Discover the top business headlines that are trending across the world today!
The Indian markets remain closed today due to Assembly Elections in Maharashtra. However, global markets are witnessing a positive trading day. Asian markets opened higher, mirroring gains in the U.S., where indices closed in the green following a volatile session on Tuesday. Investors are also closely monitoring developments from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team.
Oil prices edged higher amid rising tensions between Russia and the U.S. over the Ukraine conflict. In Asia, the Asia Dow rose 0.45%, while Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 0.19%. South Korea's KOSPI increased by 0.20%, and China's Shanghai Composite was up 0.67%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng also showed strong performance, climbing 0.77%. Investors are focused on earnings reports from major companies and evaluating geopolitical risks, keeping market sentiment cautiously optimistic.
Bitcoin has once again shattered records, crossing $94,000 on November 20, as reported by Reuters. This milestone follows its earlier high of $89,000 on November 12. Experts attribute this surge to reports of Donald Trump exploring a deal to buy crypto trading firm Bakkt and the introduction of options trading for BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT).
As of November 20 (10:10 AM), Bitcoin was trading at $92,355.44 with a market capitalization of $1.83 trillion. Crypto analyst Tony Sycamore highlights that such developments could significantly benefit investors, offering strong ROI opportunities.
Interestingly, about 75% of cryptocurrency investors belong to the 18-35 age group, making Bitcoin a promising investment for younger demographics. Additionally, the rise in crypto investments could attract foreign capital to economies like India, potentially boosting infrastructure and economic growth. For traders, Bitcoin’s resurgence signals a dynamic and lucrative market ahead.
The average home price in India's top seven cities surged to Rs 1.23 crore in the first half of FY2025, compared to Rs 1 crore during the same period last year, driven by record new launches and increased demand for luxury homes post-pandemic, according to real estate consultancy Anarock. Between April and September 2024, over 2.27 lakh units worth Rs 2.79 lakh crore were sold across these cities, an 18% increase in total sales value despite a 3% drop in unit sales compared to FY2024.
Delhi-NCR recorded the sharpest price growth, with average home prices rising by 56% from Rs 93 lakh in H1 FY2024 to Rs 1.45 crore in H1 FY2025. While unit sales dipped by 1% from 32,315 to 32,120, the value of sold inventory jumped 55%, reaching ₹46,611 crore in FY2025. This highlights the sustained demand for premium housing, according to Anuj Puri, Chairman of Anarock Group.
Maharashtra has once again emerged as India’s top destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), attracting Rs 70,795 crore during the first quarter of FY25 (April-June). This marks the second consecutive year the state has led FDI inflows, contributing 52.46% of the country’s total, according to data from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
Rohan Khatau, Director at CCI Projects, highlighted Maharashtra’s strategic importance, citing its world-class infrastructure, skilled talent pool, and policy-driven growth as key factors driving investment. Mumbai, the state’s capital and India’s financial hub, plays a pivotal role, hosting the Bombay Stock Exchange and the headquarters of major conglomerates. While these companies may operate nationwide, their FDI inflows are recorded in Maharashtra due to their headquarters' location.
As Maharashtra’s legislative assembly elections begin, the state continues to solidify its position as an economic powerhouse and an investor-friendly destination.
