US markets today: S&P 500 crosses 7,000 for first time; tech stocks, AI optimism keep Wall Street buoyant

[ad_1] US stocks edged higher on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 breaching the 7,000-point mark for the first time, underscoring sustained investor optimism around artificial intelligence, resilient Big Tech earnings prospects and expectations of eventual monetary easing.The benchmark index rose 0.3 per cent, extending gains after its latest record close. The Dow Jones Industrial Average…

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India-EU FTA: Stainless steel body seeks safeguards for domestic industry

[ad_1] The Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISSDA) on Wednesday described the India–European Union free trade agreement as a significant step in India’s global trade engagement, while cautioning that adequate safeguards will be needed to protect domestic stainless steel producers, PTI reported.India and the EU announced the conclusion of negotiations for the FTA earlier this…

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Canada looks to fast-track India trade talks, invites Commerce minister Piyush Goyal for FTA push

[ad_1] Canada has conveyed its intent to expedite the launch of formal negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with India, signalling a reset in bilateral trade engagement after talks were paused in 2023, PTI reported citing an official statement on Wednesday.Canada’s Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Maninder Sidhu has invited…

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Budget expectations 2026: SBI Research sees fiscal discipline holding amid global churn, capex to stay growth anchor

[ad_1] The Union Budget 2026–27 will be framed against an increasingly fragile global backdrop marked by geopolitical flux, volatile financial markets and a sharp rally in commodities, but India is expected to retain its macro stability with a calibrated fiscal strategy and sustained public investment, according to a pre-Budget assessment by State Bank of India…

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IIP index: Industrial output jumps to over two-year high of 7.8% in December on broad-based recovery

[ad_1] India’s industrial production growth accelerated to a more than two-year high of 7.8% in December 2025, driven by strong performances across mining, manufacturing and electricity, official data released on Wednesday showed.Factory output, measured by the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), had grown 3.7% in December 2024, PTI reported.“Industry momentum further strengthened in December 2025…

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Budget 2026: What five years of data shows about India’s defence spending

[ad_1] As finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget 2026 on February 1, defence spending is expected to remain a key focus amid rising geopolitical uncertainty and sustained emphasis on military modernisation. Defence outlay shows steady rise Over the last five years, India’s defence expenditure has followed a clear upward trajectory. Spending…

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Budget 2026: Rebuilding cotton’s innovation pipeline – research must be the centre of policymaking

[ad_1] Though cotton anchors India’s agrarian economy, yet faces a critical paradox. (AI image) By Dr. M. RamasamiCotton occupies a critical place in India’s agricultural and industrial economy. It supports millions of farm households, feeds a globally competitive textile sector, and remains one of the country’s most widely cultivated commercial crops. Yet, despite this significance,…

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