Betting on stocks.

"Stock market: This marks the sixth time in 2024 that the benchmark has scaled new highs." "The NSE Nifty 50 index rose up to 0.50% to a record level of 22,150.75 while BSE Sensex increased 0.34% to 72,679.55." HT. "According to stock market experts, the 50-stock index is now facing resistance at the 22,125 mark and a fresh bull trend can be expected once the 50-stock index gives a breakout above the 22,125 level on a closing basis. They said that the breakout would mean the Nifty-50 touching a new high to the tune of 22,400 and 22,800 levels respectively in the short term." Mint. "On the back of fast growth in new orders and production, India's Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' (PMI) rose to a four-month high in January," as, "According to HSBC Flash India PMI data, the manufacturing PMI rose to 56.5 in January." BS. "India's Services activity measured by HSBC India Services PMI rose to 61.8 in January from 59 in December, the sharpest rate of expansion in six months." ET. Exports rose 3.12% year-on-year to $36.92 billion in January, while imports rose by about 3% y-o-y to $54.41 billion. Trade deficit was $17.49 billion. "During April-January this financial year, exports dipped by 4.89% to $353.92 billion. Imports slipped by 6.71% to $561.12 billion. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said despite global uncertainties, 'we have' positive growth." DH. Perhaps, Mr Barthwal is talking of some other growth. In FY 2022-23, total exports reached $770.18 billion, while imports surged to $892.18 billion, so that the overall trade deficit came in at $122 billion. Mint. Our deficit in merchandise trade has reached $207.20 till January, but overall services exports increased to $284.45 billion, while services imports declined to $147.68 billion, so that the deficit for combined merchandise and services trade between April 2023 and January 2024 was only $70.43 billion. smestreet.in. "India's merchandise exports are likely to moderate to USD $435.3 billion in FY24 against 447.46 billion in FY23, the Exim Bank said." "The outlook is subject to risks of uncertain prospects for advanced economies, geopolitical shocks, and the Middle East crisis, leading to the intensification of the Red Sea crisis and deepening geo-political fragmentation, among other factors, the report noted." ET. "If India wants to build a robust computer and electronics manufacturing industry," "it should become regionally competitive and export-driven. That means that Vietnam, not China, is its biggest rival." ET. As proof, "The Biden administration embraced a plan from India's government last year to edge China out of its position as a leader in making ingredients for generic pharmaceuticals sold in the US. But a new report shows that much of those ingredients are likely still coming from China anyway." ET. Can't reach China but at least we can gamble on the stock markets. That's definitely growing.