Kotak Mahindra Asset Management has launched a new equity scheme called 'Kotak Services Fund'. This open-ended fund will invest in companies in India's fast growing service sector. The NFO will be open from 4 to 18 February 2026, in which a minimum investment can be made from ₹ 1000. The scheme provides an opportunity to capitalize on the growth of the service sector in the long term, which contributes significantly to the country's economy.
The trade agreement between India and America may make many goods cheaper in the country. Reciprocating tariff cuts will make items like laptops, mobile gadgets, consumer electronics, pulses and dairy products available at lower prices. However, duties on some industrial products such as steel and automobile parts may remain high. This deal will give a new dimension to trade between the two countries, which will also benefit the Indian textile and gem-jewellery sectors.
Gold Price Target 2026: After several days of decline, gold is again seeing a rise today. An increase of more than Rs 6000 per 10 grams has been seen in the gold price till 12 noon. At the same time, silver is not showing signs of stopping. At present there is a rise of about Rs 20 thousand per kg in silver. Let us know from experts how far can the price of gold go in the coming time?
India-US trade agreement has been approved. The White House cleared the initial confusion regarding tariff cuts due to Trump's statement. Now the total 50 tariff on India has been reduced to 25 reciprocal and 25 penalty on Russian oil purchases has been reduced to 18. The US Ambassador confirmed this. Trump had mentioned reducing Russian oil purchases in his conversation with Modi.
The government has increased the duty-free baggage limit for travelers coming to India by air or sea from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000. This rule has become effective from midnight of 2 February. Under the new Baggage Rules, 2026, female passengers can bring jewelery duty-free up to 40 grams and other passengers up to 20 grams. For foreign tourists also this limit has been increased from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000.
A trade agreement was signed between India and the US on February 2, reducing the mutual tariff on Indian goods from 25 to 18. US President Trump and PM Modi confirmed this deal. This is expected to be a major benefit to India's export-oriented sectors such as textiles, chemicals, engineering goods, gems and jewellery, and seafood, enhancing their competitiveness and improving margins.
<p>The stock market (Share Market Live Updates) is expected to open with a strong rise on February 3, because US President Donald Trump said on February 2 that he has agreed to a trade deal (US-India Trade Deal) with India. According to Trump, India has also agreed to stop buying Russian oil and buy more oil from the US and possibly Venezuela.
US President Trump claimed that India will buy goods worth $500 billion from America and reduce oil purchases from Russia. He also talked about tariff reduction from 25 to 18. However, experts are questioning the veracity of this claim. Current bilateral trade is around $200 billion, and there has been no official confirmation of such a huge deal. Trump's claim does not match the actual data.
After the implementation of additional excise duty, the price of cigarettes has increased by a minimum of Rs 22 to Rs 25 per 10 cigarette packets since Sunday. According to distributors, premium cigarettes have become costlier by Rs 50 to Rs 55. This increase has happened due to the government increasing the tax on cigarettes after seven years. This is likely to increase the risk of smuggling and counterfeit products.
A major change in the rules for capital gains tax exemption on Sovereign Gold Bond SGB is proposed in Budget 2026. Now this discount will be available only to those investors who originally purchased SGB and held it till maturity. Those buying from the secondary market will not get this benefit. This new rule will come into effect from April 1, 2026, the aim of which is to promote long-term investments.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's 85-minute Budget 2026 speech has been analyzed. It has been said that the word 'India' was mentioned maximum 86 times, which shows the government's focus on the country. Emphasis was also given to areas like manufacturing, planning, education and health. This analysis highlights the priorities of the government through words.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a ₹10,000 crore growth fund for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Budget 2026-27. This fund will support MSMEs and help in the credit environment. Additionally, a self-sustaining fund of ₹4,000 crore and measures to strengthen TReDS have also been proposed. These steps will provide financial support and liquidity to small businesses, thereby boosting economic growth in the country.
In Budget 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has paid special attention to the poor, farmers and rural India. Maximum amount of Rs 95,692.31 crore was allocated to VB-Jeeram Ji MNREGA. PM Kisan Yojana will cost Rs 63,500 crore, Ayushman Bharat Rs 9,500 crore and PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana Rs 2,27,429 crore. This budget will directly benefit rural labourers, farmers and vulnerable families.
<p>Union Budget 2026- LIVE News Updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has started reading the budget speech in the Lok Sabha. Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting her 9th budget (Budget 2026-27 LIVE Updates) in Parliament as Finance Minister.</p>
US President Trump has announced that India will now buy oil from Venezuela instead of Iran. The move is part of a US strategy to reduce Russia's oil revenues due to the Ukraine war. Trump claimed that America has taken control of Venezuela's oil. Earlier India used to buy oil from Russia and Iran, on which America had objection. China has also been invited to buy oil from Venezuela.
The stock market is also open on Sunday due to the presentation of the budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 1 February 2026. There will be live trading on MCX and NCDEX along with NSE, BSE. This will be Nirmala Sitharaman's ninth consecutive budget. Budget announcements are expected to cause high volatility in the market and impact commodity prices, giving investors an opportunity to react.
Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani have agreed to receive summons directly from the US SEC. After this Adani Green Energy had to give clarification. The company said it is not part of the case and the allegations are against the directors in their personal capacity. There are no allegations against the company, nor are there allegations of bribery or corruption against the directors.
Dubai is planning to build 'The Gold District', the world's first road made of gold. This project will be started in Deira area with the aim of making Dubai the biggest center of gold and jewelery trade. It will include over 1,000 retail shops and six hotels, which will also house Indian retailers such as Malabar Gold and Tanishq. It will attract international visitors and investment, strengthening Dubai's cultural identity.
<p>Union Budget 2026, New Delhi. Tomorrow on Sunday, February 1, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the budget. Ahead of the Budget, investors and industry will be closely watching the sectoral allocation for FY2027, income tax policy and measures aimed at boosting export competitiveness and foreign trade diversification. Budget 2026 will be presented on Sunday, February 1. </p>
<p>Earlier, along with the common man, industries have also put forward their demands before the government on different fronts including real estate, crypto currency, income tax. At the same time, the Economic Survey 2026 before the budget has prepared the basis for this, in which the growth rate of India's economy is estimated to be between 6.8% to 7.2% in the financial year 2027, while the potential growth is estimated to be around 7%.
<p>Markets will remain open on the budget day. Both NSE and BSE will trade as per regular timings. This year, market participants are not keeping much expectations regarding the budget. He is mainly concerned about possible relief on capital gains, while also urging the government not to increase transaction taxes.
Gold prices in the global market witnessed a sharp fall after record high, falling by more than 8 on Friday, while falling by 15 on MCX. The main reason for this is the speculation by the strict Chairman of the US Federal Reserve. However, despite this decline, the month of January is set to prove to be the strongest monthly performance for gold since 1980. Silver and other precious metals were also affected, with investors now awaiting an announcement from the Fed Chairman.