🏦 Economy / Policy
• Wholesale inflation rose to 3.88% in March, the highest in over three years, indicating rising cost pressures 📊
• India’s exports grew 4% to $860 billion in FY26, while the trade deficit widened by $25 billion 💹
• RBI has allowed NBFCs, including gold loan companies, to open branches without prior approval, easing expansion norms 🏦📈
• India will send an official team to Washington next week to advance trade talks 🌍🤝
• India is exploring higher LNG and LPG imports from the US, along with cooperation in small modular reactors (SMRs) ⚡
• Analysts warn the Iran war could be as disruptive as Covid for India, with potential long-term macro impact ⚠️
🏢 Companies / Sectors
• Banking sector enters a key earnings phase, with ICICI Bank results due around April 20 and expectations of steady NII growth and stable asset quality 📊
🌍 Global / World
• IMF cut global growth to 3.1% and raised inflation to 4.4%, citing the West Asia conflict and Hormuz disruption as key shocks 🌍📉
• IMF warned emerging markets face a double hit of higher inflation and slower growth due to the energy shock ⚠️
• US President Trump signalled the war may be nearing an end, with Brent easing to ~$94 and WTI to ~$90, offering some relief to markets 🛢️📉