The Economic Times News

After a stellar 2025, precious metals are likely to see moderated returns in 2026. Gold and silver prices will hinge on geopolitics, US Fed actions and central bank policies, while equities regain attention through earnings, valuations and stock-specific opportunities.

Indias capital markets are undergoing a structural shift as millions move from trading to disciplined investing. Rising SIP flows, younger investors, and growing retail ownership are reshaping savings habits, market stability, and long-term wealth creation.

India leads global crypto adoption in 2025, drawing new investors to digital assets. A disciplined approachresearch, starting small, diversification, SIP investing, choosing compliant exchanges, and monitoring marketscan help beginners manage risk and invest confidently.

After a blockbuster 2025, Indias IPO market enters a quiet year-end with just one SME issue opening, while 11 listings dominate the week. Attention is shifting to a strong 2026 pipeline led by big-ticket names.

The Japanese yen weakened against the US dollar on Friday. Investors are watching for possible intervention to support the yen. The dollar saw a slight gain against the euro amid low trading volumes. Japan's government proposed record spending for the next fiscal year. Core consumer inflation in Tokyo slowed but remained above the Bank of Japan's target.

Oil prices dropped significantly on Friday. Investors are concerned about a global oil surplus next year. Talks between Ukraine's President Zelenskiy and U.S. President Trump could impact oil prices. A peace deal might lift sanctions on Russia's oil sector. U.S. actions regarding Venezuelan oil are seen as having minimal global impact. The market remains focused on the growing oil surplus.

Indian markets mirrored global trends as major U.S. stock indexes neared record highs, buoyed by anticipated Federal Reserve rate cuts and a weaker dollar. Precious metals like silver and gold surged to all-time peaks amid geopolitical tensions. Investors are keenly watching for Fed policy shifts and a new chair nomination, while oil prices dipped on supply glut fears.

Indian markets saw a flat close on Friday after a strong rally. Investors are watching for the Santa Claus rally, a seasonal trend. This year has been volatile with tariff concerns and geopolitical tensions. Major indexes are set for double-digit gains. Experts advise preparing for continued volatility. Nvidia and Target saw stock movements.

Investors are pouring money into climate-friendly assets despite policy rollbacks, pushing global green bond issuance to records as AI-driven power demand boosts renewables, grids and clean-energy stocks worldwide.

India's markets are consolidating into duopolies, with two dominant players controlling nearly 90% of sectors like aviation, food delivery, and digital payments. This concentration, exemplified by IndiGo and Air India, shifts incentives from customer service to market management, potentially harming consumers and innovation. The government is now intervening to foster new competition.

Indias banking sector is recalibrating as asset quality improves and growth turns selective. PSU banks are regaining MSME and home loan share, unsecured lending is moderating, and secured retail drives stability. Analysts favour execution-led lenders like ICICI Bank and AU Small Finance Bank.

Indias real estate sector stayed resilient in 2025, led by premium housing and strong office demand. Whitelands Sudeep Bhatt says 2026 will see higher institutional inflows, rising REIT and fractional ownership adoption, focus on ESG assets, infrastructure-led growth corridors, and improving rental yields.

A former Coinbase customer service agent has been arrested in India. This arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into a data breach at the cryptocurrency exchange. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong confirmed the development. He thanked Hyderabad Police for their assistance. The company has zero tolerance for bad behavior.

US stocks are poised for a strong finish to 2025, nearing record highs. Despite recent tech sector jitters, the S&P 500 is on an impressive streak. Investors are keenly awaiting Fed minutes for clues on interest rate cuts and President Trump's Fed chair nomination, anticipating further market movements.

The 2025 IPO season is nothing short of a phenomenon, propelled by Indian retail investors who have collectively committed around 42,000 crore to mainboard IPOsmarking a stunning threefold increase since 2023. The trend also extends into mutual funds, energized by a wave of SIP investments, signaling a robust engagement from retail participants in the equity arena.

On Friday, Indian stock exchanges experienced a downturn as investors opted to trim their portfolios ahead of the weekend break. Meanwhile, bullion markets thrived, with gold and silver prices hitting unprecedented levels, marking a continued upward trend. Global trading activity remained lukewarm, reflecting the seasonal slowdown due to year-end festivities.

India and New Zealand have finalized a Free Trade Agreement. This pact opens New Zealand businesses to India's large consumer market. The deal is expected to create more jobs and increase incomes. It will also significantly boost exports for both nations. This agreement marks a swift conclusion to negotiations, fostering deeper economic ties.

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has denied issuing any circular offering relaxations for filing financial statements. A fake circular claiming extensions and fee waivers is being circulated. Stakeholders are warned against relying on this misleading communication. For accurate information, they should consult the official Ministry of Corporate Affairs website.

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has denied issuing any circular offering relaxations for filing financial statements. A fake circular claiming extensions and fee waivers is being circulated. Stakeholders are warned against relying on this misleading communication. For accurate information, they should consult the official Ministry of Corporate Affairs website.

Ace investor Ramesh Damani has picked up Rs 13 crore worth of John Cockerill India shares in a bulk deal on Friday, while promoter John Cockerill SA offloaded Rs 91 crore worth of stock. The shares were purchased at a price of Rs 4,704.45 apiece, a 1% discount from the Wednesday closing price of Rs 4755.40 on the BSE.

The NCLAT has ruled that a Committee of Creditors cannot change a resolution plan's fund distribution for dissenting creditors once it is approved. This decision came in the Reliance Communications Infrastructure Ltd matter.

India is actively pursuing trade agreements with the United States and the European Union, aiming for fair and mutually beneficial deals. Recent discussions with US officials and ongoing EU negotiations signal progress. The successful conclusion of the New Zealand FTA is setting a positive precedent for India's global trade strategy.

Silver prices soared to Rs 2.32 lakh per kg on Friday, marking a record high this year, while gold touched Rs 1.37 lakh per 10 gm. Strong industrial demand, supply constraints, festive buying, and global macro factors have fueled the rally, with experts expecting both metals to maintain a bullish trend in 2026.

US stocks opened mostly flat on Friday in the post-Christmas session, with investors eyeing potential rate cuts and strong earnings for 2026.

Punjab National Bank on Friday reported a Rs 2,434 crore borrowal fraud linked to former SREI promoters to Reserve Bank of India. The borrower fraud related to SEFL stood at Rs 1,240.94 crore and the PSU bank has made 100% provision for the outstanding amount, the lender said in its filing to the exchanges.

Hindustan Zinc, Vedanta, NMDC, Phoenix Mills, Titan, and Eicher Motors hit 52-week highs, with monthly gains up to 35% despite a weak Sensex.

Indian government bonds fell on Friday as weak demand at a central government debt auction sparked a selloff in the secondary market, raising raised doubts about how long a recent rally can hold in the face of weak buying interest.

India has levied anti-dumping duties on two Chinese imports, a refrigerant gas and specific steel products. These measures aim to shield domestic manufacturers from below-normal priced goods. Additionally, duties are now in place for a plastic filler masterbatch from Vietnam.

India's foreign exchange reserves surged by $4.36 billion to reach $693.32 billion for the week ending December 19. The Reserve Bank of India regularly monitors the forex market and intervenes to ensure stable trading conditions, aiming to curb excessive rupee volatility without targeting a specific exchange rate.

RVNL, Lenskart, Hindustan Copper, Titan and IEX were key movers on Friday as Indian markets ended lower, led by IT, financials and auto stocks.

The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in the country is emerging as a strong catalyst for corridor-led investment, with nearly 80 per cent of surveyed existing users associating improved RRTS connectivity with enhanced economic opportunities in their region, a report showed on Friday.

Turkey's Capital Markets Board imposed fines totalling around 2 billion lira ($47 million) on 19 people for market-disruptive transactions in shares of Peker Gayrimenkul Yatirim Ortakligi, according to its weekly bulletin.

The Indian rupee ended a tad lower on Friday and posted a weekly loss, as steady dollar demand from corporates and in the non-deliverable forwards market chipped away at gains fuelled by aggressive central bank intervention.

The Indian rupee ended a tad lower on Friday and posted a weekly loss, as steady dollar demand from corporates and in the non-deliverable forwards market chipped away at gains fuelled by aggressive central bank intervention.

Indian Administrative Service officers must now file their property details by January 31 annually. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action and can halt promotions. The online filing system, SPARROW, will automatically close after the deadline. Secretaries and Chief Secretaries are instructed to ensure all officers submit their Immovable Property Returns promptly. This mandate is crucial for career progression.

The BSE Sensex fell 367 points, or 0.4%, to end at 85,041.45, while the NSE Nifty 50 declined 0.4% to 26,042.3, slipping below the 26,050 mark. On the 30-stock Sensex, shares of Bajaj Finance, Asian Paints, Eternal, Sun Pharma and Tech Mahindra were among the biggest drags, each falling between 1% and 1.5%. Fridays decline pared weekly gains for the benchmark indices. The Nifty 50 rose 0.3% for the week, while the Sensex added 0.1%, snapping a three-week losing streak.

Indian stock market outlook: Angel Ones Sneha Seth sees Nifty holding firm above 26,000 with limited downside risk. A breakout above 26,200 could trigger fresh upside. Banking stocks remain key, while Nifty Metal shows strength and IT offers buy-on-dips. UPL and Ola Electric remain top stock picks amid positive market bias.

Titan Company shares rose to a fresh 52-week high after it announced the launch of a new women-focused lifestyle brand, beYon from the House of Titan, with its first exclusive store set to open in Mumbai on December 29.

India's new Regional Rapid Transit System promises to change how people travel and boost economies. The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor will cut travel time significantly. Experts believe this system is more than just transport; it's a growth catalyst. Its success depends on planning, land use, and investment. Affordable housing near stations is also crucial for its long-term impact.

Motilal Oswal expects Budget 2026 to spur domestic demand, private investment and jobs through tax simplification, rural support, infrastructure and defence capex. The brokerage recommends five beneficiariesTVS Motor, UPL, Bharat Dynamics, M&M Financial Services and Dalmia Bharatciting strong sectoral tailwinds, balance-sheet strength and earnings visibility across consumption, agriculture, defence and infrastructure.

After delivering stellar gains in 2024, several multibagger stocks have faced steep corrections in 2025. Losses of up to 60% highlight valuation resets and shifting market sentiment, as many former high-flyers struggle amid broader market consolidation, underscoring risks associated with chasing momentum-driven rallies.

Foreign investors have preferred global markets over India in 2025, while domestic liquidity has driven mid- and smallcap inflows. With limited capex triggers and slow credit growth, 2026 may test retail money. A valuation-led consolidation could bring FPIs back, making large caps the safer allocation for equity portfolios.

Peter Schiff warns that gold could replace the US dollar as a global reserve asset, triggering a sharp fall in the greenback amid rising geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Robert Kiyosaki weighs in on silvers sharp rally past $75 an ounce, urging investors to focus on independent research, long-term conviction, and financial self-education rather than timing the market.

Indian investors are increasingly entering a more sophisticated phase of portfolio construction, with diversification across asset classes, themes, and geographies becoming foundational, according to Vasanth Kamath, Founder & CEO of Smallcase.

While UPI transaction volumes appear massive nationwide, per-capita data reveals a significant digital divide. Southern and western states show much deeper UPI adoption and usage compared to eastern and northeastern regions. Closing this gap requires improved infrastructure and merchant onboarding in lagging states.

BSE BANKEX has been reconstituted with four new banking stocks added from December 26, expanding the index to 14 constituents. The move aligns with BSEs broader strategy to strengthen its derivatives segment and boost participation in SENSEX and BANKEX contracts.

India's economy is set for strong growth through 2026. Monetary and fiscal measures are boosting domestic demand. These actions are expected to offset global economic slowdowns. Inflation is projected to remain below the Reserve Bank of India's target. Economic activity is anticipated to become more widespread. This outlook suggests a positive economic trajectory for India.

In 2025, India's primary equity market scaled new heights as companies raised a record Rs 1.95 trillion through more than 365 initial public offerings (IPOs), according to a latest strategy report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services.

Japan's Topix stock index reached an all-time high on Friday. Easing concerns about the nation's debt provided a boost to shares. The government approved a record budget for the next fiscal year. This budget aims to balance proactive fiscal policy and debt management. Benchmark Japanese government bonds also gained slightly. This indicates a positive outlook for the Japanese stock market.