📰 India Business Brief: Top Headlines for January 16, 2026

Business Standard

• Tiger Global Liable for Tax: The Supreme Court has ruled that Tiger Global is liable to pay tax on gains from the 2018 Flipkart-Walmart deal, siding with Indian officials who argued the arrangement was designed to avoid tax.
• India-EU FTA Progress: Negotiations for the much-anticipated Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union are likely to conclude by January 27, though sensitive agricultural issues may remain excluded.
• Jio Financial Services Q3 Results: The company reported a 9% drop in consolidated profit to ₹269 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2025.
• Employment Trends: India’s unemployment rate inched up to 4.8% in December, which remains the second-lowest figure recorded in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
• Electronics Sector Growth: Industry reports suggest India's electronics sector is moving toward "strategic indispensability," as global supply chains increasingly look to diversify away from China.

Economic Times

• IT Sector Recovery: The $283 billion Indian IT services industry is showing signs of a demand recovery. Giants like Infosys and HCLTech have raised their revenue guidance, citing a pick-up in discretionary spending and a surge in AI-driven contracts.
• Telecom Relief Sought: Bharti Airtel and Tata Group firms are reportedly considering a joint appeal to the government for Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) relief, similar to the concessions previously granted to Vodafone Idea.
• Wheat Production Outlook: The Agriculture Ministry expects wheat output to exceed last year's record of 117.94 million tonnes, following a 2% increase in sowing area during the current rabi season.
• Reliance Industries Preview: Analysts expect a strong Q3 performance from RIL, driven by its O2C (Oil-to-Chemicals) and Jio segments, though retail growth is anticipated to lag behind.
• NSE IPO Update: Sebi has given an in-principle nod to settle an unfair market access case, clearing a major hurdle for the National Stock Exchange's long-awaited public listing.

Mint

• Stock Market Sentiment: Indian equity markets remain cautious due to global geopolitical tensions and uncertainty surrounding US trade tariffs. The Nifty 50 is currently trading in a range-bound manner between 25,500 and 25,800.
• Trade Deficit Widens: While India's exports remained resilient in December, a surge in imports has led to a widening trade gap. Exports to China and the UAE saw significant jumps despite steep tariffs in other markets.
• Corporate Moves: IHCL (the parent company of Taj Hotels) has acquired a majority stake in Brij Hotels for ₹193 crore to strengthen its presence in the boutique luxury segment.
• Market Recommendations: Technical analysts have recommended several intraday picks for today, including Bank of Baroda (Target ₹322), NMDC (Target ₹88), and Punjab National Bank.
• Bank Holidays: Banking operations are suspended today in Tamil Nadu for Thiruvalluvar Day and in Andhra Pradesh for the Kanuma festival.

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Tags: Headlines Business News Economic Times Business Standard Mint Top News