Siddhartha Bhaiya, Managing Director & Chief Investment Officer of Aequitas Investment Consultancy, cautions about the Indian markets being in a bubble, with Nifty at a high valuation and certain companies contributing to it. He also highlights concerns about overvalued small and midcap stocks and corporate governance issues in recent IPOs.
Delhi Labour Minister Kapil Mishra announced a compensation of Rs 10,000 for registered construction workers affected by the pollution-battling measures GRAP III and GRAP IV. The minister also mandated that 50% of government and private institutions switch to work from home, with exemptions for essential services. He also criticized the Aam Aadmi Party for politicizing the issue of pollution.
US immigration attorneys issue urgent travel warning for non-immigrant visa holders planning to travel outside America. Emily Neumann and Rahul Reddy advise against traveling, citing recent policy changes and proclamations by the Trump administration. They highlight the risks of cancellation of visas and appointments, as well as the $100,000 fee for H-1B applications.
Netflix's co-CEO Ted Sarandos is set to acquire Warner Bros Discovery for $82.7 billion, making him one of the highest-paid CEOs in the media industry with a net worth of $200 million. He and his wife Nicole Avant live a lavish lifestyle with a $60 million real estate portfolio and a vast art collection in their Hancock Park mansion, featuring rare and historically significant pieces.
Indian Railways has made great strides in implementing solar power, with 2,626 stations now using it. This has led to lower energy costs and a push towards cleaner operations. The government plans to commission 898 MV of solar power by 2025, a significant increase from 3.68 MV in 2024. This aligns with Indian Railways' goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.
Team Niall's Aiden Ross wins The Voice Season 28 after delivering impressive renditions of "Fishin' in the Dark" and "Golden Hour." The two-night finale featured past winners and special guests, with Ross taking home a cash prize of $100,000 and a recording contract with UMG. The night also included powerful performances and Christmas celebrations.
Motilal Oswal initiates positive view on Vishal Mega Mart with a 'Buy' rating and target price of Rs 170, citing steady store-level growth, increasing contribution from in-house brands, and operational efficiencies. The company's reliance on private labels, customer loyalty, premiumization, cost control, and expansion strategy in southern India and quick commerce add optionality for future growth.
Ola Electric Mobility's share price dropped by 1% as founder Bhavish Aggarwal sold part of his equity to repay a loan. The Rs 92 crore transaction will release pledged shares and remove concerns about the company's future. The promoter group will still hold 34% of the company, with no change in control or business direction. Despite this, the stock continues to struggle.
The US CDC has ended the 30-year recommendation for all newborns to receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth. The decision now lies with parents, in consultation with a healthcare provider. Experts fear this could expose infants to the virus, which can lead to serious liver disease.
Longtime US sports reporter Christina Chambers and her husband were found dead in their Alabama home, with their infant unharmed. The police are investigating the incident as a murder-suicide. Chambers was a beloved member of WBRC News and a dedicated teacher at Thompson High School's Broadcast Academy. She leaves behind a legacy as a mother, journalist, and educator.
Elon Musk has re-entered US politics, potentially reigniting his friendship with President Trump. He is reportedly funding the GOP's House and Senate campaigns for the 2026 midterms, contradicting his previous statements about cutting down on political spending. This comes after his previous war of words with Trump and his promise to focus on his companies.
Delhi's air quality improved slightly on Wednesday, but still remained in the "very poor" category with thick smog covering major parts of the city. The overall AQI was 328, better than Tuesday's 354. However, areas like Anand Vihar, IGI Airport, and AIIMS still had "very poor" air quality. The Commission for Air Quality Management has taken strict measures, including a ban on vehicular emissions.
Delhi government has implemented a ban on non-BS VI-compliant vehicles to combat air pollution. Fuel will not be provided to vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate. GRAP-IV is, in effect, restricting the entry of construction vehicles into Delhi. Neighbouring cities like Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad have a significant number of non-compliant vehicles.
Trump and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles are standing by each other after her interview with Vanity Fair stirred up backlash for her comments on Trump's "alcoholic personality." Trump admits to having a "possessive and addictive personality" but clarifies he doesn't drink. Wiles defends herself against the portrayal of going against Trump.
Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife, along with six others, have been sent to judicial custody for their involvement in a Rs 30 crore fraud case. Their plea for interim bail on medical grounds was rejected and they will now be sent to the Central Jail in Udaipur. The fraud involved fake bills and promises of a biopic.
"Homebound, a Bollywood film directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and co-produced by Karan Johar, has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. Starring Ishan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, it won second runner-up at TIFF and has advanced to the next round of Oscar voting. The film portrays the intense caste-based struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Indian equity indices opened with a positive bias, but small and mid-cap stocks opened in the red. NSE Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex opened higher, while Bank Nifty opened flat. FIIs may turn buyers in India by 2026, leading to a possible stock rally. Early gainers include Shriram Finance, Eicher Motors, and SBI, while Bharti Airtel and Axis Bank are among the top performers.
Vedanta's share price is in focus as NCLT approves its demerger plan to split India operations into five entities. The decision is deemed fair and all requirements have been met. Certain conditions need to be fulfilled before the scheme is effective, and shareholders will receive one share in each of the four new entities.
President Trump has ordered a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, citing concerns of terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking. This follows the U.S. seizing a sanctioned oil tanker and has led to a decrease in Venezuelan crude exports. The U.S. has also labeled Venezuela's government as a foreign terrorist organization.
IndiGo has cancelled 50 flights today, following the cancellation of 172 flights on Monday. The airline has issued a travel advisory warning passengers to expect delays and schedule adjustments due to foggy conditions in North and East India. Passengers are advised to factor in extra travel time, and the aviation department has instructed all offices to monitor passenger inconvenience.
IndiGo and Delhi airport issue travel advisories due to dense fog in North and East India, causing possible flight delays and schedule changes. Passenger safety is prioritized, and travelers are advised to check flight status and plan accordingly. Hazardous pollution levels add to reduced visibility in the early morning.
Indian benchmark indices closed lower on December 16. Investors are monitoring global cues, currency movements, and upcoming data releases, as well as the SEBI board meeting where regulatory reforms will be discussed. Asian and US markets showed mixed trends, while the Indian rupee weakened and the US dollar and crude oil prices were volatile.
Hollywood icons Rob and Michele Reiner's son, Nick Reiner, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the death of his parents. The couple was found dead in their home in Brentwood, and Nick was arrested near the University of Southern California. His lawyer revealed that Nick has a history of drug addiction and entered his first treatment program at the age of 15.
PM Narendra Modi becomes the first global leader to receive Ethiopia's highest civilian award, The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia. He dedicates the award to the Indian community and praises the role of teachers in strengthening bilateral relations. The visit signifies the growth of India-Ethiopia ties based on vision and trust.
Stocks across various sectors are expected to be in focus today due to corporate announcements, including promoter stake sales, government divestment plans, and new order wins. Key stocks to watch today include Ola Electric Mobility, Indian Overseas Bank, Reliance Industries, NBCC (India), BEML, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, and Protean eGov Technologies.
The Trump administration has added 15 more countries to its travel ban, citing high levels of corruption and crime. This move comes after a shooting near the White House by an Afghan man. Critics argue that the ban unfairly targets "third world countries" and hinders immigration.
Axis Bank predicts strong economic growth for India in 2026-27, driven by reforms, lower borrowing costs, and increased capital formation. Chief Economist Neelkanth Mishra expects inflation to remain stable and policy rates to increase, leading to a 6% yield in the next financial year. However, he expresses caution about potential risks to the economy.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed amendments to India's insurance laws to increase coverage, improve oversight, and encourage transparency and investment. The bill, approved by Lok Sabha, strengthens regulation and introduces standard procedures and public consultation.
S&P Global Ratings upgraded IIFL Finance’s outlook to ‘Positive’ due to its growing market share in gold loans and strong capitalization. The company’s credit costs are expected to decrease as it reduces its exposure to microfinance. The central bank’s lifting of an embargo on gold loans has also contributed to the positive outlook.
The NPS has been reformed to allow non-government subscribers to withdraw 80% of their savings as a lump sum and reduce annuitisation to 20% upon exit. The regulations no longer have a fixed lock-in period, and eligibility and annuitisation requirements now govern exits.
India's rice exports during April-November, 2025-26 remained stagnant at $7.3 billion due to higher global stocks and robust crop yield. The US imposing higher tariffs and Iran's economic crisis have affected exports. Suraj Agarwal, CEO of Ricevilla Group, stated that last year's higher stocking due to global conflicts has stabilized, resulting in slow growth.
Sixteen trade unions, including BMS, have joined forces to support four labour codes recently notified by the government on November 21. These codes aim to provide minimum wages, appointment letters, and social security to over 40 crore workers, along with promoting equal rights and opportunities for women.
Bombay High Court grants Sameer Hiremath and Pallavi Swadi the right to amend their suit in the ongoing Kalyani family dispute over division of assets. They can now seek restraint on voting rights and appointment of an administrator over shares acquired from the family's core assets.
TRAI is looking to make changes to interconnection rules, affecting operator costs, foreign exchange flows, and spam control. COAI and BIF agree on IP-based interconnection, but disagree on enforcement and financial burdens. COAI wants mandatory shift at LSA level, while BIF suggests flexibility.
Credit card spending in India returned to normal levels in October after a spike in September due to GST and festivals. Despite this, the market continued to grow, with private sector banks leading the way and public sector banks seeing an increase in their spending share.
The Indian government will sell 3% stake in Indian Overseas Bank through an OFS to raise Rs 2,000 crore and make the bank compliant with the minimum public shareholding norm of 25%. The government has reset a deadline for five other PSBs to meet this norm and this sale will contribute to their non-tax revenue.
The Lok Sabha passed the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Bill, which strengthens the powers of insurance regulator Irdai and allows 100% FDI. The proposed law also includes capping commissions and expenses. Shares of insurance companies fell, but experts believe it will increase coverage and spur growth. The Bill also proposes removing provisions on commission and remuneration.
The RBI has given approval to HDFC Bank's subsidiaries, including HDFC Mutual Fund and HDFC Life Insurance, to acquire up to 9.5% stake in IndusInd Bank. The acquisition must be completed within one year and the applicant should have no representation.
FCI plans to raise ₹25,000 crore through government-guaranteed bonds to cover rising food subsidy expenses in FY26, after discontinuing loans and bond issuances in 2021. Surplus stocks and subsidized grain have caused a projected expenditure overshoot of ₹30,000-40,000 crore for FCI in FY26, with the finance ministry pushing back on certain issues.
Investment in lending startups has decreased by 50% this year, but the demand for digital credit remains strong. This decline is due to a correction in pricing and structure, not a decline in the lending industry. Despite this, lending still makes up the majority of fintech deals, with a 40% share. While loan growth is steady, portfolio quality has improved.
Persistent Systems and DigitalOcean have joined forces to make AI more accessible and scalable for enterprises and developers. This collaboration aims to address challenges like high costs and security concerns by combining Persistent's AI expertise with DigitalOcean's cloud infrastructure.
The Supreme Court is struggling to implement its previous rulings on passive euthanasia. A secondary medical board has been formed to review a youth's request for a dignified death, but meeting the requirements for judicial approval is challenging. The concept of a living will has developed in India, but complicated processes hinder its execution.
The Franklin India Flexi Cap Fund, launched in 1994, has consistently delivered impressive returns over the last 31 years. With assets of Rs 20,000 crore, the fund has rewarded disciplined investors across market cycles. A lump sum investment of Rs 10,000 has grown to nearly Rs 17 lakh, while a monthly SIP of Rs 2,000 has become around Rs 3.5 crore.
The National Company Law Tribunal has given the green light to Vedanta's demerger scheme, which will divide the group into sector-specific companies. Despite objections from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Vedanta believes the move will lead to independent entities and has followed all regulations.
The Ministry of Heavy Industries has launched a new PLI scheme to boost the production of sintered rare earth permanent magnets. It offers a sales-linked incentive and capital subsidy, along with guaranteed access to raw materials. The scheme will run for seven years and is open to companies with a minimum net worth. The target is to achieve 6,000 MTPA.
Private credit deals are predicted to hit $13 billion by 2025, rising by 35% annually, mainly due to a major transaction by the SP Group. Excluding this, the market saw only a 2% growth. The energy and infrastructure sectors are driving demand, while balance-sheet repair and ownership consolidation are the primary uses of funds.
ICICI Prudential Asset Management's IPO received bids worth Rs 3 lakh crore, making it the fourth most-subscribed public issue in India. The Rs 10,600-crore IPO was subscribed 39.17 times, led by institutional buyers. Market experts are closely watching the AMC's debut on the bourses, especially since LG Electronics gained 50% on its listing day.
Ola Electric founder Bhavish Aggarwal has sold a 0.6% stake in the company, amounting to 26 million shares and a transaction value of ₹92 crore. Aggarwal's stake in the company now stands at 30.02%, equivalent to 1.32 billion equity shares.
Delhi HC has asked DGCA to respond to a contempt plea filed by Indian Pilots Guild for violating CAR 2024 framework by granting extensions and relaxations in pilot fatigue management rules. DGCA argues that it has statutory powers to grant temporary exemptions, but petitioners claim that it has undermined flight and passenger safety.
Indian equity markets fell by 0.64% on Tuesday due to weak global cues and the rupee's sharp depreciation. The Sensex closed at 84,679.86, down by 0.63%, while the Nifty ended below 26,000 at 25,860.10. Despite the decline, Indian markets fared better than other major Asian markets. The rupee's record low and persistent FPI outflows were major factors. Experts predict volatility due to currency