margin pressure

State Bank of India reported a 6% rise in Q4 FY26 net profit to Rs 19,684 crore, driven by improved asset quality and lower bad loans. Despite this, total income saw a slight decline, and net interest margins compressed, leading to a drop in operating profit and a subsequent fall in SBI's stock price.

The move to up the gold import duty comes days after PM Narendra Modi appeals to citizens to avoid unnecessary gold purchases for a year. But is a hike in duties an effective way to curb consumption? We take a look:

Mumbai Indians were knocked out of the IPL 2026 playoff race after a heartbreaking last-ball loss to RCB. Head coach Mahela Jayawardene admitted MI were “not good enough” and lacked consistency throughout the season. He defended youngster Raj Angad Bawa for bowling the tense final over and said injuries and forced team changes hurt Mumbai’s campaign as RCB climbed to the top of the table.

West Asia Conflict Triggers 30-50% Jump in API Prices, Hits Drug Margins

India’s gold imports hit a record $71.98 billion in 2025-26, rising over 24% from $58 billion a year earlier. This was largely due to skyrocketing global gold prices, which have bumped up the value of imported gold.

The 2026 NFL season opens with an unusual Wednesday kickoff as the Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots, followed by a historic international clash between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne. Week 1 stretches across multiple days, highlighting the league’s expanding global footprint. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs face a demanding schedule after a difficult 6-11 season, with Patrick Mahomes’ recovery from an ACL injury shaping early expectations. With tough road games and key home fixtures, the Chiefs’ season hinges on fitness, timing, and consistency in a highly competitive AFC landscape.

Tata Steel reported a more than two-fold jump in consolidated net profit to Rs 2,965 crore for the January-March quarter of FY26, driven by strong India operations and improved volumes. For the full fiscal year, net profit surged over three times to Rs 10,885.82 crore, with steel production and deliveries also seeing an increase.

Mumbai Indians’ playoff hopes came to an end after a narrow two-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru here on Sunday, marking the fourth time in the last six seasons — after 2021, 2022 and 2024 — that the five-time champions have failed to progress beyond the league stage. The loss, their eighth in 11 matches this season, left head coach Mahela Jayawardene disappointed as he admitted that MI had not done enough across the campaign.

Nestlé India is set to become a top five global market within five years, driven by strong growth and sustained investments. Despite rising input costs and potential demand moderation, the company aims for volume-led growth, prioritizing brand support and innovation over significant price hikes.

India's entry-level smartphone market experienced a significant decline in Q1 2026, with shipments plunging 59% due to rising component costs. This "forced premiumisation" pushed consumers towards mid-range devices, boosting the Rs 10,000-Rs 20,000 segment. Overall smartphone average selling price reached a record Rs 30,000.

The IPL 2026 Orange Cap race is intensely competitive, with Sunrisers Hyderabad's Heinrich Klaasen leading the pack with 508 runs. Gujarat Titans' Sai Sudharsan is close behind, followed by explosive talents Abhishek Sharma, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill. This tight battle promises an exciting conclusion as the tournament enters its final stages.

State Bank of India saw a 5.8% profit jump to Rs 19,684 crore in Q4FY26, though margins tightened. Bank of Baroda achieved a record Rs 5,616 crore profit, while Bank of India's net profit climbed 18.7%. Despite credit growth, SBI's share dipped due to investor concerns about core income.

India's foreign exchange reserves experienced a significant drop of $7.794 billion, reaching $690.693 billion in the week ending May 1. This decline, primarily driven by a fall in foreign currency assets and gold reserves, follows a previous decrease. The central bank's intervention in the forex market to support the rupee is a key factor behind this trend.

Gujarat Manufacturers Are Optimistic About The Revival Marked By New Styles And Wider Application Of The Fabric. Capacity Utilization Of Units Has Risen, Export Order Books Look Good. Profit Margins, However, Still Frayed