India’s import bill begins to rise

India’s overall merchandise exports increased 13.8 per cent year-on-year in April 2026, largely supported by petroleum exports. (AI image) India’s import burden started climbing in April 2026, with the country’s merchandise trade deficit widening to $28.4 billion, compared with nearly $27 billion in April 2025 and $20.7 billion in March 2026. The expansion in the…

Read More

Where are gold prices headed? Key levels to watch out for May 18, 2026 week

Technically, immediate resistance is placed at ₹1,60,800–1,61,800, which coincides with the upper Bollinger Band and short-term supply zone. (AI image) Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are expected to move towards consolidation in the coming days as well, says Manav Modi, Senior Analyst, Commodity Research at Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd.Gold has entered a crucial…

Read More

Gen Z drives fashion, beauty e-sales

NEW DELHI: Around half of India’s online fashion and beauty shoppers are now Gen Z, and platforms are rapidly realigning to keep pace. Significantly, the cohort also boasts 1.5x the e-retail spend share on categories such as lifestyle, beauty, and electronics compared to other age groups, driving growth in a market that has more than…

Read More

Weather & then war lead to tears in India’s onion basket

Seeking relief: Onion growers want an MSP of Rs 3,500/quintal and a Rs 1,500-a-quintal compensation for distress sales Rain clouds rolled over Maharashtra’s onion belt. Then came war winds from West Asia. Prices collapsed. Crops rotted. Farmers counted losses in rupees — and sold tears by the quintal. Across Nashik, Solapur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, onion…

Read More