India’s GDP growth: IMF retains growth forecast of 7% for FY25

In its recent monetary policy committee (MPC) review, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) maintained its growth projection for the current fiscal year at 7.2 per cent, attributing this to strong consumption and investment trends. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reaffirmed its growth forecast for India at 7% for the fiscal year 2025, in line with its previous prediction made in July. The IMF pointed out that the decrease in "pent-up demand" due to the pandemic is subsiding as the economy regains its potential, resulting in a 0.2 percentage point increase from the April forecast.

SoftBank in talks to invest up to $25 billion in OpenAI

SoftBank is in talks to invest up to $25 billion in OpenAI, which would make it the startup’s top backer, CNBC has confirmed. The deal has not been finalized yet, according to a person with knowledge of the matter who asked not to be named because the negotiations are confidential.

Foreign investors withdraw ₹87,300 crore from Indian equities in January; DIIs match outflows

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) remained bearish on Indian markets in January, citing modest Q3 earnings, rising US bond yields, a strong dollar, stretched small and mid-cap valuations, and global liquidity concerns. Trump’s trade policies and China’s stock market recovery further prompted portfolio rebalancing. As a result, FPIs withdrew ₹87,374 crore from Indian stocks, marking the second-largest monthly outflow after October’s ₹1.14 lakh crore sell-off.

India’s crude oil imports from Russia surge 13% in Jan despite latest US sanctions

India's crude oil imports from Russia rose 13% in January to 1.67 million bpd, making up over 30% of total imports. However, new U.S. sanctions on Russian oil producers and tankers may disrupt supply. These measures aim to curb Moscow’s war revenues and impact its shadow oil tanker fleet.

 FTSE 100 reaches another record high as January is the best month in more than two years

The UK's benchmark stock index has reached another all-time high, in a month of record breaking. The FTSE 100 index of most valuable companies on the London Stock Exchange closed at 8679.46, breaking the record set on Thursday night after four consecutive days of rises. January has been the best month in more than two years for the FTSE 100