Economy News ( English version)

As Salil Parekh marks eight years at the helm and Infosys heads into Q3 earnings, investors will track demand signals, AI monetization and margin pressures amid subdued tech spending.

At least three major US-based companies have planned mass layoffs in January, reports suggest. This comes as a continuation of job losses since last years, where thousands of employees were let go across companies and industries.

Alphabet Inc. has crossed the $4 trillion market cap, becoming a leading player in the AI boom. With a significant partnership with Apple and strong stock performance, Alphabet is positioned as a dominant force in artificial intelligence, outpacing competition and attracting investor confidence.

Investors are betting on asset-light, high-margin models that provide cheaper alternatives to hospital stays while maintaining clinical rigour.

Both Tata Consultancy Services and HCL Technologies beat analyst revenue estimates and kicked off the earnings season on a stronger-than-expected note, despite new wage norms pushing up costs and raising concerns over profitability.

Union Budget 2026–27 is expected to focus on turning the Viksit Bharat vision into reality by prioritising agriculture, youth and the middle class. With strong growth projections, the government is likely to push investments in farming, skills, jobs and infrastructure while offering targeted relief to support long-term development.

Budget: Should the govt play to the gallery of domestic equity investors by lunging for growth? Or should it choose fiscal restraint to keep a lid on rising borrowing costs — both for itself and the private sector? There are no easy answers.

US Ambassador designate Sergio Gor announced that trade pact discussions with India will resume Tuesday, aiming to resolve differences beyond tariffs. He emphasised the strong personal relationship between Trump and Modi, highlighting the partnership's significance beyond trade, encompassing security, technology, and energy cooperation.

Officials are evaluating changes to the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI), which relies primarily on import duty concessions, including the introduction of more direct incentives, to entice global premium EV makers to establish manufacturing bases in India.

Canadian province's premier David Eby, who is leading a trade mission to India from January 12-17, told ET in an interview that the province is trying to develop more opportunities with India to diversify trade, which has been hit by the US tariffs.