Page 13 - Fiscal Deficit

Deficit reduction will stabilise debt-to-GDP ratio over medium term: Fitch

Fitch Ratings on Friday said the slightly faster pace of fiscal deficit reduction does not significantly change India's sovereign credit profile but the government's emphasis on deficit reduction will help to stabilise the debt-to-GDP ratio over the medium term. In a post budget commentary, Fitch Ratings Director, Sovereign Ratings, Jeremy Zook said over the next five years, India's government debt-to-GDP ratio would be broadly stable at just above 80 per cent of GDP. This is based on a continued path of gradual deficit reduction, as well as robust nominal growth of around 10.5 per cent of GDP. In the interim Budget 2024-25, presented in Parliament on Thursday, the government revised lower its current year fiscal deficit to 5.8 per cent from 5.9 per cent budgeted earlier. The deficit, which is the gap between the government's revenue and expenditure, will come down to 5.1 per cent in 2024-25 and further to 4.5 per cent by 2025-26. Fitch said this demonstrates a firm desire to adher

Interim Budget: Infra focus, fiscal prudence are positives for street

While overall capex has increased, some analysts had expected higher outlays for road, defence and railways

FM Sitharaman's Interim Budget is high on confidence, not on populism

FM overperforms on deficit, stays away from sops, pushes feel-good factor by ending old tax disputes, lists out decade of development

Interim Budget 2024-25: A confident and optimistic report

In a Budget celebrating the achievements in the last decade, there are few announcements with any fiscal magnitude attached

Interim Budget 2024-25: Banks likely to see heavy trading gains in Q4

The yield on the benchmark 10-year government bond declined by 12 basis points (bps) in 2024 from 7.17 per cent to 7.05 per cent on February 1, 2024

Prudence first

Interim Budget sticks to fiscal glide path

Interim Budget 2024 highlights: Capex from govt will continue, says FM

Union Budget 2024 LIVE updates: FM Sitharaman in her Interim Budget speech stated the Centre is working towards making India 'viksit' by 2047. Catch the latest updates here

Interim Budget: Improved fiscal resilience amid modest tax buoyancy

The Interim Budget had assumed nominal GDP growth of 10.5 per cent of GDP, but First Advance Estimates placed it at 8.9 per cent

On path to achieving fiscal deficit target of 4.5% by FY26: FM Sitharaman

Interim Budget: Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra said that the removal of tax old tax disputes is likely to cost the Centre around Rs 3,500 crore

FM delivers a prudent, pragmatic and progressive budget, says Sundeep Sikka

From an equity market perspective, some of the positives appear to be considered in valuations and therefore return expectations from near term perspective should be moderate

No adverse policy changes in the interim budget was a boon: Rahul Arora

The focus on fiscal consolidation led by moderation in government capex aims to reduce the risk of the government crowding out the private sector

Strong emphasis on fiscal consolidation and public investment: Sujan Hajra

Given the robust tax buoyancy seen in recent years and the govt's modest expenditure plans, it is conceivable that the actual fiscal outcomes next year may surpass the budget's projections

Govt to borrow Rs 14.13 trn from market in FY25 to meet revenue shortfall

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday proposed to borrow Rs 14.13 lakh crore by issuing dated securities to meet revenue shortfall in the next financial year starting on April 1. This is lower than last year's gross borrowing estimate of Rs 15.43 lakh crore, which was the highest ever. The lower borrowing estimate for 2024-25 is on account of growing tax revenue and the government's resolve to meet its fiscal consolidation roadmap. About net borrowing estimate, Sitharaman while presenting the interim Budget for 2024-25 said it would be Rs 11.75 lakh crore during the next financial year. As a result, the government would make repayment of Rs 2,37,818 crore during the year. "The gross and net market borrowings through dated securities during 2024-25 are estimated at Rs 14.13 and Rs 11.75 lakh crore respectively. Both will be less than that in 2023-24. Now that the private investments are happening at scale, the lower borrowings by the Central Government will facilitate lar

Interim Budget: FM sticks to fiscal consolidation path in Budget speech

Interim Budget: FM Sitharaman said that the fiscal deficit in 2023-24 is expected to be 5.8%, lower than the earlier estimates of 5.9%

Global affairs becoming more complex, challenging with wars: FM Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said the global situation is becoming more complex and challenging due to wars and conflicts in different parts of the world. The Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Hamas war have disrupted the global supply chains, impacting trade. The minister, while presenting the interim Budget, said that the new world order is emerging and India has successfully navigated the global challenges in fuel and fertiliser price spike. She also said that strengthening the financial sector in the country has helped make savings, credit and investments more efficient. All forms of infrastructure are being built in record time, she said. The government has also provided transparent, accountable, trust-based administration with a citizen-first approach.

At Rs 9.82 trillion, April-Dec fiscal deficit 55% of govt's annual target

The fiscal deficit was marginally lower at Rs 9.9 trillion, recorded during the corresponding period last year

Budget 2024 highlights: All eyes on last Budget before Lok Sabha elections

A resolution praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya will be introduced during the budget session of the Gujarat assembly beginning February 1

April-Dec fiscal deficit at Rs 9.82 trn, 55% of annual target: Govt

Total expenditure during the period was 30.54 trillion rupees, or about 68% of the annual goal, compared with 28.18 trillion rupees in the same period last year

Govt spending must pursue evidence-based policy for best outcomes

It's important to see the quality of spending and missing gaps in resource provision

Expect no drama in the Budget

But over the medium term, India's fiscal health needs attention