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India is poised to remain the fastest-growing major economy in 2024-25, Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran said in a press conference after the tabling of the <keyword id="20613906" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-survey" source="keywords">Economic Survey</keyword> in the Parliament on Monday. The Economic Survey tabled today projected India to grow at 6.5-7.0 per cent in 2024-25. Global institutions, including <keyword id="19896779" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IMF" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="IMF" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="IMF">IMF</keyword>, OECD, World Bank, S&amp;P, ADB, and Fitch, have projected India to grow in a range of 6.6-7.2 per cent. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its latest outlook, has raised India's growth projections for 2024 from 6.8 per cent earlier to 7 per cent, with the country maintaining the fastest-growing status in emerging markets and developing economies. According to official data of the Indian government, the country's GDP grew at an impressive 8.2 per cent during the financial year 2023-24. India's economy grew 7.2 per cent in 2022-23 and 8.7 per cent in 2021-22 respectively. Further, the CEA in his press conference projected that India's <keyword id="20089672" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="per-capita-income" source="keywords">per capita income</keyword> is expected to increase from around Rs 2 lakh in 2022-23 to Rs 14.9 lakh in 2046-47. Further, CEA said <keyword id="20751315" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="household-savings" source="keywords">household savings</keyword> of Indians in physical assets have been increasing over the past three financial years through 2023-24. The CEA, addressing the press conference, said household savings in physical assets rose from 8 per cent in 2020-21 to 12.9 per cent in 2022-23. "Households are not in distress, they are investing in <keyword id="20792385" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-assets" source="keywords">financial assets</keyword> that have done very well. Financial assets of households are not marked to market so households are doing quite well in the aggregate," he said. India needs both banks and capital markets to provide the required finances sourced from a sustained high level of household savings, according to the Survey. <keyword id="20385790" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Finance-Minister" source="keywords">Union Finance Minister</keyword> Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday tabled the economic survey in Parliament, a day ahead of the full Budget presentation for 2024-25. The Economic Survey document, prepared by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance and formulated under the supervision of the chief economic adviser, gives insights into the state of the economy and various indicators of 2023-24 (April-March) and some outlook for the current year. The Economy Survey document also gave some idea about the tone and texture of the actual Budget for 2024-25, to be presented on Tuesday. (ANI)

India to remain fastest growing major economy in 2024-25, says CEA Nageswaran

<keyword id="19910265" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gold-prices" source="keywords">Gold prices</keyword> surged to a historic high on Tuesday, September 24, as global economic conditions and <keyword id="19955176" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geopolitical-tensions" source="keywords">geopolitical tensions</keyword> pushed the precious metal to new levels, a CNBC report said. The spot price of gold rose to an unprecedented $2,638.37 per ounce during the day’s trading, while US <keyword id="20942333" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gold-futures" source="keywords">gold futures</keyword> also spiked, reaching $2,661.60. In India, the cost of <keyword id="21271046" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="24-carat-gold" source="keywords">24-carat gold</keyword> climbed sharply, hitting ₹76,330 per 10 grams, marking an ongoing upward trend that analysts suggest could see prices nearing ₹78,000 per 10 grams in the coming weeks. <h2>Gold prices today</h2> While the prices of gold hit their <keyword id="19953076" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="record-high" source="keywords">record high</keyword> yesterday (September 24), today (September 25) the prices remained around Rs 76,000 per 10 grams. The price of 24-carat gold, recognised for its exceptional purity, was set at ₹76,370 per 10 grams. Meanwhile, 22-carat gold, commonly used in jewellery for its added durability from alloy mixing, was available at ₹70,010 per 10 grams. Here are the gold prices in some major cities of India today: <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">City </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">22 Carat Gold Rate Today </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">24 Carat Gold Rate Today </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Delhi </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">70,160 </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">76,520 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Mumbai </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">70,010 </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">76,370 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Ahmedabad </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">70,060 </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">76,420 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Chennai </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">70,010 </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">76,370 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Kolkata </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">70,010 </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">76,370 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Gurugram </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">70,160 </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">76,520 </td></tr></tbody></table> <h2>Gold prices touch record-high, analysts react </h2> Industry experts are optimistic that gold prices will continue their upward trajectory. As per a CNBC report, Colin Shah, Managing Director of <keyword id="20237409" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kama-Jewelry" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Kama Jewelry" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Kama Jewelry">Kama Jewelry</keyword>, predicts that the global price of gold could reach as high as $3,000 per ounce in the medium to long term. Shah attributed the ongoing rally to favourable global conditions, including the anticipated rate cuts by the <keyword id="19901377" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-Federal-Reserve" source="keywords">US Federal Reserve</keyword>. He also expected that in India, the price of gold will surpass ₹78,000 per 10 grams during the upcoming festive period. On the other hand, Kaynat Chainwala, AVP-Commodity Research at Kotak Securities, observed that COMEX gold surged to $2,689.40 per ounce due to a sharp decline in US consumer confidence, which increased the likelihood of aggressive rate cuts by the <keyword id="19904332" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="federal-reserve" source="keywords">Federal Reserve</keyword>. "COMEX gold surged to $2,689.40 per ounce yesterday as a significant drop in US consumer confidence heightened expectations for aggressive interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The US Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index fell sharply in September to 98.7, down from 105.6 in August, its largest decline in three years. Concerns over the labor market, combined with lower US Treasury yields and the US dollar nearing a 14-month low, further fueled the rise in gold prices. Additionally, Fed Governor Michelle Bowman highlighted persistent inflation risks and advocated for a cautious approach to rate cuts to avoid reigniting inflation. Today, COMEX gold prices reached a record high of $2,694.89 per ounce, and expected to hold gains as the CME FedWatch Tool now indicates a 62.2% chance of a 50 basis point cut in November, up from just 29% a week ago. Ongoing fears of an escalating Israel-Hezbollah conflict are likely to enhance gold's appeal as a safe-haven asset," Chainwala said. Saish Sandeep Sawant Dessai, a base metals analyst at Angel One Ltd., noted that bullion prices climbed during yesterday's trading session, driven by momentum from the US Federal Reserve's bold rate cut and expectations of further reductions. "In yesterday’s trading session, the bullion prices traded higher as traders embraced the momentum generated by the U.S. Federal Reserve's bold interest rate cut and signs that further reductions were on the horizon. "The Fed policymakers said their large half-point rate cut last week was meant to try to sustain what they see as an emerging and healthy balance in the economy. Chicago Fed Bank President Austan Goolsbee said there are "lots of cuts" to come over the next 12 months, while Fed President Neel Kashkari noted that the actual path would depend on incoming data. Fed futures traders have priced in 75 basis points in rate cuts by the end of 2024, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. "Zero-yield bullion tends to be a preferred investment in a low interest rate environment and during geopolitical turmoil. On the geopolitical front, Hezbollah devices explode again in Lebanon on Wednesday, stoking tensions of wider conflict after similar explosions of the group's pagers the day before. This boosted the demand for safe haven gold," Dessai said.

Gold prices hit record high, could reach ₹78,000 per 10 grams in coming weeks

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Oregon's universal basic income measure failed, with 78.8% of voters opposing the policy.</li><li>The measure proposed giving $1,600 annually to state residents, funded by a corporate tax increase.</li></ul>Oregon's effort to institute a statewide <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/universal-basic-income-pros-and-cons">universal basic income</a> failed on November 5. With 73% of the total votes counted, The Associated Press reported that 78.8% of those voters opposed the policy.Measure 118 — also known as the Oregon Rebate — planned to give $1,600 annually to all residents who spend more than 200 days in the state. If it had passed, Oregon would have been the first state to implement a UBI policy giving all residents no-strings-attached cash. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-sovereign-wealth-fund-alaska-universal-basic-income-2024-9">Alaska</a> also has a program that resembles basic income, but it's structured differently than Oregon's proposal.To fund the initiative, Oregon planned to increase the corporate minimum tax rate by 3% on in-state sales exceeding $25 million.Prior to November 5, the policy was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/oregon-rebate-universal-basic-income-ballot-measure-november-election-2024-8">unpopular among both Republicans and Democrats</a>, many of whom said the rebate could lead to increased prices for consumer goods and slower job growth. Major corporations also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/oregon-opposition-measure-118-basic-income-corporate-tax-2024-9">spent millions to oppose the measure</a>.The opposition movement to Measure 118 raised over <a target="_blank" href="https://yesonmeasure118.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=83d9dbb6664b4a19cbb44709d&amp;id=e6a64e8b7d&amp;e=f1e85bc7c7">$16 million</a> — more than <a target="_blank" href="https://yesonmeasure118.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=83d9dbb6664b4a19cbb44709d&amp;id=9037925dd4&amp;e=f1e85bc7c7">26 times</a> what the Oregon Rebate support PAC raised.The measure failure comes as basic income programs across the country <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-basic-income-study-results-2024-7">gain popularity</a> as an approach to poverty reduction. Advocates for Oregon's measure hoped that cash assistance would create a "fairer and more just economy" for state residents.<h2 id="c8a738cb-bbf3-486c-a8b4-1675fd1c244d">Oregon's UBI policy failed, but basic income is still gaining national momentum</h2>Business Insider has previously reported on<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/basic-income-helps-people-get-jobs-earn-higher-pay-gbi-2024-9"> basic income research</a>, and state-level efforts to create lasting cash assistance programs. Oregon's ballot measure resembles basic income experiments in other <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/which-states-cities-have-guaranteed-basic-income-programs-low-income-2024-4">cities</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/countries-with-universal-basic-income">countries</a>.Over <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/basic-income-gbi-ubi-low-income-americans-afford-housing-food-2024-5">100 guaranteed basic income pilots</a> have launched across the US, and participants told BI they used the money to pay for housing, groceries, childcare, transportation, and medical bills. These pilot programs are often funded through philanthropy, local governments, or private donors. Some states, like California and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/immigrants-new-mexico-basic-income-for-housing-healthcare-ubi-gbi2024-5">New Mexico</a>, are also making efforts to incorporate basic income into state policy.But GBI differs slightly from UBI. Although the guaranteed basic income pilots offer no-strings-attached cash, the money is limited for a set time period and selected participants, many of whom are low-income and fit specific demographics such as single parents, artists, or students.Universal basic income would give everyone ongoing cash payments, regardless of their income level. A UBI program hasn't been successfully launched in the US.During his 2020 presidential run, Democratic Candidate Andrew Yang pitched the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-basic-income-2016-8">Freedom Dividend</a>, a federal basic income policy that would give $1,000 monthly to every American over the age of 18.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/alaska-permanent-fund-basic-income">The Alaska Permanent Fund</a>, which began in the 1970s, is a model similar to universal basic income. It gives state residents annual payments (which were $1,312 per person in 2022) funded through the state's oil revenue.Some <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ubi-universal-basic-income-ai-risks-destroying-jobs-solutions-2024-7">tech leaders</a> have also suggested that cash assistance programs will become more necessary as artificial intelligence disrupts the job market.Still, any program like the Oregon Rebate would require funding and any major tax changes would need to be approved by voters.

Corporations raised $16 million to oppose Oregon's universal basic income plan. They won.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Americans are increasingly relying on government aid thanks to aging populations and rising costs.</li><li>Money from programs like Social Security accounted for 18% of total personal income in 2022.</li></ul>Americans are increasingly relying on government assistance — and it reflects a shifting economic landscape.A growing share of income in most US counties is coming from social safety net programs like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/snap-alice-food-stamps-hunger-government-assitance-free-meals-2024-5">SNAP</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tax-cuts-social-security-boomers-benefit-fund-depletion-2024-11">Social Security</a>, and Medicaid, per a <a target="_blank" href="https://eig.org/great-transfermation/">report</a> published in September by the research firm Economic Innovation Group. Government transfers of funds from these programs accounted for about 18% of total personal income in the US in 2022, a nine percentage-point increase from 1970, and the equivalent of $3.8 trillion. The spike is in both urban and rural counties.The report said that Americans' increasing dependence on government assistance is in part due to an aging population. One in six people in 2022 were over the age of 65 — compared to one in 10 in 1970 — and just over half of the national transfer income flows from Medicare and Social Security.What's more, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/healthcare-childcare-expensive-costs-wage-growth-employment-ai-risks-2024-8">healthcare</a> is straining people's finances. The report said Medicare and Medicaid prices are becoming more expensive as costs for care rise.The report's findings come as Business Insider has spoken with many <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boomers-living-social-security-government-aid-snap-loneliness-crisis-isolation-2024-8">retirees</a> — who are living solely on Social Security income because they don't have savings or retirement investments — who say they are struggling to afford basic necessities."I don't want to be rich, I just need to be comfortable," a baby boomer living on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/social-security-no-savings-snap-benefits-debt-boomers-experiences-2024-6">$1,104 monthly in Social Security</a> previously told BI. "I just want to know that I can have food when I need it and a nice roof over my head."The EIG's analysis of county and county-equivalent data (such as parishes in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/2010/geo/state-local-geo-guides-2010/louisiana.html">Louisiana</a> that are considered similar to a county) shows how much government aid transfers as a share of total income varied across the US. Just a handful of places with data had shares above 40% in 2000, as seen in the map below.Most counties from EIG's analysis saw government transfers as a share of total income rise between 2000 and 2022, with many increasing by at least 10 percentage points."Today, most US counties depend on a level of government transfer income that was once reserved only for the most distressed places," the report said.Paychecks and investments are Americans' main sources of income outside government assistance. Still, many don't make enough to get by: 13% of individuals live below the federal poverty line, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/middle-class-americans-earning-above-poverty-live-paycheck-to-paycheck-2024-4">per a report</a> from the nonprofit United Way's United for ALICE program. That's <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines">$15,060 annually</a> for one person.The EIG report suggests that reliance on government transfers will continue to be a norm in many US counties. EIG said enacting policies that boost wages and encourage workforce participation would be possible solutions to help reduce reliance on government assistance.Are you living on a limited income or relying on government assistance? Are you open to sharing how you budget and afford basic necessities? If so, reach out to these reporters at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:allisonkelly@businessinsider.com">allisonkelly@businessinsider.com</a> and <a target="_blank" href="mailto:mhoff@businessinsider.com">mhoff@businessinsider.com</a>.

2 maps show how Americans rely on income like Social Security more than they used to

Mumbai, Three out of five consumers surveyed in India believe it is normal for people to exaggerate income on <keyword id="20243269" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="loan-applications" source="keywords">loan applications</keyword>, according to a report on people's attitudes toward first-party <keyword id="20490528" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-fraud" source="keywords">financial fraud</keyword>. The survey by global analytics software company FICO stated that more than a quarter (27 per cent) of Indians believe it is normal for people to deliberately misrepresent their income on mortgage applications. "Three in five consumers (63 per cent) think it is OK or normal for people to exaggerate their income on loan applications, significantly more than the global average of 39 per cent," the survey said. More than half (54 per cent) believe it is normal to falsify insurance claims, the global survey which examined 1,000 people in India said. Many Indians consider it fine to exaggerate income on personal loan applications, further complicating financial integrity. Just one third (33 per cent) of consumers believe it is never acceptable to exaggerate income on a personal loan application, while another third (35 per cent) finds it acceptable under specific conditions. "With over 60 per cent of Indian consumers viewing income falsification as acceptable or justified, banks face a very real problem of 'liar loans' that could skew risk assessment and increase bad loan rates," said Aashish Sharma, APAC segment leader for risk lifecycle and decision management at FICO. As many 1,000 Indian adults were surveyed, along with approximately 12,000 other consumers in Canada, U.S., Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, The Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, U.K. and Spain. Globally, attitudes are notably different, with the survey revealing the majority of consumers (56 per cent) firmly reject the idea of exaggerating income on loan applications, viewing it as never acceptable. Just, one in four (24 per cent) consider it permissible in certain circumstances, and only one in seven (15 per cent) view it as a normal practice, the report said. "Many consumers may not see this as harmful behaviour, but it's important to understand that when applying for financial products, applicants typically certify that the information they provide is accurate," Sharma said. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/arkade-developers-ipo-allotment-how-to-check-allotment-ipo-gmp-listing-date-and-more/articleshow/113493854.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/arkade-developers-ipo-allotment-how-to-check-allotment-ipo-gmp-listing-date-and-more/articleshow/113493854.cms" target="_blank">Arkade Developers IPO allotment – Check allotment status, GMP, listing date and more</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/western-carriers-ipo-allotment-how-to-check-allotment-ipo-gmp-listing-date-and-more/articleshow/113511375.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/western-carriers-ipo-allotment-how-to-check-allotment-ipo-gmp-listing-date-and-more/articleshow/113511375.cms" target="_blank">Western Carriers IPO allotment – How to check allotment, IPO GMP, listing date and more</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/iphone-16-series-allows-users-to-wirelessly-restore-the-firmware-using-an-iphone-or-ipad/articleshow/113455048.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/iphone-16-series-allows-users-to-wirelessly-restore-the-firmware-using-an-iphone-or-ipad/articleshow/113455048.cms" target="_blank">iPhone 16 series allows users to wirelessly restore the firmware using an iPhone or iPad</a>

Three out of 5 consumers think it's normal to exaggerate income on loan applications: Survey

<keyword id="20207838" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dsp-mutual-fund" source="keywords">DSP Mutual Fund</keyword>'s September 2024 Netra report credits <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s strong economic recovery to increased fiscal expenditure. The report, which tracks current economic trends and market insights through various charts, emphasizes the need for the private corporate sector and households to play a larger role in sustaining the ongoing growth momentum. Netra also pointed out an unsettling calm in the markets, with the Nifty 50 TRI index maintaining an impressive 53-month streak without a 5% decline and 13 years without a drop greater than 10%. Sahil Kapoor, Head of Products and Market Strategist, DSP Mutual Fund, said, "The calm in the markets, marked by an unnerving lack of volatility, is a double-edged sword. While it provides a sense of stability, it also masks underlying risks that could surface unexpectedly, catching investors off guard. To ensure a sustainable recovery, there is a need for the private sector and households to take the lead, transforming fiscal stimulus into lasting economic growth." However, the report notes a shift in market dynamics, with the momentum factor, which has outperformed since the COVID-19 bottom, beginning to lose its dominance. At the same time, the quality factor, which had underperformed over the last four years, is now seeing a resurgence, potentially indicating a change in market leadership that could favour quality-orientated funds, both active and passive. The report highlights the critical role government spending has played in the recovery, with a focus on capital investments crucial for future growth. However, contributions from the private corporate sector and households have lagged. It also draws attention to a slowdown in India's per capita consumption, approaching lows seen in previous cycles. Given that consumption accounts for around 60% of GDP, it is vital that this sector grows at a rate exceeding GDP growth to stimulate private capital expenditure. India's <keyword id="487578" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tax-collections" source="Orion">tax collections</keyword> have demonstrated robust growth, with gross tax revenue showing a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14 %. This growth, largely driven by <keyword id="6354751" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="income-tax" source="Orion">income tax</keyword>, indicates a rising dependency on capital gains and stock market performance, introducing new vulnerabilities to the economy. The banking and financial services sector (<keyword id="19910880" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bfsi" source="keywords">BFSI</keyword>) has emerged as a key driver of market earnings, recording a 12 % increase in profit after tax (PAT) growth, significantly outpacing the 4.6 % growth observed in non-BFSI Nifty 50 companies. This disparity underscores the sector's importance in India's economic story and highlights promising investment opportunities.

India's strong economic recovery is led by fiscal expenditure: DSP MF

Ah, <keyword id="18712" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gold" source="Orion">gold</keyword>! The shiny metal that's been making humans lose their minds since time immemorial. And yet, from King Midas to our neighbourhood aunty and even our moms (and secretly dads), everyone seems to have a super soft spot for the bullion. But here's the kicker: right now, gold prices are breaking all records on their upward trajectory! As of today, prices of 24k carat gold have passed the Rs 80,000 mark per 10 grams. And if experts are to be believed, this train isn't stopping anytime soon! So, as shiny as gold might look, adding even a bit of its glitter as we start decking up for the festive season might not be so easy on your pockets. But let's admit it—we love our gold and can't live without it. No wonder India is the second-largest consumer of the yellow metal in the world, only behind <keyword id="1334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="China" source="Orion">China</keyword>. Such is our fondness for the metal that the <keyword id="20195223" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-gold-council" source="keywords">World Gold Council</keyword> had to up our 2024 annual demand forecast to 850 tonnes, up from the previously estimated 750 tonnes. However, our love for gold isn't just about looking fabulously embellished and blinding people with its bling. Indians also see gold as a long-term, trusty investment, supporting our other hard-earned assets, especially when high <keyword id="22195" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Inflation" source="Orion">inflation</keyword> rates pull our returns down. After all, while inflationary pressures generally weaken the purchasing power of our regular paper money, gold is built differently. When the world is buckling to inflation, gold gains value during these times. This is also why it is considered a solid hedge against inflation. With Diwali and Dhanteras knocking at our doors, the inflation demon continued to bother India like a guest who refused to leave. Just last month, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 5.49%, much higher than the anticipated levels. Moreover, the diverging policy stances among central bankers worldwide, growing geopolitical tensions, tough job markets, and extreme weather events are only adding to the uncertainty. In such economically uncertain times, what should your gold strategy be this festive season? To buy or not to buy, that is the question. Well, let’s get to it. <h2><keyword id="20050894" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gold-etfs" source="keywords">Gold ETFs</keyword> to the rescue</h2>See, buying physical gold jewellery is certainly a flex, but also a financial fuss. First, you pay a heavy amount to buy gold. Not to mention all those extra, hefty jewellery-making charges. And then you pay even more money to keep it safe in a bank locker, lest it get stolen. But what if we tell you that you can own pure <keyword id="3311599" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="24K-gold" source="Orion">24k gold</keyword>, minus all these frills? Welcome, Gold ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). Simply put, gold ETFs are like the cool cousins of your traditional gold investments. Instead of stashing gold bars under your mattress like those maniac millionaires we see in Bollywood films, you can now invest and trade in gold through the stock market. It's basically buying units of an ETF on the stock exchange that directly mirror the ongoing domestic prices of gold. Generally, gold ETFs are equivalent to 99.5% pure physical gold bars, and each ETF unit denotes actual, one gram of gold. And let's face it, who would not want that golden glow in their lives? Gold ETFs have witnessed an over seven-fold surge in their AUM (assets under management) in just the last five years. From Rs 5,613.22 crore in September 2019 to Rs 39,823.50 crore in September 2024, gold ETFs seem to be in-thing. Inflows in gold ETFs have shot up by a whopping 2,695% over the last 5 years. In September 2019, gold ETFs had garnered a mere Rs 44.11 crore. Compare that to the inflows worth Rs 1,232.99 crore gold ETFs received last month. Talk about growing, or glowing popularity! In fact, in just 2024, inflows in gold ETFs have surged by nearly 88% since the beginning of this calendar year. From Rs 657.46 crore in January 2024 to Rs 1,232.99 crore in September 2024, good old gold is never out of season. <h2>So, how do these ETFs work? Should I invest in them now?</h2>All you need is a Demat account. Log into your account, choose the gold ETF scheme you want to invest in, and voila! You’re now a bullion-aire! All your gold ETF units will be stored in this account. Then, you can buy and sell gold ETFs just like you buy shares—in real-time. So, if gold prices inch upwards, which is where gold is currently going, the value of your ETF units will also rise in lockstep. Ashwini Kumar, Senior Vice President and Head of Market Data at ICRA Analytics, says that of late, gold ETFs have been increasingly gaining popularity among investors due to the liquidity, safety and transparency they offer. "With the escalating global geopolitical tensions boosting the ‘safe-haven’ appeal of the bullion, investors are preferring to park their funds in gold ETFs as compared to investing in physical gold, as there is no hassle of storing it. The heightened activity in gold ETFs is also driven by the prospects of an imminent further interest rate cut by the <keyword id="20078761" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="u-s-federal-reserve" source="keywords">U.S. Federal Reserve</keyword> in the coming months,” he added. “Investors with a short- to medium-term investment horizon may consider investment through gold ETFs. A buy-on-dips strategy here may help investors capitalise on a temporary correction in prices. Also, given the current market dynamics where equities are showing mixed trends, a modest, 5-10% allocation to gold may serve as a hedge against inflation and market volatility, which may help you balance risks in an optimum manner,” Kumar noted. <h2> Wait, there is no dearth of options</h2>But if ETFs make you go WTF, there’s always digital gold. You can invest in the yellow metal without actually physically holding it for as low as Rs 1. The best part? You can buy or sell this gold 24 X7 seamlessly via multiple apps without having to pay storage costs. On your behalf, your gold is stored in insured vaults by the seller. But remember, digital gold continues to remain unregulated territory in the country, where you venture at your own risk. In 2021, market watchdog SEBI had even asked its members to desist from selling digital gold. Then there are gold mutual funds and the Sarkari SGBs, or sovereign gold bonds. While gold mutual funds invest primarily in gold ETFs, SGBs are issued by the <keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="keywords">RBI</keyword> and are also a reliable substitute for holding physical gold. However, with the RBI currently putting brakes on issuing SGBs, investing in them is out of the question. Plus, you should only get your hands on SGBs if you're in for the long haul. Apart from a 2.5% p.a. interest, you don't have any yearly earnings from them. Moreover, no premature redemption is allowed before 5 years, and you'll have to wait a good 8 years to maximise your returns. <h2> Okay, tell me about returns</h2>In contrast, the seventeen gold ETF schemes currently present in the market offer an average one-year return of 29.12%. Stay with it a little longer, and you can end up with returns worth 16.93% and 13.59% over a 3 and 5-year period, respectively. If you look at it, these returns are comparable with the returns delivered by actual, physical gold. Data from Value Research indicates that gold, as a commodity, has delivered returns worth 27.24%, 16.53%, and 14.18% over a 1, 3, and 5-year period, respectively. So, worth investing, right? <h2>What are the risks?</h2>See, stock markets are as unpredictable as monsoons in Mumbai. One significant market correction can wash away your returns, and one sunny day or an upswing can leave you wallowing in wealth. Since your gold investments are directly linked to these markets, you should steel yourself up for some volatility. Plus, international gold prices are in dollars. So, if our rupee decides to take a nosedive, your returns might look a bit tarnished. Also, know that your ETF might not always perfectly mirror gold prices, which is also known as a tracking error. It's like expecting your Zomato-ordered food to look exactly like the picture on the menu—it's close, but not quite. Then there’s the taxation bit. The budget this year brought down the <keyword id="20552259" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ltcg" source="keywords">LTCG</keyword> (long-term capital gains tax) on gold ETFs from the previous 20% to 12.5% (sans indexation). LTCG is what you pay if you sell your ETF units after 12 months. If you sell your gold ETF units within a year and make handsome returns, the tax you’ll have to pay will be equivalent to your income tax slab rate. <h2>Is gold just for old?</h2>A survey by fintech firm Moneyview thinks otherwise. Per their findings, over 85% of the 3,000 respondents it talked to considered gold to be a valuable asset for wealth preservation, with its intrinsic value and historical performance continuing to drive consumer confidence. Particularly, young investors in the age group of 25–40 years are also investing in gold via both physical and digital ways to build wealth for retirement and other long-term goals. So, young or old, everyone’s going for gold. So, this festive season, with gold prices going north, investing in gold can add that much-needed glitz to your financial attire. But remember, don't go overboard since gold isn't exactly a high-return-yielding asset. But whether you're a seasoned investor looking to diversify or a newbie trying to make their way in the markets, investing in gold offers you a glittering safety cushion. Just remember, while gold can make your portfolio shine, it's your smart investment decisions that truly make you golden. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. We recommend readers consult certified, qualified, and registered advisors for professional and personalised financial advice.

Can investing in gold this festive season add the much-touted Midas touch to your investments?

<div type="image" title="Save yourself the trouble of buying physical gold this Diwali, and instead, go digital with Gold ETFs!" height="900" width="1200" msid="114507055" hostid="261" sizebytes="439216" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Save yourself the trouble of buying physical gold this Diwali, and instead, go digital with Gold ETFs!&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Ah, <keyword id="18712" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gold" source="Orion">gold</keyword>! The shiny metal that's been making humans lose their minds since time immemorial. And yet, from <keyword id="23657519" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="king-midas" source="keywords">King Midas</keyword> to our neighbourhood aunty and even our moms (and secretly dads), everyone seems to have a super soft spot for the <keyword id="6384667" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bullion" source="Orion">bullion</keyword>. But here's the kicker: right now, gold prices are breaking all records on their upward trajectory! As of today, prices of 24k carat gold have passed the Rs 80,000 mark per 10 grams. And if experts are to be believed, this train isn't stopping anytime soon! So, as shiny as gold might look, adding even a bit of its glitter as we start decking up for the festive season might not be so easy on your pockets. But let's admit it—we love our gold and can't live without it. No wonder India is the second-largest consumer of the yellow metal in the world, only behind China. Such is our fondness for the metal that the <keyword id="20195223" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-gold-council" source="keywords">World Gold Council</keyword> had to up our 2024 annual demand forecast to 850 tonnes, up from the previously estimated 750 tonnes. However, our love for gold isn't just about looking fabulously embellished and blinding people with its bling. Indians also see gold as a long-term, trusty investment, supporting our other hard-earned assets, especially when high <keyword id="22195" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Inflation" source="Orion">inflation</keyword> rates pull our returns down. After all, while inflationary pressures generally weaken the purchasing power of our regular paper money, gold is built differently. When the world is buckling to inflation, gold gains value during these times. This is also why it is considered a solid hedge against inflation. With <keyword id="188" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diwali" source="Orion">Diwali</keyword> and <keyword id="4067" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dhanteras" source="Orion">Dhanteras</keyword> knocking at our doors, the inflation demon continued to bother India like a guest who refused to leave. Just last month, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 5.49%, much higher than the anticipated levels. Moreover, the diverging policy stances among central bankers worldwide, growing geopolitical tensions, tough job markets, and extreme weather events are only adding to the uncertainty. In such economically uncertain times, what should your gold strategy be this festive season? To buy or not to buy, that is the question. Well, let’s get to it. <h2><keyword id="20050894" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gold-etfs" source="keywords">Gold ETFs</keyword> to the rescue</h2>See, buying physical gold jewellery is certainly a flex, but also a financial fuss. First, you pay a heavy amount to buy gold. Not to mention all those extra, hefty jewellery-making charges. And then you pay even more money to keep it safe in a bank locker, lest it get stolen. But what if we tell you that you can own pure 24k gold, minus all these frills? Welcome, Gold ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). Simply put, gold ETFs are like the cool cousins of your traditional gold investments. Instead of stashing gold bars under your mattress like those maniac millionaires we see in Bollywood films, you can now invest and trade in gold through the stock market. It's basically buying units of an <keyword id="19930506" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="etf" source="keywords">ETF</keyword> on the stock exchange that directly mirror the ongoing domestic prices of gold. Generally, gold ETFs are equivalent to 99.5% pure physical gold bars, and each ETF unit denotes actual, one gram of gold. And let's face it, who would not want that golden glow in their lives? Gold ETFs have witnessed an over seven-fold surge in their AUM (assets under management) in just the last five years. From Rs 5,613.22 crore in September 2019 to Rs 39,823.50 crore in September 2024, gold ETFs seem to be in-thing. Inflows in gold ETFs have shot up by a whopping 2,695% over the last 5 years. In September 2019, gold ETFs had garnered a mere Rs 44.11 crore. Compare that to the inflows worth Rs 1,232.99 crore gold ETFs received last month. Talk about growing, or glowing popularity! In fact, in just 2024, inflows in gold ETFs have surged by nearly 88% since the beginning of this calendar year. From Rs 657.46 crore in January 2024 to Rs 1,232.99 crore in September 2024, good old gold is never out of season. <h2>So, how do these ETFs work? Should I invest in them now?</h2>All you need is a Demat account. Log into your account, choose the gold ETF scheme you want to invest in, and voila! You’re now a bullion-aire! All your gold ETF units will be stored in this account. Then, you can buy and sell gold ETFs just like you buy shares—in real-time. So, if gold prices inch upwards, which is where gold is currently going, the value of your ETF units will also rise in lockstep. Ashwini Kumar, Senior Vice President and Head of Market Data at ICRA Analytics, says that of late, gold ETFs have been increasingly gaining popularity among investors due to the liquidity, safety and transparency they offer. "With the escalating global geopolitical tensions boosting the ‘safe-haven’ appeal of the bullion, investors are preferring to park their funds in gold ETFs as compared to investing in physical gold, as there is no hassle of storing it. The heightened activity in gold ETFs is also driven by the prospects of an imminent further interest rate cut by the <keyword id="20078761" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="u-s-federal-reserve" source="keywords">U.S. Federal Reserve</keyword> in the coming months,” he added. “Investors with a short- to medium-term investment horizon may consider investment through gold ETFs. A buy-on-dips strategy here may help investors capitalise on a temporary correction in prices. Also, given the current market dynamics where equities are showing mixed trends, a modest, 5-10% allocation to gold may serve as a hedge against inflation and market volatility, which may help you balance risks in an optimum manner,” Kumar noted. <h2>Wait, there is no dearth of options</h2>But if ETFs make you go WTF, there’s always digital gold. You can invest in the yellow metal without actually physically holding it for as low as Rs 1. The best part? You can buy or sell this gold 24 X7 seamlessly via multiple apps without having to pay storage costs. On your behalf, your gold is stored in insured vaults by the seller. But remember, digital gold continues to remain unregulated territory in the country, where you venture at your own risk. In 2021, market watchdog SEBI had even asked its members to desist from selling digital gold. Then there are gold mutual funds and the Sarkari SGBs, or sovereign gold bonds. While gold mutual funds invest primarily in gold ETFs, SGBs are issued by the RBI and are also a reliable substitute for holding physical gold. However, with the RBI currently putting brakes on issuing SGBs, investing in them is out of the question. Plus, you should only get your hands on SGBs if you're in for the long haul. Apart from a 2.5% p.a. interest, you don't have any yearly earnings from them. Moreover, no premature redemption is allowed before 5 years, and you'll have to wait a good 8 years to maximise your returns. <h2>Okay, tell me about returns</h2>In contrast, the seventeen gold ETF schemes currently present in the market offer an average one-year return of 29.12%. Stay with it a little longer, and you can end up with returns worth 16.93% and 13.59% over a 3- and 5-year period, respectively. If you look at it, these returns are comparable with the returns delivered by actual, physical gold. Data from Value Research indicates that gold, as a commodity, has delivered returns worth 27.24%, 16.53%, and 14.18% over a 1, 3, and 5-year period, respectively. So, worth investing, right? <h2>What are the risks?</h2>See, markets are as unpredictable as monsoons in Mumbai. One significant market correction can wash away your returns, and one sunny day or an upswing can leave you wallowing in wealth. Since your gold investments are directly linked to these markets, you should steel yourself up for some volatility. Plus, international gold prices are in dollars. So, if our rupee decides to take a nosedive, your returns might look a bit tarnished. Also, know that your ETF might not always perfectly mirror gold prices, which is also known as a tracking error. It's like expecting your Zomato-ordered food to look exactly like the picture on the menu—it's close, but not quite. Then there’s the taxation bit. The budget this year brought down the LTCG (long-term capital gains tax) on gold ETFs from the previous 20% to 12.5% (sans indexation). LTCG is what you pay if you sell your ETF units after 12 months. If you sell your gold ETF units within a year and make handsome returns, the tax you’ll have to pay will be equivalent to your income tax slab rate. <h2>Is gold just for old?</h2>A survey by fintech firm Moneyview thinks otherwise. Per their findings, over 85% of the 3,000 respondents it talked to considered gold to be a valuable asset for wealth preservation, with its intrinsic value and historical performance continuing to drive consumer confidence. Particularly, young investors in the age group of 25–40 years are also investing in gold via both physical and digital ways to build wealth for retirement and other long-term goals. So, young or old, everyone’s going for gold. So, this festive season, with gold prices going north, investing in gold can add that much-needed glitz to your financial attire. But remember, don't go overboard since gold isn't exactly a high-return-yielding asset. But whether you're a seasoned investor looking to diversify or a newbie trying to make their way in the markets, investing in gold offers you a glittering safety cushion. Just remember, while gold can make your portfolio shine, it's your smart investment decisions that truly make you golden. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. We recommend readers consult certified, qualified, and registered advisors for professional and personalised financial advice.

Simply put: Can investing in gold this festive season add the much-touted Midas touch to your investments?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Kenya's basic income trial has grown to 20,000 participants in 200 rural villages.</li><li>The program, which began in 2018, provides no-strings-attached cash payments for up to 12 years.</li></ul>Kenya is running one of the world's largest <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/which-states-cities-have-guaranteed-basic-income-programs-low-income-2024-4">basic income</a> trials.The country's program has grown to include 20,000 participants in 200 rural villages, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.givedirectly.org/from-california-to-kenya-tubbs/">US leaders are taking note</a>. The no-strings-attached cash payment model has been tried <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/immigrants-new-mexico-basic-income-for-housing-healthcare-ubi-gbi2024-5">over 100 times</a> across America, with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/san-antonio-ubi-guaranteed-basic-income-pay-housing-expenses-work-2024-3">participants reporting </a>that basic income allowed them to secure housing, afford food, pay off debt, and support their children.GiveDirectly — a nonprofit that has helped administer basic income programs around the world — is leading Kenya's pilot, which began in 2018.Unlike most government assistance, basic income allows individuals and families the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dc-basic-income-helps-couple-afford-healthcare-housing-ubi-gbi-2024-5">freedom to spend money</a> where they need it most, instead of programs like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/snap-alice-food-stamps-hunger-government-assitance-free-meals-2024-5">SNAP</a> and Medicaid which have specific spending categories.Dustin Palmer, US country director for GiveDirectly, said that trusting families with cash is the best method to "help people get on their feet.""This is a way of thinking about how we support families, children, all sorts of folks in a way that meets them where they are," Palmer <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/basic-income-gbi-ubi-low-income-americans-afford-housing-food-2024-5">previously told Business Insider</a>.Kenya's program is considered to be <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-people-spend-universal-basic-income-ubi-food-housing-transportation-2024-4">universal</a> basic income because families don't have to meet specific income criteria to participate. In guaranteed basic income programs run in the US, participants must have a household income at or below a certain percentage of the federal poverty line. However, about half of Kenya's participants are living below the country's extreme poverty line, per GiveDirectly, which means surviving on less than $33 a month or $400 a year without government assistance.Participants were sorted into <a target="_blank" href="https://www.givedirectly.org/2023-ubi-results/#table">three randomized groups</a>: the first group received $22.50 a month (2,925 KES) for 12 years; the second group received $22.50 a month for two years; and the third group received one $500 lump-sum payment (65,000 KES) at the start of the program. Researchers are also studying a control group of similar villages that did not receive cash.GiveDirectly plans to <a target="_blank" href="https://conference.nber.org/conf_papers/f192616.pdf">survey participants through 2030</a>, when the long-term UBI participants are set to receive their final payment. GiveDirectly researchers are looking to understand the impacts of long vs. short-term UBI support, as families aim to afford basic needs and build sustainable wealth.Community leaders in the US are noticing the lessons of Kenya's pilot. Michael Tubbs, chair and founder of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, visited Kenya in December 2023. Tubbs' 2019 GBI pilot in Stockton, California, began the wave of cash aid programs in America, and he said Kenya's pilot is a successful model for helping families escape extreme poverty."Whether at home or abroad, we need to recognize that dignity is a human right—and a right that poverty directly violates," Tubbs <a target="_blank" href="https://www.givedirectly.org/from-california-to-kenya-tubbs/">wrote in an essay</a> about the UBI pilot. "But by trusting people to do right by their families and communities — because we know they will — we can ensure that right is secured."<h2 id="34dc8100-6e4c-43e9-96a5-f9759ba008f9">UBI pilot helped families in Kenya meet basic needs and begin building wealth</h2>GiveDirectly's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.givedirectly.org/2023-ubi-results/">initial report</a> on the Kenya UBI pilot captures participant experiences in their first two years of receiving payments, from 2018 to 2020.All participants said basic income improved their <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/san-antonio-ubi-guaranteed-basic-income-housing-finances-austin-rent-2024-3">housing and food security</a>, mental health, and household savings. Participants also reported net growth for village businesses and lessened inequality in their community.UBI made participants over 6% happier and more satisfied with their lives, per the GiveDirectly report, and lessened household stress by 10% — despite most participants maintaining the same work schedule as they had before the pilot began. Families were also able to buy more nutritious food, invest in more assets, and spend money at local businesses, which likely contributed to an overall 23% increase in average consumption among all participants.Still, some results vary between specific UBI groups. Families in the lump-sum payment group said they were able to make strong investments, while the families enrolled in the full 12 years of UBI felt more comfortable building savings and taking financial risks.Families receiving long-term support experienced <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guaranteed-basic-income-child-tax-credit-reduce-child-abuse-rates-2024-4">lower rates of domestic violence</a> and better educational outcomes for their primary school-age children.For participants enrolled in the two-year group, UBI allowed them to cover basic expenses in the short term, but they weren't able to build savings or lasting wealth.<h2 id="19a7b492-59bd-438f-b2be-23cfe4d6b249">Kenya's long-term approach to basic income could help more families in America</h2>Although most basic income pilots around the world provide participants with support over a set time period, Kenya's is one of the first to study the impacts of long-term cash aid.Short-term basic income — which is the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chicago-basic-income-helped-mother-rent-an-apartment-ubi-gbi2024-5">most common model used in the US</a> — was the least successful among Kenyan participants, as it didn't allow families to build lasting financial security."Policymakers wanting to reduce poverty by creating wealth and independence should rethink using this popular design, as both a long-term UBI and a large lump sum were found to be significantly more transformative," per <a target="_blank" href="https://www.givedirectly.org/2023-ubi-results/">the results report</a> from GiveDirectly.With lump sum and long-term basic income, participants were able to both meet their immediate needs and begin building assets and savings for the future. These forms of UBI dramatically improved families' economic outlook, and the researchers said it is the best way to help participants facing extreme poverty.To be sure, the researchers said more data is needed to fully understand how lump sum or long-term UBI could work in high-income countries. It would be more costly to run longer basic income programs in the US, and it's unclear if the benefits to families would outweigh the costs.Kenyan participants will complete their next UBI survey in 2025, and the program is set to continue for another six years.GiveDirectly is trying other basic income programs in Africa. In Kampala, Uganda and Nairobi, Kenya, the nonprofit gave about <a target="_blank" href="https://www.givedirectly.org/urban-refugees/">$1,000 to refugees</a>. And families in Malawi who survived <a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2023/03/14/1163380089/cyclone-freddy-malawi-mozambique-flooding-mudslides">2023's Cyclone Freddy</a> received a total of $750 over three months beginning in December.Have you benefited from a guaranteed basic income program? Are you open to sharing how you spent the money? If so, reach out to <a target="_blank" href="mailto:allisonkelly@businessinsider.com">allisonkelly@businessinsider.com</a>.

Kenya is experimenting with universal basic income. Here's what the US could learn about no-strings payments.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Grocery delivery is not just a perk reserved for middle- and upper-income households, Walmart says.</li><li>The retailer says its <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-plus-burger-king-discounts-win-shoppers-from-amazon-prime-2024-8">Walmart+</a> members even include households that receive government assistance.</li></ul>Conveniences like same-day delivery, especially for perishables items like groceries, are one of the more luxurious features of modern retail.For the price of an annual membership (or a one-time fee), shoppers can have any of tens of thousands of items delivered to their front door in a matter of hours.As it happens, Walmart says such perks are not just reserved for middle- and upper-income households.The retail giant has said its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/amazon-prime-vs-walmart-plus">Walmart+ membership</a> is popular across all income segments, including lower-income households and those that receive government assistance.Through Walmart+ Assist, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-walmart-membership-discount-2023-7">qualified recipients can get half off</a> the typical $98 per year membership fee and tap in to the benefits like free delivery on orders over $35. Amazon offers a similar discount on Prime."The primary benefits of the Walmart+ membership are delivery-oriented in nature," said Walmart's chief revenue officer, Seth Dallaire, who heads up the Walmart+ program, while <a target="_blank" href="https://seekingalpha.com/article/4720570-walmart-inc-wmt-goldman-sachs-communacopia-and-technology-conference-transcript">speaking</a> Wednesday at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Technology Conference in San Francisco."We have a number of members that are paying for membership that are also using government assistance to shop with us," he said.When <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/instacart-advertising-chief-seth-dalliare-is-leaving-to-join-walmart-2021-10">Dallaire first joined Walmart from Instacart</a> in 2021, he said he wouldn't have expected such households to have the discretionary income to pay for a Plus membership."But what we found when we talked with those members was that they were doing the math of taking public transportation or taking an Uber or Lyft to the store or filling up the gas in their own vehicle to drive to the store," he said. "They're doing all of that math to say, 'Look, at that particular price for the membership, if I can have the groceries delivered to me and not and save the cost of the public transportation or the trip or the fuel, this actually works.'"Walmart is still working toward profitability in e-commerce, but in the meantime, executives are crediting this convenience play with helping the company grow market share (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-ecommerce-online-orders-getting-smaller-more-frequent-like-amazon-2024-6">with lots of small orders</a>) during a challenging time for the broader retail industry.Even Dollar General CEO Ted Vasos <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dollar-general-shows-how-bad-economy-is-for-some-shoppers-2024-8">acknowledged Walmart's success</a> at picking up more of the sales that would otherwise be his bread and butter."The guys down in Bentonville are doing a pretty nice job in garnering the available traffic that's out there from other retailers," he said.And where it once might have been easier to stop off at Dollar General on the way home from work than to visit a Supercenter for a gallon of milk, some low-income shoppers are opting to pay an annual fee to Walmart to top up their groceries — without having to go out of their way.

A Walmart exec explains the surprising reason low-income shoppers pay for a delivery membership

<ul><li>Adani said within the next decade, India will start adding $1 trillion to its GDP every 12-18 months. </li><li>India’s median age would be just 38 years even in 2050, and over this period the population would grow by 15% to 1.6 bn but the per capita income would accelerate by 700% approximately to $16,000. </li><li>According to the world’s third richest man, the style of capitalism that drives growth for the sake of growth and ignores the social fabric of the society is rightfully facing its greatest pushback ever. </li></ul>Billionaire Gautam Adani, founder and chairman of the <keyword id="6367820" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Adani-group" source="Orion">Adani Group</keyword>, made a strong pitch for India in a multipolar world, where globalisation and the <keyword id="15561137" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="old-style-of-capitalism" source="Orion">old style of capitalism</keyword> was facing its greatest pushback ever. In his keynote address, Adani said that given the pace of reforms and execution, India was on track to clock a GDP of $30 trillion by 2050 and possibly a stock market capitalisation at $45 trillion. He highlighted three key factors that would act as enabling factors in place for this growth — demographic dividend, digitalisation and the transition of the economy to green sources of energy. Morgan Stanley in its strategy report earlier this month said these very factors had put the foundations of a New India. The United States of America, Gautam Adani said, was a $23 trillion economy with a market capitalisation of $45-60 trillion. The nominal dollar based GDP narrative does not paint the real potential of India, even though in absolute growth number for India will be greater than any other nation between today and 2050. While it has taken India 58 years to get to its first $1 trillion in GDP, it took 12 years to add another $1 trillion. The last trillion has been added to India’s GDP has been added in only five years. Adani said within the next decade, India will start adding $1 trillion to its GDP every 12-18 months. India has to be seen in this context. India will achieve this incredible growth without compromising on its democracy and diversity said Adani. The audience cheered on as Adani said that well before 2030, India would be the world’s third largest economy and, thereafter, the world’s second largest economy by 2050. A set of interconnected factors would drive India’s growth over the next three decades. The demographic dividend would drive consumption and accelerate the growth of a tax paying nation he said. India’s median age would be just 38 years even in 2050, and over this period the population would grow by 15% to 1.6 bn but the per capita income would accelerate by 700% approximately to $16000. The Second dimension, Adani said, that would act as an enabling factor was entrepreneurship and digitalisation. Both these factors are strongly linked and can be combined to create a dynamic innovative environment. He said, “Our digitised India will also transform healthcare, education and skill development and create a most equitable society.” Gautam Adani, whose Adani Group is looking to invest $70 bn over the next decade in green energy, dwelled a lot on the energy transition and it’s potential for India. He said the third dimension that would prove to be a powerful transformation for India was in the space of energy transformation. “Energy poverty is today developing world’s greatest challenge and this gap will need to be mostly filled with renewable energy,” he explained. By 2050 India will need 400 more units of energy than it currently consumes. “While this may seem challenging, the technology advancement that we are seeing is expected to make this possible,” Adani said. The combination of solar and wind power coupled with green hydrogen opens up unprecedented possibilities for India. “Cooling the planet down will be one of the most profitable businesses and largest of job creators over the next several decades,” Adani said. Addressing the World Congress of Accountants at the Jio Convention Centre in Mumbai on Saturday, Adani said super powers of this multipolar world are those that take responsibility to step in and help others in a crisis and not bully other nations into submission. ”The style of capitalism that drives growth for the sake of growth and ignores the social fabric of the society is rightfully facing its greatest pushback ever. It is in such a multipolar world that the foundation of India, increasing economic might coupled with its culture and beliefs becomes relevant as it takes its journey to becoming an economic superpower which combines monetary growth with social growth all within the bounds of a democratic society.” SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/economy-resilient-but-sensitive-to-global-headwinds-rbi-article/articleshow/95605014.cms" style="">Economy resilient, but sensitive to global headwinds: RBI article</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/all-is-not-that-well-say-market-experts-even-as-stocks-chase-new-highs/articleshow/95599973.cms" style="">‘All is not that well’, say market experts even as stocks chase new highs</a>

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India to remain fastest growing major economy in 2024-25, says CEA Nageswaran

ANI

Gold prices hit record high, could reach ₹78,000 per 10 grams in coming weeks

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Corporations raised $16 million to oppose Oregon's universal basic income plan. They won.

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2 maps show how Americans rely on income like Social Security more than they used to

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Three out of 5 consumers think it's normal to exaggerate income on loan applications: Survey

PTI

India's strong economic recovery is led by fiscal expenditure: DSP MF

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Can investing in gold this festive season add the much-touted Midas touch to your investments?

Ira Alok Puranik

Simply put: Can investing in gold this festive season add the much-touted Midas touch to your investments?

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Kenya is experimenting with universal basic income. Here's what the US could learn about no-strings payments.

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A Walmart exec explains the surprising reason low-income shoppers pay for a delivery membership

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India on course to become world’s second largest economy by 2050, says Gautam Adani

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