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India's investment ecosystem is undergoing a seismic shift, with index investing gaining unprecedented traction among investors, according to a report by Motilal Oswal. The younger generation, including Gen Z and Millennials, shows a stronger inclination towards index funds as compared to older investors. They also prefer index funds over ETFs for better returns and liquidity. A recent report by Axis AMC also highlighted the growing appetite for ETFs, which witnessed net sales of Rs 15,403 crore in October 2024. While 46% of younger investors favor index funds, only 35% of Gen X and Boomers do so. Millennials and Gen X investors also have a keen interest in factor or smart beta funds, reflecting their appetite for innovative, albeit aggressive investment strategies. Passive funds have become a core component of investor portfolios, with 80% of investors increasing their allocation to these funds in 2024, compared to 53% last year. The Axis report echoed similar sentiments, noting that net sales in the passive category inched up to Rs 8,025 crore in October 2024. The combined assets under management (AUM) of passive funds have surged from Rs 7 lakh crore in September 2023 to over Rs 11 lakh crore by September 2024—a 1.5x growth in just one year. The survey also noted a growing popularity of ETFs, with 57% of respondents investing in them, up from 41% in 2023. Of these, 26% invest solely in ETFs, while 31% have diversified between ETFs and index funds. This rising preference is matched by a commitment to long-term investment. A significant 81% of investors plan to hold their passive investments for over three years, highlighting sustained confidence in the growth potential of these funds. Sectoral indices like Nifty IT and Nifty Bank dominate as the top choice for passive fund investors, selected by 67% of respondents. Benchmark indices such as the Nifty 50 and Nifty 500 follow closely, preferred by 61% of investors. A recent, similar report by stock broker Angel One also throws a spotlight on how young India plans and prefers mutual funds when it comes to savings and investments. The report, titled "Young Indians' Saving Habits Outlook 2024," compiled by Fin One, stated that 45% of respondents aged 22-35 have made it a point to save up some of their savings in mutual funds. A year ago, this figure stood at just 32%. Most of these investors make their way into mutual funds via SIPs, or systematic investment plans. 52% of respondents in the age cohort of 22-35 are now using SIPs to invest in mutual funds, up from 44% in the previous year. As for what was the driving factor behind beginning their investment journey, 42% underlined the past performance of funds, while 38% noted that advice from financial advisors remained a key consideration. 38% of young Indians are now increasingly focusing on building an emergency corpus, compared to 28% the year before. This shift underscores the drastic change in financial sensibilities brought forth by the pandemic and the consequent desire for greater financial resilience. In fact, approximately 4 out of every 5 surveyed investors maintained a dedicated, separate savings account. Out of the 1,650 individuals studied under the FinOne survey, a staggering majority made their first foray into the stock market in their early twenties. Nearly 2 in every 5 investors pick stock as their preferred choice of investment, followed by mutual funds and then savings bank accounts. While 45% of those surveyed picked stocks as their chosen investment avenue, 20% preferred mutual funds, and 15% wanted to keep their money in a savings bank account.

Gen Z and Millennials prefer stocks and mutual funds; index funds trump over ETFs, say recent reports

<ul><li>Donald Trump has won the US presidential elections, beating Kamala Harris.</li><li>Trump’s win may shift the <keyword id="23846166" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-energy-outlook" source="keywords">global energy outlook</keyword> in response to anticipated changes in policy.</li><li>Trump has consistently advocated boosting oil and natural gas production in the US.</li></ul>Trump's win in the US presidential election may shift the global energy outlook in response to anticipated policies says a report by Angel One Wealth. Donald Trump, known for his stance on domestic energy independence, has consistently advocated boosting oil and natural gas production in the U.S., a move likely to put downward pressure on global crude oil prices. According to the report from Angel One Wealth, crude prices could soon see a correction, as Trump is expected to keep prices in check by ramping up domestic production. His emphasis on self-reliance in energy is expected to reduce the U.S. dependency on foreign oil sources, thereby impacting global supply and pricing dynamics. The report said "Donald Trump is likely to keep the crude prices under tight control as Trump has consistently advocated for increasing domestic energy production" The report also noted that Trump's preference for a non-interventionist stance in foreign conflicts might help stabilize oil prices by allowing for quicker de-escalation. However, there is potential for volatility if Trump imposes new sanctions on Iran, which could disrupt the region’s oil supply. In general, the report suggests that Trump's impact on the energy sector may result in lower crude prices, though other external factors will remain influential. In addition to energy, Trump's policies are expected to be expansionary, meaning higher government spending which could increase the U.S. fiscal deficit and, consequently, its national debt. The rise in U.S. debt is anticipated to have a positive impact on gold prices, as heightened debt levels and potential inflationary pressures drive investors towards safe-haven assets. Gold is already experiencing high demand in China, adding further support to its value. While there are some arguments against gold due to reduced volatility in equity markets, a stronger dollar, and a potential "risk-on" rally in equities, the report noted that gold's fundamentals remain strong, making it an attractive asset in the current environment. "A rise in US debt is positive for Gold and this time is likely no different as inflation worries arise. Gold is also seeing unprecedented demand in China which further bolsters the asset class". The report also reiterated its positive outlook on silver, which, like gold, stands to benefit from economic uncertainty and increased demand for safe-haven investments. However, the gold prices on the other hand on Thursday also declined to ₹78,710 / 10gm, a day before it closed at ₹80,500. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/skoda-kylaq-suv-launched-in-india-starting-at-7-89-lakh/articleshow/115013668.cms">Skoda Kylaq SUV launched in India starting at ₹7.89 lakh</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/swiggy-ipo-gmp-risk-factors-and-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/115004939.cms">Swiggy IPO – GMP, risk factors and all you need to know</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-ipo-indias-biggest-telco-to-go-public-in-2025-retail-ipo-further-away/articleshow/114944496.cms">Reliance Jio IPO – India’s biggest telco to go public in 2025, retail IPO further away</a>

Global energy outlook will shift once Trump returns to White House: Report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>US stocks traded mixed on Wednesday as traders took inflation data and the outlook for rates.</li><li>Inflation rose 0.2% for the month and 2.6% on a yearly basis, in-line with expectations.</li></ul>The latest inflation data dented some of the momentum of the post-election stock rally, with traders focusing on the latest consumer price index reading at its implications for rate cuts. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up slightly, while the S&amp;P 500 ended the day nearly flat. Bond yields were little changed, with the 10-year Treasury yield up one basis point to 4.449%. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inflation-october-cpi-consumer-price-index-federal-reserve-interest-rates-2024-11">Inflation was slightly higher</a> year-over-year in October compared to the prior month, but was on par with economists' expectations. Consumer prices rose 0.2% for the month and 2.6% on an annual basis, higher than last month's 2.4% increase.Investors solidified bets on another rate cut at the Federal Reserve's December policy meeting. Markets see an 82% chance that the central bank will trim interest rates another quarter-point next month, up from 59% on Tuesday, according to the CME FedWatch tool.Traders are less certain about another rate cut in January. The odds of another 25 basis point cut at the Fed's January meeting have dropped to 29%, down from 69% a month ago."Inflation data mostly support another rate cut at the Fed's December decision," Bill Adams, the chief economist at Comerica Bank, said in a note. "The Fed will wait until they have more clarity about the timing and scope of policy changes from the next President and Congress before reacting to them.""The Fed wants to avoid the mistakes of the past by prematurely easing and risking a second wave of inflation, so we'd expect the FOMC to take this risk seriously," Jason Pride, the chief of investment strategy &amp; research at Glenmede, said in a note. "This doesn't take a rate cut off the table for December, but it's certainly not a slam dunk."The rally fueled by Trump's election began to stumble, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite edging slightly into the red.Crypto markets, though, continued to get a boost after Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump, was appointed as co-head of the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/dogecoin-price-elon-musk-doge-department-trump-crypto-president-election-2024-11?_gl=1*j5rjww*_ga*OTI1ODIwOTQ2LjE3MTYzOTg2NjU.*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTczMTUyNDI1NS41NTYuMS4xNzMxNTI0MjY2LjQ5LjAuMA..">Department of Government Efficiency</a>, or "DOGE." <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/currencies/doge-usd">Dogecoin</a> spiked another 15% on the news, while <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/currencies/btc-usd">bitcoin</a> rose as much as 6% before paring its gains, surpassing the $90,000 threshold for the first time ever before dipping back below to about $88,000 later in the day. Here's where US indexes stood at the 4:00 p.m. closing bell on Wednesday:<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/index/s&amp;p_500?utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest%3Futm_source%3Dmarkets&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets">S&amp;P 500</a>: 5,985.38, up 0.02%</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/index/dow_jones?utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest%3Futm_source%3Dmarkets&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets">Dow Jones Industrial Average</a>: 43,958.19, up 0.11% (+47.21 points)</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/index/nasdaq_composite?utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest%3Futm_source%3Dmarkets&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets">Nasdaq composite</a>: 19,230.74, down 0.26%</li></ul>Here's what else is going on:<ul><li>Here's what people are betting in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/kalshi-polymarket-prediction-markets-jake-paul-mike-tyson-bitcoin-trump-2024-11?_gl=1*4l4ww*_ga*OTI1ODIwOTQ2LjE3MTYzOTg2NjU.*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTczMTUxNTY1NS41NTUuMS4xNzMxNTE4NTU0LjU2LjAuMA..">prediction markets</a> now that the election is over.</li><li><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/nvidia-stock-price-outlook-upside-blackwell-rubin-apple-iphone-moment-2024-11">Nvidia is approaching its iPhone moment</a> with its Blackwell chip, and the stock could soar another 25%, an analyst said. </li><li>Trump could push <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-us-debt-levels-government-borrowing-treasury-blackrock-rick-rieder-2024-11">US debt to levels</a> that can't be ignored within his first year in office, according to BlackRock's Rick Rieder.</li></ul>In commodities, bonds, and crypto:<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/commodities/oil-price">West Texas Intermediate</a> crude oil dipped 0.09% to $68.08 a barrel. <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/commodities/oil-price">Brent crude</a>, the international benchmark, was lower by 0.46% to $71.95 a barrel.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/commodities/gold-price">Gold</a> slipped 0.87% to $2,575.98 an ounce.</li><li>The 10-year Treasury yield was up one basis point to 4.449%</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/currencies/btc-usd">Bitcoin</a> slipped to $88,615.</li></ul>

Stock market today: Indexes trade mixed as investors assess rate outlook after new inflation data

Indian banks are expected to have steady growth in earnings and returns over the next 3–4 years, according to a recent report by Jefferies. It expects a 13% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in loan growth for banks between FY24 and FY27, helmed by a supportive environment and expected adjustments in interest rates. "We expect steady growth in earnings and stable returns, Over FY24-27, the banks we cover should see 13% CAGRin loans We factor 25-50 bps cut in rates, &amp; depending on timing, NIMs will move," the report said. Depending on the timing, these rate cuts could impact banks' <keyword id="20076541" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="net-interest-margins" source="keywords">net interest margins</keyword> (NIMs), which measure the difference between interest income generated and interest paid to depositors. The report also notes that banks' net interest income (NII), a critical metric that is reflective of how much a bank earns from its lending, could grow at a steady 12% CAGR, which would support overall earnings growth. <h2>Rate cuts probable next year</h2>Per SBI Mutual Fund's monthly outlook for November 2024, while markets were initially speculating possible rate reductions in December this year or February next year these chances now stand dampened due to two reasons. First, elevated CPI numbers in September, which stood at a nine-month high, underlined the stickiness of food inflation. Secondly, RBI governor Das recently highlighted his hawkish stance at a conference, stating that "rate cuts at this stage would be premature and risky’. The report further adds that February 2025, or even April, would be a better time to discuss repo rate cuts in India. Even <keyword id="19985925" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bank-credit-growth" source="keywords">bank credit growth</keyword> has continued to outpace deposit growth for two years now. However, they seem to be inching closer in the recent past. For instance, in October 2024, while bank credit growth remained at 12.7%, the deposit growth rate followed closely at 11.8%. This also means that banks are witnessing an elevated bank credit-to-deposit ratio, standing at 77% in October. <h2>Risks in unsecured lending </h2>However, Jefferies noted some areas of caution that could influence growth in other revenue streams, particularly fees. Growth in fees may be at risk due to expected declines in the disbursal of unsecured loans, which generally carry higher interest rates and generate higher fees for banks. October saw stress and defaults rising in the unsecured lending space, prompting the RBI to intervene. As a result, unsecured loans by banks have only grown by 12.1%, the lowest since the pandemic. Despite these risks, the report expects banks' return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) to remain healthy, underscoring the sector's stable profitability potential. The report also highlights that while the Nifty Banks index has risen by 19% over the past year, it has still underperformed the broader Nifty index, which delivered 27% returns in the same period. BSE Bankex has been along similar lines, generating returns worth 19% over one year. While the Nifty banks' index has a YTD (yield to date) of 7.63%, it continues to trail Nifty's YTD of 11.30%

Indian banks to have steady growth in earning over next 3-4 years, fees from unsecured lending may dip, notes Jefferies report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The price of gold hit all-time highs this week.</li><li>Falling interest rates and rising geopolitical tensions boost gold's appeal as a safe haven asset.</li></ul>The price of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/commodities/gold-price">gold</a> has soared this year.The precious metal hit a record high of $2,772 per troy ounce this week and has risen in six of the past seven weeks.With year-to-date gains of about 33%, gold returns have outpaced the broader stock market, including the tech-heavy <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/index/nasdaq_100">Nasdaq 100</a>, by about 10 percentage points.And since the bull market in stocks began in October 2022, gold has outpaced equity gains, returning 67% compared to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/index/s&amp;p_500">S&amp;P 500's</a> return of about 63%, according to data from YCharts.Those superior returns make the metal one of the world's hottest investments.The largest gold ETF, the SPDR Gold Shares, has $78 billion in assets under management and has seen about $5 billion of inflows in the past six months, according to data from ETF.com.Physical gold is also having a moment. Costco has consistently sold out of gold bars when they become available on their website and Wells Fargo estimates that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/costco-gold-bars-silver-coins-monthly-sales-wells-fargo-bullion-2024-4">Costco sells up to $200 million in gold bars</a> and silver coins to its members each month.It's been a perfect storm for the yellow metal, and the outlook suggests more gains ahead. Here's what's going on.<h3 id="5edb3548-699e-4d4d-ba18-d306c30fcf12">Demand from central banks</h3>Global central banks have been on a gold-buying spree over the past few years.According to the World Gold Council, central banks purchased a record 483 tons of gold in the first half of the year. Central banks from Turkey, India, and China topped the list of the biggest buyers.Part of the surge in demand is from countries that want to diversify their holdings away from the US dollar. "We believe that the tripling in central bank purchases since mid-2022 on fears about US financial sanctions and US sovereign debt is structural and will continue," <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/gold-price-outlook-buy-continued-rally-next-year-2025-goldman-2024-9">Goldman Sachs said</a> in a note last month.This dynamic has been on display since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, as America sought to inflict maximum economic damage on Russia via sanctions. But it's harder to implement sanctions against a country that is less reliant on the dollar, and one way to be less reliant on the dollar is to buy gold.It is a dynamic that the US should be closely monitoring, according to economist Mohamed El-Erian.El-Erian wrote <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.ft.com/content/b5fb1e6b-bb8d-4ab5-9c92-f1f6fc40a54b?utm_source=substack&amp;utm_medium=emailhttps://www.ft.com/content/b5fb1e6b-bb8d-4ab5-9c92-f1f6fc40a54b?utm_source=substack&amp;utm_medium=email">in an op-ed for the FT</a> this week that the persistent rise in gold "captures an increasingly persistent behavioural trend among China and 'middle power' countries.""There is also interest in exploring possible alternatives to the dollar-based payments system that has been at the core of the international architecture for some 80 years."Russia has had some success with this, as it's managed to navigate its economy away from a full-fledged downturn after the US imposed wide-ranging sanctions in 2022.Russia's ability to steer its de-dollarized economy away from a crisis could give other countries confidence to lessen their dependence on the dollar, which ultimately benefits gold."What is at stake here is not just the erosion of the dollar's dominant role but also a gradual change in the operation of the global system," El-Erian said. "As it develops deeper roots, this risks materially fragmenting the global system and eroding the international influence of the dollar and the US financial system.<h3 id="8959c97e-7efe-42f8-a1a3-3fa362c5ac51">Geopolitical tensions</h3>Gold is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/gold-safe-haven-treasurys-us-national-debt-bofa-fiscal-expansion-2024-10">considered a safe haven asset</a> due to its long-standing history as a stable store of value.So when geopolitical tensions rise, investors tend to flock to the shiny metal, and right now, there is no shortage of reasons to be worried.From Russia's war against Ukraine to the escalating clashes in the Middle East to China's long-running threat against Taiwan's independence, geopolitical tensions are rising, not falling.What's more, soaring US debt means that Treasurys—another historical safe haven asset—might not be so risk-free anymore."Gold looks to be the last 'safe haven' asset standing, incentivising traders including central banks to increase exposure," <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/gold-safe-haven-treasurys-us-national-debt-bofa-fiscal-expansion-2024-10">Bank of America said</a> in a note this month. <h3 id="29ec9208-7951-47bd-89c8-75f2d6320ca9">The Trump trade</h3>The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/donald-trump-trade-rally-betting-markets-kamala-harris-bitcoin-djt-2024-10">Trump trade has picked up steam recently</a> as the former president's odds of winning the election have risen, and gold has been a big beneficiary.That's because a potential Trump presidency is expected to be accompanied by a soaring government deficit and a fast-growing pile of debt, which would further drive concerns about a rebound in inflation and the sustainability of the US dollar."If you're worried about fiscal profligacy, financial repression, and attacks on Fed independence, gold would be an attractive asset," economist Davix Oxley of Capital Economics said on Friday.Even if Trump doesn't win the election, the deficit is likely to grow, setting gold up well for more gains, according to Interactive Brokers chief strategist Steve Sosnick."It's not as though either candidate is preaching fiscal discipline, and the Fed seems willing to keep cutting even if inflation remains a bit above target. So there is a thought that gold could be a viable alternative if rates rise and the economy remains sound. And if the economy isn't sound it could still be a good store of value," Sosnick told Business Insider."<h3 id="dadb04c2-defd-4fe4-a269-2b48d277b4de">Interest rates</h3>According to data from the World Gold Council, falling interest rates have historically benefited gold prices, with the commodity rising as much as 10% in the six months after the Federal Reserve's first rate cut.With the Fed expected to cut interest rates multiple times over the next year, lower rates should serve as a tailwind for gold prices.While interest rates<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mortgage-rate-increase-since-federal-reserve-cut-interest-rates-housing-2024-10"> actually jumped since the Fed's first rate cut</a> last month, with the 10-year Treasury yield hitting its highest level since July this week, gold prices have continued to rise.That's a sign that gold investors are more focused on the global interest-rate path, which is pointing lower as global central banks look poised to loosen monetary policy.The People's Bank of China cut rates by 25 basis points this week, while the Bank of Canada cut by 50 basis points. The European Central lowered rates by 25 basis points last week, and economists say they see the Bank of England <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/22/why-economists-see-the-uk-cutting-interest-rates-more-substantially.html">set to deliver bigger rate cuts</a> than previously expected by markets.

How gold became one of the world's hottest investments

India is celebrating <keyword id="23288581" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dhanteras" source="keywords">Dhanteras</keyword> today, even as the public remains cautious about adding gold's glitter to their portfolios, given the metal's sky-high prices. <keyword id="19910265" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gold-prices" source="keywords">Gold prices</keyword> went past the Rs 81,000 mark today in Delhi. Per IBJA (<keyword id="20397944" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India-Bullion-and-Jewellers-Association" source="keywords">India Bullion and Jewellers Association</keyword> Ltd.), the cost of 24K gold stood at Rs 7,885/gram today, while 22K gold was priced at Rs 7,695/gram. While jewelers anticipate some increase in customer footfall today, between afternoon and late evening, the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council expects sales volumes to remain steady at around 20 tons. However, per their estimates, sales this year might be down by 5% compared to last year. The <keyword id="19921618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Confederation-of-All-India-Traders" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Confederation of All India Traders" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Confederation of All India Traders">Confederation of All India Traders</keyword> (CAIT) projects nationwide retail trade worth Rs 50,000 crore during this Dhanteras. Even quick-commerce companies are cashing in on the Dhanteras sentiment. While Blinkit has partnered with Joyalukkas and Malabar Gold and Diamonds to deliver gold and silver coins in 10 minutes, Zepto has teamed with Augmont and Malabar for the same. Per media reports, Swiggy Instamart has partnered with Muthoot Exim and Malabar, while BigBasket has tied up with Tanishq. Legend has it that it was on this day that Lord Dhanvantari, the deity of health, appeared today, making brass utensils particularly auspicious for purchase. People also seek blessings from Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Kuber, and it is considered auspicious to buy gold and silver jewelry, utensils, kitchenware, vehicles, garments, and electronics on this day. <h2>The appreciation of gold</h2> Gold has had a great run this year, having a YTD (yield-to-date) of 24%. Despite high prices, the demand for gold this festive and wedding season is expected to remain buoyant in India. The yellow metal's demand as a haven has jumped up significantly in recent times, owing to <keyword id="19955176" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geopolitical-tensions" source="keywords">geopolitical tensions</keyword> like the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Moreover, with governments across the world trying to tame inflation and boost spending by way of rate cuts, gold is increasingly being seen as an effective hedge against inflation. Experts suggest that the demand is set to remain elevated for the times to come. "The immediate outlook for gold remains robust, supported by the recent import duty reduction from 15% to 6%, which has already stirred significant market activity with imports doubling year-over-year. Despite price changes, the traditional festive and wedding seasons continue driving strong demand, with consumers adapting their purchasing patterns," says Vikas Singh, Managing Director &amp; CEO of MMTC-PAMP. "Looking ahead, multiple structural factors paint a positive long-term picture. There is an overall trend of increasing gold holdings providing sustained price support. While physical gold remains paramount, there's increasing interest in gold investments, particularly among urban consumers," he continues. <h2>How to check if your gold is pure </h2>First, always make sure to buy only hallmarked physical gold. "Hallmarking is the accurate determination and official recording of the proportionate content of precious metal in the precious metal article. Hallmarking provides consumers with third-party assurance and satisfaction that they get the right purity of gold (or silver), the government noted in a press release yesterday, urging customers to buy only <keyword id="23040621" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hallmarked-gold" source="keywords">hallmarked gold</keyword> and silver. Hallmarked gold is characterized by a few specific marks, like the logo of BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards), the jeweler's mark, and that of the hallmarking center. During the process of hallmarking, each piece of gold or silver is assigned a 6-digit alphanumeric code or HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification). Download the BIS Care app on your phone and enter this code using the verify HUID icon on the app. This will help you test the veracity of your purchased gold.

Gold continues to shine bright on Dhanteras, but should you participate in the glitter?

Amid the ongoing geopolitical tension, the <keyword id="19904988" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="energy-sector" source="keywords">energy sector</keyword> will continue to face challenge while the <keyword id="20468174" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="consumer-goods" source="keywords">consumer goods</keyword>, automotive, healthcare is set to expand in 2025, highlighted a report 'Industry Outlook 2025' by <keyword id="20618515" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Economist-Intelligence-Unit" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Economist Intelligence Unit" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Economist Intelligence Unit">Economist Intelligence Unit</keyword>. The report noted that the Fossil fuel markets will continue to face risks from geopolitical conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine. However, investments in <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword> will remain strong, especially in China, as the world pushes toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. The report said "Fossil-fuel markets will continue to face <keyword id="20064250" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geopolitical-risks" source="keywords">geopolitical risks</keyword> amid conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, but investment into renewables will remain strong, particularly in China." It also added that the financial sector faces a mixed outlook with falling interest rates anticipated to narrow bank profit margins, potentially leading to smaller dividend payouts for shareholders. Yet, regulatory easing could provide relief, with the Basel III endgame likely seeing further delays, softening the impact on banking institutions amid a challenging economic landscape. For the consumer goods and retailing the report added that the Global retail volumes are forecast to grow by 2.2 per cent in 2025, thanks to easing inflation. However, stricter regulations on online retailing will target high-volume, low-price retailers, to ensure fair competition and consumer protection. It said "Global retail volumes will expand by 2.2 per cent, helped by disinflation, but regulations around online retailing will tighten further" As per report, the <keyword id="20359760" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="automotive-sector" source="keywords">automotive sector</keyword> is set for a record year, it said "After a difficult few years, annual new-vehicle sales will reach a record 97.2m units in 2025. This includes a 2 per cent rise in new car sales, a 4 per cent increase in commercial vehicle sales, and a significant 16 per cent growth in <keyword id="19963112" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicle-sales" source="keywords">electric vehicle sales</keyword>, reflecting the sector's recovery and the shift toward cleaner mobility. In technology the report added more countries will adopt satellite internet, although the primary users will be enterprise clients, including military and maritime sectors. Amazon's Project Kuiper will challenge the existing market dominance of Starlink and EutelSat OneWeb, offering more competition and potential growth in satellite connectivity. The resulting tensions will continue to affect investment into production and market entry, with companies taking advantage of government incentives to build out more flexible supply chains. <keyword id="23684177" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investment-in-technology" source="keywords">Investment in technology</keyword>, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), will also be strong as projects gather pace. However, technology companies will face pressure from several directions as regulations tighten (particularly in Europe), investors become more impatient for profits and their energy usage comes under more scrutiny.

Consumer goods, auto and healthcare sector to expand but energy may face challenge in 2025: Report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Luxury companies' sales are tanking in China due to slowing consumer demand.</li><li>Chinese consumers are putting their money into safe assets rather than spending it.</li></ul>Luxury sales are suffering in the <a target="_blank" href="https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?locations=CN&amp;most_recent_value_desc=true">world's second-largest economy</a> as Chinese shoppers cut back on luxury spending.Kering, the latest luxury brand to report earnings, said on Wednesday that it continued to see a "deceleration" in Asia-Pacific. The company <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gucci-kering-income-decline-stock-down-hit-china-sales-slump-2024-4">warned in April</a> that recurring operating income for the first half of the year would slide up to 45%, compared to the first half of 2023. Two-thirds of Kering's revenue comes from Gucci, which has been especially hard hit in China as customers eschew the brand's older designs and buy at a discount overseas.LVMH <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lvmh-earnings-china-luxury-consumer-spending-marketing-shopping-japan-currency-2024-7">reported</a> a 13% decline in revenue — down to 12.4 billion euros, or $13.4 billion — for Asia in the first half of the year compared with the same period last year. While LVMH did not specifically break out revenue from China, the company has seen sluggish Chinese consumer demand, particularly in the second quarter, said chief financial officer Jean-Jacques Guiony on Tuesday.Consumer spending in China has been improving "more moderately than before COVID-19," Luca Solca, a luxury goods analyst at Bernstein, told Business Insider.Chinese shoppers' reluctance to spend more despite higher<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-economy-second-quarter-gdp-growth-weak-demand-consumption-exports-2024-7"> disposable incomes</a> "produces a 'growth relay' of relatively muted proportion, where even high-quality companies have generated low single-digit growth," Solca said.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-luxury-retail-sales-slowdown-brands-fashion-2024-7">LVMH's peers</a> have similarly seen slumps in revenue from China. In its most recent quarter, Burberry's Chinese sales revenue declined 21% from last year. In recent earnings, Kering, Swatch, and Hugo Boss expressed challenges in engaging a Chinese market with softening demand.Richemont also was barraged by the weakening Chinese consumer demand. Last week, the parent company of brands including Cartier <a target="_blank" href="https://www.richemont.com/media/iljbpjkt/ad-hoc-announcement-pursuant-to-art-53-lr-fy25-q1-sales-for-the-first-quarter-ended-30-june-2024.pdf">reported</a> a 27% decline in revenue in the combined markets of China, Hong Kong, and Macau, dragging total Asia Pacific sales down by 18%.<h2 id="31963d30-a7de-4331-9ab6-23d53dc55766">Massive discounts and online shopping</h2>To try to boost sales, luxury brands have given <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/luxury-brands-slash-prices-in-china-burberry-marc-jacobs-2024-7">massive discounts</a> to Chinese consumers. Brands including Balenciaga and Versace slashed prices by an average of 40% and 50%, respectively, to Chinese customers, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-13/luxury-labels-slash-prices-50-to-lure-wary-chinese-shoppers">Bloomberg</a> reported last month. In early July, Marc Jacobs offered more than 50% discounts on Alibaba's upscale e-commerce platform, Tmall Luxury Pavilion, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ft.com/content/d304beae-9a75-432c-b3b6-006a70a64b93">FT</a> reported. Burberry, Balenciaga, and Marc Jacobs did not respond to earlier requests for comment.This step into e-commerce is a change for luxury retailers, which have traditionally abstained from listing products online to avoid associating their brand with quick and convenient shopping, Damien Yeo, an analyst at Fitch Solutions, told BI. They're likely trying to clear stock, which could degrade their brands as some third-party platforms sell their goods at big discounts, Yeo said.A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-household-deposits-savings-luxury-consumer-demand-slowdown-economy-outlook-2024-7">recent survey</a> by US investment bank TD Cowen suggested that Chinese consumers are spending less on luxury goods while spending more on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-economy-lopsided-recovery-consumer-retail-spending-industrial-output-property-2024-5">overseas travel </a>and safe assets such as gold. The government is also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-wants-nepo-baby-get-rich-quick-influencers-gone-2024-5">campaigning</a> against "money worship," so consumers may be less likely to buy something splashy, part of a broader <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/luxury-goods-sales-slow-clothes-shoes-china-bain-company-travel-2024-6">cultural tilt</a> toward "luxury shaming."Luxury goods are still popular with wealthy Chinese shoppers — just not in China. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rich-chinese-flock-to-japan-in-search-of-luxury-bargains-2024-7">Japan</a> has been a popular tourist destination for the Chinese, thanks to the yen's 40-year low against the US dollar. This currency weakness has attracted "a big shift of business from Asia into Japan," said LVMH's Guiony on Tuesday. LVMH sales in Japan were boosted by 57% in the first half of the year, which Guiony attributed to a surge in Chinese tourists.Not all luxury brands are feeling the heat in China. Hermès saw a 17% spike in sales revenue in the first three months of the year due to its recession-resistant customer base, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-25/hermes-defies-luxury-slowdown-with-sales-jump-in-asia">Bloomberg</a> reported. Hermès is set to publish half-yearly financials on Thursday.

The luxury outlook in China just keeps getting worse

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Wall Street analysts expect Amazon to deliver an earnings beat when it reports quarterly results on Thursday </li><li>Expanding growth in Amazon's cloud platform is a bullish driver, analysts said. </li></ul>Wall Street is gearing up for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/amzn-stock">Amazon</a> to deliver strong quarterly financial results after the closing bell on Thursday, though uncertainty lingers about how the company might navigate a slowdown in consumer spending. Most analysts anticipate solid earnings and further upside for Amazon stock, driven by its cloud platform and advertising strength. Yet, concerns linger over slowing retail margins and Amazon's rising investments in other areas of its business. That includes Project Kuiper, Amazon's initiative to deploy thousands of satellites for an increased broadband network, as well as investments in AI.Here's what analysts are saying ahead of the company's earnings.<h2 id="7d0771bb-aa3e-412b-a84f-9826870e8bca">CFRA: Searching for investment balance</h2>CFRA considers Amazon a compelling multi-year profit and cashflow story, but the firm is cautious about near-term prospects. "Growth may not be linear due to a tepid consumer spending environment, lumpy AWS deal volume, and accelerated investments in areas like Project Kuiper, generative AI, same-day fulfillment, and Prime Video digital content."Analyst Arun Sundaram said this will translate into a "modest" third-quarter earnings beat. CFRA expects revenue to rise 10.5% year-over-year and GAAP operating profit to climb 36%. CFRA's estimates are at the upper end of Amazon's guidance range."Overall, investors will be looking for AMZN to strike the right balance of growth vs. investments," Sundaram said.The note said that while Amazon's operating margins are expected to continue growing into 2025, reinvestment into other areas of the business will slow this expansion.CFRA trimmed its Amazon price target to $219 a share on October 21, indicating 13% upside ahead.<h2 id="29d2fdf4-34f7-4afe-b90a-0a79ffeca902">Bank of America: Mixed results incoming</h2>BofA's Justin Post suggested investors brace for a mixed bag of third-quarter results.Bank of America views consensus revenue estimates as too high and predicts $157 billion for the quarter. However, the bank's outlook for operating profit stands above consensus views at $15 billion.The bank expects the quarter's leading growth drivers will include Amazon Web Services, the firm's AI-led cloud-computing platform. According to Post, margins here will likely be better than Wall Street is expecting"AI demand likely improved further in 3Q, and we think investors may be expecting 20% y/y growth for 3Q, which would suggest the largest 3Q in terms of sequential dollars added at $1.39bn," he said.Consumer spending uncertainty could be a concern, and BofA expects a slight deceleration in discretionary retail sales growth.The firm has a "buy" rating on the stock and a $210 price target, which implies an 8.3% gain from current levels.<h2 id="a9024ebe-7cb6-44b8-a728-de20774ef87c">JPMorgan: AWS acceleration leaves room for optimism</h2>JPMorgan cited Amazon's expanding cloud platform and solid store growth as key reasons to be bullish on the stock.The bank said easing optimizations, workload migrations, and AI's growing monetization will support further AWS acceleration through this year, leading to 20% growth year-to-date.In line with Bank of America, the firm anticipates third-quarter net sales to reach $157 billion, below consensus estimates of $157.3 billion. Meanwhile, retail profits in the last quarter faced headwinds, and consumers appear cautious about spending. Shoppers eager for a deal are weighing on Amazon's average selling prices, the bank said.JPMorgan has an "overweight" rating on Amazon and a $230 price target. This suggests an 18.6% upside from current levels.<h2 id="fb352aa7-bfbb-4165-82f3-89a50fc7ea22">Wedbush Securities: Don't worry about rising investment costs</h2>Wedbush Securities has cheered Amazon's growing cloud segment and a revenue shift toward high-margin advertising. Together, these should help offset headwinds brought on by the company's spending on investments elsewhere. "We think the risk/reward is attractive heading into results as investor expectations for 2H profitability have moderated, AWS growth continues to accelerate, and advertising momentum is building into 2025," a team of analysts led by Scott Devitt wrote.The firm said investors have toned down margin expectations due to Amazon's spending in new investment areas, such as Project Kuiper. While this may require more investment from the company over time, Wedbush doesn't expect it to impact profitability in the near-term.Wedbush reiterated its "outperform" rating and $225 price target, implying a 16% gain from current levels.<h2 id="e4b3e058-a63d-4251-8620-4b1f8f0899e3">Morgan Stanley: Bullish into 2025</h2>Analysts led by Brian Nowak focused on Amazon's fourth-quarter guidance, suggesting that the company's earnings before interest and taxes might come in lower than expected."We see AMZN's high and growing focus on lower-priced, lower-margin essentials driving merchandise margin pressure... which is holding back the near-term slope of its N. America retail profit ramp. Expected discounting in a competitive holiday season (and picky discretionary consumer) create further near-term uncertainty," they said.The bank expects fourth-quarter EBIT of around $17.5 billion, 1% below consensus expectations.But looking forward to 2025, the bank recommends sticking with the stock as retail pressures will be a short-term headwind. Corporate efficiencies and shipping costs will make lower-priced essentials profitable for the company through next year, the bank projected.Morgan Stanley has a $210 price target for the stock, representing upside of about 8% from Wednesday's share price.

You Searched For "investment outlook" and got 9 results

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