Business Wrap: TCS Q3 Net profit up 0.2%, RIL Q3 net profit up 13.5% and other top business news of the day

Following are the top business stories of the day

TCS Q3 net profit marginally up at Rs 8,118 cr: Country's largest software services major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Friday reported a muted 0.2 per cent growth in consolidated net profit at Rs 8,118 crore for the third quarter ended December 2019.

Iran, India can look at barter trade in agriculture: Mohammed Javad Zarif Mumbai: Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Friday pitched for barter trade with India in the agriculture sector as well as setting up of Indian banks in the country which will also enable Iranian businesses to carry out transactions in rupee and rial.

All foreign investments must adhere to law of the land: Goyal on Amazon row Ahmedabad: A day after stating that Amazon was not doing any favour to India by investing one billion dollars, Union minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said the country welcomes all kinds of investments that follow the "letter and spirit" of the law.

Rupee drops 15 paise to 71.08 against US dollar: The Indian rupee furthered its losses for the second day, dropping 15 paise to close at 71.08 against the US dollar on Friday amid strengthening of the American currency overseas and rising crude prices.

INDIA Amazon to create one million jobs in India by 2025, says Bezos: World's largest online shopping platform Amazon on Friday announced plans to create one million new jobs in India over the next five years as it firefights comments from Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on the firm not doing a favour to the country by making the investments.

Market ends flat; banks slide on NPA concerns after top court's AGR ruling: Market gauges Sensex and Nifty gave up early gains to close on a flat note on Friday as investors moved to the sidelines amid concerns that the Supreme Court ruling on telecom AGR issue might further aggravate stressed assets problem in the banking sector.

Telecom dues: Curative petitions rarely admitted, say analysts: With just one week left for them to pay over Rs 88,600 crore in past dues, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea are left with last legal remedy of filing a curative petition but such petitions are rarely admitted by the Supreme Court, analysts said on Friday.

RBI should act as lender of last resort, provide liquidity to NBFCs: SBI: With difficulties in NBFC sector continuing, economists at SBI on Friday pitched for the Reserve Bank to play its role as the lender of last resort, something the central bank has avoided since the start of troubles in 2018. DCM33 BIZ-2LD PIRAMAL-DRG Piramal sells DRG business to Clarivate Analytics for USD 950 mn New Delhi: Ajay Piramal-led Piramal Enterprises has signed an agreement for sale of its Decision Resources Group (DRG) business to US-headquartered Clarivate Analytics for USD 950 million (over Rs 6,745 crore), and will use the money to reduce debt and to explore organic and inorganic growth opportunities.

Vodafone Idea shares nosedive nearly 26 pc; m-cap drops by Rs 4,367 cr post SC order: Shares of Vodafone Idea on Friday plunged nearly 26 per cent after the Supreme Court dismissed telcos' plea seeking review of its earlier order asking them to pay Rs 1.47 lakh crore in past statutory dues by January 23.