Sanjai Nanmugan K R Finance Library

Executive Summary The recent escalation involving the United States, Israel, and Iran represents a significant geopolitical development with far-reaching implications for global economic stability and financial markets. Beyond the economic analysis, it is important to acknowledge the human cost of conflict. Our thoughts and sincere condolences go out to the families and communities who have lost loved ones during these tragic events, and we hope for a swift return to peace and stability. From a financial perspective, geopolitical conflicts in energy-sensitive regions often transmit economic shocks through commodity markets, inflation expectations, and investor sentiment. The Middle East accounts for a substantial share of global energy supply, making any instability in the region highly relevant for global markets. Three primary financial transmission channels are particularly significant: Energy market disruptions and oil price volatility Flight-to-quality capital flows into safe-have...

In a significant move to strengthen customer rights and promote ethical banking practices, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued strict guidelines directing banks to refund the entire amount paid by customers in cases of mis-selling of financial products or services. This landmark directive aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness across India’s banking ecosystem, placing customer interest at the center of financial services. What Is Mis-Selling? Mis-selling occurs when a bank or financial institution sells a product or service that is: Unsuitable for the customer’s financial profile or risk appetite Sold using misleading or incomplete information Pushed without the customer’s explicit consent Bundled with another product without clear disclosure Marketed without properly explaining features, charges, or risks Importantly, RBI clarified that even if a customer gives consent , the sale can still be considered mis-selling if the product does not align with the custo...

On 27 January 2026, India and the European Union formally concluded negotiations on a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement during a high-level bilateral engagement held in New Delhi, India. The announcement marked the culmination of prolonged negotiations spanning multiple years and political cycles, underscoring the strategic intent of both sides to elevate their economic partnership. The agreement has been widely characterized by policymakers and analysts as the “Mother of all Deals” among India’s trade agreements—not merely because of its scale, but due to its breadth, depth, and institutional ambition. Importantly, it arrives at a moment of global economic re-alignment, marked by supply-chain fragmentation, geopolitical uncertainty, and a renewed emphasis on trusted, rules-based trade partnerships. Within this context, the India–EU trade deal represents not merely a commercial arrangement, but a strategic recalibration of India’s integration with the global economy.

The Indian rupee’s depreciation beyond the ₹90 per US dollar threshold marks one of the most critical moments in India’s post-liberalisation currency history. This event is not merely the result of market volatility but the outcome of a powerful geopolitical and trade realignment. On one side stands the United States’ imposition of a steep 50% tariff on Indian exports under President Donald Trump. On the other, India’s deepening energy and strategic partnership with Russia, crystallised during the 23rd India–Russia Summit. Together, these forces have reshaped capital flows, trade balances, and currency confidence, directly influencing the INR–USD exchange rate.

India’s financial markets are undergoing a historic transformation. With the rapid expansion of digital trading, the successful rollout of the T+1 settlement cycle, and early-stage adoption of T+0 optional settlement, discussions around 24/7 equity trading have become more mainstream. As global markets evolve toward longer and more flexible trading hours, investors and regulators in India are beginning to assess whether the entire ecosystem—exchanges, brokers, clearing corporations, banks, depositories, and surveillance systems—is capable of supporting a market that never sleeps. This article evaluates the preparedness of each component of the Indian capital markets, explains the benefits and risks, and provides a realistic picture of the opportunities and challenges of operating a 24/7 stock market.

Introduction: A Rally That Demands Reflection Gold has remained India’s most trusted wealth protector, and its dramatic rise through 2024 and 2025 has only reinforced that status. Yet a recent statement by Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu—“gold is flashing a big warning signal, it is not an investment”—has shifted the tone among investors. His caution arrives at a moment when domestic prices are near historic highs, global cues are unstable and investor behaviour is increasingly shaped by emotion. In the current environment, India’s gold market stands at a point where opportunity and risk overlap more sharply than before.