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Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Business outlook: Business confidence index jumps to 149.4 in April-June; NCAER survey flags optimism in sales
India's business sentiment saw a sharp uptick in the April-June quarter, with the Business Confidence Index (BCI) rising to 149.4 from 139.3 in the previous quarter, according to the latest Business Expectations Survey by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER). The index is built on four key components: expectations of overall economic improvement over the next six months, anticipated improvement in firms' financial positions, views on the present investment climate, and whether capacity utilisation is close to or above optimal levels, PTI reported. NCAER noted that more than 60% of respondents expressed positive views across all four parameters. 'The share of positive responses remained above 60% for each component, and every component exhibited an improving trend compared to the previous quarter,' the think tank said. Optimism around production and domestic demand was particularly strong. Around 78.7% of firms said they expect production to rise in the next six months, while 79.1% anticipated an increase in domestic sales. Export sentiment also strengthened, with 66.5% of respondents expecting a rise in outbound shipments of finished goods. Firms were also more positive about their import requirements, with 54.3% expecting an increase in raw material imports, up from 46.1% in the previous quarter—a sign of expected acceleration in domestic manufacturing activity. Nearly 61% of companies surveyed expected pre-tax profits to rise over the next six months, indicating continued buoyancy in business operations. However, this optimism was not reflected in the labour market outlook. Hiring and wage expectations remained unchanged, suggesting a stagnation in employment sentiment. 'With moderation in costs, firms were more optimistic about the next six months,' said NCAER Professor Bornali Bhandari, who led the survey. The survey, conducted in June, covered 479 companies across six major Indian cities. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays .
Economic Times
05-08-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
India's business confidence index rises to 149.4 in April-June: NCAER
Synopsis The Business Confidence Index (BCI) surged to 149.4 in April-June 2024-25, up from 139.3 in the previous quarter, driven by positive expectations across key economic indicators. A majority of firms anticipate increased production, domestic sales, and exports, signaling strong business optimism. However, this positive sentiment hasn't translated into improvements in the labor market, with hiring and wage expectations remaining stagnant. AI generated image for representation purposes. The Business Confidence Index (BCI) rose sharply to 149.4 in the April-June period from 139.3 in the last quarter of 2024-25, according to the Business Expectations Survey of National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER). NCAER in a statement said the BCI is based on four components -- overall economic conditions to improve in next six months, financial position of firms will improve in the next six months, present investment climate and whether present capacity utilisation was close to or above optimal level. The share of positive responses across the four components remains above 60 per cent in the first quarter and also each component exhibited improving trend compared to the preceding quarter, the statement added. Majority of respondents expected production (78.7 per cent) and domestic sales (79.1 per cent) to increase in the next six months. The statement said sentiments about export of final products also improved (66.5 per cent) in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. Percentage of firms expecting import of raw materials to rise also increased (54.3 per cent) from the preceding quarter (46.1 per cent), signalling a push in domestic production activities, it added. Regarding sentiments about pre-tax profits, nearly 61 per cent of firms expected them to rise, indicating continued buoyancy. However, the statement said buoyancy in business sentiments was not reflected in the labour markets that showed signs of stagnation with both sentiments about hiring and expectations of wage rates remaining unchanged over the next six months. NCAER's Professor Bornali Bhandari, who led the survey, said, "With moderation in costs, firms were more optimistic about the next six months." The quarterly survey was carried out in June, covering 479 companies spread across six cities, the statement added.
Time of India
05-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India's business confidence index rises to 149.4 in April-June: NCAER
The Business Confidence Index (BCI) rose sharply to 149.4 in the April-June period from 139.3 in the last quarter of 2024-25, according to the Business Expectations Survey of National Council of Applied Economic Research ( NCAER ). NCAER in a statement said the BCI is based on four components -- overall economic conditions to improve in next six months, financial position of firms will improve in the next six months, present investment climate and whether present capacity utilisation was close to or above optimal level. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program The share of positive responses across the four components remains above 60 per cent in the first quarter and also each component exhibited improving trend compared to the preceding quarter, the statement added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Majority of respondents expected production (78.7 per cent) and domestic sales (79.1 per cent) to increase in the next six months. The statement said sentiments about export of final products also improved (66.5 per cent) in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. Live Events Percentage of firms expecting import of raw materials to rise also increased (54.3 per cent) from the preceding quarter (46.1 per cent), signalling a push in domestic production activities, it added. Regarding sentiments about pre-tax profits, nearly 61 per cent of firms expected them to rise, indicating continued buoyancy. However, the statement said buoyancy in business sentiments was not reflected in the labour markets that showed signs of stagnation with both sentiments about hiring and expectations of wage rates remaining unchanged over the next six months. NCAER's Professor Bornali Bhandari, who led the survey, said, "With moderation in costs, firms were more optimistic about the next six months." The quarterly survey was carried out in June, covering 479 companies spread across six cities, the statement added.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
PM Gati Shakti cuts India's logistics costs by 5% of GDP: NCAER, ET Infra
Advt Advt India's logistics costs have come down to betweenof GDP, significantly lower than previously assumed figures of, according to studies carried out by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER). The drop reflects the success of thefor infrastructure development, as per a report titled Gati Se Pragati, released on the country's logistics costs remain above global benchmarks ofseen in developed economies. This positions India favourably for achieving world-class logistics efficiency through coordinated infrastructure development. Simultaneously, India's improvement in the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index—from 44th to 38th in 2023—indicates positive momentum, though the report states substantial scope remains for further India's most ambitious infrastructure coordination initiative, fundamentally reshaping the nation's approach to connectivity and economic development. The report reveals that while the programme has established robust institutional frameworks and achieved initial coordination successes, substantial opportunities remain to accelerate India's economic transformation through targeted interventions across its seven infrastructure a holistic approach encompassing, each contributing distinct value to India's connectivity programme's targets are ambitious: expanding, increasing, establishing, and achieving comprehensiveThese targets align with India's broader economic objectives while addressing critical infrastructure bottlenecks that have historically constrained growth. However, significant implementation challenges persist across all seven engines, including, andbetween central and state analysis reveals that while the institutional framework exists, translating coordination mechanisms into accelerated project delivery requires enhanced focus on, andThe economic impact assessment demonstrates substantialfrom infrastructure investments, with each rupee invested generating betweeneconomic output, depending on the infrastructure type. Roads and railways exhibit the highest multipliers, while emerging sectors likepresent significant untapped beyond direct economic impact, encompassing, and enhancedfor citizens. Strategic interventions identified for optimal Gati Shakti implementation include establishing, creating, enhancingthrough innovative models, and strengtheningacross implementing agencies, the report success ofultimately depends on, andof coordination mechanisms to emerging challenges and opportunities, the report added.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Jobs push needs skilling: Economic policy think-tank NCAER urges investment in training, says 13% job gain possible by 2030
AI image NEW DELHI: India can boost employment in labour-intensive sectors by over 13% by 2030 through targeted investment in formal skilling, according to a paper by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER). The study argues for a multi-pronged policy push to improve workforce quality and bridge the country's employment gap. The paper, titled 'The Landscape of Employment in India: Pathways to Jobs', highlights the critical role of skilled labour in accelerating job creation, particularly in manufacturing and services. 'On the supply side, we show that increasing the share of skilled workforce by 12 percentage points through investment in formal skilling could lead to more than a 13 per cent increase in employment in labour intensive sectors by 2030,' the paper said, quoted PTI. Labour-intensive industries currently account for a significant share of employment—44.1% of manufacturing jobs and 54.2% of services sector employment, the paper noted. 'Our demand-side simulations indicate that we can significantly bridge the employment gap by increasing the size of the manufacturing and services sectors, particularly through a focus on labour-intensive industries therein,' it added. The paper's author, Farzana Afridi, emphasised the need for a 'multi-pronged approach' to enhance production capacity and stimulate job creation, including higher government expenditure, tax cuts, and domestic demand stimulation. While analysing government initiatives, the paper cited a mismatch in the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, pointing out that although it focuses on high-skilled, high-value sectors, the most jobs have been created in food processing and pharmaceuticals. 'This reflects a mismatch between budgetary allocation under PLI and potential for employment creation,' the paper said. To maximise gains, the report recommends adopting global best practices, implementing national quality standards, and revamping education systems to improve human capital. It also suggests embedding digital literacy, ICT skills, and soft skills into vocational training to enhance employability. The study referenced the Future of Jobs Report 2025, which estimates that 63% of India's workforce will need reskilling or upskilling by 2030 to stay competitive. 'Improving training quality, along with increasing the share of formally trained workers, can lead to higher employment gains,' the paper concluded. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
