Indian stock markets approach the Union Budget 2026 with caution, facing a fragile footing and weak sentiment. Analysts anticipate a low-key budget, emphasizing fiscal discipline, continuity in capital gains taxation, and visible capital expenditure to steady nerves and maintain market engagement.
Budget week inflates option premiums due to market uncertainty, with Nifty ATM straddles consistently opening high. While volatility rises pre-Budget, an "IV Crush" consistently deflates premiums post-speech. Defined-risk strategies like Iron Flies and Condors proved most successful, limiting losses during extreme moves.
Foreign investors have withdrawn billions from Indian stocks. Markets eagerly await Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget today. The government is considering tax relief for foreign portfolio investors. Broader reforms to attract capital are also anticipated. The Budget's focus will be on boosting earnings growth and offering tax incentives to encourage foreign investment back into India.
Sebi chief Tuhin Kanta Pandey urged financial sector stakeholders to prioritize professional conscience over mere technical compliance, emphasizing that ethical substance, not just rules, prevents corporate failures. He highlighted that areas like valuations and ESG disclosures require judgment, making technical compliance insufficient and underscoring the crucial role of chartered accountants as custodians of trust.
India's hospitality sector is attracting significant, low-profile investment, with approximately $2 billion flowing into operational hotel properties. Investors, including institutions and family offices, are prioritizing early cash flows and reduced risk, leading to a seller's market for quality assets. Recent deals span diverse locations and hotel sizes, highlighting a robust trend in the industry.
About 50 residents of a community outside Chiles capital spent Saturday trying their best to power an entirely human-operated chatbot that could answer questions and make silly pictures on command.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman faced backlash for stating women cannot lead his party, equating modernity for women with prostitution. He later claimed his X account was hacked after deleting the controversial post. Rahman cited biological differences and cultural barriers for the party's lack of female parliamentary candidates.
Asked about the strategic priorities in the US, he added: "Not only the US, but we have interest in selling innovative medicines globally... for emerging markets we are looking at tuck-ins or smaller acquisitions which we can look at integrating with our existing business to get scale in the emerging markets." Shanghvi added.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is confident the 2026-27 Union Budget will be a good one. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her ninth budget on February 1. The budget aims to sustain growth and maintain fiscal discipline. It will address global trade frictions and domestic economic pressures. This budget presentation is a historic first for India.
