The Times of India News

The Indian Rupee hit a new record low against the US Dollar on Tuesday. This decline is driven by foreign investors selling Indian assets and stalled trade negotiations between India and the US. Traders anticipate further depreciation, with the Rupee potentially crossing 92 against the Dollar this month. The currency has seen a significant drop in recent trading sessions.

The Reserve Bank of India is enhancing credit reporting, moving from monthly to 15-day updates and proposing weekly reporting by July 2026. This aims to accelerate the reflection of good borrower behavior, improve fraud detection, and provide a more accurate, near real-time credit profile for consumers.

Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has been crowned the most consistent and all-round wealth creator stock over the past five years, outperforming the Nifty Total Return Index annually. A new report highlights HAL's impressive 75% Total Return CAGR, with PSU stocks notably leading wealth creation in this period. This defence giant's performance is a significant achievement, making it a standout investment.

Gold prices saw a decline in futures trade as traders booked profits and awaited the US non-farm payrolls report for clues on the Federal Reserve's interest rate path. Both MCX and Comex gold futures experienced decreases, with international prices snapping a three-day winning streak.

India's business expansion continued in December, though at a moderated pace. The composite PMI index dipped to 58.9, reflecting slower growth in both manufacturing and services. While new orders remained strong, companies showed increased caution about future prospects, with business confidence declining. Despite the slowdown, the private sector maintained robust activity.

Prime Minister Modi announced India's economic ascent, projecting it to become the world's third-largest economy with over 8% growth fueled by productivity and innovation. Speaking at the India-Jordan Business meet, he highlighted significant opportunities for Jordanian investors and businesses, aiming to double bilateral trade to $5 billion in five years.

India's 2026-27 Union Budget could be historic, shifting focus to the debt-to-GDP ratio for increased spending. The expert expects simplified income tax with lower TDS rates to boost consumption, alongside support for manufacturing and capital markets.

India's exports surged 19.4% in November, defying US tariffs, with shipments to China and the US showing significant growth. Engineering and electronics goods led the rise. The trade deficit narrowed to a five-month low as imports of gold and crude oil declined. This resilience highlights market diversification and sector strength.

The Indian rupee hit an all-time low, breaching 91 against the US dollar amid sustained foreign fund outflows and trade uncertainty. The currency extended its losing streak, weakening significantly in recent sessions. Analysts anticipate continued pressure due to delayed trade deals and FII outflows, though a weaker dollar or RBI intervention could offer support.

Nasdaq is proposing to extend stock trading hours to nearly 23 hours a day, five days a week, seeking regulatory approval. This move aims to cater to rising international investor interest in US equities and provide global access on their own terms. The exchange plans a two-session weekday structure, with opening and closing bells remaining unchanged.

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are poised for a rise, supported by a weak rupee and a dovish Federal Reserve. Despite some volatility, the yellow metal found strength from the Fed's rate cut and bond-buying plans.

Asian markets declined Tuesday, mirroring Wall Street's losses, as investors awaited crucial US employment and inflation data. Concerns about a tech bubble and the Federal Reserve's interest rate stance are driving market caution. Key economic reports due today and Thursday will heavily influence the Fed's future monetary policy decisions.

The Indian rupee continued its decline, hitting a new intra-day low of 90.83 against the US dollar on Tuesday. Persistent foreign fund outflows and trade uncertainties are weighing on the currency, despite a recent improvement in the trade deficit. Analysts anticipate continued pressure in the near term due to a delayed trade deal and FII outflows.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in red on Tuesday on weak global cues. While Nifty50 went below 26,000, BSE Sensex was down over 300 points.

Stock market recommendations: Mirae Asset Sharekhan's Somil Mehta suggests buying Union Bank of India, UPL, and Britannia Industries today, December 16, 2025. These stocks are poised for an uptrend, showing positive momentum and consolidating near key moving averages.

Ford is significantly altering its EV strategy, scaling back large electric models like the F-150 Lightning due to unmet demand and rising costs. The automaker is shifting focus to hybrids, petrol trucks, and a new battery storage venture, anticipating a substantial financial impact. This pivot aligns with regulatory changes and market realities, aiming for greater profitability and resilience.

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Brokerages have updated their ratings and target prices for several companies. Citigroup maintained a buy on Maruti Suzuki, hiking its target, while CLSA upgraded JSW Energy to hold. Nuvama reiterated a buy on Amber Enterprises, and Jefferies raised its target for TBO Tek. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage of Lenskart Tech with an equal weight rating.

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India's exports surged 19.4% in November, reaching $38.1 billion, the fastest growth in over three years, driven by strong shipments to the US and China. This robust performance, coupled with a 2% dip in imports, narrowed the trade deficit to its lowest since June. Key sectors like engineering goods and electronics led the export boom, indicating market diversification.

France's opposition and widespread farmer protests are jeopardizing the EU's long-delayed free-trade deal with Mercosur. Angry farmers fear competition from cheaper agricultural imports, threatening a pact that has been nearly 25 years in the making. The deal's signing, planned for December 20, now faces significant delays, potentially pushing it to 2026 or later.

India's robust national power grid, boasting 500 GW capacity, positions it as a prime destination for substantial data center investments. Union Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted this advantage, noting ample electricity for all sectors. Major tech firms are already committing billions to India's AI and data infrastructure, signaling strong growth potential.

A crackdown on tax fraud has uncovered hundreds of bogus GST registrations, with forged identities leading to over Rs 3,000 crore in tax evasion in six months. Authorities are intensifying data scrutiny and physical verification to identify and cancel fake registrations, leading to arrests and sustained pressure on fraud networks.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman refuted claims of India being a dead economy in the Lok Sabha, citing strong growth figures and sovereign rating upgrades. She highlighted India's position as the fastest-growing major economy, with 8.2% growth in the September quarter, and emphasized the country's transition from fragility to fortitude.

Wall Street opened cautiously positive as investors await key US economic data, including jobs and inflation reports, which could influence interest-rate expectations. Asian markets largely declined, with Japan's Nikkei falling amid rate hike anticipation, while European stocks ticked higher. Oil prices remained steady, and the dollar softened.

The PFRDA is merging NPS Scheme A (alternate assets) with Schemes C (corporate bonds) and E (equities) to modernize its investment framework. This move aims to enhance diversification, improve risk-adjusted returns, and increase liquidity for subscribers. Existing Scheme A subscribers have until December 25, 2025, to switch their accumulated corpus to other asset classes without additional cost.

The government is set to incentivize states and districts to collaborate with industries for a hyper-local approach to skill gap identification and workforce development. This strategy aims to align training with investment patterns and local industry needs, utilizing AI for improved job matching and faster placement of skilled workers.

India and New Zealand are nearing the conclusion of their free trade agreement negotiations, with Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal expressing optimism for a swift finalization. This pact, launched in March 2025, aims to significantly boost bilateral trade, which already saw a 49% surge last year, and strengthen investment ties between the two nations.

The Indian rupee hit a fresh all-time low of 90.74 against the US dollar, pressured by uncertainty over an India-US trade deal and continued foreign fund outflows. Despite positive macro cues, the rupee struggled as importers' strong dollar demand and risk-averse sentiment dominated. Experts see a bullish near-term bias for the USD-INR pair.

December 15, 2025, is a crucial advance tax deadline for individuals with multiple income streams. Taxpayers must have paid at least 75% of their estimated tax liability by this date to avoid accumulating monthly interest penalties under India's 'pay as you earn' framework. Failure to meet this deadline can lead to significant additional tax outgo.

Gold prices reached an all-time high in futures trade on Monday, surging Rs 1,874 to Rs 1,35,496 per 10 grams, driven by strong global market trends. February gold contracts on MCX climbed 1.4%, mirroring a significant jump in Comex gold futures overseas. This rally reflects robust investor sentiment in the precious metal.

India is in talks with Mexico to counter new import tariffs impacting goods from non-FTA nations, including India. These hikes, effective 2026, could affect $2 billion in Indian exports. Both nations are exploring a preferential trade agreement to safeguard bilateral trade interests and mitigate potential disruptions.

Despite US tariffs, China's trade surplus hit a record $1 trillion, driven by global demand for its goods. Exporters pivoted from the US to Europe, Asia, and Africa. This resilience, fueled by manufacturing strength and weak domestic demand, bolsters Beijing's stance in trade talks, though concerns about sustainability and global trade tensions persist.

Investors often fall into extremes with stock portfolios, either too concentrated or overly diversified. A balanced approach, typically 10-20 stocks, is recommended. Key to success is sensible position sizing, avoiding tiny holdings, and ensuring sector diversification to mitigate risks and enhance overall portfolio performance.

Wholesale inflation eased to -0.32% in November, a significant improvement from October's -1.21%, driven by falling prices in food, energy, and metals. Despite a monthly price increase of 0.71%, driven by primary articles and energy, manufactured goods saw a slight dip. Food inflation also moderated, remaining negative.

India's merchandise trade deficit narrowed significantly to $24.53 billion in November, driven by reduced imports of gold, oil, and coal. This decline exceeded analyst expectations and comes as India implements measures to counter US tariffs and seeks concessions on key exports.

RBI's repo rate cuts are making home loans cheaper, but borrowers should focus on total interest paid. Prepaying high-cost, long-term loans offers a guaranteed, risk-free return higher than most fixed income investments post-tax. Early repayment significantly reduces total interest outgo and loan tenure, boosting long-term financial health.

Wakefit Innovations debuted on Dalal Street with shares trading near its issue price, later climbing over Rs 200. The company raised Rs 1,289 crore through its IPO, aiming to expand its offline retail presence. Despite revenue growth, profitability has been uneven, with investors awaiting sustained earnings visibility.

Stock market recommendations: SBI Securities' Sudeep Shah highlights BHEL and Ashok Leyland as top stock picks. Nifty shows resilience, consolidating near all-time highs, with support at 25,700. Bank Nifty, however, lags, trading sideways.

Corona Remedies made a remarkable debut on the stock market, opening with a significant premium. The company's Rs 655-crore IPO was massively oversubscribed, attracting strong interest from institutional and retail investors alike. This robust demand reflects confidence in Corona Remedies' solid financial performance, strategic focus on key healthcare areas, and promising earnings potential.

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are well supported, with the bias remaining on the higher side despite record highs impacting physical demand. Silver continues to outperform gold, driven by strong industrial demand and tight supplies. Key economic data this week will influence rate expectations and market volatility.