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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cut the repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down to 6%, after a three-day meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held from 7 to 9 April 2025. This was the 54th MPC meeting, chaired by Governor Sanjay Malhotra.All members of the committee: Dr Nagesh Kumar, Saugata Bhattacharya, Prof Ram Singh, Dr Rajiv Ranjan, and M Rajeshwar Rao, unanimously voted in favour of the rate cut.As a result:The Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate is now 5.75%The Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) and Bank Rate stand at 6.25%The RBI also changed its policy stance from 'neutral' to 'accommodative'.Why the rate cut?The decision comes as global economic uncertainty increases due to recent trade tariff tensions, which have affected financial markets worldwide. The RBI said, "The global economic outlook is fast changing. Recent tariff measures have created new headwinds for growth and inflation."Falling crude oil prices, a dip in the dollar index, and stock market sell-offs have added to the worries.Growth outlookIndia’s GDP growth for 2025-26 is projected at 6.5%, slightly down due to global trade challenges. Here’s the quarter-wise forecast:Q1: 6.5%Q2: 6.7%Q3: 6.6%Q4: 6.3%The RBI said growth will be supported by:Rural and urban demandGovernment capital spendingStrong corporate and banking balance sheetsHowever, exports may suffer due to global slowdown, though services exports are expected to remain steady.InflationInflation has dropped sharply:Headline CPI inflation went down from 5.2% in December 2024 to 3.6% in February 2025Food inflation reached a 21-month low of 3.8%Fuel inflation stayed in deflationThe outlook for food inflation is looking good, thanks to:A record wheat harvestStrong pulse and kharif arrivalsA normal monsoon expectedCPI inflation for 2025-26 is projected at 4%, with quarterly figures as:Q1: 3.6%Q2: 3.9%Q3: 3.8%Q4: 4.4%The RBI said inflation risks are evenly balanced, but global uncertainty and weather changes may still pose risks.The next MPC meeting is scheduled for 4 to 6 June 2025.

Stock markets rebounded sharply on Tuesday, a day after facing the worst drubbing in 10 months, as benchmark Sensex recouped 1,089 points after across-the-board buying amid a rally in Asian and European markets.Stocks that were in focus include names like Vedanta, which rose 0.6% and HCL Tech, which gained 2% and Delhivery, whose shares fell 7% on Tuesday.Here's what Riyank Arora, Technical Analyst at Mehta Equities, recommends investors should do with these stocks when the market resumes trading today.VedantaThe stock is showing signs of strength with a positive bias, holding above key support near Rs 370. A sustained move above Rs 390 could trigger further upside toward Rs 405–420 levels.RSI is stabilizing, and the price is attempting to base out near current levels. Any dip toward Rs 370–365 can be considered a buying opportunity with a stop loss below Rs 360.HCL TechThe stock remains strong on the charts, trading above major moving averages and forming a steady uptrend. Support is seen near Rs 1380, and a breakout above Rs 1430 can lead to a rally toward Rs 1475–1500.RSI is firm near neutral but trending higher, suggesting momentum is building up. Overall structure favors buy-on-dips strategy.DelhiveryThe stock remains in a bearish grip. Avoid buying until Rs 268 is taken out with conviction. If Rs 240 breaks, expect further downside toward Rs 225. Best to sell on rise near Rs 255–260 levels with a stop loss at Rs 268.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)

The bull run in Indian equities since the Covid pandemic in 2020 has been one of the strongest ever, but there are a few stocks that are still trading below the levels five years ago. According to an ET study, nearly 10% of listed stocks continue to trade below their pre-Covid levels. It includes several well-known names, such as Whirlpool, PVR Inox, RBL Bank, Relaxo Footwear, Sun Pharma, Indraprastha Gas, VST Industries, Kansai Nerolac, and Bata India, among others. Most of these stocks have seen steep declines over the past six months, erasing the gains they had accumulated during the post-COVID bull run up to September 2023. 120109670A few others, including Aditya Birla Fashion, Atul, Honeywell Automation India, Hindustan Unilever, and Sunteck Realty, among others are currently trading close to their pre-Covid levels, despite being considered fundamentally sound.