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US markets today: Wall Street holds near records ahead of Fed meeting; retail data and corporate results influence trading – The Times of India

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US markets today: Wall Street holds near records ahead of Fed meeting; retail data and corporate results influence trading – The Times of India


US stocks stayed close to record highs on Tuesday as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s first interest rate cut of the year, expected on Wednesday. The S&P 500 rose 0.1% from its recent peak, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 52 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.1% higher as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time.The rally reflects expectations that the Fed will begin a series of rate reductions to support economic growth, with a slowing job market prompting officials to prioritise employment over inflation. Analysts expect additional cuts through the remainder of 2025 and into 2026.Consumer spending exceeds expectationsRetail sales data for August showed higher-than-expected consumer spending, with overall sales rising 0.6% month-on-month and 5% year-on-year. Spending gains were seen at motor vehicle dealers, restaurants, bars, and grocery stores, while furniture and general merchandise stores reported declines. The figures suggest households continue to spend despite tariff-driven price pressures, limiting near-term recession risks.Corporate results and geopolitical factors influence tradingCorporate earnings added mixed signals. Oracle shares gained 3.5% on speculation it may help keep TikTok operating in the US, while Dave & Buster’s dropped 15.4% following weaker quarterly profits. New York Times Co. fell 1.6% after former President Donald Trump filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against the company and four journalists, citing coverage related to the 2024 election.Global markets showed modest movements, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 rising 0.3% to a record high despite political uncertainty following Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation. European indexes dipped slightly. Meanwhile, the yield on the US 10-year Treasury eased to 4.03% from 4.05%, reflecting anticipation of lower interest rates.Bank of America’s latest survey showed global fund managers heavily weighted toward US equities at the highest level in seven months, although 58% also said stocks look overvalued. Analysts noted that attention will focus on Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference and projections, which could guide market direction in the months ahead.





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Without Rera data, real estate reform risks losing credibility: Homebuyers’ body – The Times of India

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Without Rera data, real estate reform risks losing credibility: Homebuyers’ body – The Times of India


New Delhi: More than 75% of state real estate regulators, Reras, have either never published annual reports, discontinued their publication or not updated them despite statutory obligation and directions from the housing and urban affairs ministry, claimed homebuyers’ body FPCE on Friday. It released status report of 21 Reras as of Feb 13.The availability of updated annual reports is crucial as these contain details of data on performance of Reras, including project completion status categorised by timely completion, completion with extensions, and incomplete projects. The ministry’s format for publishing these reports also specifies providing details such as actual execution status of refund, possession and compensation orders as well as recovery warrant execution details with values and list of defaulting builders.FPCE said annual report data is not only vital for homebuyers to assess system credibility, but is equally necessary for both state and central govts to frame effective policies, design incentivisation schemes, and develop tax policy frameworks.“Unless we have credible data proving that after Rera the real estate sector has improved in terms of delivery, fairness, and keeping its promises, we are merely firing in the air,” said FPCE president Abhay Upadhyay, who is also a member of the govt’s Central Advisory Council on Rera.As per details shared by the entity, seven states — Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Goa — have never published a single annual report since Rera’s implementation, and nine states, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana, which initially published reports, have discontinued the practice.Upadhyay said when regulators themselves don’t follow the law, they lose the legal right to demand compliance from other stakeholders. “Their failure emboldens builders and weakens the very system they are meant to safeguard,” he said.



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Infosys Rolls Out 85% Average Performance Bonus In Q3FY26, Best In Over 3 Years

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Infosys Rolls Out 85% Average Performance Bonus In Q3FY26, Best In Over 3 Years


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Over recent quarters, payouts had gradually improved from roughly 65 percent to 80 percent and now to an average of about 85 percent in Q3FY26.

Infosys logo is seen.

Infosys logo is seen.

IT major Infosys rolled out performance bonus payouts averaging around 85 percent for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 (Q3FY26), marking the strongest variable pay outcome for eligible employees in at least the past three-and-a-half years, Moneycontrol reported citing people in the know.

The bonus payout for mid- to junior-level employees ranges between 75 percent and 100 percent, with most employees clustering around the organisation-wide average of 85 percent, the report said. The development signals a steady recovery in variable compensation at the Bengaluru-headquartered IT services firm. Over recent quarters, payouts had gradually improved from roughly 65 percent to 80 percent and now to an average of about 85 percent in Q3FY26.

Employees are expected to receive their bonus letters over the next few days, with the payout scheduled to be credited along with their February salary.

One employee told the outlet that it is the strongest bonus outcome seen in recent years. The payout is also among the rare instances since the Covid-19 period when variable pay has approached the upper end of the eligible range.

Infosys last paid out 100 percent variable compensation during the pandemic. In the quarters that followed, payouts were lower amid macroeconomic uncertainty and a broader slowdown in client spending across global markets.

The higher payout comes at a time when global IT stocks have faced renewed pressure, driven by concerns over rapid advances in artificial intelligence and their potential impact on traditional IT services models.

Shares of global IT firms have seen sharp sell-offs in recent weeks amid heightened investor focus on AI leaders such as Anthropic. Investors fear that generative AI tools could compress pricing, automate routine services work and reduce demand for legacy outsourcing models.

Against that backdrop, the improved bonus payout at Infosys is being viewed as a signal of operational resilience and near-term performance strength, even as sentiment around the broader IT sector remains cautious.

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Why you should consider switching bank accounts

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Why you should consider switching bank accounts



Martin Lewis explains why now might be a good time to think about changing your bank account.



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