margin pressure

Indian consumers may soon face higher prices as wholesale inflation surges, driven by global conflicts impacting commodity and energy costs. While retail inflation remains soft for now, a widening gap between wholesale and consumer price indices suggests businesses will likely pass on increased production expenses, leading to costlier everyday goods and services in the coming months.

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:

Bhubaneswar's fuel rush is hitting vulnerable workers hard. Cab drivers, delivery agents, and small business owners face lost income and rising costs due to long queues and potential shortages. Experts warn this could inflate prices of essential goods, impacting the local economy. Authorities assure no immediate shortage, but uncertainty persists.

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

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.

Medicine shops across Odisha will shut for 24 hours on May 20, protesting online drug sales and alleged misuse of digital platforms. The Utkal Chemists and Druggists Association highlights concerns over "illegal" e-pharmacies, deep discounting by large firms, and potential public health risks like antimicrobial resistance. They demand withdrawal of temporary Covid-era notifications and fair competition policies.

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.

Get ready for pricier meals as India's restaurants and delivery apps plan a 5-10% food cost increase from next week. Soaring fuel prices, coupled with LPG shortages and staff issues, are forcing businesses to pass on rising transportation, packaging, and input expenses. This move disrupts annual pricing cycles, impacting dining out and delivery costs.

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.

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.

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

Elon Musk's compensation deal with SpaceX reportedly links his pay to colonizing Mars, potentially worth trillions. This structure aims to ensure his long-term leadership and focus on making humanity multi-planetary, rather than short-term financial gains. Musk confirmed the necessity of this approach, emphasizing the mission's immense value and difficulty.

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.

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.

Mumbai Indians chased down a target of 201 with six wickets in hand, thanks to Tilak Varma's unbeaten 75 and Will Jacks' quickfire 25. Punjab Kings lost control in the death overs, marking their fifth consecutive loss. Jasprit Bumrah began his captaincy with a win.

Nearly 80% Of Fire Station Officer Posts Vacant, Last Hiring Done 15 Yrs Ago

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.

Tour Operators Report Cancellations And Shrinking Foreign Travel Demand

Nvidia's upcoming earnings report is anticipated to showcase robust growth fueled by AI demand. However, investors' sky-high expectations, as seen with Palantir's recent stock dip despite strong results, signal potential market jitters. While Nvidia leads the AI chip race, rising competition and the long road to AI profitability pose challenges.