as of 9:35 a.m….

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US retail sales rise despite Trump tariffs: August growth beats estimates; consumer spending cushions economy

Retail spending in the US exceeded expectations in August, rising 0.6 percent month-on-month, government data showed on Tuesday, even as President Donald Trump’s tariffs continue to impact the global trade environment. On a year-on-year basis, retail sales climbed 5 percent.The Commerce Department data highlighted that motor vehicle and parts dealers saw a 0.5 percent increase…

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Gold rate today: October futures cross Rs 1.10 lakh per 10 gm; Fed rate-cut hopes and weak dollar fuel demand

Gold rate today: Gold futures soared to fresh peaks on Tuesday, with expectations of an imminent US Federal Reserve rate cut and a weaker dollar driving safe-haven buying across global and domestic markets. On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), October contracts jumped Rs 384, or 0.34 per cent, to a record Rs 1,10,563 per 10…

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India-US trade talks resume: Deal unlikely unless extra 25% tariffs lifted, says GTRI; urges firm stance on farm, dairy

Progress in India–US trade negotiations depends heavily on Washington revoking the additional 25 per cent tariffs linked to India’s Russian oil imports, according to a report by the India-based Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) as discussions resumed in New Delhi on Tuesday.“Negotiations will remain slow unless Washington signals genuine flexibility,” the GTRI report stated, as…

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GST revamp: Government asks retailers to highlight discounts, focus on festive season sales

In a major relief to the consumers, the commerce and industry ministry has asked retail chains to clearly display and advertise discounts arising from the recent rationalisation of GST rates, directing them to pass on the benefit to final buyers ahead of the festive season.In a communication to the Retailers Association of India, the Department…

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Gold loans surge as small borrowers shun MFIs: 122% jump in June, shows RBI data; soaring prices, lower rates fuel shift

Lower-income borrowers with limited income are increasingly turning to gold loans instead of microfinance institutions (MFIs) to meet urgent financial needs. Rising gold prices, lower gold-loan interest rates and stricter MFI lending norms are driving the trend. RBI data show gold-backed loans jumped 122 per cent year-on-year until June, while the Microfinance Industry Network reported…

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India’s first private-sector strategic petroleum reserve! Megha Engineering bags Rs 5,700-crore project; why it’s important

The venture includes a crude oil filling expense of $1.25 billion (Rs 11,020 crore) at present rates. (AI image for representative purpose) India is looking to build its first-ever private sector strategic petroleum reserve in the next five years. The massive Rs 5,700 crore project contract has been awarded to Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd.According…

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ITR filing due date extended to September 16: Why did Income Tax department grant an extra day for tax returns filing? What we know

ITR filing due date extension: The move came, even as the number of filed returns crossed 7.3 crore by 15 September, the highest ever. ITR filing FY 2024-25 due date extended: Amid a record surge in Income Tax Return (ITR) filings, the government has extended the deadline for Assessment Year 2025-26 by a day, pushing…

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India-US trade deal: First in-person talks since Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs; what to expect

This is the first face-to-face trade discussion since US President Donald Trump levied punitive tariffs on New Delhi. (AI image) India and the US are set to resume bilateral trade deal talks on Tuesday with Donald Trump administration’s Brendan Lynch, the assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, heading the delegation.This is the…

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Employment rate: Joblessness dips for 2nd month as figure eases to 5.1% in August; rural, male categories drive fall

India’s unemployment rate for people aged 15 years and above eased to 5.1 per cent in August 2025, marking a second consecutive month of decline, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation (MoSPI) on Monday.The rate had stood at 5.2 per cent in July…

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