Horoscope Today 16th August 2025: Taurus, Virgo, Cancer, and Pisces shine under today's planetary alignments
ET Online Steady Growth and Emotional Clarity for All Zodiac Signs
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Indian Express
10 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Horoscope Today, 18 August 2025: Libra, Sagittarius, Virgo, Cancer, Aquarius, and other sun signs
Horoscope 18 August, 2025: No pressure except self-doubt and lack of focus. Lunar aspects may be signalling stress but that could be a good thing – inspiring you to exceed your previous best. There is someone who is waiting for you to get in touch with them and, when you do, your life could change. Looking a few days ahead we can see that Mercury, planet of communication, is about to make its lively way into a region of your chart closely related to your finances. The moment is coming when you should lay plans for abundant future prosperity. There seems to be some sort of muddle, possibly caused by the Moon's relationship to other significant, if confused, planets. You may either postpone important engagements or, alternatively, approach them with considerably more determination than usual. In spite of your open and chatty reputation, you are about to enter a more secretive phase, one when peace, quiet and seclusion will be of increasing importance to your general well-being. Only when you have shared your plans with friends will you see whether they are ever likely to come to fruition. In many ways you are dealing with the legacy of the past. Yet, although it's inevitable that you should feel nostalgia for what has been, you would be advised to get on with planning the future. I know you're concerned about losing your roots, but you needn't be. You are being pulled in two directions. But which way should you jump? As far as anyone can see, you have done an extremely good job of standing your ground and, for that, you deserve full respect. Do yourself a favour and sort out a cash question sooner rather than later. You should now be back on form and determined to alter the pattern of your life. Lunar aspects may be signalling stress but that could be a good thing – inspiring you to exceed your previous best. There is someone who is waiting for you to get in touch with them and, when you do, your life could change. It could be an extravagant day, and the only reason for caution could be if you are spending other people's money. In love you need physical affection and reassurance and, at work, you should be considering promotion. It's about time that your true talents were appreciated. Now you really are heading for a pleasant romantic period. Relations with children and younger family members are set to improve and cultural pursuits are likely to take up more of your time. But when it comes to social arrangements, I suspect you'll be bogged down in the details. A whole host of planets passing through challenging regions of your chart means that you must let other people seize the initiative. This is not obligatory, but if you try to take the lead yourself it may rebound on you, perhaps because you'll overlook certain fundamental details. The odds may be stacked against you today. Yet do not despair – all is not lost. It may be time for one of those clever tactical retreats that results in your position being stronger than ever. Your strength lies in your ability to construct firm foundations. There are periods when you need to spend a little more time at home or dealing with important family issues. This is one of them, so hopefully relations will play ball. In love, the lesson is that relationships need to be worked at – no effort should be spared! There is not long to go before emotional secrets are brought to a head. It will be a great relief all round when what was once unspeakable can be discussed in an atmosphere of happiness and harmony. And I have a feeling that you are just the person to do it.
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
NBFCs tap $3.67 billion in overseas syndicated loans, more than double 2024 levels
Synopsis Indian non-bank lenders significantly increased overseas syndicated loan borrowing. They raised $3.67 billion in 2025, more than double 2024's $1.64 billion. Cheaper pricing and favorable tax policies drove this surge. More overseas banks are now willing to lend to Indian companies. HSBC's Chetan Joshi notes better pricing and diversification of funding sources as key factors. Mumbai: Loans garnered from overseas syndicates so far this year by Indian non-bank lenders more than doubled from what they raised in the whole of 2024, reflecting cheaper pricing, a larger pool of interested banks, and favourable tax treatment on the funds raised accessed by ET from the LSEG Loan Connector, a global loan data website, showed that Indian NBFCs raised $3.67 billion so far in 2025 from the syndicated loan market overseas, compared with $1.64 billion garnered in the whole of 2024. The fundraising climbed sharply despite an 2.35% depreciation in the rupee against the US dollar so far in 2025, following protracted outflows from equity assets in the aftermath of tariffs. Banks participating in such loans carry repayment risks inherent in a depreciating currency. Bankers said that increasing loan deals for Indian NBFCs show more overseas banks are willing to commit loan funds to Indian companies. Chetan Joshi, managing director and head of debt finance at HSBC, the top syndicator of loans, said over the last year or so, such deals of Indian NBFCs have gained traction because of relatively better pricing compared with international bonds, a quest for diversification of funding sources, and wider acceptability for local firms in the overseas bank market. "Floating rate loans that are mostly linked to the three month SOFR (Secured Overnight Funding Rate) have become cheaper as credit spreads on offshore bonds have not fallen as much," Joshi said. "This trend of increased NBFC borrowing through syndicated loans is likely to continue this year due to the above factors." Data shows the three-month SOFR rate eased about 100 basis points to around 4.35% from 5.35% a year ago, reflecting cheaper borrowing costs for companies. Loans in the overseas market are priced above the SOFR rate, the benchmark interest rate for overseas transactions. LSEG Loan Connector data showed a willingness among overseas lenders to climb the risk gradient. For instance, of the $3.67 billion raised so far in 2025, about 78%-or $2.85 billion-has been raised by Indian NBFCs rated below story was similar last year with as much as 87% or $1.42 billion out of the $1.64 billion raised in the whole of 2024 has been raised by NBFCs rated below AAA. In other words, the loan market is now accessible for even lower rated NBFCs. Last week, education loan NBFC Avanse Financial Services raised $200 million through a three year loan led by HSBC and syndicated to as many as eleven banks from countries as diverse as Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and the UAE. More importantly the loan was the company's first dual currency loan with $59 million out of the $200 million raised in say raising funds in currencies like yen help companies to reduce borrowing costs because they are priced at lower rates and also as tax liabilities are lower because some of these jurisdictions have an easier tax regime.
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
Centre weighs extra duty on tobacco, states seek a share
Synopsis To maintain overall taxation on tobacco products post GST 2.0 reforms, the Centre may impose additional excise or special duty above the proposed 40% GST. Some states are advocating for a significant share in this additional taxation to offset potential revenue losses. iStock The Centre may levy additional excise duty or special duty above the proposed 40% goods and services tax (GST) on tobacco products to maintain the overall taxation, in absence of compensation cess in the GST 2.0 reforms announced by Prime Minister Narendra some states are seeking a "significant share" in the additional taxation on tobacco products to compensate for the immediate revenue loss, people privy to the discussions told ET, citing the ongoing discussions with the states on taxation on sin goods in general and tobacco in particular. "During the discussion some states asked for equal share on the additional duty to be imposed," one of the persons said on condition of anonymity, without naming any state. The group of ministers on rate rationalisation, headed by Bihar's deputy chief minister Samrat Chaudhary, may meet one more time ahead of the next GST Council meeting to discuss the issue, the person said, adding that all states are looking forward to the next generation GST reforms. The final call on the matter will be taken at the GST Council meeting. Currently tobacco and tobacco products, including cigarette, cigars, pan masala, cigarillos and hookah, attract the highest GST rate of 28% plus compensation cess, central excise duty and national calamity contingent duty, taking total indirect tax levied to 53%. Average annual GST collection from tobacco products in the past five years amounted to ₹51,000 crore, along with additional education cess and surcharges from tobacco manufacturers totalling ₹27,659.84 Independence Day, the finance ministry proposed a two-tier GST structure, doing away with 12% and 28% tax slabs, and suggested a 40% slab for five to seven sin goods including tobacco and tobacco products. However, it said that overall taxation on tobacco products would not go down. With compensation cess gone, this can be done only by levying some other additional duty. Smoky Affair A few states are seeking either an equal share in the additional duty or the right to levy tax accordingly, as in the case of alcohol in the form of a separate state excise duty. Their argument is that there is enough headroom to go beyond 53% of existing indirect tax on tobacco products, without any revenue loss to either the Centre or states."A few states suggested that either it should be a basic excise duty, divisible between the Centre and states, or a central excise duty along with state excise duty - which would be a win-win for both, giving headroom to states to generate their revenue," said a person aware of the like Kerala have already sought compensation for revenue loss on account of GST reforms."The so-called simplification of GST rates announced by Modi will be devastating for state revenues," Kerala finance minister Thomas Issac said in a post on X. "The GST rates that have already been rendered below revenue neutral rate by 2018 pre-election simplification, will now shrink further. States must be compensated for the loss."Tobacco products in India remain among the most affordable globally, as flagged by the parliamentary standing committee in its 139th report. The report said there is significant headroom to enhance taxation on these products, suggesting a peak rate of 40% and substantial increase in excise duty.
