US labour market trend: Jobless claims surge to 236,000; Fed flags deeper hiring weakness

US applications for unemployment benefits rose sharply last week, although filings remain within the historically low range seen in recent years despite growing concerns over labour-market momentum.The Labor Department said on Thursday that jobless claims for the week ending December 6 increased by 44,000 to 236,000, up from 192,000 in the previous week and exceeding…

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Rupee slide continues: INR hits all-time low of 90.32 against dollar; US-India trade-deal delays and dollar demand weigh

The rupee closed at a new all-time low of 90.32 against the US dollar on Thursday, sinking 38 paise, as uncertainty around the India-US trade deal and continued foreign fund outflows pressured the currency, PTI reported.The local unit opened at 89.95, weakened further through the session and hit a record intra-day low of 90.48, before…

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New labour codes: Does your salary & wage definition, PF contribution, ESI, gratuity payout & bonus change? Explained

Some of the key provisions of the new labour codes include minimum wages, gratuity payout for fixed term employees after a year of service. (AI image) New labour codes decoded: The government has introduced new labour codes that have wide-ranging implications for your salary structure, provident fund contributions, bonus payout, ESI benefits, gratuity payout and…

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Cybercrime surge: CBI flags Myanmar’s ‘digital arrest’ rackets; chargesheet reveals slave compounds, cross-border control

Myanmar and neighbouring regions are emerging as major hubs for “digital arrest” cyber-fraud networks that coerce trafficked Indians into running call-centre style operations, the CBI has said in a chargesheet filed against 13 accused, PTI reported.The agency’s findings stem from a suo motu case investigating 10 major incidents of digital-arrest scams. Technical analysis of nearly…

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Income tax refund delays: Why many ITRs are still pending; is your return stuck due to these common mistakes?

ITR refunds: Delays in receiving income tax refunds this year are largely tied to filing errors, system checks for high-value claims and incomplete verification by taxpayers, according to an ET report. While small refunds have been processed for most filers, many taxpayers are still waiting because their returns have been flagged for additional review, or…

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Rural deposit boom: Fixed deposits surge 14% in villages; metros lose momentum as savers shift to market products

India’s rural centres are now leading the country’s fixed deposit (FD) expansion, reversing a trend that long saw metropolitan areas driving deposit growth, according to the Reserve Bank of India’s latest data.Rural FD balances jumped 14% year-on-year to Rs 9.7 lakh crore in the September quarter, significantly outpacing the 10% rise in metro centres to…

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Foreign exchange risk alert: Fitch warns rupee fall could hit ratings; which Indian firms face the biggest exposure?

Indian corporates with inadequate foreign-exchange hedging could face rating pressure if the rupee weakens sharply, global credit rating agency Fitch Ratings cautioned in a new commentary released on Thursday. The agency said that companies in sectors with limited natural hedges remain the most vulnerable to currency swings, ANI reported.Fitch noted that “in sectors with significant…

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Fed cut sparks metal rally: Gold tops Rs 1.32 lakh/10g; silver surges to fresh record — What should investors do?

Gold prices surged to fresh highs on Thursday, after the US Federal Reserve delivered its third consecutive interest rate cut, lifting global precious metal markets even as uncertainty lingered over the pace of easing next year. With domestic prices touching new records, Indian buyers are increasingly shifting toward cheaper jewellery options.Gold has jumped sharply from…

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