Page 21 - BS Premium
ESAF SFB to apply for universal banking licence after 2 years, says MD
Thrissur-based ESAF Small Finance Bank will wait at least two years to seek a universal banking licence as it pivots to secured lending to improve asset quality and profitability
 "ESAF SFB to apply for universal banking licence after 2 years, says MD")
India-US trade deal: India's economic moves come with strategic strings
Pax Silica and import commitments highlight opportunities and risks
 "India-US trade deal: India's economic moves come with strategic strings")
Holy sweet triggers sour political battle in Andhra as war of words erupts
SIT report on the alleged adulteration in Tirupati laddu led to a fresh war of words between TDP and YSRCP
 "Holy sweet triggers sour political battle in Andhra as war of words erupts")
2 elections, 2 different results: Aam Aadmi Party's 'great disruption'
AAP's contrasting performances in Punjab and Goa highlight growing questions over its centralised leadership model and refusal to forge alliances in local elections
 "2 elections, 2 different results: Aam Aadmi Party's 'great disruption'")
Facing democracy test, Bangladesh at a crossroads ahead of elections
India will closely watch the first post-Hasina parliamentary polls, amid concerns over minority safety, regional alignments and a tight BNP-Islamist contest
 "Facing democracy test, Bangladesh at a crossroads ahead of elections")
Airtel seeks reassessment and recalculation, not deferment on AGR dues
It may invest $6 bn into data centres to scale up capacity to 1 Gw by 2030
 "Airtel seeks reassessment and recalculation, not deferment on AGR dues")
Stable environment: Base-year revisions may not have immediate implications
The RBI's MPC held rates steady, citing improved growth and benign inflation, while announcing regulatory steps to boost credit flow and strengthen digital payment safety
 "Stable environment: Base-year revisions may not have immediate implications")
After the trade deal: Exporters will benefit if New Delhi stays active
The India-US interim trade framework signals a thaw in ties, tariff relief for exporters, protected farm interests, and a renewed push for reforms to make trade gains sustainable
 "After the trade deal: Exporters will benefit if New Delhi stays active")
Recent trade deals are a relief, but high valuations remain a headwind
Trade deals ease risks for Indian equities, but weak demand and stretched valuations raise questions over whether optimism-especially in smallcaps-can turn into a sustained bull run
 "Recent trade deals are a relief, but high valuations remain a headwind")
US widened lead in India's overall FPI holdings in Jan 2026, shows data
Share across debt, equity rose from 39.7% a year ago to 41% in Jan 2026
 "US widened lead in India's overall FPI holdings in Jan 2026, shows data")
New CBDT rules may focus on risk-based cross-border RPTs: Experts
The draft norms reduce delegated legislation, with their number proposed to be cut to 333 from 511
 "New CBDT rules may focus on risk-based cross-border RPTs: Experts")
Co-operative banks: RBI's inclusivity pitch runs into regulatory dilemma
The RBI needs to think out of the box vis-a-vis cooperative banks
 "Co-operative banks: RBI's inclusivity pitch runs into regulatory dilemma")
Eway bill generation rises 43% in January, the second-highest ever
E-way bill generation rose to 136.83 million in January, the second-highest monthly level on record, marking a 42.6 per cent year-on-year increase amid stronger goods movement
 "Eway bill generation rises 43% in January, the second-highest ever")
Union Budget 2026-27 surprises that faded amid India-US trade deal noise
The most visible reform that affects all international travellers arriving in India and a pleasant surprise is the introduction of the Baggage Rules, 2026
 "Union Budget 2026-27 surprises that faded amid India-US trade deal noise")
Market rally hinges on earnings revival, valuation comfort: Chhaochharia
Indian equities may stay range-bound unless earnings revive or valuations turn more attractive, says UBS, noting moderation in FPI selling but limited near-term upside
 "Market rally hinges on earnings revival, valuation comfort: Chhaochharia")
India-US trade deal: Cheaper Harleys likely to test Enfield's pricing power
The tariff removal will lower prices of Harley's large-displacement imported motorcycles, which retail between ₹14.5 lakh and ₹45.8 lakh
 "India-US trade deal: Cheaper Harleys likely to test Enfield's pricing power")
Fund Pick: DSP ELSS Tax Saver, a lock-in that paid investors back
ELSS curbed churn, lifting long-term and SIP returns above category averages
 "Fund Pick: DSP ELSS Tax Saver, a lock-in that paid investors back")
Bengal Budget signals poll-year outreach: Why experts are hardly surprised
The Mamata Banerjee-led TMC govt continues to focus on women-centric and welfare schemes, ahead of crucial elections
 "Bengal Budget signals poll-year outreach: Why experts are hardly surprised")
India-US deal: Textile players stitch back frayed hopes after tariff cut
An analysis by CITI of data from the US Office of Textiles and Apparel showed that US imports of textiles and apparel from India fell 31.4 per cent in November 2025 compared with November 2024
 "India-US deal: Textile players stitch back frayed hopes after tariff cut")
Tata Motors CV and HDFC AMC seen entering Nifty Next 50, shows data
Tata Motors and HDFC AMC may see strong passive inflows in Nifty Next 50 rejig, while Info Edge and ICICI Lombard face likely exclusion
 "Tata Motors CV and HDFC AMC seen entering Nifty Next 50, shows data")