Latest news with #SmritiMehra
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Main target will be growth, not prices; RBI rate cuts unlikely soon: Economists
Mumbai: A majority of economists say that growth, rather than inflation, will be the primary driver of monetary policy decisions while adding that the Reserve Bank of India is unlikely to cut the policy repo rate further from 5.5% now. "We believe that growth would guide the RBI's thought process as inflation remains benign. We do not see any further cuts in our base case," Rahul Bajoria and Smriti Mehra, economists at BofA Securities India, wrote in a report. Inflation as measured by consumer price index fell to 1.55% in July-the lowest since June 2017 and well below the central bank's inflation target range of 2-6%, data released on Tuesday showed. The RBI's monetary policy committee (MPC) has reduced the repo rate by 100 bps since February, but left it unchanged at 5.5% last week. The MPC's next decision will be announced on October 1. The central bank reduced CPI forecast for the current financial year by 60 basis points but retained GDP growth forecast at 6.5%. Economists said there would be a rate cut only if the 50% US tariffs on India significantly impact growth. "Given the inflation outlook, the RBI has room to cut rates further by 25-50 bps in case there is evidence that growth is slowing down significantly due to tariff shocks," said Sakshi Gupta, principal economist at HDFC Bank . "For now, we do not expect further rate cuts." HDFC Bank has retained the GDP growth estimate at 6.3% due to likely offsetting factors and on the possibility that the US tariffs could be negotiated down, she said. Sameer Narang, head, economic research group at ICICI Bank , does not see any rate cut from RBI if growth remains sustainably above 6%. "As of now, we foresee growth at 6.3% which also does not call for any more rate cuts. However, if downside risks to growth are visible because of external headwinds, then easing may again be on the table," he said. Economists said the June quarter GDP data, due for release on August 29, will be keenly watched for cues on the RBI's rate action. However, this data will not include the impact of tariffs as the US duties came into effect this month. Even as the consensus view is inclined towards 5.5% as the terminal repo rate, a few economists expect further reduction. Economists at HSBC India believe that if some of the weak high frequency data from June continue, the RBI can mark down its growth forecast and deliver a 25 basis point rate cut in the fourth quarter of 2025, taking the repo rate to 5.25%. Nomura sees 5.00% as the terminal rate as it expects 25 bps cut each in October and December policy meetings. "The MPC's data-dependent approach has left the door open to future cuts, even if it did not explicitly signal one," it said.
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Business Standard
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
CNBC-TV18 launches Prime, global business channel for Indians abroad
Network18 Media and Investments' CNBC-TV18 on Thursday announced the launch of its new business news channel, CNBC-TV18 Prime—a global business news channel created for the global Indian. 'Designed for CXOs, global decision-makers, and business leaders, CNBC-TV18 Prime is set to deliver incisive, data-driven coverage of international developments through an India-first lens,' the company said in a release. The new channel will be available on direct-to-home (DTH) platforms like Tata Play, Dish TV, and d2h, along with cable networks including DEN Networks, Hathway, GTPL (Gujarat Tele Link), SITI Networks, ICNCL (Indian Cable Net Company), Fastway, InCable, TCCL (Thamizhaga Cable TV Communication), Kal Cable, Arasu, VK Digital, and KCCL (Kerala Communicators Cable). This will ensure wide reach across urban and business hubs in India, the release stated. 'With CNBC-TV18 Prime, we are building a platform that reflects the global ambitions of India's business leaders,' said Smriti Mehra, chief executive officer, English and Business News, Network18 Media and Investments, in a statement. 'As Indian enterprises expand their presence on the world stage, there is a growing demand for intelligent, relevant, and actionable global coverage. CNBC-TV18 Prime goes beyond headlines to decode the implications of global developments for those who lead.' The release further stated that the programming is built around a 'follow-the-sun' approach, beginning with coverage of the Asian markets, moving through India and Europe, and concluding the day with the US markets. The show The Global Reset, hosted by Prashant Nair, will air daily at 12.00 pm, offering a deep, analytical look at the structural forces shaping economies and global markets, with a clear view of how these developments impact India. The Global Lens, hosted by Parikshit Luthra, will air daily at 8:30 pm, covering the most critical stories in foreign affairs, geopolitics, and global developments—decoding how these shape India's political and economic positioning. Adding to the comprehensive line-up, another programme will offer a deep dive into the pulse of global markets, commodities, and the evolving world of alternative asset classes.
