Cloudflare, a major internet provider, was down again. This outage affects trading platforms like Zerodha and Angel One, AI tools, and travel services. Users face login and access issues. This was Cloudflare's second major disruption in a month.

India and Russia are set for a significant annual summit on December 5. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held talks with a Russian delegation on investment and finance. Russia pledged support for India's upcoming BRICS chairmanship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin will review cooperation and discuss global issues.

Russia has guaranteed India uninterrupted fuel supplies, bolstering bilateral ties with multiple agreements signed across various sectors. These include deals on fertilisers, food safety, shipping, and industrial collaboration, alongside commitments to wildlife conservation and expanding trade until 2030.

India and Russia solidified bilateral ties with multiple agreements signed, including a urea plant deal and MoUs on food safety, shipping, and medical sciences. Both nations also agreed on an economic cooperation program to boost trade until 2030, with India pursuing an FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union.

The RBI’s $5-billion forex swap and Rs 1 lakh crore in bond purchases mark a major liquidity infusion aimed at reinforcing rate cuts and easing pressure on a weak rupee. While the move may trigger short-term softness in the currency, economists say it boosts credit flow and gives the RBI more flexibility to manage volatility amid weak inflows and heightened speculative positions.

During a post-Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) press briefing, Governor Malhotra addressed questions regarding the rupee's valuation and the RBI's approach to the exchange rate. He reiterated the central bank's consistent policy.

Central Bank December MPC announces Rs 1 lakh crore of OMOs and a $5 billion dollar-rupee swap to support durable liquidity. Governor Sanjay Malhotra led RBI MPC upgraded GDP growth to 7.3%, projected softer inflation, flagged external sector risks, and launched a two-month campaign to clear RBI ombudsman grievances.

Real GDP growth for 2025-26 is projected at 7.3 per cent, with Q3 at 7.0 per cent; and Q4 at 6.5 per cent. Real GDP growth for Q1:2026-27 is projected at 6.7 per cent and Q2 at 6.8 per cent.

The central bank expects inflation to average 0.6 per cent in Q3 and rise to 2.9 per cent in Q4 of 2025-26. For Q1 and Q2 of 2026-27, CPI inflation has been projected at 3.9 per cent and 4.0 per cent, respectively.

The Reserve Bank of India on Friday reduced the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25% in its December meet, marking a calibrated continuation of the easing cycle after delivering 100 basis points of rate cuts earlier this year.

In a significant crackdown, Sebi has prohibited financial influencer Avadhut Sathe and his company from participating in the securities market. They are required to refund a staggering Rs 546 crore, deemed as illicit profits. Investigations revealed they dispensed unlicensed investment advice and research analyst services, masquerading their activities as stock market training.

Asian markets struggled into the weekend on Friday following a bland lead from Wall Street as a mixed bag of US data did little to move the needle on expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next week. And while figures Thursday on jobless claims and layoffs came in slightly better than expected, markets have priced the chances of a rate cut Wednesday at around 90 percent.

Today, the Indian rupee is set to open on a slightly stronger note, fueled by recent gains that have mitigated its previous downward trend. As investors gear up for the Reserve Bank of India's pivotal interest rate decision, all eyes are on the central bank's forthcoming statement and press briefing.

India is preparing to invite bids for its 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank Ltd., valued at approximately $7.1 billion. This move is a significant step in the government's privatization efforts for the lender. Talks with potential suitors are advanced, with a formal bidding process expected soon.

The company aims to speed up the fulfillment of its large order book. These new facilities will integrate advanced automation and digital systems. Suzlon is also upgrading its existing plants.

IndiGo, which is experiencing operational disruptions and cancellations, has sought temporary operational exemptions from certain Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) provisions for its A320 fleet until February 10, 2026, and assured that operational stability will be restored by that date, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement.

The Supreme Court has made a significant ruling, stating that leasing residential properties for student and professional hostels is exempt from Goods and Services Tax. By affirming the Karnataka High Court's earlier decision, the court emphasizes the importance of preserving the original legislative intent regarding residential use exemptions.

Fitch Ratings expects Indian IT services to post mid-single digit revenue growth in 2026 as global macro conditions remain flat and discretionary tech spending stays weak. BFSI demand remains steady, but consumer, retail and manufacturing lag. Fitch says Indian IT is well positioned for AI-led enterprise transformation, while GCC expansion heightens talent competition and wage pressures.

The central issue is whether the 8.2% number represents sustainable expansion or merely a temporary quarterly surge. GDP, by design, measures total output; it does not reveal who gains and who is excluded. Also, interpreting aggregate consumption patterns for a diverse nation is far more complex.My view remains that this pace is unsustainable.

Gold prices dipped on Thursday while silver futures saw an increase. Mixed global trends and weak US economic data influenced investor trading. Gold futures for December delivery fell on the MCX. Silver futures for March 2026 climbed. International gold prices slipped, but silver futures rose. Investors are awaiting US inflation data for insights into the Fed's monetary policy.