Budget 2024: Potential STT Hike for High-Frequency Traders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia after a tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. On April 22, at least 26 civilians were killed, and 20 others were injured when terrorists opened fire in a popular tourist area. This attack is being called the worst since the Pulwama strike in 2019. During his visit, Modi held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman but left early, skipping an official dinner. In response to the violence, a shutdown named Kashmir Bandh and Jammu Bandh was declared by various groups to protest against the attack and honor the victims.

Podcasts have become a favorite way for people to consume information, covering topics from history to current events. According to Dhruvank Vaidya from Spotify India, podcasts provide a personal touch through conversation, making it easier for listeners to absorb information. Spotify focuses on connecting creators with audiences while ensuring content safety. The platform offers support through training events and tools like 'Spotify for Creators.' Generation Z is leading the trend, with many listening weekly for both learning and authentic discussions. Educational podcasts like 'Let’s Talk Money' and 'Figuring Out' are gaining popularity, showing a growing interest in financial literacy and personal development.

Instagram has launched an exciting new feature called Blend, allowing users to share reels privately with friends or in groups. This means that instead of sending multiple reels through direct messages, users can see the same reels in their feeds together. The Blend feature aims to revive the personal connection in social media, enhancing engagement and conversation between friends. To use it, users simply need to log in, select a chat, and invite a friend to Blend. Once accepted, both can see and react to personalized reels. This invite-only feature is set to boost user interaction and help discover friends' interests.

Uday Kotak, the founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank, recently praised Indian housewives on social media for their smart investments in gold. He believes that their long-standing trust in gold makes them the best fund managers globally, especially as gold prices surge. Many users reacted to his post, highlighting that Indian women buy gold not just for investment but as a safeguard against inflation and economic uncertainty. While some appreciated the cultural practice of saving in gold, others emphasized the need for financial literacy. With gold prices surpassing $3,400 recently, the conversation around its value continues to grow.

Gold prices have hit a record high, crossing the ₹1 lakh mark for 10 grams in India, driven by a surge in demand from local jewellers ahead of Akshaya Tritiya and the wedding season. On Tuesday, gold soared by ₹1,800 to reach ₹1,02,100 per 10 grams, reflecting a significant increase of nearly 29% since December 2024. Experts attribute this jump to global economic uncertainties and tensions regarding US interest rates. As the festive season approaches, the cultural significance of purchasing gold will likely keep demand strong, regardless of price fluctuations.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the need to boost manufacturing in India to harness its young workforce, reduce import reliance, and strengthen global supply chains. Speaking in San Francisco, she highlighted that India has quickly surged to the fifth-largest economy in five years. She mentioned that manufacturing plays a crucial role in economic transformation and job creation, and the government aims to raise its GDP contribution from 12% to about 22-23%. Sitharaman also pointed out the importance of innovative sectors like semiconductors and renewable energy, urging collective efforts to achieve a developed India by 2047.

After a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Air India and IndiGo are stepping up to help tourists. They will add two extra flights from Srinagar to assist those wanting to leave the valley. Both airlines are also offering free changes and full refunds for flights to and from Srinagar until April 30, 2025. Due to repairs on the main highway, flying is currently the best option. As a result, ticket prices have increased because more people are trying to leave. Air India and IndiGo are committed to ensuring travelers can return home safely and comfortably.

Tesla's profits plunged 71% in the first quarter, with a net profit of $409 million, disappointing investors. The company faced challenges due to reduced demand for electric vehicles and global uncertainties. Revenue dropped 9% to $19.34 billion, falling short of expectations. Operating income also decreased, and Tesla has now abandoned its previous predictions for 2025 due to increasing uncertainties in trade and demand. However, CEO Elon Musk remains optimistic about long-term growth and plans to introduce more affordable models and a Robotaxi service by mid-2025.

Major Indian IT companies have shared their hiring trends and financial results for the year ending March 31, 2025. Faced with economic challenges, firms like TCS and Infosys are adjusting salary hikes and workforce numbers. TCS added over 6,400 employees, while Infosys reported a smaller increase and a higher attrition rate. Wipro's hiring has slowed down, with only 612 new employees added this quarter. Despite these challenges, some companies are still investing in new talent, although salary increments are lower than last year. Overall, the IT sector is navigating a tricky landscape as it adapts to changing economic conditions.

In a thrilling match, Delhi Capitals won the toss and chose to bowl first. Lucknow Super Giants struggled with their batting, scoring only 159 runs while the average score was 190. Captain Rishabh Pant admitted they fell short by 20 runs and highlighted how the toss influenced the game. While they currently sit fifth in the points table, the team is determined to regroup and find their best strategy moving forward. Pant remains optimistic about their chances in upcoming matches, emphasizing the need to adapt and improve as a team.

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has placed five stocks on its trading ban list as of April 22, due to their trading volumes exceeding 95% of the market-wide position limit. This means traders can only reduce their positions and cannot create new ones during this ban period. However, these stocks can still be traded in the cash market. On a brighter note, the stock market saw a significant boost recently, with the Sensex rising over 855 points, primarily driven by strong performance in the banking and IT sectors. This rally reflects a recovery from previous losses linked to tariffs imposed by the US.

The Bollywood film "Kesari Chapter 2," featuring Akshay Kumar and R Madhavan, had a strong opening but faced a significant drop in box office earnings. On its fourth day, the movie saw a 61.75% decline, earning just ₹4.59 crore after a successful weekend where it grossed ₹21.75 crore. Despite positive growth over the weekend, experts suggest that the film must perform well in the following days to maintain its momentum. Based on the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the movie has generated interest but needs to sustain its audience to continue thriving in theaters.

In T20 cricket, the top order usually scores the most runs, but the Titans' top three batsmen have taken this to a new level. They are performing exceptionally well, closely resembling the successful Chennai Super Kings from the past. All three players—Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler—have scored over 300 runs with impressive strike rates. Sudharsan currently holds the Orange Cap with 417 runs, averaging over 50. The Titans are on track to break records if their performance continues. However, if they fail together, it will test the team's middle order and bowling strength.

Don Pettit, NASA's oldest astronaut, made a successful return to Earth on April 20 after an impressive 220 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). At 70 years old, he participated in a crucial seven-month science mission, having launched on September 11, 2024. Alongside two Russian cosmonauts, Pettit orbited Earth over 3,520 times before landing in Kazakhstan. NASA reported that he is recovering well and will undergo routine medical checks. This remarkable journey adds to Pettit's extensive experience, having previously completed multiple spaceflights and significant experiments on the ISS.

Aadit Palicha, the CEO of Zepto, believes Indian talent is exceptional and crucial for startup success. In a discussion with Y Combinator’s Garry Tan, he shared insights on the rapid growth of quick commerce in India. Palicha emphasized that although he initially underestimated local talent, he found that Indian engineers match their American counterparts. Many successful internet startups are choosing to set up in Bangalore due to this talent pool. However, Palicha remains humble about Zepto’s success, stating they are far from achieving their ultimate goals and have decades of work ahead.

The Reserve Bank of India has taken a significant step by allowing children over 10 years old to open and manage their own savings and term deposit accounts. This new rule, communicated to banks, aims to empower minors with financial independence. They can operate these accounts without needing a guardian, although banks will ensure that the accounts maintain a positive balance. Additionally, banks can offer services like internet banking and debit cards based on their policies. This initiative not only encourages financial literacy among young people but also requires banks to adapt their policies by July 2025.

Bitcoin has made headlines again, soaring to $88,000 on Monday, marking a 4.3% increase in just one day. This surge is notable as U.S. stocks continue to fall, with the Dow Jones hitting new lows. The current economic climate, influenced by Donald Trump's tariff decisions, has also led to a significant drop in the U.S. dollar, which is trading at a three-year low. Despite this impressive rise, Bitcoin is still far from its all-time high of $110,000 earlier this year, as profit-taking by investors led to a decline in its value shortly after.

The Indian stock market is on the rise, with the Sensex and Nifty gaining 1.3% recently due to strong performances from major private banks and increased interest from foreign investors. Since April 9, these indices have jumped nearly 8%. Despite global uncertainties, India stands out as a resilient economy, expected to grow at 6% even when others slow down. Foreign investors have poured in over Rs 10,824 crore in just two days, focusing on sectors like finance, telecom, and real estate. With large private banks setting new records, the market seems poised for further growth.