Business highlights

Following are the top business stories at 1930 hours:

DEL47 BIZ-2NDLD RBI Mumbai: In the first interest rate cut in 18 months, the RBI Thursday shed its hawkish stance to reduce policy rates in the maiden policy meeting under new Governor Shaktikanta Das, a move that may make home and other loans cheaper.

DEL51 BIZ-FACEBOOK-POLITICAL ADS

New Delhi: Facebook Thursday said political advertisements on its platform will carry a 'disclaimer' offering details about those responsible for running the ad as the social media giant looks to bring transparency into political ads ahead of elections in India.

DEL44 BIZ-FARMERS-CASH New Delhi: Families with income tax payers, serving or retired government employees and former or present MPs, MLAs and ministers will not be eligible for the Rs 6,000 a year cash dole announced in the Budget for small and marginal farmers.

DEL67 AVI-JET AIRWAYS-FUNDS

New Delhi: Cash-starved Jet Airways has mopped up Rs 250 crore from advance sale of tickets to its customer loyalty programme Jet Privilege, less than five months after raising money through the same route.

DEL45 BIZ-STOCKS-CLOSE Mumbai: Benchmark equity indices gave up gains to end almost flat on Thursday as investors booked profits at higher levels, after the the Reserve Bank surprisingly reduced the repo rate by 0.25 per cent.

DEL64 BIZ-RUPEE-CLOSE

Mumbai: The rupee Thursday appreciated by 11 paise to close at 71.45 against the US dollar after the Reserve Bank of India cut the repo rate and changed its policy stance to 'neutral'.

DEL39 BIZ-RBI-GOYAL New Delhi: Finance Minister Piyush Goyal Thursday said the rate cut by the RBI will give a boost to the economy by providing affordable credit to small businesses and homebuyers.

DEL36 BIZ-RBI-RESOLUTION

Mumbai: In a bid to facilitate resolution process under insolvency law, the RBI Thursday proposed to permit bidders to raise funds through external commercial borrowing for repayment to the existing lenders.

CCM7 BIZ- RELIANCE-2NDLD WB Kolkata: India's largest private sector company Reliance Industries Thursday said it had firmed up Rs 10,000 crore investments in West Bengal which are under implementation.

BCM27 BIZ-RBI-KOCHHAR

Mumbai: In its first comments on the Chanda Kochhar affair involving allegations impropriety while heading ICICI Bank, the Reserve Bank Thursday said it is for the law enforcement agencies to take an action in the case.

DCM52 BIZ-RBI-REAX-REALTY LD IND New Delhi: Realty players and consultants Thursday said the RBI's move to cut lending rate will boost housing demand, but called for more steps to improve liquidity in NBFCs and housing finance companies.

DEL37 BIZ-BULLION-CLOSE

New Delhi: Gold prices Thursday declined by Rs 270 to Rs 34,180 per 10 gram at the bullion market in the national capital, according to All India Sarafa Association. PTI

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