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Confidence level of industry improving: KV Kamath, ICICI Bank

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ET Now caught up with KV Kamath, Chairman, ICICI Bank, for his expectations from the Narendra Modi government as well as the Budget. Excerpts:

ET Now: Talking of expectations from Narendra Modi, do not you think too much hope and money in essence is riding behind one man? Despite his good intentions, there are structural problems in the economy and even the Prime Minister does not quite have a magic wand?

KV Kamath: If you look back to 10 years ago, the economy was getting into near double digit growth even with all the structural problems. Now you have a leader who has a known bias for fixing things and making sure that things work. It is the same set of structure, the same set of people who are driving this. You have the right leader who can drive the effort.

ET Now: The other day we had Mr. Birla meet the Finance Minister and as he walked out of the meeting, he said he expects the economy to revive in three to six months. He says he is going to start investing in India now. We have not heard too many corporate leaders say that. You have a pulse of the mood of corporate India. When do you think will the corporate leaders start investing?

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KV Kamath: The first sense comes from the market. It is the collective wisdom of the marketplace that there is action and we will move with speed. That improves the confidence level of industry. Now we need to see whether some of the ground conditions that are needed for people to get back to an investment mode are going to change. Today I read that with a large slate of reforms or projects which have been stuck are going to be addressed in the next few days. If that happens, you will see a sea change in the investment mindset, as it were.

ET Now: It could happen in three months itself. Is that what you think?

KV Kamath: I think that between three and six months it could start happening. But we want incremental investment to happen. There is enough to harvest in the first six months in terms of stuck projects and so on.

ET Now: The one cue that corporate India will also look forward to is the budget. Given the nature of the mandate that we have, the strength that this government have in the Parliament, would you expect tough reforms in this budget itself?

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KV Kamath: I do not want to call or second-guess what somebody is working on. But I think it will be a budget where you try to have fiscal discipline and whatever is needed to get that discipline. Now in what measure, in what combination, is for the government to call. I think one thing that people will look for in the budget is fiscal discipline and a way to getting the deficit under control, say, over a three-year period. If it is well-constructed and well-articulated, you will see the cheer going up.

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ET Now: Does the 4.1% number look a little tricky to you?

KV Kamath: If you eliminate waste, you eliminate what is theft and eliminate what is not needed, the 4.1 is achievable.

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ET Now: When do you think fiscal and monetary policy will start working in tandem? When do you expect rates to turn?

KV Kamath: Regarding the monetary policy, we always say that let us see the constructive design of a fiscal deficit. We know what it is and where it will end. Once they see that construct as it were, for this year and, say, for two years on the line, then I should believe that they should have greater confidence to tinker with the rates, or inflation itself has to start dropping. We see several people have given several solutions starting with release food stocks, pushing the pedal on APMC reform, and so on. I am sure again this is something that the government will very quickly understand and take all the steps or some of the steps which would give policymakers confidence to get interest rates down. We should see it happen in this fiscal, in the next 12 months. I think it ought to start happening in the first six months.

ET Now: A quarter percent or more, through the course of the year?

KV Kamath: I have no call on this. Let us see what happens. Everything will depend on where the deficit number comes in and whether you are able to get the inflation rate moving down. If these turn out positive, rates could move fast.

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ET Now: What is your outlook on growth in the short term, medium term, and long term?

KV Kamath: My long-term number does not have a single digit. It is two digits. So you can make a guess on it.

ET Now: During the term of this government?

KV Kamath: I think it will happen during the term of this government.

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ET Now: The first term itself?

KV Kamath: It will happen in the first term of this government. That is for sure. If they progress the way they mean to, I am reasonably sure that we will see two-digit rate in the first term of this government itself.

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ASA: Change Of Mandate For This CEF

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abrdn Total Dynamic Dividend Fund Q2 2026 Commentary

ASA: Change Of Mandate For This CEF

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How Location Affects Tax Incentives for Investments in the Philippines

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How Location Affects Tax Incentives for Investments in the Philippines

Investment location in the Philippines influences registration, tax incentives, and duration of income tax holidays, with incentives governed by authorities like PEZA and benefits varying based on project location and economic zones.

Investment Location and Registration Process

The establishment of an investment in the Philippines influences its registration pathway and available tax incentives. Projects situated in designated economic zones and freeports are overseen by different Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs). The project’s location determines not only the registration authority but also influences the duration of income tax holidays available to eligible investments. The 2026 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP), approved in June 2026, outlines priority activities and industry tiers that qualify for these incentives.

Role of Investment Promotion Agencies and Incentives

Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) registration is location-specific, requiring projects to operate within PEZA-registered zones or IT parks. Other areas fall under separate IPAs, such as Clark or Subic, managed respectively by their development corporations. Incentives provided through these agencies are governed by national frameworks under the CREATE and CREATE MORE Acts, which standardize corporate tax incentives across different zones, depending on jurisdiction rather than distinct incentive systems.

Impact of Location on Incentives and Benefits

Location affects which IPA can register the project and the types of incentives accessible, especially for export and domestic activities. Export enterprises can benefit from a 5% Special Corporate Income Tax (SCIT) or the Enhanced Deductions Regime (EDR) for 10 years, whereas domestic enterprises may access the EDR for five years. Additionally, relocating from the NCR or operating in disaster-affected areas can grant extra years of income tax holiday benefits, boosting investment incentives based on strategic geographic considerations.

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Inflation Comes In Hot | Markets P.M. for September 11

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Inflation Comes In Hot | Markets P.M. for September 11

This is an edition of the Markets P.M. newsletter, a recap of the day’s most important markets moves, delivered after the closing bell. If you’re not subscribed, sign up here.


What Happened in Markets Today

Inflation continued running hot, with prices increasing 3.4% in August compared with a year earlier, in line with July’s reading. Prices excluding food and energy rose 0.3% compared with July, above analyst expectations. Traders now place the odds of a rate hike next week at 87%, up from 72% yesterday.

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ECB’s Lagarde says Eurozone inflation shock will last longer

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ECB’s Lagarde says Eurozone inflation shock will last longer

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New report of attack on Strait of Hormuz shipping fans fears of threats to oil supplies

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New report of attack on Strait of Hormuz shipping fans fears of threats to oil supplies

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Stocks Snap Losing Streak With 1% Rally Ahead of Expected Fed Hike

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Stocks Little Changed After Fed Decision

The stock market ended the week on a high note, with all three major indexes taking part in a broad rally on Friday.

The S&P 500 rose 0.9%. The Nasdaq Composite gained 1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1%, or 508 points.

Stocks ticked higher after August’s consumer price index data fueled a surge in odds that the Fed will raise rates, removing some uncertainty from the market.

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Costco’s Frankenstein chocolate and gummy Halloween treat is 5.5 pounds and $55

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Costco's Frankenstein chocolate and gummy Halloween treat is 5.5 pounds and $55

A chocolate Frankenstein head filled with gummy candy being sold for more than $50 at Costco is going viral on social media.

The hefty Halloween treat weighs 5.5. pounds and includes a mallet to smash the monster’s head and get at the gummies, which are shaped like body parts.

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The “Monster Mash Chocolate” made by Ten Acre Gifts sells for $54.99 at the wholesaler and for more than $60 online, although it appeared to be sold out on Costco’s website Saturday evening.

PUMPKIN SPICE INVADES SUMMER AS AMERICANS KICKSTART FALL TRADITIONS EARLIER THAN EVER

Split of a Costco store and the Monster Mash Chocolate

Costco is selling a $55 “Monster Mash Chocolate” candy Frankenstein in time for Halloween. (Charles-McClintock Wilson/NurPhoto via Getty Images; Costco.com / Getty Images)

The label says the candy is 150 calories per serving and includes 25 servings.

While some Halloween fans were in love with the chocolate treat, others thought it was a little over the top.

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One person on Instagram said they would consider it if they were hosting a Halloween party and another commented: “Hard pass but would make a great prank Christmas gift.”

COSTCO FANS ERUPT AFTER BELOVED FOOD COURT ITEM REPLACED BY HIGH-CALORIE NEWCOMER

Monster Mash Chocolate

Costco is selling a chocolate Frankenstein head filled with gummy candy that weighs 5.5 pounds. (Costco.com / Unknown)

“Costco looked at Halloween and said, ‘What if a piñata… but medically concerning?’” someone else joked on X.

Ticker Security Last Change Change %
COST COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP. 904.77 +2.39 +0.26%

Another X user professed: “This is now a priority need in my life…”

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LINES WRAP AROUND BLOCK AS CUSTOMERS WAIT HOURS FOR VIRAL DOT CAKES THAT SELL OUT WITHIN MINUTES

Halloween display at Costco

Shoppers walk by a Costco Halloween display in New York.  (Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union via Getty Images, File / Getty Images)

“Imagine explaining to someone that your Halloween candy comes with its own demolition tool,” someone else posted on X, and another user joked, “A hammer for Halloween candy is insane. Costco wass like, safety can wait.”

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The product was even selling on eBay for as much as $100.

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FOX Business has reached out to Costco for comment.

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SpaceX Eyes $100 Billion Revenue Goal With AI Deal, Starship Flight Ahead

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SpaceX Eyes $100 Billion Revenue Goal With AI Deal, Starship Flight Ahead

SpaceX CFO Bret Johnsen provided an update on the company’s sales targets and Starship test flight plans while speaking at a Goldman Sachs conference on Thursday. The rocket maker landed a new AI compute customer worth about $13 billion annually, while the Starship flight later this month will mark the spacecraft’s first revenue-generating mission. SPCX stock rose Friday, trading near…

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JPMorgan Taps Longtime Executives to Run $2.4 Trillion U.S. Private Bank

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JPMorgan Taps Longtime Executives to Run $2.4 Trillion U.S. Private Bank

JPMorgan Taps Longtime Executives to Run $2.4 Trillion U.S. Private Bank

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Oil Futures Pull Back After Major Gains

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Oil Futures Pull Back After Major Gains

1539 ET – Oil futures slip but post weekly gains on escalating conflict in the Middle East, with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis stepping up attacks on Saudi facilities and making territorial advances to strengthen their position near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. “Although much of today’s price pullback appears attributable to talk of Middle East countries discussing a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and some bearish demand aspects to today’s monthly IEA report, the larger negative driver in our opinion, is simply a deserved market correction following this week’s dramatic gains,” Ritterbusch & Asosciates says in a note. WTI settles down 2.4% at $100.05 a barrel for a 9.4% weekly gain. Brent falls 2.8% to $104.61 and is up 8.7% on the week. (anthony.harrup@wsj.com)

Oil Demand Loss More Damaging for Developing Countries

1239 ET – The IEA’s latest estimate for a 2.5 million barrels-a-day drop in oil demand this year because of the U.S.-Iran conflict puts losses on a par with declines in 2008/09 combined during the global financial crisis, says Raymond James investment strategy analyst Pavel Molchanov. “In developed economies, oil demand destruction involves mostly mild effects, such as suspended airline routes. In lower-income countries, more painful impacts—factory closures, fuel rationing—are visible.” The IEA sees demand barely recovering pre-conflict levels in 2027, “and a portion of demand destruction may be permanent,” he adds.(anthony.harrup@wsj.com)

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