Asian stock markets showed a mixed trend on Wednesday, tracking gains on Wall Street as oil prices softened amid cautious optimism over potential US-Iran peace talks.Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose about 0.5% to hover near record highs, supported by strong gains in heavyweight tech stocks.South Korea’s Kospi edged slightly lower, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.9%.Hong…
Oil prices edged lower on Wednesday after an early rise in Asian trade, as investors assessed uncertainty around US-Iran peace talks following Washington’s decision to extend the ceasefire.Brent crude futures fell 21 cents, or 0.2%, to $98.27 a barrel at 0039 GMT, after earlier touching $99.38.US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped 28 cents, or…
BENGALURU/NEW DELHI: HCLTech’s results presented a mixed picture, weighed down by client-specific headwinds, delayed procurement decisions and persistent market volatility, even as the company continued to lean into artificial intelligence as a long-term growth driver.Revenue for the March quarter declined 3.3% sequentially in constant currency (which excludes currency impact) and grew 2.4% year-on-year. In dollar…
MUMBAI: The life insurance industry recorded a 15.7% expansion in new business premiums during FY26, as the sector navigated a landscape defined by diverging growth strategies across individual and group segments. Total premiums across the industry climbed to Rs 4.6 lakh crore from close to Rs 4 lakh crore in FY25. This momentum highlights a…
National and festival holidays are largely decided at the State level. Employers are expected to follow notified holiday lists. (AI image) Leave is often seen as a simple workplace benefit – an approved absence from work. In reality, it is one of the more structured and regulated aspects of employment in India. With the implementation…
Apple shares edged lower on Tuesday, slipping 1%, as the company confirmed a leadership transition that will see Tim Cook step down as chief executive on September 1. After stepping down as the CEO, Cook is set to move into the role of executive chairman, handing over the reins to John Ternus, a long-time company…
NEW DELHI: Nestle India reported a 26% increase in net profit to Rs 1114 crore on its highest ever domestic sales of Rs 6,445 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2026, led by premiumisation, penetration and higher ad spends.“This performance was powered by double-digit volume growth, driven by over 50% increase in advertising…
Donald Trump, left, and Kevin Warsh US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would be disappointed if his nominee for Federal Reserve chair, Kevin Warsh, does not cut interest rates right away after taking office if confirmed by the Senate. Trump, during an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” also said “we have to find…
India faces greater exposure. It depends heavily on the Gulf region not just for crude oil but also for liquefied petroleum gas. (AI image) India and China, among the largest economies in Asia, may well be staring at a supply problem for their energy needs as the Middle East conflict drags on. Asia’s biggest crude…
Fresh negotiations between India and the United States are underway in Washington, DC this week, with officials indicating that a long-running effort to seal a bilateral trade agreement is nearing completion.A senior US official, responding to queries on the progress of the talks, said, “The Trump administration and India continue to have positive and productive…
