QUICKREADS

Petrol and diesel prices on April 10. Check prices in your city
Fuel prices in India have remained stable for ten months, with the government setting fixed rates through excise duty, base prices and caps at which dealers and oil marketing companies deal with each other. The government previously deregulated fuel prices in 2014, with prices updated daily since 2017, compared to every 15 days previously. The fuel rates are revised every day at 6am by Oil Marketing Companies, and are not controlled by the government. The prices of CNG and cooking gas delivered to household kitchens in Delhi were reduced last week.
Swiggy launches Toing app for affordable food ordering in Pune
Swiggy launches Toing, a new affordable food ordering app in Pune, targeting students and young professionals. Currently available in select locations, the app offers one-person meals priced between ₹100-150, with no immediate plans for wider expansion.
Euro Zone Bond Yields Edge Lower Ahead Of Central Bank Meetings
Euro zone government bonds declined on Monday as investors brace for significant macroeconomic events, including rate decisions from major central banks. French bonds lagged after Fitch downgraded France's rating, widening the yield gap with German bonds. Analysts caution that market expectations for ECB rate cuts may be overly optimistic, especially amid rising borrowing costs and political instability in France.

US trade negotiator Brendan Lynch arriving in India tonight, trade talks tomorrow
US trade negotiator Brendan Lynch arrives in India tonight for bilateral trade talks. Discussions focus on an interim trade agreement, addressing challenges like agricultural and dairy sector concerns, with aims to finalize the first stage by late 2025.

China’s Economy Shows Signs of Summer Slowdown
China's economy shows signs of weakness as retail sales, industrial production, and investment slow. Unemployment rose to 5.3%, and the housing market struggles with falling prices and declining property investment. Consumer demand remains weak, prompting calls for stimulus. Despite a 5.3% growth in the first half of the year, analysts anticipate further slowdown due to global trade tensions and reduced consumer spending.

Retailers rush to collect iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air pre-orders
Retailers in India are aggressively pre-booking Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air, offering discounts via credit card cashbacks and EMI options. Platforms like Croma and Vijay Sales are accepting pre-orders, with availability starting September 19, targeting the festive season market.

ITR 2025 filing deadline tomorrow: What if you miss it?
ITR filing deadline is tomorrow (Sept 15). Late filing risks losing loss carry-forward benefits, delayed refunds, and potential prosecution. Belated returns can be filed until Dec 31, but with penalties. Over 6 crore returns already submitted.

ITR filing deadline on September 15, over 6 crore returns filed
Over 6 crore income tax returns filed before September 15 deadline. Extension granted due to technical issues. Late filing may incur penalties up to ₹5,000 for incomes above ₹5 lakh, with potential refund delays and lost tax benefits.

New Zealand tightens police certificate rules for Indian visa applicants
New Zealand will only accept police clearance certificates from India's Regional Passport Office for visa applications starting December 1, 2025. This change aims to simplify the process and reduce authentication challenges for Indian visa applicants.

Bonds 101: Why every Indian investor needs them in their portfolio
Bonds offer stability in Indian investment portfolios, providing steady returns between volatile stocks and low-yield fixed deposits. They provide predictable income, protect against inflation, and help diversify investments with yields ranging from 8-14%, making them attractive for goal-based financial planning.

GST rejig from bond market's lens
The recent GST rate rationalisation has positively impacted debt markets, causing bond yields to dip after previous increases. Long-term government bonds benefitted, easing 15 basis points post-announcement. While the fiscal cost is estimated at Rs. 480 billion, the market perceives it as manageable. The potential disinflationary impact may prompt RBI rate cuts, maintaining a favorable outlook for bond yields.

Markets continue to be under pressure: Will October bring a breakout, or is it time to brace?
Recent market pressures include choppy equity indices, FPI withdrawals, and rising commodities. However, domestic SIP flows are stabilizing the market, while a favorable monsoon and easing inflation bolster rural demand. Despite geopolitical shifts favoring India and emerging investment opportunities, investor sentiment remains cautious. The article emphasizes the importance of a long-term investment perspective amidst current volatility.

India, EU well on track for FTA deal, says Piyush Goyal
India and the EU are on track to finalize their free trade agreement by year-end, with both sides confident about mutual benefits. Bilateral trade reached 140 billion euros in 2023, and negotiations are progressing positively under shared democratic principles.

Giorgio Armani's will directs a stake sale to L’Oréal, Louis Vuitton or Essilor
Giorgio Armani’s will outlines plans for selling a 15% stake in his fashion house to a major luxury firm, potentially leading to a majority sale after three years. Preferred buyers include L’Oréal, LVMH, and EssilorLuxottica. The move reflects a broader trend of luxury brand consolidation amid market challenges, despite Armani’s historical preference for independence.

JBM Auto surges to highest in nearly three months on IFC's $137-million funding
JBM Auto Ltd.'s share price rose 11.38% to ₹696.70 after the International Finance Corp. announced a $137 million investment to promote e-mobility in India. The funding will help deploy 4,000 electric buses and create 12,000 jobs across multiple states. IFC emphasizes the importance of sustainable urban transport in India's transformation agenda.

GAIL India gains after Karnataka gives land to set up compressed biogas plant
Shares of GAIL India Ltd. increased after Karnataka allocated land for a 300-tonne bio-CNG plant in Bengaluru. The company aims to establish 26 such plants, requiring an investment of Rs 1,300 crore. Bio-CNG, a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels, has a high methane content. GAIL's first plant began operations in Ranchi last year.