The Economic Times News

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.

Kotak AMC MD Nilesh Shah says 2026 may deliver moderate equity returns as earnings recover and valuations normalise. SIP flows are likely to stay resilient if investors manage expectations. He backs multi-asset allocation, selective sector bets, and realistic return assumptions, warning that past five-year equity returns are unlikely to repeat in the near term.

Copper stocks Hindustan Copper and Hindalco have rallied sharply on strong prices, solid earnings, and improving demand. Both trade above key moving averages, though indicators signal overbought conditions. FIIs have raised stakes, and experts remain positive on the medium-term outlook. However, some warn that much of the optimism is priced in, advising profit booking or buying only on dips.

Lenskart Solutions shares rose on Friday after the company disclosed a fresh acquisition update from the Republic of Korea, highlighting its investment in technology-enabled eye-testing and lens-cutting equipment through its Singapore arm.

Shyam Dhani Industries IPO allotment status will be finalized on December 26, 2025. Investors can check their status online. The grey market premium is strong, suggesting good listing gains. The IPO saw massive subscription. Shares will be credited on December 12. Refunds will be processed the same day. The company operates in the spices and packaged food segment.

Bitcoin hovered around $89,000 on Friday amidst low year-end trading volumes. Price action remained rangebound as liquidity drove market direction. Analysts noted ETF inflows and stablecoin supply influenced movements. Altcoins showed mixed performance. Experts advise a patient, risk-managed approach until stronger institutional participation emerges. Global macro developments also impacted crypto's link to monetary policy.

India's road transport ministry will focus on barrier-free tolling and a new Road Safety Bill in 2026. These initiatives aim to significantly cut down the 1.8 lakh annual road fatalities. Several major expressways like Delhi-Mumbai and Amritsar-Jamnagar will be inaugurated. The ministry also plans to award thousands of kilometers of new highway projects and launch a Public InvIT.

RVNL shares surged nearly 25% in five sessions as optimism around revised railway fares and expectations of higher Union Budget 2026 allocations boosted investor sentiment across railway stocks.

Kashmiri apple farmers are concerned after India reduced import duty on New Zealand apples to 25% under a free trade agreement, a move they claim violates government promises. This decision is expected to impact sales of apples currently stored in controlled atmosphere facilities, potentially harming growers in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

Suzlon Energy share price: On the technical charts, the RSI of the stock stood at 51.31.

The US stock market is nearing a third straight year of double-digit gains, driven by AI optimism, easing rate expectations and steady growth, with the S&P 500 up over 17% in 2025 after strong rallies in 2023 and 2024. However, sustaining the rally into 2026 will be tougher and hinges on robust corporate earnings, a supportive Federal Reserve and continued AI-led investment.

Amid global uncertainty, market expert Narendra Solanki advises theme-based investing. He highlights opportunities in specific metals like steel and copper, niche pharma plays focusing on GLP-1 drug delivery mechanisms, and renewable-linked manufacturing, particularly solar pump companies benefiting from government schemes. This selective approach targets companies with cost advantages and policy support for growth.

Indian government bonds saw little movement today. Traders are waiting for the government's final debt auction of 2025. Demand and cutoff levels will guide market direction. The Reserve Bank of India's liquidity infusion is expected to support bond prices. Overnight index swap rates are predicted to ease slightly.

Shares of Indian Energy Exchange fell sharply after CERC introduced a framework for Virtual Power Purchase Agreements, raising concerns over potential impact on exchange-based power trading volumes amid broader regulatory uncertainty.

Railway stocks including RVNL, IRFC, IRCTC, and Jupiter Wagons surged up to 10% on Friday as new passenger fares came into effect, marking the second hike this year and boosting investor sentiment ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27.

India and the UK finalized a landmark Free Trade Agreement in 2025, alongside a 'Vision 2035' pact to deepen bilateral ties. The CETA is projected to significantly boost trade, while educational ties expand with British universities establishing campuses in India. The year also saw significant immigration policy changes and the passing of prominent Indian-origin entrepreneurs.

Indian IT firms are experiencing improved business conditions, driven by increased AI adoption and better execution efficiencies. The December quarter was largely stable, with expectations for the third quarter rising, particularly in consumption-linked segments. Favorable currency movements also offer short-term margin support.

Mutual funds have become a central pillar of modern wealth management, offering professional expertise, diversification, liquidity, and cost efficiency for Indian, U.S., and global investors. From compounding-driven long-term growth to strong governance and scalable investment solutions, they play a vital role in building resilient portfolios across market cycles.

In a volatile, short-term-driven market environment, compounding continues to be the most powerful and underestimated wealth-building force. Examining how HNIs, U.S. investors, and Indian savers deploy compounding reveals why patience, discipline, and time consistently outperform short-term market timing.

Indian stocks opened slightly lower on Friday, with both the Sensex and Nifty struggling for direction. Thin year-end trading volumes saw investors holding back on fresh bets ahead of upcoming earnings cues. Market participants believe future upside will depend on earnings momentum rather than short-term flows.

Tata Group experienced a significant market value erosion in 2025, underperforming rivals like Reliance and Adani. Key drags included sharp losses in Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Consultancy Services, despite some bright spots. Investors now await a turnaround in 2026, focusing on earnings visibility and execution.

PSU banks gain MSME and home loan share, but Motilal Oswal backs HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI and AU Bank as cycle stabilises.

Gold and silver hit record highs as rate-cut hopes, weak dollar and geopolitical risks fuel strong investor demand.

Hindustan Zinc shares surged to a new peak, driven by soaring global silver prices that crossed $75 per ounce. The company, a top global silver producer, is benefiting from robust industrial demand and supply constraints, with silver contributing significantly to its profits and earnings outlook.

The HSBC Asset Management report said that 2025 marked a decisive shift toward higher tariffs and disrupted global supply chains, with countries adjusting to a new trade environment shaped by geopolitical developments.

FIIs have pulled out heavily from Indian equities in 2025, but brokerages see scope for stabilisation and a gradual reversal. While IPO activity and global return differentials have diverted foreign flows, expectations of Fed rate cuts, improving earnings visibility and normalised valuations could support sentiment. Most brokerages recommend a selective, buy-on-dips strategy heading into 2026.

Speaking to PTI, multiple senior doctors practising in the UK asserted that a vast, hidden burden of undiagnosed airway disease is uilding beneath the surface and its incoming wave will exact a heavy, lasting toll on Indian citizens and its healthcare system.