Category Archives: finance

business, economy, finance, international, stock market

Fears of £600bn stock market exodus to New York

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A host of household names could quit the stock market in a £600 billion exodus from London, analysts have warned. AstraZeneca, Shell, BP, and Rio Tinto are among those seen to be “at risk” of moving their main listings to New York in what would be a devastating blow to the City.

Analysis by broker AJ Bell identified ten London-listed firms that do so much business in the US, or have so many shareholders there, that they may be tempted to make the switch. The combined value of these firms—which also include Compass, Experian, Bunzl, Smith & Nephew, Rentokil, and Fresnillo—is £620 billion.

“An onslaught of UK-listed companies upping sticks for the US would be terrible for the reputation of the London market,” said Dan Coatsworth at AJ Bell.

Miners Glencore and Anglo American, worth a combined £73 billion, have ruled out moving to New York. However, it is feared that an exodus by other top firms could see them change their minds.

Some companies have already made the switch, including CRH, Flutter, Indivior, and Ferguson, while Ashtead and Wise are in the process of moving their listings.

Coatsworth added that there is a list of UK firms that could “make a good argument for switching their main stock listing to the US.” He explained, “The more companies that move, the more the topic will be discussed in the boardroom by other companies that have a US presence.”

The latest bout of anxiety about an exodus comes after AstraZeneca last week announced plans for a full listing in New York alongside London, sparking fears it could lead to a permanent move.
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-15164387/Fears-600bn-stock-market-exodus-New-York.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

culture, economy, finance, lifestyle, technology

MAGGIE PAGANO: Cash is still king, right? Wrong

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If you have heard reports of a rather sweaty woman in gym gear running around the streets of Saffron Walden brandishing a crisp £50 note and cursing under her breath, that was me.

After the gym, I had stopped off at the health food shop to stock up on a few things, handing the assistant the £50 tucked into my leggings. The assistant refused my money. “But surely it’s legal tender,” I cried, “you can’t refuse it.” She didn’t budge, explaining that head office had told them not to accept £50 notes because of counterfeit concerns.

Determined, I went to the butcher’s shop opposite, where I know the staff, asking if they could break the note. Same story—no £50 notes accepted. They suggested I go to a bank. Not such a bad idea, I thought.

However, my bank, Barclays, closed long ago and only two banks remain in town. I ran to Nationwide, where there was a long queue. Explaining my problem, I asked the waiting customers if I could ask the cashier to change the note. They all said yes, of course.

One gentleman took one look at my Queen’s-head note and confidently said it wasn’t fake. That felt like a small victory. The chatter in the queue caught the cashier’s attention, and he stepped out to examine the note himself. He agreed—it was genuine. Another victory!

“But are you a Nationwide customer?” he asked. It felt like a trick question—and it was. Nationwide does not change money if you are not a customer.

By then, I was ready to raise an Essex peasants’ revolt against shops that don’t take money and banks that don’t change banknotes. As luck would have it, one of the kind ladies in the queue opened her wallet, checked her cash, and offered to change my £50.

My first call was to the Bank of England.

**Can vendors refuse to take cash?**

Yes, says the press officer—they can. Even though cash is legal tender, the concept has a narrow, technical legal definition related to contracts. No one is obliged to accept cash in exchange for goods.

**So why is cash usage shrinking so fast?**

Is it because vendors find cash messy to deal with? Are business owners being pushed by payment giants to go digital so they can be charged more? Or do most people simply prefer using cards or, increasingly, mobile payment apps? It’s probably a chicken-and-egg situation.

Whatever the reason, cash is under the kibosh. It made up just 9% of payments last year, compared to nearly half of all transactions a decade ago. It’s predicted to fall to 4% over the next ten years.

**But what happens in emergencies?**

Imagine a cyber hack or cyber warfare brings down banks. Or there are blackouts, like those recently experienced in Spain and Portugal. Or other crises such as another lockdown or war.

Being resilient is why countries such as Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands have warned their citizens to always keep cash in reserve. They’re also introducing legislation ensuring vendors must accept cash.

The European Central Bank is alert to these dangers as well. All households have been advised to store cash at home in case digital systems fail—as they inevitably will.

In contrast, the Bank of England does not have the mandate to issue such warnings; that responsibility lies with the Government. Interestingly, its Governor, Andrew Bailey, told a recent Citizens’ Panel in Wolverhampton that he always carries cash with him in case of emergencies.

Does that include any £50 notes, I wonder?
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/comment/article-15164391/MAGGIE-PAGANO-Cash-king-right-Wrong.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

business, economy, finance, international, technology

These IPOs will be launched in India this week

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The primary market is gearing up for a major wave of initial public offerings (IPOs) with some high-profile launches on the horizon.

Among the most anticipated offerings are those from Tata Capital and LG Electronics. These upcoming IPOs are expected to attract significant investor interest and could set the tone for the market in the coming months.

Stay tuned for more updates as these launch dates approach, bringing new opportunities for investors and companies alike.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/prepare-for-ipo-bonanza-tata-capital-lg-electronics-to-launch/story

aging, family, finance, real estate, relationships

FLOURISHING AFTER 50: Mum promised my kids her house – and left us out

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Dear Vanessa,

My husband and I are both 58, still working, and still paying off our mortgage. Our two adult children, in their early 20s, still live at home with us. Between the mortgage, bills, and supporting them, money is tight, and retirement feels like a long way off.

My mum, who is 80, recently told my kids before she even told me that she plans to leave her house directly to them when she passes, not to me. She says it’s so expensive for young people to buy property and she wants to give them a leg up.

I love that her intention is to help them, but it really hurt to be left out of the conversation. My husband keeps saying I should tell her that we need the money too, but I don’t want to make her feel guilty or worry about me. I just wish she had asked what I thought before making promises.

Now that the kids know about it, they’re almost waiting for that inheritance. It’s changed the way they talk about money, and I worry it’s made them less motivated to work harder for themselves, thinking that a big windfall is on the way.

Am I wrong to feel upset?
— Gwen

—

Dear Gwen,

You are not wrong at all. What you’re feeling is completely natural.

Wills are never just about money; they’re about being recognised, included, and respected. Your mum’s decision may have come from love and generosity, but telling your kids before talking to you has created a big emotional gap.

It’s wonderful that she wants to help your children in a tough housing market. But what she may not see is that you and your husband are still carrying heavy financial responsibilities, and her approach has created a problem for the next generation. By promising them her house now, she’s given them a sense of certainty that can easily take away the hunger to build their own future.

That’s why this situation needs both honesty and planning.

First, I’d encourage you to have a calm, open conversation with your mum—not about demanding her money, but about how her choice makes you and your husband feel, and the effect it’s already having on your kids. Let her know you love her intention but wish you had been consulted first.

Second, this is a moment where a financial planner could really help—not just for you, but for your mum too. They can show her options that might help the grandchildren without undermining their motivation or causing you and your husband to feel excluded. They can also suggest practical ways to structure an inheritance so it doesn’t create more problems than it solves.

If you’d like to explore this, you can use my free link to find an adviser.

This isn’t just about who gets what; it’s about family relationships and preparing the next generation to stand on their own feet. Your feelings are valid, and by raising this gently now, you give everyone a better chance of keeping both the love and the money intact.

All the best,
Vanessa
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15163089/FLOURISHING-50-Mum-promised-kids-house-left-out.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

business, economy, finance, politics, technology

Stocks rise on AI optimism, US rate-cut hopes

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NEW YORK, United States – Stock markets struck fresh records Friday, driven by investor optimism over artificial intelligence and hopes of US interest rate cuts. This positive sentiment overshadowed concerns about an ongoing government shutdown.

Wall Street’s main indices were mixed at the end of the day, although the Dow and S&P 500 notched fresh records.

https://business.inquirer.net/550751/stocks-rise-on-ai-optimism-us-rate-cut-hopes

business, economy, finance, stock market

Weekly Market Review & Top Stocks In Focus For The Week Ended October 3, 2025

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**Weekly Market Review: India Equities**

Last week, while the markets experienced a significant downturn, breaking their 3-week winning streak, the downward momentum continued into this abbreviated trading week — until the RBI MPC meeting outcome was announced, which lifted market sentiment.

The drop in indices was largely due to several factors: Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) selling, with more than $22 billion withdrawn from the Indian market since the beginning of 2025; restrictions on US H-1B visas; President Trump announcing a 100% tariff on imports of branded and patented pharmaceutical products; delays in the US-India trade agreement; a record low rupee; uncertainty ahead of the September quarter earnings; and liquidity constraints in the secondary market caused by a slew of new IPOs set to debut on Dalal Street, including the much-anticipated Tata Capital IPO.

—

### RBI MPC Meeting Outcome: A Market Roller Coaster

Mid-week presented a roller coaster ride with the RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting outcome. The RBI Governor kept repo rates unchanged at 5.50%. As communicated earlier, a rate cut was unlikely due to low inflation and strong GDP growth in Q1FY26.

While rates remained unchanged, the RBI Governor’s commentary caught everyone’s attention. The central bank projected a favorable growth-inflation outlook, lowering its inflation forecast from 3.1% to 2.6%, and raising GDP growth expectations from 6.5% to 6.8%. This positive outlook, combined with robust September auto sales and strong GST collections (which rose over 9% to Rs 1.9 lakh crore), sparked a market rally.

Consequently, the Sensex surged over 700 points, and the Nifty closed above the 24,800 mark, snapping a 9-day losing streak and boosting market sentiment.

Additional positives included measures to improve liquidity, speculation around a possible rate cut in December, infrastructure status granted to NBFCs, and Brent crude prices falling to a 4-month low, all expected to support market performance.

—

### Looking Ahead: Q2FY26 Earnings and Market Drivers

As we approach the Q2FY26 earnings season, provisional business updates from banks, NBFCs, realty, and FMCG sectors will be closely monitored. Despite ongoing global and domestic uncertainties, we remain positive over the medium to long term. Recent GST cuts have stimulated positive sentiment across various sectors, which is expected to fuel volume growth and support GDP expansion in the upcoming period.

—

### How Did the Markets Fare Last Week?

For the week ending Friday, the Indian benchmark indices closed in green. The Sensex and Nifty gained nearly 1.0% each, while midcaps outperformed, rising approximately 2.1%.

—

### What to Watch in the Coming Week?

The upcoming week is packed with key economic data releases from both domestic and global markets, likely to influence market direction.

**Domestic data releases include:**
– Foreign Exchange Reserves
– Bank Loan Growth
– HSBC Composite, Manufacturing, and Services PMI

With the September quarter earnings approaching, select companies in FMCG, banking, and other sectors will provide crucial business updates. These results will help set expectations for the full earnings season.

**On the global front, key events include:**
– Fed Officials’ speeches
– US Nonfarm Payrolls data
– Important FOMC minutes, providing insight on future policy direction
– Initial Jobless Claims figures

Additionally, progress in India-US trade talks and any comments from President Trump regarding tariffs will be market-moving. Tracking Foreign Institutional Investors’ positions will remain essential in the near term.

—

### Crude and Foreign Institutional Investor (FII) Flows

Brent crude oil prices declined to $64/bbl ahead of an OPEC+ meeting expected to increase output by bringing more idled barrels back online, intensifying oversupply concerns.

Meanwhile, FIIs continued to be net sellers during the week, contributing to market volatility.

—

### Sectors in Focus

Metals, PSU banks, and realty sectors were under the spotlight throughout the week.

—

### Stocks That Made Headlines

**Sammaan Capital**
Avenir Investment is set to invest Rs 8,850 crore via shares and warrants at Rs 139 apiece — an 18% discount to the current market price. Post-investment, Avenir will hold 43.46% and initiate an open offer, with Rs 4,587 crore via shares and the balance via warrants in two tranches.

**Maruti Suzuki**
Maruti Suzuki sold 1,89,665 units in September 2025, aligning with estimates. Export volumes hit a record 42,204 units — up 52% YoY — although domestic sales fell 6.3%. Production grew 26% YoY to 2.01 lakh units, driven by strong passenger vehicle output. The company highlighted record festive demand with 1,65,000 deliveries in the first eight days of Navratri and a 50% uptick in daily bookings post recent price cuts. Exports in H1FY26 crossed 2.1 lakh units, including over 6,000 electric vehicles shipped in August–September.

**Lemon Tree Hotels**
Lemon Tree Hotels signed its newest property, Keys Select by Lemon Tree Hotels in Haridwar. The facility features 52 rooms, a restaurant, conference hall, and recreational amenities including a fitness center. This signing expands the company’s leisure portfolio in Uttarakhand, where it currently operates 8 properties with 9 more upcoming.

**KNR Construction**
The company received a Letter of Acceptance from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation for constructing two 3-lane flyovers at Kukatpally ‘Y’ junction on NH65 (towards Ameerpet and Miyapur) under an EPC/Turnkey contract, worth Rs 72.80 crore excluding GST. The project timeline is 24 months.

**Unimech Aerospace**
In its September quarter update, Unimech Aerospace reported a revenue slowdown for Q2FY26, expected to be marginally lower than Q1. This is attributed primarily to US tariffs impacting export realizations. Customers are delaying orders while monitoring tariff developments, pressuring profits. Given these headwinds, meeting full-year FY26 revenue guidance may be challenging.

**Nestlé India**
Nestlé India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries to accelerate investments in greenfield and brownfield projects in Odisha and at existing manufacturing sites. These investments over the next 2–3 years aim to bolster the food processing sector, generate employment, and support the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

**Time Technoplast**
Time Technoplast secured the BIS License under IS 14885:2022 for manufacturing PE pipes for gas distribution within Q2FY26. This milestone supports the company’s goal to expand its presence in the gas distribution sector, targeting 20+ firms and anticipating 30% growth in the PE pipe segment with enhanced capacity and minimal investment.

**RITES**
RITES signed an MoU with Etihad Rail and its UAE-based subsidiary NICC to collaborate on mobility infrastructure projects in the UAE and beyond. This partnership leverages RITES’ 50 years of expertise and NICC’s execution capabilities, strengthening RITES’ global footprint under its ‘RITES Videsh’ initiative.

**P N Gadgil Jewellers**
P N Gadgil Jewellers achieved record festive sales of ₹618 crore during Navratri and Dussehra, marking a 65% YoY growth. Navratri sales were ₹428 crore (+66% YoY), and Dussehra set a single-day record of ₹190 crore (+64% YoY). Gold sales drove growth despite a 50% YoY gold price surge, complemented by strong diamond (+47%) and silver (+133%) performance. Volume growth was significant: gold +10%, diamonds +53%, and silver +64%.

**Bharat Electronics (BEL)**
BEL secured additional orders worth Rs 1,092 crore since September 16, 2025. Major new orders include EW system upgrades, defense network upgrades, tank subsystems, TR modules, communication equipment, EVMs, spares, and services. As of April 1, BEL’s order book stands at Rs 71,650 crore. Since the start of FY26, the company has disclosed order inflows worth Rs 7,348 crore—27% of its full-year inflow guidance of Rs 27,000 crore (excluding a Rs 30,000 crore quick-reaction surface-to-air missiles order).

—

### Closing Thoughts

Patience creates wealth! Despite near-term volatility, the fundamentals support a positive outlook for the Indian markets over the medium to long term. We will continue to monitor key domestic and global developments closely as the earnings season unfolds.

—

*Stay tuned for more updates and insights in our next weekly market review.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/weekly-market-review-top-stocks-in-focus-for-the-week-ended-october-3-2025

business, economy, finance, stock market

Weekly Market Review & Top Stocks In Focus For The Week Ended October 3, 2025

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**Weekly Market Review: September 2025**

Last week, the markets experienced a significant downturn, breaking a 3-week winning streak. The downward momentum continued during the truncated week until the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting outcome was announced, which lifted market sentiment.

The decline in indices was primarily driven by multiple factors: foreign institutional selling with more than $22 billion withdrawn from the Indian market since the beginning of 2025, restrictions on US H-1B visas, President Trump’s announcement of a 100% tariff on the import of branded and patented pharmaceutical products, delays in the US-India trade agreement, a record low rupee, uncertainty ahead of the September quarter earnings, and liquidity constraints in the secondary market. The liquidity pressure was further compounded by a slew of new IPOs entering Dalal Street, with the most talked-about being the Tata Capital IPO.

### RBI MPC Meeting: A Market Roller Coaster

Mid-week, the markets witnessed a roller-coaster ride following the RBI MPC meeting. The RBI Governor decided to keep repo rates unchanged at 5.50%. As communicated earlier, the chances of a rate cut during this meeting were minimal due to low inflation and strong GDP growth figures in Q1FY26.

While rates were unchanged, the highlight was the RBI Governor’s commentary. The Governor projected a favorable growth-inflation outlook while maintaining the policy stance. Optimism surged as the RBI lowered its inflation forecast from 3.1% to 2.6% and raised GDP growth expectations from 6.5% to 6.8%.

Supportive factors included strong September auto sales and robust GST collections that rose over 9% to Rs 1.9 lakh crore. This upbeat sentiment propelled the Sensex to rally over 700 points, with the Nifty closing above the 24,800 mark—ending a 9-day losing streak.

Additional positives that buoyed the market were measures aimed at improving liquidity, speculation of a possible rate cut in December, NBFCs being granted infrastructure status, and Brent crude prices falling to a 4-month low, which should further support market performance.

### Looking Ahead: Q2FY26 Earnings and Economic Data

As we approach the Q2FY26 earnings season, provisional business updates from banks, NBFCs, realty, and FMCG sectors will be closely monitored. Despite the noise around global and local markets, we remain optimistic over the medium to long term. Recent GST cuts have boosted positive sentiment across sectors, which is expected to accelerate volume growth alongside GDP expansion in the coming period.

—

### How Did the Markets Fare Last Week?

For the week ending Friday, Indian benchmark indices closed in green. The Sensex and Nifty gained close to 1% each, with midcap stocks outperforming by rising approximately 2.1%.

—

### What Might Keep Markets Busy Next Week?

The upcoming week will be eventful with several key economic data releases from both domestic and global markets, expected to influence market direction.

**Domestic Data to Watch:**
– Foreign Exchange (FX) Reserves
– Bank Loan Growth
– HSBC Composite, Manufacturing, and Services PMI

In addition, as the September quarter earnings season gears up, leading companies from FMCG, banking, and select sectors will release business updates for Q2FY26. These updates will be essential to gauge the earnings expectations for the full season ahead.

**Global Events to Track:**
– Speeches from Federal Reserve officials
– US Nonfarm Payrolls
– FOMC Minutes (critical for policy outlook)
– Initial Jobless Claims

Progress in India-US trade talks and any tariff-related commentary from President Trump will also keep markets engaged. Furthermore, foreign institutional investment flows remain an important variable to monitor in the near term.

—

### Crude and FII Flows

Brent crude oil prices declined to $64 per barrel ahead of an OPEC+ meeting anticipated to see the return of more idled barrels, raising concerns about oversupply. Meanwhile, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued to be net sellers throughout the week.

—

### Sector in Focus: Metals, PSU Banks & Realty

These sectors remained in the spotlight during the week, attracting investor attention due to ongoing corporate developments and government policies.

—

### Stocks That Remained in Focus

**Sammaan Capital:**
Avenir Investment plans to invest Rs 8,850 crore via shares and warrants at Rs 139 per share, an 18% discount to the current market price. Post-investment, Avenir will hold a 43.46% stake and make an open offer, with Rs 4,587 crore invested through shares and the balance through warrants in two tranches.

**Maruti Suzuki:**
Maruti Suzuki sold 1,89,665 units in September 2025, aligning with estimates. Exports hit a record 42,204 units—up 52% year-on-year (YoY), although domestic sales fell 6.3%. Production rose 26% YoY to 2.01 lakh units due to strong passenger vehicle output. The company highlighted record festive demand, with 1,65,000 deliveries made in the first eight days of Navratri and daily bookings increasing by 50% after recent price cuts. Exports in H1FY26 crossed 2.1 lakh units, including over 6,000 electric vehicles shipped in August–September.

**Lemon Tree Hotels:**
Lemon Tree Hotels announced the signing of its latest property, Keys Select by Lemon Tree Hotels in Haridwar, featuring 52 rooms, a restaurant, conference hall, and a fitness center. This signing expands Lemon Tree’s leisure portfolio in Uttarakhand, where it currently operates 8 properties with 9 more upcoming.

**KNR Construction:**
The company received a Letter of Acceptance from Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation for constructing two 3-lane flyovers on NH65 at Kukatpally “Y” junction, Telangana. The EPC/Turnkey project is valued at Rs 72.80 crore (excluding GST) with a 24-month construction timeline.

**Unimech Aerospace:**
The company provided business updates indicating a revenue slowdown for Q2FY26, expected to be marginally lower than Q1. This is mainly due to US tariffs impacting export realizations, causing customers to delay orders. Profit pressures were also noted, making it challenging to meet the full-year FY26 revenue guidance.

**Nestlé India:**
Nestlé India signed an MoU with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries to accelerate investments in greenfield and brownfield projects in Odisha and existing manufacturing sites. These investments over the next 2-3 years reaffirm the company’s commitment to India’s food processing sector and are expected to generate employment, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

**Time Technoplast:**
The company secured the BIS License under IS 14885:2022 for manufacturing PE pipes used in gas distribution within Q2FY26. This milestone will boost market presence and support sustainable infrastructure growth. The company targets 20+ gas distribution firms, expecting 30% growth in the PE pipe segment.

**RITES:**
RITES signed an MoU with Etihad Rail and its UAE-based subsidiary NICC to collaborate on mobility infrastructure projects in the UAE and beyond. This partnership leverages RITES’ 50 years of expertise and strengthens its global presence under the ‘RITES Videsh’ initiative.

**PN Gadgil Jewellers:**
Achieved record festive sales of ₹618 crore during Navratri and Dussehra, marking a 65% YoY increase. Navratri sales were ₹428 crore (+66% YoY) and Dussehra set a single-day record of ₹190 crore (+64% YoY). Gold was the major growth driver despite a 50% surge in gold prices, alongside strong diamond and silver sales. Volume growth was notable across all categories.

**Bharat Electronics (BEL):**
BEL secured additional orders worth Rs 1,092 crore since mid-September, including EW System upgrades, defence network enhancements, tank subsystems, communication equipment, EVM supplies, and services. As of April 1, BEL’s order book stood at Rs 71,650 crore. Since FY26 began, BEL has disclosed orders worth Rs 7,348 crore, representing 27% of its full-year order inflow guidance of Rs 27,000 crore. This excludes a significant quick-reaction surface-to-air missile order valued at Rs 30,000 crore.

—

### Closing Thoughts

Patience creates wealth! Despite short-term volatility, the medium to long-term outlook remains positive, driven by supportive policy measures, improving macroeconomic indicators, and robust corporate performance. We will continue to monitor market developments and keep you updated.

—

*Stay tuned for more insights in our next weekly market review.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/weekly-market-review-top-stocks-in-focus-for-the-week-ended-october-3-2025

finance, interest rates, news, real estate

Average long-term US mortgage rate ticks up for second straight week, to 6.34%

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage ticked up for the second straight week following a string of declines that had brought down home borrowing costs to their lowest level in nearly a year.

The average long-term mortgage rate rose this week to 6.34% from 6.3% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.12%.

Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, including the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy decisions and bond market investors’ expectations for the economy and inflation. They generally follow the trajectory of the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans.

The 10-year yield was at 4.10% at midday Thursday, down from 4.19% the same time last week. Much of that decline has come in the past few days, driven by discouraging reports on the U.S. economy, particularly the job market.

In late July, mortgage rates started declining in the lead-up to the Federal Reserve’s widely anticipated decision last month to cut its main interest rate for the first time in a year amid growing concern over the U.S. job market. However, Fed Chair Jerome Powell has since signaled a cautious approach to future interest rate cuts.

That’s in sharp contrast with other members of the Fed’s rate-setting committee, particularly those appointed by former President Donald Trump, who are pushing for faster cuts.

The housing market has been in a slump since 2022, when mortgage rates began climbing from historic lows. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes sank last year to their lowest level in nearly 30 years. So far this year, sales are running below where they were at this time in 2024.

The second straight bump in rates could signal a repeat of what happened last year after the Fed cut its benchmark rate for the first time in more than four years. Back then, mortgage rates fell for several weeks prior to the Fed’s September rate cut. In the following weeks, however, mortgage rates began rising again, eventually reaching just above 7% in mid-January this year.

Like last year, the Fed’s rate cut doesn’t necessarily mean mortgage rates will keep declining, even as the central bank signals more cuts ahead.

Still, the late-summer decline in mortgage rates has already encouraged many homeowners who bought in recent years after rates climbed well above 6% to refinance to a lower rate. Mortgage rates will have to sink below 6% to make refinancing an attractive option to a broader swath of homeowners, however. That’s because about 81% of U.S. homes have a mortgage with a rate of 6% or lower, according to Realtor.com.

Economists generally forecast the average rate on a 30-year mortgage to remain near the mid-6% range this year.

Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also inched up this week. The average rate rose to 5.55% from 5.49% the previous week. A year ago, it was 5.25%, Freddie Mac said.
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/business/ap-business/ap-average-long-term-us-mortgage-rate-ticks-up-for-second-straight-week-to-6-34/

finance, government, indian economy, politics

Maharashtra Receives ₹6,418 Crore As Additional Tax Devolution From Centre

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The Central Government has released an additional installment of tax devolution totaling Rs 1,01,603 crore to state governments across India. Of this amount, Maharashtra has received Rs 6,418 crore. The funds have been transferred as an advance installment to help states accelerate capital expenditure and meet welfare-related commitments.

**Boost for Development and Welfare**

This release comes over and above the regular monthly devolution of Rs 81,735 crore, which is scheduled for October 10, 2025, according to the Finance Ministry. The advance is expected to provide states with the fiscal space to speed up ongoing infrastructure projects, enhance liquidity, and ensure the timely rollout of welfare programmes.

For Maharashtra, which has lined up multiple developmental and social sector initiatives, the additional funds are seen as a timely boost to strengthen welfare delivery and developmental activities.

**Maharashtra Leadership Responds**

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the Finance and Planning portfolio, confirmed the receipt of the funds. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for extending financial support.

“With the upcoming festival season, and to enable the state to ramp up capital expenditure and provide adequate funding for our welfare and development schemes, this amount will undoubtedly prove beneficial for Maharashtra,” Pawar said.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-receives-6418-crore-as-additional-tax-devolution-from-centre

demographics, economy, finance, india, investment

10% households invest in markets: Survey

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**Less than 10% of Indian Households Invest in Securities Market, Sebi Survey Reveals**

*MUMBAI:* According to a recent survey conducted by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), less than one out of every ten households in India—only 9.5%—invest in securities market-related financial products such as stocks and mutual funds.

This low investment penetration persists despite the fact that 63% of the country’s total 33.7 crore households are aware of at least one such product.

**State-wise Investment Penetration**

The survey highlights significant variation across states. Delhi leads with nearly 21% of households investing in securities market products, followed by Maharashtra at 17%. On the other end of the spectrum, Uttarakhand records the lowest penetration with just 4.5% of stock-related investing households.

**Mutual Funds vs. Stocks**

At the all-India level, mutual funds have a higher penetration rate compared to stocks. About 6.7% of households invest in mutual funds, while 5.3% hold stocks. Other financial products such as Futures & Options (F&O), REITs/InvITs, and corporate bonds have less than 1% penetration among households.

**Risk Preferences**

The survey also sheds light on investors’ risk appetite. Nearly 80% of households prefer capital preservation over higher returns. This cautious approach extends to younger generations as well, with 79% of Gen-Z households displaying risk-averse behavior.

**About the Survey**

This nationwide survey was commissioned by Sebi in collaboration with the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), National Stock Exchange (NSE), and other market infrastructure institutions.

—

*Follow Us On Social Media for More Updates*
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/10-households-invest-in-markets-survey/articleshow/124280549.cms