Business News Northeast - Latest Business Northeast News & Updates

19 Apr

ICICI Bank Q4 Results Preview: Net profit increase over 10% on loan growth, NII growth seen at 9%

Business CorrespondentBusiness, News

ICICI Bank Q4 Results Preview: ICICI Bank will announce its January-March quarter results for the financial year 2024-25 (Q4FY25) on Saturday, April 19, 2025, after performing well in the previous quarter due to better asset quality and loan growth. Most D-Street analysts and domestic brokerages forecast a decent and steady growth in Q4FY25 for India’s second-largest lender by market capitalisation, driven by loan growth and deposits. An average brokerage estimate indicates that ICICI Bank’s net profit is likely to grow 10-12 percent in the March quarter, while net interest income (NII) growth is estimated to be over nine percent. Net…

18 Apr

Gold imports gain 192% in March amid record prices

Business CorrespondentBusiness, News

According to Commerce Ministry data, India's gold imports in March 2025 rose 192.13 percent year-on-year to USD 4.47 billion, reversing the previous trend of negative growth.This sharp jump is mainly attributed to the significant increase in gold prices and investors' renewed interest in the yellow metal as a safe-haven. Gold imports stood at USD 1.53 billion in January 2024, showing a sharp jump over the last two months. On a full-year basis, gold inbound shipments grew 27.27 percent to USD 58 billion in 2024-25 from USD 45.54 billion in the previous fiscal.The rise in demand reflects investors' growing preference for…

18 Apr

Global health frameworks face scrutiny: India’s health sovereignty takes center stage

Business BureauBusiness

India is reevaluating its position in global health frameworks as the World Health Organization (WHO) faces increasing criticism for its growing alignment with powerful donors like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies. With major countries like the United States pulling away, the WHO’s ability to act as a neutral body has come into question. For India, a nation with diverse health challenges, these donor-driven policies are often misaligned with local needs. This is especially true in the realm of tobacco control, where India’s large population of smokeless tobacco users faces challenges with global health policies that fail…

18 Apr

JK Tyre India Racing Festival wows Mizoram with thrills, drifts and downpours

Business BureauBusiness

The JK Tyre-powered India Racing Festival wrapped up with high-octane excitement in Mizoram on April 16, despite heavy rain and unpredictable weather. Motorsports fans braved the conditions to witness India’s top racers and stunt performers deliver an electrifying show, highlighted by a world-first car drift around Mizoram’s iconic Cheraw Dance. The festival kicked off with jaw-dropping stunts by Mizo Superbikers and local talents Mrs. Awmawmi and Mr. Francis. Headlining the event were Indian F4 driver Sohil Shah, GoKart racers Yatharth Gaur and Aarav Sureka, IRL star Sandeep Kumar, and stunt legends like Prashant, Ashwin Singh Takiar, and Sanam Sekhon. JK…

17 Apr

Amazon India expands smartchoice to tablets amid surge in demand

Business BureauBusiness

Amazon India has extended its popular Smartchoice program to tablets, building on the success of the initiative in the laptop segment. The move aims to simplify the device selection process for consumers, particularly as the tablet category witnesses a 26% year-over-year growth in 2024. The Smartchoice program curates expert-recommended devices based on user needs—be it for education, gaming, professional use, or entertainment. It eliminates the complexity of technical comparisons by offering performance-validated selections from top brands like Samsung, Lenovo, Asus, Honor, Acer, and HP. “Customers often find it difficult to navigate tech specifications. Smartchoice transforms the purchase journey by aligning…

17 Apr

TATA AIG launches ‘MediCare Select’ to deepen retail health access, expand hospital network

Business BureauBusiness

TATA AIG General Insurance Company has launched MediCare Select, a next-generation health insurance product aimed at expanding its retail health portfolio and enhancing healthcare accessibility across India. As part of its ambitious strategy, the insurer plans to scale up its hospital network from 11,500 to over 14,000 facilities by FY27. The product launch reflects TATA AIG’s focus on reaching underserved regions, with Tier 2 and 3 cities expected to contribute 35% of its health portfolio by FY27, up from 26%. Key features of MediCare Select include unlimited restorations under ‘Restore Infinity Plus’, lifetime claim coverage under ‘Infinite Advantage’, and OPD…

17 Apr

Gold futures inflation record high of Rs 94,781 per 10 grams

Business CorrespondentBusiness, News

New Delhi, Gold prices hit an all-time high of Rs 94,781 per 10 grams in futures trade on Wednesday in line with a strong global trend.On the Multi Commodity Exchange, contracts for June delivery hit a record high of Rs 94,781 per 10 grams in early trade.Later, the gains narrowed by Rs 1,317 or 1.41 percent to Rs 94,768 per 10 grams, with an open interest of 21,211 lots.Analysts say the ongoing US-China trade war has fuelled safe-haven demand."The dollar remained under pressure and was trading near a two-year low, which further fuelled the rally in gold," said Rahul Kalantri,…

16 Apr

Vedanta shares inflation 3% after talks with Assam CM on Rs 50,000 crore investment plan

Business CorrespondentBusiness, News

Shares of mining major Vedanta jumped over 3 per cent on April 15, a day after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held talks with the company to draw up a detailed plan for the group's Rs 50,000 crore investment in the state.Speaking at the Advantage Assam Summit in February, Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal had said the group would invest Rs 50,000 crore in the oil and gas sector of Assam and Tripura in the next 3-4 years.Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to Twitter to share an update and said, "In Advantage Assam 2, we received investment…

14 Apr

Philips ‘Steams It Up’ this Bihu with Aimee Baruah, Nishita Goswami & Barsharani Bishaya

Business BureauBusiness

As Bihu festivities light up the Northeast, Philips has launched its vibrant ‘Steam It Up’ campaign, roping in regional icons Aimee Baruah, Nishita Goswami, and Barsharani Bishaya to promote the Philips STH5000 Handheld Steamer—a must-have for festive styling. Highlighting the importance of looking flawless during the cultural celebrations, the campaign showcases how the steamer keeps everything from traditional Mekhela Chadors to modern party wear crisp and fresh. With a heat-up time of just 30 seconds and powerful 24g/min steam output, the Philips STH5000 is built for quick, hassle-free touch-ups, even on delicate fabrics. Nishita Goswami recently visited leading retailers Electrocity…

14 Apr

UPI transactions upgrade to 18.3 billion in March

Business CorrespondentBusiness, News

India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) recorded a robust 13.6 percent growth in transaction volumes in March, hitting a new peak of 18.30 billion transactions, according to the latest data released by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). While the top five UPI apps - PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, Navi and Super.money - retained their rankings, Axis Bank moved to the sixth spot, overtaking fintech unicorn CRED, which slipped to the seventh spot. This shift follows a similar pattern seen in February, when Super.money displaced CRED to enter the top five. In March, Axis Bank's growth was driven by a…