The Economic Times News

India has now become the world's fourth-largest economy, surpassing Japan. Projections indicate India will overtake Germany to become the third-largest economy by 2030. This growth is driven by strong domestic consumption. India is the fastest-growing major economy globally and is expected to maintain this momentum.

India has eased its export policy for organic sugar, permitting shipments of up to 50,000 tonnes annually. This move lifts the estricted status imposed in 2023, which had mandated traders to secure licenses for exports. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) announced the revised policy, outlining specific modalities for these exports.

Indian markets ended flat on Tuesday as year-end caution and persistent FII outflows kept sentiment subdued. Nifty hovered below 26,000, with analysts flagging a weak short-term trend amid negative technical indicators. Activity remained stock-specific, with Hindustan Copper, auto names and PSU banks drawing strong interest despite overall bearish market breadth.

Ramkrishna Forgings saw major bulk deal activity on Tuesday as Morgan Stanley bought shares worth Rs 95 crore while Societe Generale sold Rs 75 crore worth. The buying and selling prices were at a discount of 1.2% over the Monday closing price of Rs 512.90 on the NSE.

The government has permitted the export of organic sugar, setting an annual limit of 50,000 tonnes. This move, detailed in a Directorate General of Foreign Trade notification, is governed by APEDA's guidelines. Organic sugar is produced from sugarcane cultivated without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, adhering to strict organic farming and processing standards.

Nifty extended its four-day decline, but analysts see buying opportunities in six stocks including Adani Energy, Tata Steel and Bajaj Auto offering up to 8% potential gains based on bullish breakouts and improving technical indicators.

Blackstone-backed Indian office developer Bagmane Prime Office REIT has filed for a $445.6 million initial public offering, its draft prospectus showed on Tuesday.

Wall Street opened muted on Tuesday after tech stocks faced renewed selling, following the steepest one-day decline in nearly two weeks. The Dow fell 27.1 points (0.06%) to 48,434.88, the S&P 500 dropped 5.3 points (0.08%) to 6,900.44.

E2E Transportation Infrastructures SME IPO drew a record Rs 29,500 crore in bids, making it Indias most subscribed SME issue ever. Led by Mukul Agrawal, the Rs 84.22 crore IPO saw overwhelming participation from retail, non-institutional, and institutional investors, highlighting strong momentum in railway and transport infrastructure themes.

Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath explained how retail traders can capture inter-exchange arbitrage by buying on one exchange and exiting on the other directly from the positions page. The feature releases margins instantly and works for both intraday and delivery trades, helping traders exploit short-lived NSEBSE price gaps efficiently.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is consulting with leading economists and industry experts. The discussions focus on shaping the upcoming Union Budget for 2026-27. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Niti Aayog officials are also participating. This strategic meeting aims to gather diverse perspectives for the nation's financial roadmap. The Budget presentation is scheduled for February 1.

Commodity volatility in gold and silver is driven by profit booking, margin hikes and thin holiday trading, says Ajay Kedia of Kedia Commodities. While near-term corrections are likely after 2025s sharp rally, upside remains over time. Crude oil may stay range-bound amid oversupply, while base metals like copper are poised for a stronger 2026 on improving demand.

Residential property registrations in nine Indian cities saw a 5% drop to 5.45 lakh units by December 25 this year. However, the total value of these registrations increased by 11% to Rs 4.46 crore. This growth was driven by a rise in wealthy Indians and a preference for premium and luxury housing.

Despite record FII selling and a weak 2025 for IT stocks, Vikas Khemani believes fears around AI-led disruption are overstated. He argues that past tech transitions only expanded Indias IT opportunity and expects 2026 to be better as rates ease, flows improve, and selective IT stocks show long-term strength.

Indian government bonds inched up on Tuesday after the market absorbed a large state debt supply, though gains were capped by a liquidity crunch and approaching quarter-end that curbed risk appetite.

Despite a flat Sensex close, several BSE financial services stocks hit fresh 52-week highs, signalling strong sectoral momentum and potential upside amid broader market consolidation.

For more such web stories click on the ET icon below

A price-to-earnings (PE) ratio lower than the industry average indicates that a stock is valued more cheaply relative to its earnings compared with its peers.

Sebi has cancelled the licence of research analyst Purooskhan after finding his registration was misused by an unregistered advisory firm promising sure-shot returns. Despite claiming no involvement, he admitted to sharing his email password and confirmed he now runs a grocery shop, prompting the regulator to terminate his registration.

Deepa Jewellers has filed preliminary papers with markets regulator Sebi to raise funds through an Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Ambit Global Private Client has completed the final close of Poonawalla Vision Fund I at around Rs 1,000 crore after strong investor demand led to quick oversubscription. Backed by the Poonawalla family, the Category II AIF focuses on mid- to late-stage profitable companies across BFSI, consumer and business services, and will invest across private and select public market opportunities.

The Indian rupee gained against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, snapping a three-day slide as index-rebalancing inflows and trimmed dollar longs lifted sentiment in thin year-end trade.

Indian stock markets remain range-bound and sentiment-driven, not structurally weak, says Vinay Rajani, AVP and Senior Technical & Derivative Analyst at HDFC Securities. Nifty is consolidating between 25,700 and 26,200, with the 50-day EMA acting as key support. Select stocks like Jindal Stainless and UPL are showing technical strength amid volatility, offering short-term trading opportunities.

Indian stocks saw little change on Tuesday as thin year-end trading and foreign fund outflows kept investors cautious. Volumes were subdued. Broader markets also weakened. Auto, metal, and PSU bank stocks gained. The market is expected to remain sideways.

Samir Arora says Indian equities have beaten gold and US markets over 27 years, with Nifty 50 TRI delivering 1,922% returns despite recent global underperformance.

Indian investors are increasingly seeking global exposure, with fractional investing in US stocks and ETFs emerging as a key trend. This allows millennials and Gen Z to build wealth with small amounts, overcoming high ticket sizes. The US market offers access to leading companies and diversified ETFs, providing cost-efficiency and flexibility for a balanced portfolio.

Seasoned investors are prioritizing bottom-up stock selection over broad themes amid market consolidation. Vikas Khemani highlights constructive views on PSU banks and IT services, emphasizing long-term earnings growth and valuation comfort. He expects improved foreign investor flows as global conditions evolve, potentially leading to a market rerating.

The Nifty Indices quarterly rebalance effective December 30, 2025, is expected to drive significant inflows and outflows across Nifty 50 and Nifty Bank stocks. Research projections highlight likely beneficiaries and laggards as passive funds adjust portfolios following methodology and weight changes.

2026 India Outlook: India is set for a significant year in 2026. New trade agreements with countries like Australia and Bahrain are opening up global markets. These deals, combined with domestic reforms and manufacturing incentives, aim to boost Indian industries. This strategic approach positions India to become a major global manufacturing hub, creating new opportunities and strengthening its economic standing.

Mutual funds have steadily increased their holdings in 22 midcap stocks over the past four quarters. Several of these stocks delivered strong one-year returns, with select names rallying up to 90%, highlighting the importance of tracking institutional investment trends.

Japan's Nikkei share gauge edged lower on the final trading day of 2025, dragged down by the technology sector that has been a key driver of the year's massive gains.

Dalal Street investors became richer by Rs 30.20 lakh crore this year, helped by over 8 per cent surge in the BSE benchmark Sensex, despite facing multiple headwinds in the form of foreign fund exodus, tariff-related uncertainties, elevated valuations and a weakening rupee.

Global investment firm KKR and its affiliated Korean asset manager, Kreate Asset Management, said on Tuesday they have purchased Cheongna Logistics Center, in what they called South Korea's largest single-asset logistics deal.

ICICIdirects Pankaj Pandey sees defence stocks, BFSI, select consumption plays and domestic pharma offering strong multi-year growth visibility. Faster defence order execution, Titans strategic lab-grown diamond push, attractive NBFC valuations and IT as a contra bet could drive sector rotation. Caution advised on precious metals, while capex-linked themes may regain traction.

Veteran market participant Vikas Khemani anticipates a constructive phase for Indian equities in the coming year, driven by converging factors of earnings growth, valuation comfort, and policy support. He believes the market is poised for a rebound after a period of consolidation, with banking, financial services, and consumption-led themes expected to lead the charge.

After a record-breaking IPO year in 2025, Indias IPO pipeline for 2026 remains strong, with over 200 companies seeking regulatory approval. While subscription levels and listing gains moderated, analysts remain optimistic, citing valuation discipline and market stability as key drivers for sustained activity.

Indias Rs 79,000 crore defence procurement clearance strengthens the capital expenditure upcycle and boosts long-term order visibility for defence PSUs and private players. Analysts highlight missiles, electronics, drones and shipbuilding as key beneficiaries, with policy reforms further supporting MSMEs and defence start-ups.

Eternal shares fell to a more than five-month low after the resignation of Blinkit chief financial officer Vipin Kapooria rattled investor confidence, even as competition in Indias quick-commerce sector intensifies ahead of a wave of public listings.

India stands out as a resilient growth story among major economies. Domestic demand, easing inflation, and leadership in key sectors support this outlook. UBS highlights that countries with strong internal drivers are better positioned to navigate global volatility. India's expanding middle class and steady investment momentum continue to drive growth. Structural reforms enhance the economy's fundamentals.

Japanese government bonds experienced their sharpest yield jump in three decades this year, driven by fiscal stimulus concerns and entrenched inflation. The central bank's reduced bond buying and policy rate hikes also pressured yields. Analysts suggest further rate increases are likely, potentially accelerated if the yen weakens significantly, making currency defense a priority.

Russian crude oil shipments to India are projected to reach a three-year low in December, with deliveries anticipated around 1.1 million barrels daily. This dip follows increased US scrutiny on energy trade, impacting buyer confidence. However, a rebound is expected early next year as Reliance Industries resumes purchases, potentially boosting volumes.

NSE announces revised lot sizes for Nifty, Bank Nifty, Nifty Financial Services, and Nifty Midcap Select, effective from January 2026 contracts. The changes aim to align notional values with index levels and ensure efficient market functioning. Traders are advised to review positions and brokers to update platforms accordingly.

Copper prices inched higher on Tuesday but showed signs of cooling after a strong recent rally. On MCX, January 2026 copper futures rose 3.3% to 1,273.50 per kg, after hitting an intraday high of 1,306.05. The broader metals market appears to be entering a consolidation phase near year-end.

Auto ancillary stocks have significantly outperformed OEMs in 2025, with several companies delivering over 100% returns. Projections indicate India's auto component market could reach $200 billion by 2030, fueled by strong export growth and the nation's role as a global manufacturing hub. Lumax Auto Technologies led the pack with a 131% surge.

Investors navigating global and Indian markets benefit from understanding fundamental and technical analysis. Fundamental analysis identifies strong companies for long-term growth, while technical analysis helps optimise timing in volatile markets. High-net-worth individuals can combine both approaches to enhance portfolio performance and manage risks effectively.

Indian government bonds traded narrowly as a large state debt supply and fading risk appetite weighed on the market. The benchmark 10-year yield hovered near 6.60% amid a widening liquidity deficit, despite the RBI's bond purchases. Traders anticipate a heavy fourth-quarter debt calendar, potentially setting a record high.

Shares of MMTC Ltd fell 4.88% to Rs 67.21 on Tuesday as gold and silver prices retreated from recent highs. The government-owned bullion traders performance is closely linked to precious metal trends, with profit-taking and year-end volatility contributing to the stocks decline, despite a morning rebound in metals.

Crypto markets dip over 2% amid thinning year-end volumes, with Bitcoin trading near $87K and Ethereum at $2,952. Analysts cite macro caution, technical resistance, and profit-taking in precious metals. Altcoins face mixed movements, while global liquidity signals keep crypto in consolidation ahead of 2026.

Emkay Global initiated coverage on Lenskart with a target price of Rs 525, citing strong long-term growth potential despite optically rich valuations. The brokerage expects robust revenue and earnings compounding driven by industry tailwinds, scale benefits, operating leverage and multiple scalable growth opportunities across India and international markets.

India is set to revise its CPI calculation methodology and monetary policy mandate by 2026, following a year of benign inflation driven by subdued food costs and GST reductions. Retail inflation has remained within the RBI's comfort zone, prompting rate cuts and opening possibilities for further reductions.