What will happen, will happen.

"The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) in India rose 5.7% in February as against 3.8% in January, revealed the data provided by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)." ET. "The HSBC India Manufacturing PMI rose to a 16-year high of 59.1 in March, from 56.9 in February." "India's manufacturing output rose for the 33rd consecutive month in the final month as growth quickened across consumer, intermediate and investment goods sector." ET. "India's dominant services industry grew faster in March amid strong demand, according to a private business survey that also showed employment increased at the fastest rate in seven months and export business expanded at a record pace. The final HSBC India Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, rose to 61.2 last month from February's 60.6." Reuters. "Gross GST collection in March 2024 jumped 11.5% year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 1.78 lakh crore (Rs 1.78 trillion). Total gross collection for FY24 stood at Rs 20.18 lakh crore, surpassing the revised budget estimate, compared to Rs 18.10 lakh crore in the previous financial year, showed official data." BT. Since the goods and services tax (GST) is based on consumption this would seem to indicate a booming consumer demand. But, since GST is a percentage of the price of goods and services, it might also indicate rising prices. However, consumer price index (CPI) inflation is coming down. "India's retail inflation eased to 4.85% in March as against 5.09% in the previous month." "The inflation in the food basket was at 8.52% in March, down from 8.66% in February." ET. This 4.85% rise is on top of a 5.7% rise in March 2023, 7.0% rise in 2022, 5.5% rise in 2021 and a 5.8% rise in March 2020. RI. India's foreign exchange reserves increased by $2.98 billion to an all-time high of $648.56 billion as of April 5, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). ET. If consumer demand is strong, both manufacturing and services sectors are growing strongly, CPI inflation is coming down and our forex reserves are at record level, why is the rupee getting weaker? The exchange rate of the rupee against the dollar is at a record low of 83.61 this morning. xe.com. It ended the day at 83.4250 against the dollar on 22 March (Reuters) and fell to 83.46 against 1 dollar on 3 April (Forbes). Probably because, "Consumer prices in the US rose faster than expected last month," as "Prices rose 3.5% over the 12 months to March, up from 3.2% in February, the US Labor Department said." BBC. The price of oil has crept up, with Brent crude quoting at $90.45 per barrel this morning. oilprice.com. US markets fell as hopes of a rate cut in June were dashed by the high inflation number. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 475.84 points or 1.24%, the S&P 500 fell 1.46% and the Nasdaq Composite fell by 1.62% yesterday. CNBC. Rising oil prices with a stronger dollar could raise the price of fuel in India which will feed into inflation by increasing transport costs. The wars in Ukraine and Gaza are still raging. Que sera, sera, what will be, will be. dictionary. Let's enjoy the present.