Manisha Gupta

Public Gold Bullion SG’s Chirag Sheth expects gold to remain volatile in the near term, with a stronger recovery possible in 2027. He also sees India's gold and silver imports falling 20-30% in 2026.

Jewellers expect high prices and weak rural conditions to constrain gold purchases, but see opportunities in natural and lab-grown diamonds, lower-carat gold, platinum and silver.

Lab-grown diamond jewellery is seeing strong festive demand as consumers look for more affordable alternatives amid high gold prices, according to Aarav Bafna of Akoirah by Augmont. The company expects to double its topline over the next year through store expansion and growing consumer awareness. How quickly can lab-grown diamonds reshape India's jewellery market?

With gold ETFs attracting a record surge of investor money even as India steps up efforts to curb gold imports and dollar outflows, mutual funds have temporarily halted fresh investments in Gold and Silver ETF Fund-of-Funds from October 16.

India's sugar output may decline in 2026-27 as weather risks weigh on yields. New ethanol procurement rules and firm global prices add to the industry's challenges.

India's 20% ethanol blending target could face hurdles as sugar-based ethanol production is expected to fall sharply this season, according to AISTA Chairman Praful Vithalani. He said maize availability and rising prices remain key challenges for meeting the government's ethanol procurement target, while sugar supplies are expected to remain stable during the festive season.

Limelight Diamonds has tripled sales while doubling its store network over the past year and has now crossed 100 outlets. Founder & MD Pooja Sheth said the company plans to expand to 200 stores by 2027 as demand for lab-grown diamonds grows across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Stable prices and rising acceptance among millennials are expected to support future growth.

Brent crude could rise to $120 per barrel if geopolitical tensions continue and supply concerns remain unresolved, according to ETO Markets CIO Jonathan Barratt. He expects elevated energy prices to keep inflation under pressure, support further rate hikes and maintain volatility across global markets.

Vikas Goel, MD & CEO of NCDEX, said the exchange aims to build a differentiated offering rather than compete directly with established players on their existing strengths. The strategy will focus on multi-factor indices, technology investment and tapping retail investors in smaller towns who remain underserved by financial markets.

Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, outlines measures to reduce risks for renewable energy project developers and attract investment. These include 25-year power purchase agreements, payment security mechanisms and agreements with state governments to safeguard developers against payment defaults.