Financial News

Budget 2026-27: India Shifts Semiconductor Strategy From Fabs To Full Value Chain

India’s Budget 2026-27 puts data centres at the core of its tech push, banking on long-term tax certainty to draw global investment

Why corporate compliance is becoming a $160bn nightmare for small business

The red and white tape 'make-work' tasks strangling small traders.

Saudi Arabia Quietly Rewrites Its $8 Trillion Megacity Plan

Back in June, Air Products said construction of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Green Hydrogen Project had reached roughly 80% completion across multiple sites. The project includes a large-scale green hydrogen production facility, dedicated solar and wind farms, and a purpose-built transmission network. Once operational, it is expected to become the world’s largest renewable-powered ammonia complex within the next two years. That progress, however, has unfolded against a much weaker oil backdrop than Riyadh anticipated when NEOM was conceived....

BoJ: Moderate recovery, inflation persistence reinforce cautious further tightening case

BoJ policymakers signalled moderate economic momentum and stickier inflation trends, endorsing careful future rate increases if forecasts unfold as expected.Summary:BOJ policymakers agreed the Japanese economy has recovered moderately but noted uneven momentum in parts of the economy. Inflation is projected to continue rising moderately, underpinned by wage and price interactions and import pass-through. The depreciation of the yen is seen as adding to domestic price pressures via higher import costs. Financial conditions remain broadly accommodative even after recent policy tightening, and further rate increases were judged appropriate over time. Board members emphasised careful, timely policy adjustments to balance price stability and economic resilience.The Bank of Japan (BOJ) released the Summary of Opinions from its January 22–23 Monetary Policy Meeting, shedding light on how board members currently view economic and price conditions ahead of the next policy decisions. While the economy has shown signs of moderate recovery, policymakers highlighted a mix of opportunities and risks that could shape future monetary moves. Overall economic activity in Japan was judged to have regained moderate momentum, supported by recoveries in global demand and government economic measures. However, some sectors still show uneven performance, and external policy shifts in key trading partners continue to influence the domestic outlook. The BOJ’s assessment is in line with its recent quarterly Outlook for Economic Activity and Prices report, which projects continued moderate growth partly supported by accommodative global conditions. On inflation, members expect consumer prices to continue rising at a moderate pace, with an ongoing interaction between wages and prices underpinning this trend. The pass-through of rising personnel costs into prices is considered moderate so far, though the impact of higher import costs, amplified by the weak yen, remains a key factor in price dynamics. Policymakers emphasised the need to monitor the balance between inflation, wages, and household income, especially as government measures and fiscal policy also play a role in shaping real income trends. Views on monetary policy reflect a cautious but increasingly vigilant stance. Even after the BOJ’s December decision to raise the policy rate to a level not seen in decades, financial conditions were judged to remain accommodative. Some members pointed to the appropriateness of continuing gradual rate increases if the current outlook materialises, with emphasis on careful timing and consideration of economic feedback effects. The board also discussed how to manage policy communication effectively to avoid lagging behind emerging price pressures, including risks tied to exchange rate movements. Long-term bond market developments and volatility in super-long Japanese government bond yields were noted as areas requiring ongoing attention, with indications that flexible responses could be needed under exceptional market conditions. In this context, members signalled that further adjustments to policy accommodation should be made in a timely way, without pre-commitment to a set pace but with responsiveness to data on prices, growth, and financing conditions. Government representatives attending the meeting underscored the importance of appropriate monetary policy coordination alongside fiscal efforts to achieve sustainable price stability and economic growth, highlighting cooperation under the Bank of Japan Act and shared objectives toward the inflation target.Full text here:Summary of Opinions at the Monetary Policy Meeting on January 22 and 23, 2026 Earlier:Japan PM softens weak yen comments as election and intervention risks collideFormer "Mr Yen" Watanabe warns of risk of renewed yen selling backlash into Japan election This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.

Pipeline project powers regional growth

Family-owned grower, Koala Cherries has unveiled a major regional infrastructure project with the completion of a new pipeline servicing its orchards in Yarck.

Shoe-makers now on the right footing

Shoe-makers now on the right footing

Finance Commission's tax devolution formula sparks mixed reactions from states

The 16th finance commission's tax devolution formula drew mixed responses, with some states gaining higher shares while others criticized the removal of grants.

Bitcoin Soars: Decoding the Monumental Rally Past $77,000

BitcoinWorldBitcoin Soars: Decoding the Monumental Rally Past $77,000Global cryptocurrency markets witnessed a pivotal moment on April 9, 2025, as Bitcoin (BTC) decisively broke through the $77,000 barrier on the Binance USDT trading pair. This surge represents not just a numerical milestone but a critical test of market structure and investor sentiment following a period of consolidation. Consequently, analysts are scrutinizing the volume, [...]This post Bitcoin Soars: Decoding the Monumental Rally Past $77,000 first appeared on BitcoinWorld.

Siliguri-Varanasi rail link: North Bengal eyes tourism boost

Chinese speculators set the stage for gold and silver crash on Jan 30

Silver’s 26 per cent plunge was the biggest on record, while gold dropped 9 per cent in its worst day in more than a decade.

‘Budget a roadmapfor developed India’

Bitcoin Falls Below $80K Amid Wait on Crypto Legislation

Bitcoin fell to a nine-month low Saturday (Jan. 31) as it dipped below $80,000. The downturn was part of a wider drop for digital assets, according to a report by Bloomberg News, which points out that the world’s most popular cryptocurrency fell to $75,709 at one point, while other coins...