The Economic Times

TVK chief Vijay arrived in Delhi to appear before the CBI for questioning in connection with the Karur stampede case. He is cooperating with the investigation, which began after the Supreme Court ordered the CBI to take over the case from an SIT.

Israel is closely watching for any United States intervention in Iran. This comes as Iran faces its largest anti-government protests in years. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned Iran against using force. He stated the US is ready to help. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the possibility of US intervention with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Renewable energy projects in Rajasthan are experiencing significant power curtailments. Over 4 GW of capacity faces near-total shutdowns during peak solar hours. This issue persists despite the recent commissioning of the Khetri-Narela transmission line. Developers warn of risks to project viability and India's 2030 renewable energy goals. Authorities are exploring solutions to improve evacuation capacity.

Goa saw a record 1.08 crore tourist arrivals in 2025, with over five lakh foreigners visiting. This surge highlights the state's successful tourism promotion and diversification strategies. The government's focus on quality and regenerative tourism is yielding positive results. Both domestic and international tourist numbers have shown significant growth, indicating a strong recovery and enhanced connectivity.

The FIFA World Cup trophy has arrived in India as part of its global tour for the 2026 tournament. The original trophy was unveiled in Delhi, with a Brazilian football legend present. This visit, after 12 years, aims to inspire Indian youth to embrace football. The trophy will tour Delhi and Guwahati.

As global macro conditions shift, investors are rethinking asset allocation for 2026. Gurmeet Chadha of Complete Circle Consultants highlights constructive prospects for Indian equities, caution on silver, moderation in global AI-led trades, and potential outperformance in long-duration bonds, supported by fiscal strength and likely inclusion in the global bond index.

Sebi Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey said the regulator is in the advanced stages of granting a no-objection certificate for the long-pending NSE IPO, likely within this month. NSEs listing process, delayed since 2016 due to regulatory clearances, has progressed after corrective measures and the settlement of past cases.

Avenue Supermarts, the parent of DMart, posted strong Q3 FY26 numbers with consolidated PAT rising 18.3% YoY to Rs 855.92 crore, compared to Rs 723.72 crore a year earlier. Revenue from operations grew 13.3% YoY to Rs 18,100.88 crore, up from Rs 15,972.55 crore in the same quarter last fiscal.

Nifty broke below its 500-point trading range, ending the week down 2.45% amid global uncertainty and a spike in volatility. Technical indicators signal weakening momentum, with support at 25,50025,300 crucial. Sectoral trends show Services, Pharma, Infra and BFSI outperforming, while FMCG, Energy and Realty lag on relative strength.

Aberdeen Investments is reducing its stake in Venezuela's defaulted bonds. These bonds have seen a significant price increase over the past year. Portfolio manager Kevin Daly cited high tail risk as the reason for this prudent move. Despite recent gains, the path to debt restructuring remains challenging due to ongoing US sanctions.

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte confirmed a $3 billion mortgage bond purchase occurred Friday, the day after President Trump ordered a $200 billion buy to lower housing costs. Pulte also stated that the privatization of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae remains a possibility, though he did not provide a timeline for the full $200 billion purchase.

Argentina has successfully paid $4.3 billion to sovereign bondholders, meeting its January 9 deadline. This crucial payment, despite low foreign reserves, aims to boost investor confidence and reopen international capital markets. The government is keen to signal stability as more significant repayments loom, including to the IMF. Analysts are watching for a positive market reaction and potential reserve rebuilding.

India and EU trade ministers met in Brussels. They urged officials to finalize the proposed free trade agreement. Negotiations are progressing across various tracks. Both sides are committed to resolving outstanding issues. This aims to conclude the trade deal soon. The meetings focused on market access and rules of origin.

Markets witnessed one of the sharpest weekly declines in recent months as global risks and heavy selling dragged indices lower. Technical expert Sudeep Shah explains whether this move signals deeper correction and outlines key levels, sector strategies and near-term market triggers.

Bitcoin trades within a narrow $88,000 to $92,000 range as its current drawdown remains far shallower than in previous market cycles. Analysts highlight muted volatility, steady capital flows and neutral technical indicators amid a wait for fresh macro catalysts.

Silvers explosive 170% surge in 2025 may be just the beginning, says Motilal Oswal, which believes the metal is entering a multi-year supercycle. Strong industrial demand, tight supply, rising ETF flows and supportive macro trends could push MCX Silver to Rs 3.20 lakh in 2026 despite expected volatility.

India's record rice harvest is flooding the global market, pressuring prices as demand weakens and key buyers impose stricter import rules. Farmers may face significant rate cuts to compete with rivals like Thailand and Vietnam. Analysts predict a potential drop of $15 to $25 per ton by spring due to a lack of immediate African and Middle Eastern interest.

Stablecoin transactions surged to a record $33 trillion in 2025, driven by supportive US policy under President Trump and rapid institutional adoption. USDC led with $18.3 trillion in flows, outpacing Tethers USDT. Rising usage outside DeFi signals broader mainstream demand for digital dollars amid global economic uncertainty.

European stock markets reached a new peak on Friday. Glencore's significant jump fueled the rise. Technology stocks also performed strongly, marking their best week in almost two years. This rebound shows investor resilience despite global concerns. Defence stocks saw notable weekly gains. The US jobs report indicated cooling growth, reinforcing expectations of steady interest rates.

Moodys has affirmed Shriram Finances Ba1 rating and revised its outlook to positive following MUFG Banks planned $4.4 billion investment for a 20% stake. The capital infusion is expected to strengthen SFLs capitalisation, funding access, and profitability, positioning it among Indias highest-capitalised non-banking finance companies.

Retail investors have steadily increased holdings in select small-cap stocks, with 12 counters delivering strong FY26 gains of up to 65%, highlighting growing confidence despite broader market weakness.

TCS, Kotak Bank and six other companies are set for stock splits, bonus issues, and dividends next week, offering opportunities for investors.

India's defence manufacturing sector sees enhanced medium-term visibility due to accelerated capital acquisition approvals, with FY26 year-to-date clearances nearly double the annual outlay. This robust pipeline, spanning diverse military needs and emphasizing integrated systems, de-risks future order inflows for the sector over the next two to four years.

Indian markets remained under pressure as the Sensex declined for a fifth straight session. Twelve BSE 100 stocks recorded losses in all five sessions, reflecting sustained selling across sectors amid broader market weakness and cautious investor sentiment.

Indias primary market gears up for a busy week as six IPOs open for subscription, led by Amagi Media Labs. Alongside five SME issues, strong demand for Bharat Coking Coal highlights investor interest amid ongoing market volatility.

BNP Paribas expects the Nifty 50 to reach 29,500 by end-2026 and has identified 17 top stock picks across autos, banks, IT, telecom, consumer and healthcare sectors, led by Maruti Suzuki, Infosys, Swiggy and HDFC Bank.

IREDA posted a 15.4% YoY rise in Q3 FY26 PAT at Rs 1,381 crore, with revenue up 28.2% to Rs 6,042 crore. Loan sanctions jumped 29% YoY to Rs 40,100 crore, while disbursements rose 44% to Rs 24,903 crore. Strong domestic borrowings and diversified clean energy lending underpin robust growth and execution visibility.

Tejas Networks reported a Rs 196.55 crore loss in Q2, impacted by an 88% revenue drop and a significant BSNL order deferral. Despite a large inventory, the company secured private 5G wins and PLI incentives, signaling future growth potential amidst current financial challenges.

The dollar strengthened on Friday following weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs growth, suggesting the Federal Reserve may hold interest rates steady. The yen weakened as Japan's Prime Minister considers a snap election, while the euro declined against the dollar amid mixed European economic data.

Weather Report Today: While dense fog and cold wave conditions are likely to continue in north and east India, the IMD has warned of heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu and Chennai for January 10. Under the influence of deep depression over Bay of Bengal, most coastal areas of Tamil Nadu are likely to get moderate to heavy rainfall.

Oil prices saw a significant jump on Friday. Growing concerns over supply disruptions in Iran due to intensifying protests are impacting the market. Escalating attacks in Russia's war in Ukraine are also contributing to these worries. Despite these factors, global oil inventories are rising, potentially capping further price increases. Market focus is now on Venezuelan oil export deals.

A think tank argues that trade deals hinge on policy alignment, not leader calls. This challenges US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's claim that the India-US trade agreement stalled due to a missed phone call. GTRI asserts that complex negotiations break down over substantive issues like tariffs and market access. The trade impasse reflects hard policy choices, not symbolic gestures.

Gold prices surged this week, nearing record highs, driven by weaker U.S. jobs data and escalating global uncertainties. Investors are anticipating Federal Reserve rate cuts, a traditional boost for precious metals. Geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in Ukraine and unrest in Iran, further fueled demand.

The Indian stock market has been on a downward trend, recording losses for the fifth straight day. Investors are pulling back on their portfolios in light of impending US job statistics and a critical Supreme Court verdict on tariffs.

Next week, Torrent Pharmaceuticals is set to launch a hefty debt sale, targeting around 12,500 crore in fundraising. This capital will play a critical role in facilitating the company's acquisition of JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals. The strategy includes issuing commercial paper and non-convertible debentures, showcasing the increasing reliance on debt markets for corporate buyouts.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Treasury has enough funds to cover any refunds if the Supreme Court rules against President Trumps emergency tariffs, though repayments could take weeks or even a year.

The central bank has introduced initiatives such as MuleHunter.ai to combat mule accounts used for fraudulent transactions. The AI tool delivers high accuracy and precision with significantly low false-positive rates and is currently deployed across 20 commercial banks.

India apparel exports: The industry is already under pressure after the US imposed 50% tariffs on India last August, marked by deep discounts, diversion of idle capacity to domestic brands and rerouting of export orders through neighbouring countries.

Delivering the first Bibek Debroy Memorial Lecture on the them Indian Economy: A Story of Rising Credibility, Shaktikanta Das, principal secretary 2 to prime minister, said the global economy is at an inflection point, with geopolitical rivalries, protectionist trade policies and weakening multilateral institutions reshaping cross-border commerce and investment flows.

T Rabi Sankar said collaboration between banks and central bank owned Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) will both quicken and enhance the capability of these risk mechanisms.

India is shifting its focus towards generating skilled employment and improving job quality, an essential step for sustainable economic development. With a target growth rate of 7.7 percent from 2022-23 to 2025-26, the nation envisions a future where investments, domestic savings, and exports flourish. Emphasizing the manufacturing sector is seen as key to creating more labor-intensive job opportunities.

India has firmly countered the statements made by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick regarding stalled trade discussions. Officials affirmed that Prime Minister Modi and President Trump are in regular communication, with the Ministry of External Affairs underscoring ongoing high-level interactions.

Bangladesh has halted new onion import permits from India, prioritizing domestic farmers. While 10 lakh tonnes are exported to Bangladesh, Indian onions remain sought after globally. Imports under existing permits will proceed until January 30, as Indian exporters seek government subsidies to compete internationally.

RBI Monetary Policy Committee 2026: PwC expert Ranen Banerjee advises the Reserve Bank of India against cutting interest rates. He believes a rate cut now would be a wasted opportunity. Growth is strong and inflation is under control. The Monetary Policy Committee is unlikely to change rates in its upcoming February 2026 meeting. Private investment is not currently driven by interest rates.

India and the European Union are in talks for a Free Trade Agreement. Discussions focus on a modern economic partnership. Both sides aim to safeguard farmers and MSMEs. Negotiations are ongoing to bridge differences. The goal is to conclude the talks soon. This pact could boost Indian exports to the EU market.

Budget 2026: With the FY2027 Union Budget looming, there lies a crucial opportunity for the government to concentrate on amplifying domestic potential and fostering growth. Elevating capital expenditure is key to improving infrastructure and spurring private investments. A renewed spotlight on production-linked incentive schemes can galvanise the National Manufacturing Mission, serving as a lifeline for MSMEs and innovative startups.

Protests are sweeping across Iran, fueled by economic hardship and a deep disconnect between the rulers and the youth. Young men are now at the forefront, expressing anger over regional policies and demanding a peaceful life. The regime faces a significant challenge to its authority, with analysts suggesting change is inevitable.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed that a stalled India-US trade deal was due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi not calling President Donald Trump. Lutnick stated the deal required leader-to-leader political signaling, which did not occur, leading to India's discomfort and the lack of a call.

CVC has an exclusivity agreement with ValueLabs, founded in 1997 by Arjun Rao Donakanti (87% owner). Promoters may retain 1520% and management will continue running the firm.

The Capex for the month of December alone increased by 9.28% to Rs 70,000 crore, with many enterprises exceeding their annual budget target. The growth was led by the Railway board and National Highway Authority of India(NHAI) as they remained the highest spenders.