US Markets today: Stocks hover near records as Big Tech earnings diverge; gold extends blistering rally

US stocks were largely directionless on Thursday, trading close to record highs as investors sifted through mixed earnings from some of Wall Street’s most influential companies, while gold surged further in an extraordinary safe-haven rally.The S&P 500 edged up by less than 0.1% and hovered near its all-time high set earlier this week. The Dow…

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IT sector faces AI-era uncertainties as global model power concentrates, says Economic Survey

The Economic Survey has cautioned that India’s entry into the artificial intelligence era comes with “looming uncertainties” and structural asymmetries that could reshape labour markets and pose fundamental questions for the future of the Indian IT sector, even as the country seeks to harness AI-driven productivity gains.The Survey flagged the growing concentration of market power…

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Microsoft stock plunges 12.3%, drags Wall Street lower-here’s what driving the fall

Microsoft led a pullback on Wall Street on Thursday, with US stocks retreating from record levels after the tech heavyweight logged its steepest single-day fall in years, weighing on broader market sentiment. While gold prices also reversed sharply after a blistering run, reflecting a broader cooling of risk appetite across global markets.Microsoft sank 12.3% despite…

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India should prioritise trade opportunities over tariffs, says World Bank chief Ajay Banga

World Bank Group President Ajay Banga (Photo-AP) India should “think less” about tariffs and focus more on opportunities to expand trade, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga said on Thursday, as geopolitical tensions continue to cloud the global trade outlook.Interacting with media during a visit to the Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC) in…

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Budget 2026 for agriculture: The opportunity to strengthen India’s crop protection backbone

The intent around the proposed Pesticides Management Bill, 2025 marks a significant move as it aims to align India’s regulatory framework with contemporary realities. (AI image) By Susheel KumarIndian agriculture stands at an important inflection point. On the one hand, the country speaks with confidence of becoming a global food powerhouse, a trusted supplier to…

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Centre tags coking coal as critical & strategic mineral to drive self-reliance in steel sector

The government has notified coking coal as a critical and strategic mineral, a step aimed at reducing India’s heavy dependence on imports and strengthening the domestic steel supply chain, according to an official statement.The move is expected to facilitate faster approvals, improve ease of doing business and accelerate exploration and mining activities, including the development…

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Union Budget 2026: Teachers, technology and the true cost of school education reform

Union Budget 2026 is being pitched around growth, skills and competitiveness, but school education still gets judged by access—more classrooms, more enrolment. Education leaders argue the real test now is outcomes. Shiv Nadar School CEO Arti Dawar says sustained investment in teacher development, modern pedagogy, industry exposure and equitable tech access is essential to turn…

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Economic Survey 2025-26 key highlights: GDP growth pegged at 7.4%, inflation at historic lows; banks and exports strengthen amid tariffs

India is set to remain the world’s fastest-growing major economy, with real GDP growth projected at 7.4% in FY26, even as the global environment remains fragile due to geopolitical tensions, trade fragmentation and financial vulnerabilities, the Economic Survey 2025–26 said on Wednesday.Tabled in Parliament by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the survey said India’s macroeconomic…

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