The Economic Times

A busy Wednesday for the stock market features earnings from 126 BSE-listed companies, including Nifty giants like Maruti Suzuki and L&T. Both are anticipated to report strong December-quarter results, with Maruti Suzuki expecting a 24-35% net profit rise and L&T projecting a 20-35% increase, driven by robust sales and execution.

Gold prices experienced a slight dip on Wednesday after reaching a record high, influenced by a plunging U.S. dollar. The dollar hit a near four-year low amid geopolitical concerns and comments from President Trump. Meanwhile, global stocks saw gains, and U.S. Treasury yields rose following a significant drop in consumer confidence.

The U.S. dollar is struggling near four-year lows. President Donald Trump's remarks have fueled dollar selling, strengthening the yen, euro, and sterling. The euro has surpassed the $1.2 level. Analysts suggest this weakness could persist due to the Trump administration's policies. Investors await the Federal Reserve's policy decision. The Japanese yen has gained, with talk of U.S.

As long as the stock is priced above the 200-day SMA on the daily timeframe, it is generally considered to be in an overall uptrend.

Oil prices saw mixed movements on Wednesday. A severe winter storm disrupted crude production and halted exports from the U.S. Gulf Coast. This supply concern is supporting prices. Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East and issues in Kazakhstan's oilfields are also contributing to market uncertainty. OPEC+ is expected to maintain its current output levels.

The S&P 500 edged to a record close, buoyed by tech gains and strong GM earnings, despite a significant drop in health insurer stocks following a Medicare payment proposal. Investor optimism for upcoming megacap earnings was tempered by mixed results and a sharp decline in healthcare shares.

India faces a year of high government debt supply. This could keep borrowing costs up in the bond market. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's budget may increase gross borrowing significantly. Large debt maturities and state government issuance are pushing yields higher. This may add pressure to the economy. The Reserve Bank of India is injecting liquidity.

Japan's bond market turmoil serves as a stark warning for India's upcoming budget. Investors are scrutinizing fiscal discipline, especially as India shifts to a public debt target. While India's debt is lower than Japan's, constrained funding sources demand careful management.

Asian currencies strengthened as the dollar weakened to a four-year low, driven by investor caution over unpredictable US policymaking. The dollar's decline accelerated after President Trump expressed indifference to its fall, fueling speculation about coordinated intervention. This backdrop precedes the Fed's interest-rate decision and a crucial week for megacap tech earnings.

IPO-bound firms are adopting divergent listing strategies amid a volatile stock market. Companies needing fresh capital for expansion are proceeding, while those with offers for sale are reassessing plans, with at least five firms slowing or pausing their IPOs due to market headwinds and valuation concerns.

Indian stock indices Nifty and Sensex closed higher on Tuesday, driven by gains in financials, IT, and metals, despite selling in auto and FMCG sectors. The Nifty experienced a 300-point swing during the monthly expiry session. Analysts suggest a 'sell-on-rise' strategy until Nifty decisively breaks above 25,500.

Indian benchmark indices closed mixed on Tuesday, with the Nifty gaining on financial, IT, and metal stocks while the Sensex saw pressure from auto and FMCG. Several companies like Vodafone Idea, Vedanta, Marico, and Maruti Suzuki are in focus today due to their recent financial results and corporate actions.

Indian auto stocks experienced a decline following reports of potential tariff reductions on EU-imported vehicles as part of a free trade agreement. While some manufacturers like Mahindra & Mahindra and Hyundai saw sharper drops due to their presence in higher-priced segments, analysts believe the near-term impact will be limited, with the luxury segment being the primary area affected.

The Reserve Bank of India and the European Securities and Markets Authority have signed a memorandum of understanding, resolving a two-year dispute over supervisory oversight of India's central clearing agencies. This agreement facilitates cooperation and information exchange, paving the way for European recognition of Indian clearing houses and potentially enhancing European access to India's financial markets.

The gold-silver ratio has fallen to its lowest since 2011, suggesting silver may be overvalued after a significant rally. Analysts recommend gold as a safer bet, anticipating a potential pullback in silver prices despite its strong industrial demand. This dip could present a buying opportunity.

The proposed fundraise will be used to refinance a dollar bond backed by shares of Tata Sons, held through group entity Goswami Infratech, due to mature in April. The new transaction is expected to mirror the structure of the earlier deal, with Tata Sons shares continuing as collateral.

Corporate entities are navigating a fresh mandate from the Reserve Bank of India, which has reclassified holding and strategic investment firms as Core Investment Companies. This new label comes with a wave of rigorous regulations that many corporations are eager to sidestep, arguing that their revenue streams stem from non-financial sectors rather than financial endeavors.

Seven out of eight public sector banks that released quarterly results so far held on to or improved margins from the previous three months, helping them maintain profitability despite a challenging macro environment.

Estimates broadly peg the dividend to be around 3 lakh crore, compared with 2.7 lakh crore last year. RBI dividends have provided a significant boost to the government's non-tax revenues in recent years.

Credit card usage in Mumbai saw an 8% rebound last month, reaching 2.05 lakh crore due to seasonal demand and year-end spending. Net new card additions hit a three-month high of over 900,000, boosting the total active cards to 115.7 million. Analysts anticipate steady spending momentum, supported by ongoing consumption trends and festive demand.

Indian benchmarks ended a shortened week higher after India and the EU sealed a landmark free trade deal. Sensex rose 320 points and Nifty gained 0.5%, buoyed by optimism despite cautious undertones ahead of the US Federal Reserve decision meeting.

India is set to invest in Canada's critical mineral sector. A delegation will soon visit Canada to explore joint collaboration. This move aims to secure essential minerals for electric vehicle batteries and defense equipment. Both nations will deepen energy trade, including Canadian LNG and Indian refined products. This partnership strengthens energy security and diversifies supply chains.

Vodafone Idea Q3 Results: Vodafone Idea narrowed its consolidated losses to Rs 5,286 crore in Q3FY26 versus Rs 6,609 crore in the year ago period. The telecom company's revenue from operations for the quarter stood at Rs 11,323 crore, up 2% over Rs 11,117 crore in the corresponding quarter of the last financial year.

Oil prices jumped over 1% on Tuesday as a massive winter storm hit crude production and affected refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast, with the market also finding support from the slow restart of output from the Tengiz oilfield in Kazakhstan.

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq opened higher on Tuesday as investors parsed a fresh round of mega-cap earnings, while health insurers declined as the Trump administration's Medicare Advantage payment proposal disappointed investors.

Nifty closed higher amid volatility on monthly expiry, driven by gains in financials, IT and metals, though auto and FMCG lagged. Analysts see 24,900 as support and 25,500 as resistance, recommending OIL India, DCX Systems, Tata Steel and Sona BLW.

India and Canada have agreed to bolster energy ties, including increased trade in LNG, LPG, and crude oil. The partnership will also extend to critical minerals like lithium and cobalt, with India planning a delegation to Canada to explore collaboration. An India-Canada Ministerial Energy Dialogue was also launched.

India and the European Union have signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement. This deal supports India's shift to export-focused manufacturing. It aims to significantly increase electronics exports, reaching nearly 50 billion US dollars by 2031. The agreement also promotes job creation and innovation. This partnership leverages India's manufacturing scale and Europe's technological expertise for long-term industrial growth.

Budget 2026: India is making significant strides in infrastructure development. The PM Gati Shakti program has successfully reduced logistics costs, boosting competitiveness. Future efforts will focus on expanding highways, ports, and railways, encouraging private participation. Developing smart cities and leveraging digital public infrastructure will further drive economic growth and help India achieve its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

An industry perspective on the reforms and incentives Budget 2026 could introduce to strengthen insurance adoption, manage emerging risks and support inclusive growth.

The Sensex climbed nearly 320 points to 81,857, with six BSE 100 stocks hitting 52-week highs. Vedanta, Tata Steel, JSW Steel, Hindalco, Tech Mahindra and Axis Bank signalled strong momentum and bullish sentiment in the broader market rally.

GAIL India will consider an FY26 interim dividend on January 31, 2026, with February 5 as record date. Dividend payout follows approval, with shareholders advised to update bank, PAN and KYC details amid applicable TDS rules as per tax norms.

Homegrown FMCG major Marico Ltd on Tuesday reported a 13.3 per cent rise in consolidated profit to Rs 460 crore for the December quarter, led by a high single-digit volume growth from the Indian market.

India's government bonds yields surged on Tuesday, sending the benchmark yield to a nearly 11-month high, pressured by heavy state borrowing, tight system liquidity and subdued risk appetite.

India and the European Union have concluded negotiations on a comprehensive free trade agreement, covering nearly all traded goods and services. This landmark deal, described as the mother of all deals, aims to boost bilateral commerce and marks a significant step in India's trade diplomacy after two decades of talks.

Indias textile exporters are set to gain duty-free access to the EU market under the IndiaEU FTA, offering relief from US tariff pressures. Gokaldas Exports MD Sivaramakrishnan Ganapathi says Europe could drive higher volumes, improve margins, and lift exports, though the US will remain a key market for the industry.

The Halwa ceremony has concluded, signaling the final preparations for the Union Budget 2026-27. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the event at the Budget Press. Officials involved in the budget preparation have now entered a lock-in period. The Union Budget 2026-27 will be presented on February 1, 2026.

Indian markets ended higher as buying in financials, IT and metals offset weakness in auto and FMCG stocks. Adani Enterprises, Axis Bank, BPCL and Apex Frozen Foods gained, while Asian Paints, auto stocks and Sula Vineyards declined.

Mahindra & Mahindra shares fell over 4%, erasing Rs 18,000 crore in value, as investors worried about tariff cuts for European cars under the India-EU trade deal. But analysts say the calibrated quota, mass-market exclusions, and phased EV access limit the competitive threat to Mahindras core SUV business.

Canada's energy minister Tim Hodgson emphasized building alliances and diversifying supplies to counter economic coercion. He praised India's trade deal with the EU as a model. Hodgson is in India to strengthen energy ties, noting India's growing energy demand. Canada aims to be a reliable global energy supplier, committed to fair trade.

India and the European Union signed significant agreements at their 16th Summit. These pacts, including a Free Trade Agreement and a Security and Defence Partnership, aim to deepen bilateral ties. The summit is expected to bolster multipolarity and enhance global stability. Cooperation on AI and innovation was also highlighted, with plans for joint research programs and startup partnerships.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement as the mother of all deals and a ew blueprint for common prosperity. He described the pact as India's biggest free trade agreement to date, marking a historic moment in bilateral engagement and underscoring deep political trust and shared ambition.

Britain will cap ground rents at 250 pounds ($342) a year in an overhaul of its antiquated property system, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday, adding it would ease financial strain on millions of households.