The Economic Times

Microcap Mangalam Drugs saw multiple bulk deals as Vijay Kedias firm sold shares, yet the stock rose five percent. Despite a month-long rally, the stock remains deeply down year-on-year and trades below key moving averages after prolonged price erosion phase.

Rupee strengthened against the dollar despite equity outflows as RBI intervened aggressively to curb speculation. Central bank dollar sales lifted the currency to a three-week high, made it Asias top performer, and signalled tolerance for only limited one-sided moves ahead.

U.S. online holiday spending growth slowed in the 2025 season, Adobe Analytics data showed on Wednesday, even as shoppers set a record on the back of steep discounts and wider use of buy-now-pay-later plans.

U.S. crude stocks fell while gasoline and distillate inventories rose last week, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged Liechtenstein companies to invest in India, leveraging the India-EFTA trade pact for expansion. He highlighted India's scale, talent, and manufacturing depth, complementing Liechtenstein's specialized industrial and financial expertise. The minister encouraged collaboration to build resilient value chains and a reliable investment bridge in a volatile global environment.

Gold prices fell over 1% on Wednesday as investors booked profits after a recent rally, though it pared some losses after weaker-than-expected U.S. private payroll growth for December bolstered bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts.

GameStop on Wednesday unveiled a compensation package worth roughly $35 billion for CEO Ryan Cohen, hinging on a turnaround that requires him to lift the struggling videogame retailer's market value more than tenfold and sharply boost its profit.

Indian equities declined for a third session as heavyweight selling, geopolitical tensions and weak global cues dented sentiment. Analysts expect a cautious, range-bound market ahead of Q3 earnings and key US data, advising selective buying in defensives and large-cap themes.

Nifty slipped for a third session as auto and energy stocks dragged. Analysts see a sluggish, range-bound trend between 26,00026,300, with key breakout or breakdown levels guiding near-term direction and short-term trading strategies ahead.

India's economy is set for strong growth in FY26. Gross Domestic Product is projected to expand by 7.4 percent. This expansion is driven by private consumption and government investment. Services and manufacturing sectors are expected to perform well. Growth is anticipated to moderate in the second half of the fiscal year.

Angel Ones board will meet on January 15 to consider a stock split and its first interim dividend for FY26, alongside Q3 earnings, amid weak stock performance despite strong recent quarterly profit growth.

Shares of billionaire Michael Saylor's Strategy rose in premarket trading on Wednesday, after MSCI dropped a plan to exclude the bitcoin hoarder and other crypto treasury firms from its indexes.

Wall Street stocks edged higher early Wednesday, driven by renewed excitement over technology announcements from the Consumer Electronics Show. Private sector employment showed a rebound in December, adding 41,000 jobs, though slightly below forecasts. Investors are now anticipating Friday's government payrolls report for a clearer picture of the job market.

Kalyan Jewellers posted 42% year-on-year revenue growth in Q3 FY26, driven by strong festive demand, robust post-Diwali sales, healthy same-store growth, and sharp expansion across international and digital jewellery platforms.

U.S. private payrolls rebounded less than expected in December, the ADP's national employment report showed on Wednesday.

Indian Gas Exchange, the country's first online delivery-based trading platform for natural gas, is likely to launch an initial public offering (IPO) by December this year, its Managing Director and CEO Rajesh Kumar Mediratta said on Wednesday.

Goldman Sachs forecasts India's GDP growth to slow to 6.8 percent in FY27. Inflation is expected to rise, restricting the Reserve Bank's ability to lower interest rates. Private investment remains subdued. The rupee's depreciation is likely nearing its end. The current account deficit is projected at 1 percent in 2026. A US-India trade deal delay could pressure the currency.

Tata Steel reported record Q3 crude steel production and deliveries, driven by higher output at Jamshedpur and Kalinganagar, strong domestic demand, robust branded sales, automotive volumes, and sharp growth in e-commerce-led revenues.

Indian government bonds ended largely unchanged on Wednesday, with the former benchmark paper leading losses, after the central bank once again went ahead with a set of illiquid papers for next week's debt purchase.

Indian markets closed marginally lower for a third straight session as auto and energy stocks weighed on indices. Titan, Emmvee Photovoltaic and Senco Gold gained on updates and broker calls, while Meesho, Balu Forge and Cipla declined on specific triggers.

Bernstein warns that Indian Energy Exchange faces a regulatory storm despite recent legal relief in the market-coupling case. The brokerage maintains an underperform rating, arguing that policy risks around coupling, transaction charges, and returns overshadow operating gains, even as IEX shares rally on favourable signals from the appellate tribunal.

A U.S. ETF provider has sought approval to launch the first-ever exchange-traded fund tracking companies exposed to Venezuela, as the U.S. capture of President Nicolas Maduro over the weekend sparked a rally in local assets.

Seven stocks, including Vedanta and Titan Company, touched fresh 52-week highs despite a weaker broader market. Strong price breakouts signal sustained bullish momentum, with monthly gains ranging from 2% to nearly 20%.

Trent shares slide again as growth slows and valuation multiples reset amid rising competition in fast fashion. Karan Taurani, EVP, Elara Securities, flags weak like-for-like sales and margin risks, while DMart, Nykaa and Jubilant FoodWorks appear relatively better placed. Heres what the latest retail and consumption outlook means for investors.

India now regulates AI software for cancer detection. These tools analyze medical images like X-rays and CT scans. They are now classified as Class C medical devices. This means they need official approval and safety checks. Developers must follow quality standards. This move ensures patient safety as AI use grows in healthcare.

Global stocks retreated from all-time peaks and oil extended its slide on Wednesday as U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to grab Venezuelan crude reserves and his latest missive on Greenland forced a New Year rally to take a breather.

Sterling held near its highest level in over three months against the euro and dollar on Wednesday, as steadying risk appetite left European stocks little changed following a three-day rally that pushed them to record highs.

AI-led cybersecurity firm Kratikal Tech has filed its DRHP for an SME IPO on BSE, aiming to fund global expansion and product development. The company plans to scale its AI-driven platforms amid rising global demand for cybersecurity solutions.

Wednesday's intervention followed a familiar playbook that the RBI used repeatedly last year, when it stepped in aggressively to push the rupee higher, aiming to disrupt one-way moves. Previous interventions came amid a build-up of speculative long dollar positions and expectations of consistent rupee depreciation, according to bankers.

Seasonally adjusted sales dipped 0.4% last month from November to 5,624 units, after declines in October and November. It marked the lowest level for sales since June.

India anticipates robust economic growth of 7.4% in fiscal 2025-26. This projection highlights the nation's economic strength despite global challenges. The government's initiatives, including tax relief and GST adjustments, are expected to boost consumer demand. Manufacturing and services sectors are poised for significant expansion, positioning India as a leading economy in Asia.

Budget session: The government plans to introduce the Seeds Bill 2025 in Parliament in February. This new bill will replace the old Seeds Act of 1966. It aims to ensure seed quality and traceability through mandatory registration. Farmers will still be able to save and exchange their own seeds. The bill also outlines penalties for violations.

India aims to be the world's third-largest economy. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that reducing imports and boosting exports are crucial. He highlighted converting agricultural waste into bio-bitumen for road construction. This initiative will save foreign exchange and reduce crude oil dependence. The move supports sustainable development and rural livelihoods. India is also exploring green hydrogen-powered trucks to cut pollution.

Client Associates has set a December 2026 Sensex target of 93,918, implying 10% annual growth, while cautioning investors about elevated valuations and near-term earnings moderation, and highlighting gold and silver as strategic allocations amid global uncertainty

Twelve Nifty 500 stocks have plunged over 50% from their 52-week highs, revealing deep cracks beneath the markets headline strength

India's government has requested average fare data from major airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, for the first half of December. This move by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation comes as antitrust authorities investigate unprecedented travel disruptions and fare surges caused by IndiGo's flight cancellations due to pilot shortages.

In its report on A Comprehensive Framework to Promote Affordable Housing, developed jointly with the ministry of housing and urban affairs, the Aayog has proposed a slew of incentives for developers and buyers of affordable houses, including reintroduction of the provision of 100% tax exemption to developers involved in approved affordable housing projects and doubling of loan limit to Rs 40 lakh under the Credit Risk Guarantee Fund Scheme for Low Income Housing.

Despite headline index weakness, underlying market structure shows improvement with successive higher bottoms forming. Rohit Srivastava notes heavy sectoral rotation, with banking, metals, and autos showing strength. He favors second-line private lenders over large banks for better momentum.

Union Budget 2026: India possesses significant rare earth reserves, crucial for future industries like EVs and semiconductors. The government is actively promoting this sector through new missions and policy reforms. Budget 2025-26 can further boost rare earth processing and magnet manufacturing. This strategic focus aims to enhance India's economic growth and global influence.

While markets have largely looked past the flare-up in global geopolitical risks, Wednesday's pause could be a healthy reset as investors weigh the impact from U.S. actions in Venezuela.zuela fallout ahead of data

The market also weighed the impact of China's ban on exports of dual-use items to the country. China's export ban was a negative cue, but overall, investors sold stocks as the market rose sharply in the past two sessions, said Naoki Fujiwara, senior fund manager at Shinkin Asset Management.stors book profit

Ace investor Ashish Kacholia acquired a 2.89% stake in SME stock Adcounty Media India during the December quarter, even as the stock corrected sharply from its post-IPO peak following a strong multibagger rally after listing.

Rathis standout performance is particularly notable given its recent debut on the stock exchanges on September 30, 2025. Its initial public offering (IPO), the company raised around Rs 746 crore, setting the stage for its strong early momentum.

As third-quarter earnings season begins, market participants eye an inflection point after a year of equity reset. Mihir Vora anticipates 2026 could be a better year for Indian equities, driven by potential income tax and GST cuts, a US trade deal, and moderating global tech hype.

Indias tax data shows a shift beyond salary-only incomes, with Gen Z and millennials increasingly reporting multiple income sources. ClearTaxs 2025 report highlights a sharp rise in complex filings, led by a 45.4% jump in ITR-3 returns for business and trading income.

Indian equities extended losses for a third straight session as selling in heavyweight stocks, Venezuela-driven geopolitical tensions and weak global cues dragged the Sensex and Nifty lower. Benchmark indices slipped sharply throughout the week, mirroring risk-off sentiment across global markets and heightened volatility driven by macro uncertainty and large-cap pressure.

India is strengthening domestic manufacturing and securing supply chains. The upcoming union budget will fund local production and build strategic buffers. This shift prioritizes economic resilience over cost efficiency. The nation aims to reduce reliance on imported energy, electronics, and defence equipment. Diversifying oil supplies and boosting local defence production are key strategies.

Titan Company's stellar quarterly updates impress, but valuations test patience. While gold price surges boost revenue, profitability concerns linger. Meanwhile, the FMCG sector faces stagnation, with Godrej Consumer Products deemed overvalued. Lab-grown diamonds are a future play, not immediate growth drivers, and QSR faces structural headwinds from food aggregators.

Indian equities are poised for a strong performance over the next 12-24 months. Morgan Stanley predicts a target of 95,000 for the Sensex. This outlook is driven by cheaper valuations, improving earnings, and supportive government policies. Foreign investor interest is expected to return, boosting market sentiment. The brokerage recommends focusing on domestic cyclical sectors for potential gains.