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India and the European Union are set to hold detailed discussions on bolstering the security and resilience of undersea cables in the Indian Ocean. This crucial dialogue, involving military personnel and officials, aims to identify risks and develop practical solutions for protecting vital digital infrastructure. The cooperation underscores a shared commitment to maritime security and economic stability.

India's exports rebounded strongly in November, surpassing October's decline and indicating renewed momentum despite global economic uncertainty. Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted this recovery, alongside ongoing efforts to secure free trade agreements with several key global partners. He also affirmed the Indian economy's resilience, citing robust GDP growth and healthy financial indicators.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified that the IMF did not question India's growth figures, attributing the 'C' grade on national accounts to an outdated base year. India will shift to a 2022-23 base year in 2026, addressing the IMF's concern. The Fund acknowledged India's healthy economic performance and resilience.

The European Union is launching a major plan to lessen its reliance on China for rare earths. This strategy involves increasing mining, refining, and recycling within the EU. The move comes amid global supply chain pressures and geopolitical challenges. The EU aims to secure its access to critical materials and protect its industries from disruptions.

Wall Street saw mixed trading as corporate earnings presented a varied picture. While Marvell Technology and American Eagle Outfitters posted strong results, Macy's and CrowdStrike faced headwinds despite beating profit expectations. Bond yields dipped following softer private payroll data, fueling hopes for a Federal Reserve rate cut. Global markets showed a mixed performance.

Veteran banker Uday Kotak points to persistent foreign selling by FPIs and PE funds as the primary driver behind the rupee's sharp fall past 90 against the dollar. Despite strong domestic investor buying and robust GDP growth, India's currency is Asia's worst performer this year, pressured by broad dollar outflows and a widening trade deficit.

Income tax refunds are significantly delayed this assessment year, with processing times extended even for routine cases. Official data shows a substantial drop in refund outgo compared to last year, attributed to late form releases, increased verification, and processing constraints. Experts anticipate a continued trend of slower processing, particularly for high-value refunds.

US import tariffs on Indian goods, doubling to 50%, have caused a sharp 28.5% drop in exports over five months. Labour-intensive sectors, including textiles and gems, faced the steepest declines, leading to significant revenue losses and job concerns. India's government is urged to expedite export promotion missions and negotiate tariff reductions with the US.

The Indian Rupee hit a historic low on Wednesday, crossing the 90-per-dollar mark for the first time. This decline was driven by foreign fund outflows, rising crude oil prices, and uncertainty surrounding the India-US trade deal. Market watchers noted a lack of Reserve Bank of India intervention for much of the session.

India's services sector surged in November, driven by robust new business and easing price pressures, according to the HSBC India Services PMI. Operating conditions improved significantly, with faster expansion in business activity. While international sales saw a slowdown due to competition, domestic demand remained strong, bolstering overall economic sentiment.

The European Union has agreed to completely halt Russian gas imports by autumn 2027, ending new long-term pipeline contracts by September 30, 2027, and LNG deals by January 1, 2027. This move aims to enhance energy security and independence, with a roadmap also being drafted to eliminate Russian oil imports to Hungary and Slovakia by the same deadline.

Silver price today: Silver prices surged to a new high of Rs 1,84,727 per kilogram on Wednesday, driven by a weakening rupee and strong international market trends. Gold futures also climbed significantly, with both precious metals benefiting from expectations of a US Federal Reserve interest rate cut next week.

India's rupee hit a historic low of 90.30 against the US dollar, yet the government remains unconcerned. Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran stated the depreciation hasn't impacted inflation or exports, expressing optimism for a recovery next year. Factors like FII outflows and dollar demand are influencing the currency's slide.

Investors should focus on businesses that consistently grow sales and profits over the long term. Avoid stocks based on tips or short-term hype. Look for understandable businesses with steady growth, good profitability, reasonable debt, and positive cash flow. Strong promoter behavior and governance are crucial. Quality of the business comes before price.

Russian President Putin's India visit is crucial for trade dynamics amidst US pressure. India's energy security is now heavily reliant on discounted Russian crude, reshaping its procurement patterns. The visit aims to manage dependence in a fractured world, focusing on securing fuel, weapons, and payments.

Gold prices are soaring domestically and internationally, driven by a weakening rupee and anticipation of US monetary easing. Local rates jumped significantly as the rupee hit an all-time low. Globally, gold and silver futures firmed up, with investors betting on a US Federal Reserve interest rate cut next week, boosting confidence in the precious metal.

Nomura forecasts a potential 13% upside for the Nifty in 2026, projecting it to reach 29,300. This optimism stems from improving domestic and global conditions, including calmer geopolitics and stable macros. The brokerage also identified its top stock picks, anticipating a cyclical recovery in economic and corporate earnings growth.

Flight operations faced significant disruptions Wednesday morning as check-in systems at multiple airports simultaneously failed. Airlines, including IndiGo and Air India Express, resorted to manual procedures, leading to flight delays. Passengers were informed of a global Microsoft Windows service outage impacting airport IT systems.

The Indian rupee has fallen below Rs 90 to the US dollar for the first time, signaling a shift in economic perception and impacting households. This depreciation, driven by trade tensions, investor exodus, and an RBI policy shift, makes imports costlier and affects education and travel expenses for citizens.

Asian markets saw mixed trading, mirroring Wall Street's gains but tempered by anticipation of key US economic data and the Federal Reserve's upcoming meeting. Investors await crucial inflation and jobs figures, with a December rate cut widely expected. Strong US Black Friday sales offered some market cheer, while Bitcoin rebounded after a recent dip.

Meesho's IPO opens Wednesday, aiming for Rs 5,421 crore with a strong grey market premium, driven by positive analyst views. The e-commerce platform, backed by SoftBank, secured significant anchor investor interest, oversubscribing by nearly 30 times. Funds will fuel cloud infrastructure, marketing, and acquisitions, positioning Meesho for a December 10 debut.

The Indian rupee has hit a new low of 90.05 against the US dollar, extending its downward trend. This depreciation is attributed to speculators and importers, with market experts citing the strong dollar and delays in the India-US trade deal as key factors.

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are poised for a positive month, despite expected volatility, according to market experts. Silver has surged due to global shortages and strong rate cut expectations, outperforming gold. Central bank demand for gold remains robust, while upcoming US economic data and Fed decisions will be key for market direction.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened flat in trade on Wednesday on weak global cues. While Nifty50 was above 26,000, BSE Sensex was near 85,100.

The RBI's monetary policy committee is meeting to review growth and inflation data, with GDP expanding robustly while inflation cools to a multi-year low. Experts are divided on whether this presents an opportunity for a rate cut, with some believing it offers room to prioritize growth, while others anticipate the repo rate will remain unchanged.

Leading financial institutions are bullish on select Indian stocks. HSBC recommends Dr Reddy's Labs for its semaglutide prospects, while Goldman Sachs sees strong growth for Titan's jewellery and other ventures. Bernstein is optimistic about Trent's recovery, and CLSA highlights Power Grid Corp's strategic entry into battery storage. ITC faces potential tax uncertainty.

Stock market recommendations: Mehul Kothari of Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers recommends Kotak Bank, Hindustan Unilever, and Samvardhana Motherson International as top stock picks.

The Supreme Court upheld SEBI's Rs 30 lakh fine on Reliance Industries for delayed disclosure of the Jio-Facebook deal. Justices Kant and Bagchi emphasized that listed companies must clarify speculative media reports to prevent market manipulation. The court stressed that larger entities bear greater responsibility for adhering to disclosure norms, dismissing RIL's appeal.

Michael Burry, the investor famous for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, has criticized Tesla's valuation as idiculously overvalued. He argues that stock-based compensation, including Elon Musk's massive pay package, dilutes shareholder value and distorts true profitability. Burry believes this accounting practice, common in tech, masks recurring expenses and makes Tesla's market value unsustainable.

A parliamentary panel has proposed significant reforms to India's insolvency framework, advocating for an advance ruling mechanism to provide pre-admission clarity and reduce litigation. The committee also backed integrating mediation and a transparent 'no dues' certificate system for revitalized companies. Stricter penalties for frivolous appeals and enhanced NCLT capacity were also recommended to streamline the resolution process.

India's Reserve Bank has reaffirmed State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank as domestic systemically important banks. These institutions must maintain higher capital reserves to ensure financial stability. The designation, based on updated RBI frameworks, requires additional Common Equity Tier 1 capital proportional to their risk-weighted assets.

The PFRDA is establishing a dedicated NPS fund-of-funds platform to invest pension money into selected alternative investment funds (AIFs). This initiative aims to position pension assets as a stable source of long-term capital for India's private markets. The regulator has clarified classifications and strengthened governance for alternate assets, enabling pension funds to invest confidently.

Silver's remarkable 2025 rally has propelled it to unprecedented levels, surpassing gold and most stocks with a 103% return. Analysts anticipate further gains, with domestic prices potentially reaching Rs 1.85 lakh per kg. This surge is fueled by expectations of US Federal Reserve rate cuts, a weakening dollar, and robust industrial demand, alongside a depreciating rupee.

Russia is keen to address India's trade deficit concerns and boost imports, aiming to shield bilateral commerce from third-country pressure. Ahead of President Putin's visit, Moscow highlighted plans to stabilize crude supplies and strengthen cooperation in defense, energy, and nuclear technology. Discussions will also cover peaceful negotiations regarding the Ukraine conflict and counter-terrorism efforts.

India's Russian crude imports are set to dip following US sanctions on major oil firms, but a permanent shift is unlikely. Refiners are strategically sourcing from non-sanctioned Russian entities and other global suppliers. Despite temporary disruptions, India's demand for cost-effective Russian oil, coupled with emerging workarounds, suggests continued, albeit indirect, procurement.

Billionaires Michael and Susan Dell have pledged $6.25 billion to seed children's investment accounts created under President Trump's legislation. This significant contribution aims to provide an initial deposit for 25 million children under 10, fostering hope and opportunity for future generations. The program, set to launch in 2026, encourages long-term savings for education, housing, or business ventures.

US equities saw a steadier mood as Treasury yields eased and bitcoin rebounded, helping major indices regain ground. Investors favored technology stocks, with MongoDB and United Natural Foods posting significant gains. This optimism countered a slide in Signet Jewelers due to a weak holiday forecast. Global markets showed modest movements, with South Korea's Kospi notably rising.

As the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee meets, experts are divided on a potential repo rate cut. While strong GDP growth and easing inflation present opposing forces, some analysts believe a cut is possible to support growth. However, others anticipate the central bank will maintain the current rate due to economic resilience.

The Indian rupee hit an all-time low of 89.95 against the US dollar, driven by speculators and importers. Experts cite a strong dollar and delayed trade deal as key factors. While some foresee appreciation with a trade deal, others expect continued volatility around the 90-per-dollar mark.

SoftBank's Masayoshi Son revealed he 'was crying' while selling Nvidia shares, a painful but necessary move to fund AI ventures like OpenAI. Despite the emotional toll, Son emphasized the critical need for capital for future AI investments, dismissing concerns about an AI bubble and predicting its immense long-term economic impact.

EPS-95 pensioners hoping for a pension hike will likely be disappointed. The Labour Ministry confirmed an actuarial deficit in the Employees' Pension Scheme, meaning it's not generating enough to cover current payouts. This financial strain makes increasing minimum or maximum pension benefits improbable in the near future, despite ongoing demands.