Gerald Celente  The master of trends also known as Dr Doom and the Nostradamus of Modern Times  , Gerald Celente is regarded as one of the foremost trend forecasters in the world. This author of Trends 2000 and Trend Tracking, and publisher of The Trends Journal, is frequently a guest on television news and talk show programs. The New York Post said "if Nostradamus were alive today, he'd have a hard time keeping up with Gerald Celente."

Finance minister Pranabh Mukharjee has presented the union budget for year 2009-10 today. The budget that has more stress for infrastructure development also includes a modified income tax slab.
Main attraction - Income tax exemption limit increased. Income tax exemption limit for senior citizens is now 2.4 lakh, for women it is 1.90 lakh and for all others the income tax exemption limit will be 1.60 lakh.

Highlights
• Income tax slab base for 2009-2010 raised to 1,60,000 rupees for individual tax payer. This in an increase of slab base from the earlier Rs 1.50 lakh. For women the exemption limit according to latest tax slab will be Rs 1.90 lakh, which is an increase of Rs 10,000 from the earlier rate of Rs 1.80 lakh. Senior citizens will enjoy an extra Rs 15000 as the exemption limit is increased to Rs 2.40 lakhs from an earlier 2.25 lakhs
• The current budget has removed of 10 per cent surcharge on personal income tax.
• Fringe benefit tax and Commodities transaction tax has been removed in the current budget
• The budget displayed a major allocation for infrastructure projects.
• Defence budget increased by 34 per cent. Current allocation is 1,41,703 crore

Check Modified Income tax slab for the modified income tax slabs for financial year 2009-2010. You may also want to use the free quick Income tax calculator for finding out your tax based on the latest income tax slab.

 Highlights of interim budget 2009-2010

• Aam Aadmi in the focus of development process
• Two new schemes-Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension schemes to be launched
• Rs. 1,31, 317 crore allocated to flagship programmes
• GDP records sustained growth of over 9 per cent for 3 consecutive years
• Rs. 953,231 crore expenditure poposed for 2009-10
• Farm Credit disbursements up 300 per cent – touch Rs. 2.5 lakh crore in 2007-08
• Rs. 65,300 crore debt waiver and relief given to 3.6 crore farmers
• Rural Infrastructure Development Fund corpus increased to Rs. 14,000 crore in 2008-09
• 60.12 lakh houses for weaker sections constructed under Indira Awaas Yojana
• 15 central universities established, 6 new iits start functioning; two more to commence this year
• Financial sector reforms strengthen regulatory mechanism of securities market
• NPAs of Public Sector Banks decline
• CPSEs turnover increases from Rs. 5,87,000 crore in 2003-04 to Rs. 10,81,000 crore in 2007-08
• Revenue deficit for 2009-10 estimated at 4 per cent and fiscal defict 5.5 per cent of gdp
• Fiscal deficit down from 4.5 per cent in 2003-04 to 2.7 per cent in 2007-08
• US $ 32.4 billion fdi received in 2007-08.
• Rs.100 crore for unique identification authority
• Defence gets Rs. 1,41,703 crore in the interim budget
• Panchayat empowerment and accountability scheme to be substaintially expanded

Reliance Industrial Infrastructure Ltd has announced the financial results for the quarter ended on 31-December-2009. The Net Sales was at Rs.13.21 crores for quarter ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.18.24 crores for the quarter ended on 31-December-2008.

The Net Profit / (Loss) was at Rs.5.87 crores for the quarter ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.5.67 crores for the quarter ended on 31-December-2008.

The company has reported an EPS of Rs.3.89 for the quarter ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.3.76 for the quarter ended on 31-December-2008.

The Net Sales was at Rs.40.55 crores for 9 months ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.52.70 crores for the 9 months ended on 31-December-2008.

The Net Profit / (Loss) was at Rs.16.53 crores for 9 months ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.16.01 crores for 9 months ended on 31-December-2008.

The company has reported an EPS of Rs.10.95 for 9 months ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.10.60 for 9 months ended on 31-December-2008.

State Bank of Travancore Ltd has announced the financial results for the quarter ended on 31-December-2009. The Total Income was at Rs.1259.22 crores for quarter ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.1273.55 crores for the quarter ended on 31-December-2008.

The Net Profit / (Loss) was at Rs.164.95 crores for the quarter ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.260.85 crores for the quarter ended on 31-December-2008.

The company has reported an EPS of Rs.32.99 for the quarter ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.52.17 for the quarter ended on 31-December-2008.

The Total Income was at Rs.3629.02 crores for 9 months ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.3439.35 crores for the 9 months ended on 31-December-2008.

The Net Profit / (Loss) was at Rs.467.04 crores for 9 months ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.415.80 crores for 9 months ended on 31-December-2008.

The company has reported an EPS of Rs.93.41 for 9 months ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.83.16 for 9 months ended on 31-December-2008.

 Suzlon Wind Energy A/S (SWEAS), the International business arm of Suzlon Energy Limited - broke new ground with its first order in Sweden. The order from Triventus AB, the highly respected wind power developer and consultant in Sweden, comprises of two S88-2.1 MW wind turbines. The 4.2 MW Assjo Project, located 150 km from Goteborg and Stockholm, will be delivered by SWEAS through a contract that covers engineering, procurement and construction.

The project iwll be sold to Svensk Vindkorporativ Ek. Forening (SVEF), an active local wind power corporative after 6 months of oepration. Suzlon will also sign service and maintenance partnership agreement with Triventus Energiteknik AB, subsidiary of Triventus AB, which will be applicable to future Suzlon projects in Sweden as well as to ensure fast turnaround time and flexible service.
Sweden is a high potential wind market with more than 1000 MW wind power already installed making it the 10th largest installed base for wind within Europe. However, with almost 3000 MW more expected to be installed by 2013, and new orders of over 1000 MW over 2008-09 alone. Sweden ranks as the 6th larges wind market in Europe.

In 2009, the Swedish Government set forth an integrated climate and energy policy for up to 2020. This forms the most ambitious climate and energy policy ever presented by a European country and proposes highly ambitious targets including that half of Sweden's energy coming from renewable sources in 2020. Sweden's net emissions of greenhouse gases being equity to zero by the middle of the century with a 40% greenhouse emissions reduction target for 2020.

Speaking on the order, Mr. Erik Winther Pedersen - CEO, Suzlon Wind Energy A/S said, "This is our first step into the exciting and promising swedish wind market. We are very happy to take this step in partnership with Triventus AB laying the foundation for a strong future. We believe this is an example of our commitment and capabilities that allow us to create solutions that are optimized to the market conditions and our customer's needs."

Mr Gert-Olof Holst - Managing Director, Triventus AB said, "The project called for flexible wind turbine suppliers with an open profile towards operations and maintenance system and technology and Suzlon has worked very hard to meet our needs perfectly. We are confident of their products and services, and look forward to a mutually rewarding relationship in the long term."

Speaking on the order, Mr. Sumant Sinha - COO Suzlon Energy Limited said, "This marks the beginning of Suzlon's establishment in Sweden which with its far reaching vision on climate change and energy presents a very exciting market opportunity for us. This new order testifies to our customer centricity, and we look forward to expanding our footpring in Sweden and the world over.

In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti on Tuesday, Citigroup Inc announced a $2 million commitment for immediate relief and recovery efforts. Citi will give $250,000 to the American Red Cross for immediate relief and the remainder will be given to local partners for medium- to long-term reconstruction efforts.

Citi CEO Vikram Pandit said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti and the families and friends of Citi employees in Port-au-Prince. Citi has been operating in Haiti since 1971. Citi's relief efforts will help aid organizations on the ground facilitate the preservation of life and the rebuilding of the country. I would also like to thank Citi employees in Haiti and from around the world who have been so generous in their efforts to help."

The South Indian Bank Ltd has announced the financial results for the quarter ended on 31-December-2009. The Total Income was at Rs.530.91 crores for quarter ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.487.38 crores for the quarter ended on 31-December-2008.

The Net Profit / (Loss) was at Rs.62.46 crores for the quarter ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.54.20 crores for the quarter ended on 31-December-2008.

The company has reported an EPS of Rs.5.53 for the quarter ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.4.80 for the quarter ended on 31-December-2008.

The Total Income was at Rs.1586.53 crores for 9 months ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.1332.37 crores for the 9 months ended on 31-December-2008.

The Net Profit / (Loss) was at Rs.195.14 crores for 9 months ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.144.50 crores for 9 months ended on 31-December-2008.

The company has reported an EPS of Rs.17.27 for 9 months ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.12.79 for 9 months ended on 31-December-2008.

JPMorgan Chase & Co.  reported fourth-quarter 2009 net income of $3.3 billion, compared with net income of $702 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Earnings per share were $0.74, compared with $0.06 in the fourth quarter of 2008. For the full year of 2009, net income was $11.7 billion, or $2.26 per share, up from $5.6 billion, or $1.35 per share, in 2008.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is scheduled to announce its fourth quarter 2009 earnings on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 5 a.m. PST (8 a.m. EST). The news release will be available at wellsfargo.com/invest_relations/earnings.

The Company will host a live conference call on Wednesday, January 20, at 7:30 a.m. PST (10:30 a.m. EST). You may participate by dialing 866-872-5161 (U.S. and Canada) or 706-643-1962 (International). Please dial in at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. The call will also be available at wellsfargo.com/invest_relations/earnings.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is scheduled to announce its fourth quarter 2009 earnings on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 5 a.m. PST (8 a.m. EST). The news release will be available at wellsfargo.com/invest_relations/earnings.

The Company will host a live conference call on Wednesday, January 20, at 7:30 a.m. PST (10:30 a.m. EST). You may participate by dialing 866-872-5161 (U.S. and Canada) or 706-643-1962 (International). Please dial in at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. The call will also be available at wellsfargo.com/invest_relations/earnings.

China’s foreign exchange reserves surged to a record level in December and new loans exceeded forecasts, raising stakes in Premier Wen Jiabao’s campaign to avert asset-price bubbles.
In comparison, India’s forex reserves jumped $741 million to $284.26 billion during the week ended January 8, according to the Reserve Bank of India.
Reserves in China rose 23 per cent to $2.4 trillion, the world’s largest, according to a People’s Bank of China (PBoC) statement on its website yesterday. Banks extended 379.8 billion yuan ($55.6 billion) of new loans, taking the annual total to an unprecedented 9.59 trillion yuan, PBoC reported.
Accelerating inflation might encourage the Chinese government to end the 18-month-old yuan peg to the dollar and allow a 3 per cent appreciation by year-end, said Isaac Meng, senior economist at BNP Paribas SA in Beijing.
Along with a stronger yuan, policy makers would have to follow up on their decision this week to raise the share of deposits banks must set aside as reserves, Meng said. The risk: surging lending growth and an influx of speculative capital from abroad may destabilise the world’s third-largest economy with bubbles from property to stock markets.
Wen’s cabinet pledged last week that regulators would step up monitoring of speculative funds after the biggest jump in property prices in 18 months in December.

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) has announced that a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company will be held on January 15, 2010, inter alia, to approve and take on record the audited financial results of the Company for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2009 and to consider declaration of a Third Interim Dividend, to the equity shareholders.
Key Highlights:

• On a sequential (quarter-on-quarter or QoQ) basis, TCS' net profit jumped 11.1 per cent while its revenue jumped 2.9 per cent
• revenue was up 10.3 per cent YoY and 6.3 per cent QoQ while its net profit rose by 38.9 per cent YoY and 14.2 per cent QoQ.
• The utilisation rate improved to 81.1 per cent (excluding trainees) and 77.2 per cent (including trainees)
• The attrition rate in Q3 was at 11.5 per cent with attrition in IT services at 10.8 per cent and BPO at 18.3 per cent.
• TCS signed 10 "significant" deals this quarter of which 7 were from North America, signalling a recovery