UK corporates speed India expansion; South Africa CPI edges up to 3.4%

UK businesses accelerated India expansion plans following progress on the bilateral trade agenda, with corporates citing market depth and supply-chain diversification. Sectors include retail, financial services, and technology outsourcing. Separately, South Africa’s annual inflation rose to 3.4%, reflecting food and administered price pressures from energy pass-throughs. Fixed-income desks assessed implications for local policy rates and rand volatility. Cross-border investors weighed relative growth and currency trajectories across emerging markets, with India’s domestic demand resilience contrasting with inflation management challenges elsewhere.