Asia
Indian Equities Slip on Friday After RBI Flags Higher Inflation, Lower Growth Outlook
Indian benchmark indices ended modestly lower on Friday, giving up early gains as investors assessed the Reserve Bank of India's latest economic projections and booked profits following the monetary policy announcement.The BSE Sensex fell 116.67 points, or 0.2%, to close at 74,243.34, while the NSE Nifty 50 declined 49.85 points, or 0.2%, to settle at 23,366.70.Markets traded in a volatile range after the RBI left the repo rate unchanged at 5.25%, in line with expectations. However, the central bank highlighted risks stemming from the prolonged West Asia conflict, elevated energy prices and global supply-chain disruptions.Investor sentiment was weighed down by the RBI's revised forecasts, which raised its inflation estimate for 2026-27 to 5.1% from 4.6% and lowered its GDP growth projection to 6.6% from 6.9%. The central bank cited the impact of higher global energy prices on domestic fuel costs and broader economic activity.In corporate developments, Bharat Heavy Electricals (NSE:BHEL, BOM:500103) secured an engineering, procurement and construction contract worth 210 billion rupees from Meja Urja Nigam for the 3x800 MW Meja Supercritical Thermal Power Project Stage-II in Uttar Pradesh.Glenmark Pharmaceuticals (NSE:GLENMARK, BOM:532296) said its U.S. subsidiary launched Lacosamide Injection USP, a generic version of Vimpat Injection, for the treatment of certain seizure disorders.
^BSENifty 50BOM:500103BOM:532296NSE:BHELNSE:GLENMARK