Category Archives: economy

agriculture, commodities, economy, finance, market

Corn Heading Higher at Midday

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Corn futures are heading higher at midday, with bulls pushing for gains of 1 to 2 cents so far. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price has increased by 2 1/4 cents, closing at $3.79 1/4 today. Meanwhile, the average close for December futures this month has been $4.20. This monthly average price is used to determine the harvest price for crop insurance.

EIA data released this morning showed that ethanol production totaled 1.071 million barrels per day for the week ending October 3rd, marking a rebound of 76,000 barrels per day compared to the previous week. Despite this increase, ethanol stocks tightened slightly, dropping by 44,000 barrels to 22.72 million barrels. Ethanol exports rose by 50,000 barrels per day to 138,000 barrels per day, while refinery inputs of ethanol decreased by 13,000 barrels per day to 892,000 barrels per day.

In international news, the Brazilian National Association of Grain Exporters (ANEC) estimates corn exports at 6 million metric tons for October. This represents an increase from the 5.67 million metric tons exported in October 2024.

As for corn futures prices at midday:
– December 2025 Corn is trading at $4.21 3/4, up 2 cents.
– Nearby Cash Corn stands at $3.79 1/4, up 2 1/4 cents.
– March 2026 Corn is at $4.37 3/4, up 1 1/2 cents.
– May 2026 Corn is priced at $4.46 1/2, up 1 1/4 cents.

Don’t miss a day of market insights. From crude oil to coffee, sign up for Barchart’s free, best-in-class commodity analysis.

Disclaimer: On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not hold positions, directly or indirectly, in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data provided are for informational purposes only. For more details, please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Nasdaq, Inc.
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/corn-heading-higher-midday

agriculture, commodities, economy, energy, markets

Corn Posts Gains on Wednesday as Ethanol Output Rebounds

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The corn market closed with gains across most contracts on Wednesday, with contracts 1 to 2 rising 14 cents higher on the day. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price was up 2 3/4 cents at $3.80 1/2. So far this month, the average close for December futures has been $4.20.

Data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released this morning showed total ethanol production at 1.071 million barrels per day for the week ending October 3. This marked a weekly rebound of 76,000 barrels per day. However, ethanol stocks continued to tighten, declining by 44,000 barrels to 22.72 million barrels.

Ethanol exports increased by 50,000 barrels, reaching 138,000 barrels per day. Meanwhile, refiner inputs of ethanol decreased by 13,000 barrels per day to 892,000 barrels per day.

Please note, Export Sales data will not be reported on Thursday due to the government shutdown. Nevertheless, traders surveyed by Reuters anticipate corn sales between 1.2 and 2 million metric tons (MMT) for the week of October 2.

Looking at Brazil, the National Association of Grain Exporters (ANEC) estimates corn exports at 6 MMT for October, which would be an increase compared to the 5.67 MMT exported in October 2023.

Regarding futures pricing, December 2025 corn closed at $4.22, up 2 1/4 cents. Nearby Cash Corn was $3.80 1/2, up 2 3/4 cents. March 2026 corn closed at $4.37 3/4, up 1 1/2 cents, while May 2026 corn closed at $4.46 1/4, gaining 1 cent.

*Don’t miss a day:* From crude oil to coffee, sign up for Barchart’s best-in-class commodity analysis for free.

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On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not hold any positions, directly or indirectly, in the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data presented are solely for informational purposes.

For more details, please view the [Barchart Disclosure Policy](#).

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Nasdaq, Inc.
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/corn-posts-gains-wednesday-ethanol-output-rebounds

business, economy, international, technology

Keep humans in command of AI

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MANILA, Philippines – Philippine companies have begun adopting artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations. A recent survey conducted by PwC and the Management Association of the Philippines revealed that 68 percent of chief executive officers (CEOs) have explicitly factored AI into their business plans.

Additionally, the survey found that 60 percent of these companies have already started implementing AI initiatives. This growing trend highlights the increasing importance of AI technology in the Philippine business landscape.

https://business.inquirer.net/551619/keep-humans-in-command-of-ai

business, economy, japan

High Prices Crippling Japan’s Cleaning Sector

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Analysts warn that a growing number of companies are now closing down not from sudden shocks, but from what some describe as “giving up” bankruptcies, where owners simply see no path forward.

At a pizza restaurant crowded with after-work customers, one diner remarked, “This is about the cheapest place around.” Yet behind the counter, the struggle to keep prices low is growing.

“Ideally, we’d like to set prices a little higher,” said Anju Kobayashi, manager of the Napolis Akasaka-Hitotsugi Street branch. Ingredients such as pizza dough, ham, and cheese have all risen in price—dough alone costs 20 yen more per piece than last year. A new notice from suppliers shows that from November, the price of dough will jump by 225 yen and cheese by more than 250 yen.

To keep prices unchanged, the store plans to reduce the number of part-time workers from three to two.

From April to September, Teikoku Databank recorded 488 bankruptcies attributed to inflationary pressures, the highest number since comparable data began. Retailers, including restaurants, accounted for more than 20 percent of all cases.

The price surge has also hit small dry-cleaning businesses particularly hard. At a family-run laundry factory, owner Fumiaki Kobayashi voiced concern: “I’m extremely anxious. I don’t need huge profits, but I just want stable work.”

The petroleum-based solvents required for dry cleaning have nearly doubled in price over the past five years. Yet passing those costs on to customers remains difficult. “People are more focused on saving money,” Kobayashi said. “If we raise cleaning fees, customer visits will drop—it’s a vicious cycle.”

Adding to the strain is a broader shift in how people dress. “In the past, almost everyone wore 100 percent cotton dress shirts, but that’s no longer the case,” he explained. Remote work and prolonged heat have accelerated Japan’s casualization, reducing demand for suits and shirts that require professional cleaning.

Faced with this triple burden of inflation, frugality, and casual fashion, analysts warn that more dry-cleaning businesses may soon face “giving up” bankruptcies. Industry-wide, total sales have fallen to about half of what they were 20 years ago, Kobayashi said. “Some of my peers tell me, ‘It’ll probably end with my generation.’”

For many small businesses unable to fully pass on rising costs, the endurance test of holding on shows no sign of ending.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/147199.php

business, death, economy, international, technology

TCS skips post-earnings presser to mark Ratan Tata’s death anniversary

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**TCS Skips Post-Earnings Press Conference to Mark Ratan Tata’s Death Anniversary**
*By Mudit Dube | October 8, 2025, 04:18 PM*

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s leading IT services company, has cancelled its post-earnings press conference for the second quarter (Q2) results. The event, originally scheduled for October 9, falls on the death anniversary of Ratan Tata, prompting the company to call off the media address out of respect.

While the press conference has been cancelled, an analyst call will still proceed as planned on October 9.

### Honoring Ratan Tata
Ratan Tata, former chairman of the Tata Group and an iconic figure in Indian industry, passed away on October 9, 2024, at the age of 86 due to age-related health issues. TCS’s decision to cancel the media interaction on the anniversary of his death reflects the deep respect for his legacy.

### Board Meeting and Changes in Schedule
Earlier, on September 22, TCS announced a Board of Directors meeting set for October 9. During this meeting, the board is expected to review and approve the audited standalone financial results for the quarter and six-month period ending September 30, 2025.

In a separate filing on September 23, TCS had initially confirmed that its leadership team would address the media at 5:30 PM on October 9, followed by an earnings conference call at 7:00 PM. However, the media address has since been cancelled due to the observance of Ratan Tata’s death anniversary, while the analyst call remains scheduled.

### Market Outlook for TCS Q2 Results
Analysts anticipate moderate revenue growth for TCS in Q2. Some clients are expected to reduce business, and the company might face some share losses.

Axis Securities projects a 3.5% quarter-on-quarter growth in topline revenue, largely driven by the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector, Hi-Tech clients, and favorable cross-currency movements. However, they also forecast a 21-basis-point decline in EBIT margin, attributed to wage increases, higher investments, and lower utilization rates.

Investors are also closely watching TCS’s restructuring efforts, which include plans to separate around 12,000 employees. This move is aimed at sharpening the company’s focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technology priorities.

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Stay tuned for further updates on TCS’s Q2 performance and strategic initiatives.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/tcs-cancels-q2-press-conference-due-to-ratan-tata-anniversary/story

business, economy, legal, real estate

Villar Land valuer told to explain trillion-peso tag

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MANILA, Philippines – The appraiser of the assets of Villar Land Holdings Corp. has been ordered to explain its trillion-peso valuation of the listed firm’s properties as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) deepens its investigation.

The Office of the General Accountant at the SEC issued a show cause order against E-Value Phils Inc. regarding the valuation figures.

https://business.inquirer.net/551323/villar-land-valuer-told-to-explain-trillion-peso-tag

banking, business, economy, finance, interest rates

HDFC Bank cuts MCLR: How much could your EMIs drop?

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**HDFC Bank Cuts MCLR: How Much Could Your EMIs Drop?**
*By Mudit Dube | Oct 07, 2025, 04:30 PM*

HDFC Bank has announced a reduction in its Marginal Cost of Funds-based Lending Rates (MCLR), a move set to benefit borrowers with loans linked to this benchmark. The bank has cut the MCLR by up to 15 basis points (bps) for certain loan tenures. (For reference, one basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point.)

**Revised MCLR Rates**

Following the revision, HDFC Bank’s MCLR rates now range between 8.45% and 8.65%, depending on the loan tenure. Here are the details of the rate cuts:

– **Overnight MCLR:** Reduced by 10 bps from 8.55% to 8.45%
– **One-Month MCLR:** Reduced by 15 bps from 8.55% to 8.40%
– **Three-Month MCLR:** Reduced by 15 bps from 8.60% to 8.45%
– **Six-Month MCLR:** Reduced by 10 bps from 8.65% to 8.55%
– **One-Year MCLR:** Reduced by 10 bps from 8.65% to 8.55%

**What is MCLR?**

MCLR stands for Marginal Cost of Funds-based Lending Rate. It is the minimum interest rate that a bank is required to charge on loans. This rate determines the baseline interest applicable to various loans and generally remains fixed for borrowers until updated as per the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) guidelines.

The RBI introduced MCLR in 2016 to improve the transmission of monetary policy changes into lending rates effectively, making the lending process more transparent and responsive to economic shifts.

**How Will This Affect Your EMIs?**

With the reduction in MCLR, borrowers with loans linked to these rates can expect a decrease in their Equated Monthly Installments (EMIs). The exact drop in EMIs will depend on the remaining loan tenure and the outstanding principal amount. However, even a small cut in interest rates can lead to noticeable savings over time.

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Stay tuned for more updates on how this rate revision impacts your loans and financial planning.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/hdfc-bank-slashes-mclr-by-up-to-15-bps/story

business, economy, finance, inflation, stock market

Benign September inflation perks up Philippine stocks

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MANILA, Philippines — Investors were quick to take advantage of lower priced stocks on Tuesday, with the local bourse lighting up green after the inflation rate turned out to be lower than expected.

By the closing bell, the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) recovered by 1.39 percent or 83.51 points to end at 6,083.83. Likewise,

https://business.inquirer.net/551274/benign-september-inflation-perks-up-philippine-stocks

business, economy, international, politics, technology

This is Modi government’s stance on cryptocurrency in India

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**Modi Government’s Stance on Cryptocurrency in India**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Oct 07, 2025, 04:24 PM*

**What’s the story?**
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently clarified the Indian government’s position on cryptocurrency. During his two-day visit to Doha aimed at boosting trade and investments between India and Qatar, Goyal stated that the government neither promotes nor discourages cryptocurrencies but focuses primarily on taxing them.

**Taxation Focus**
Goyal emphasized that the government intends to regulate cryptocurrencies through heavy taxation rather than imposing an outright ban. “As far as cryptocurrency, which is not backed by the Central Government, while there is no ban as such, we are taxing it very heavily,” he said. This approach is designed to protect people from getting trapped in unbacked cryptocurrencies that lack a support system.

**Digital Currency: India’s Sovereign Digital Rupee**
In addition to regulating existing cryptocurrencies, India is planning to introduce a sovereign digital currency backed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). According to Goyal, the new digital rupee will possess features similar to stablecoins and will incorporate blockchain-based traceability to ensure transparency and compliance. “Our idea is that this will only make it easier to transact,” he added.

**Tax Regulations on Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs)**
India has established a clear tax framework for virtual digital assets (VDAs), including cryptocurrencies and NFTs, although it does not recognize them as legal tender. The Union Budget for 2022-23 introduced a 30% tax on income generated from the transfer of VDAs. This tax rate applies regardless of any profit or loss incurred in other transactions within the taxpayer’s portfolio. Additionally, a 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) was implemented on all crypto transactions exceeding ₹10,000 starting July 1, 2022.

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This balanced stance reflects the Indian government’s cautious approach towards cryptocurrencies—regulating through taxation and planning its own sovereign digital currency, while avoiding an outright ban.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/we-are-not-encouraging-cryptocurrency-says-piyush-goyal/story

business, economy, international, politics, technology

This is Modi government’s stance on cryptocurrency in India

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**This is Modi Government’s Stance on Cryptocurrency in India**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Oct 07, 2025 | 04:24 PM*

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**Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal Clarifies Government Position**

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently clarified the Indian government’s stance on cryptocurrency during his two-day visit to Doha aimed at boosting trade and investments between India and Qatar.

Goyal emphasized that the government neither promotes nor discourages cryptocurrencies but imposes taxation on them. “We have not been encouraging cryptocurrency, which does not have sovereign backing or which is not backed by assets,” he stated.

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**Heavy Taxation Instead of a Ban**

Unlike some countries that have banned cryptocurrencies outright, India has chosen a different approach. Goyal explained that the government intends to regulate cryptocurrencies primarily through heavy taxation.

“As far as cryptocurrency, which is not backed by the Central Govt, while there is no ban as such, we are taxing it very heavily,” he said. This strategy aims to protect people from falling victim to unbacked cryptocurrencies lacking any formal support system.

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**India’s Plan to Introduce a Sovereign Digital Currency**

In addition to regulating private cryptocurrencies, India plans to roll out a sovereign digital currency backed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This new digital rupee will share characteristics similar to stablecoins and will feature blockchain-based traceability to ensure transparency and compliance.

“Our idea is that this will only make it easier to transact,” Goyal remarked regarding the upcoming digital currency.

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**Clear Tax Framework for Virtual Digital Assets**

India has established a defined tax framework for virtual digital assets (VDAs), such as cryptocurrencies and NFTs, despite not granting them legal tender status.

In the Union Budget 2022-23, the government introduced a 30% tax on income earned from the transfer of VDAs. This tax rate applies regardless of any profit or loss from other transactions in the taxpayer’s portfolio. Additionally, from July 1, 2022, a 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is levied on all crypto transactions above ₹10,000.

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**Summary**

To summarize, the Modi government’s approach to cryptocurrency emphasizes regulation through significant taxation rather than prohibition. While discouraging unbacked cryptocurrencies, the government is moving forward with its own digital currency initiative to facilitate easier and more transparent transactions in India’s financial ecosystem.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/we-are-not-encouraging-cryptocurrency-says-piyush-goyal/story