‘Indians working less post Covid, real earnings flat’

Indian workers are putting in fewer hours weekly compared to pre-pandemic levels, with self-employed individuals seeing the steepest decline. This trend, alongside modest real earnings growth, suggests lower aggregate demand and a recovery driven by a select few. Women’s increased labor force participation, particularly in rural agriculture, indicates distress-led employment. NEW DELHI: Indian workers put…

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Middle East conflict impact: China’s dependence on US ethane deepens; set to import record volume

China’s increased purchases of ethane also come ahead of a planned mid-May visit by Donald Trump to Beijing. (AI image) China, the world’s second largest economy, is facing supply disruptions due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. China is on track to bring in an unprecedented volume of US ethane this month, as petrochemical firms…

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Stocks to buy: What’s the outlook for Nifty for April 20-April 24 week? Check list of top stock recommendations

Top stocks to buy (AI image) Stock market recommendations: APL Apollo Tubes, and HDFC Asset Management Company are Sudeep Shah, Head – Technical Research and Derivatives, SBI Securities’ top stock picks for this week. Below are his stock picks and also views on Nifty.Nifty ViewThe benchmark index Nifty continues to inch higher; however, this phase…

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Gold price prediction today: Will gold prices rise this week? Key levels to watch out for April 20, 2026 week

Gold is trading in a broad range. Price recently tried to break out of a sideways band (~152,800–154,500) and tested the upper Bollinger Band. (AI image) Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are expected to continue being volatile in the coming days on uncertainty related to the US-Iran war and inflation data this week, says…

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Stock market today (April 20, 2026): Nifty50 opens below 24,300; BSE Sensex down over 200 points as oil prices rise on Hormuz closure

Stock market today (AI image) Stock market today: Sensex and Nifty opened in red on Monday on weak global cues as the closure of Strait of Hormuz led to an increase in oil prices. While Nifty50 went below 24,300, BSE Sensex dropped over 200 points. At 9:16 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 24,290.00, down 64…

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Oil prices surge 7%: US energy secretary issues warning as gas tops $4 per gallon amid Hormuz tensions

Oil prices surged sharply after Iran moved again to block most maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint that handles roughly one-fifth of global crude flows, escalating geopolitical tensions and rattling financial markets.Brent crude, the global benchmark, jumped around 7 per cent to $96.88 a barrel, rebounding from Friday’s close, which had…

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Gold, Silver Rate Today Live Updates: Middle East conflict in focus as prices likely to be volatile; what’s the outlook?

Gold buying during one of the major festive occasions remained subdued on Sunday, as record-high prices discouraged jewellery purchases, outweighing a slight rise in investment-led demand. The festival of Akshaya Tritiya—considered the second most significant gold-buying occasion after Dhanteras—was marked across the country, with buying precious metals traditionally seen as a sign of prosperity. According…

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Pakistan says it will repay remaining $1.5 billion loan to UAE by April 23 amid IMF funding hopes

Pakistan has expressed hopes to repay the remaining $1.5 billion of the total $3.5 billion loan to UAE by April 23. This comes ahead of an expected $1.2 billion disbursement from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), following recent discussions in Washington.Spokesperson for the State Bank of Pakistan, country’s central bank told PTI, “Pakistan has repaid…

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