The Times of India News

The Union Cabinet has greenlit Delhi Metro's Phase-VA, adding 13 new stations and over 16 km to the network. This Rs 12,015 crore expansion, slated for completion in three years, will push the total operational length beyond 400 km.

The 2026 Indian budget may introduce optional joint taxation for married couples, a proposal by ICAI. This could simplify filings, potentially lower tax burdens for single-earner households, and align India with global practices. While offering flexibility, careful design is needed to address system overhauls and potential revenue concerns, making it a significant financial shift for families.

Most investors have too many funds, leading to confusion rather than diversification. The article advocates for a focused approach, starting with one core fund and gradually adding a few more for specific roles. This strategy builds a robust portfolio of 4-6 well-chosen funds, ensuring clarity and effectiveness over time.

Debt funds presented a mixed performance in 2025, with credit risk funds excelling while long-term funds lagged despite interest rate cuts. Experts anticipate range-bound yields, suggesting short-term funds may offer steadier returns. A barbell approach, balancing short and long-term allocations, is recommended for 2026 to achieve stability and potential gains.

Legally binding commitments on professional services under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) will unlock global markets for Indian professionals, said Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal while inaugurating a Chintan Shivir on professional services.

After President Donald Trump proposed a $100,000 entry fee for new H-1B visa applications, the US Department of Homeland Security announced a major overhaul of the H-1B visa selection process. The department said that the long-standing random lottery system will be replaced with a wage-weighted model that prioritises higher-paid and higher-skilled applicants.

Foreign investors have returned to Indian stock markets, injecting $644 million in equities last week, the strongest inflows in nearly two months. This renewed interest follows a period of outflows and coincides with a sharp recovery in the rupee.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in red on Wednesday. While Nifty50 was near 25,150, BSE Sensex was below 85,500.

Confused about bank operations this Christmas? While Christmas Day sees nationwide closures, Christmas Eve is a holiday only in Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya. Other state-specific holidays also affect banking. Plan ahead for branch visits, as digital services remain accessible. Check local lists to avoid festive season disruptions.

A US federal judge upheld the Trump administration's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, rejecting a lawsuit by the Chamber of Commerce. The judge ruled President Trump had the legal authority to impose the fee, citing concerns that the program was displacing American workers. This decision impacts tech companies and businesses relying on skilled foreign talent.

Stock market recommendations: Anand Rathi's Mehul Kothari recommends CEAT, Endurance Technologies, and HPL Electric & Power for purchase. These stocks are showing signs of reversal and stabilization at key support levels, with favorable risk-reward ratios for potential upside moves within a 30-60 day timeframe.

Artificial intelligence is no longer confined to screening CVs or scheduling interviews. Two unsettling Reddit accounts describe interviews where neither side realised they were speaking to a machine. Perfect answers, repeated phrasing and lifeless precision exposed the truth. The stories hint at a near future where human presence in hiring becomes optional, and increasingly difficult to verify.

The Competition Commission of India has greenlit Blackstone's acquisition of up to 9.99% stake in Federal Bank via warrants, marking the US private equity giant's entry into the private lender. Additionally, CCI approved Tata Steel's complete takeover of Tata BlueScope Steel, consolidating its control over the joint venture.

Indian IT stocks, after years of underperformance, are cautiously optimistic for 2026, banking on AI to reignite growth. While past demand weakness stemmed from global economic woes and productivity gains, AI is now seen as a long-term driver.

The Reserve Bank of India is injecting Rs 2 lakh crore into the banking system through government security purchases and a $10 billion dollar-rupee swap. These measures, scheduled between late December 2025 and January 2026, aim to stabilize market conditions and ensure adequate liquidity. The central bank will continue monitoring the situation closely.

America's economy showed robust growth in the third quarter, exceeding expectations. President Donald Trump highlighted this as a success of his policies, including tariffs and tax cuts.

RBI Deputy Governor Poonam Gupta is optimistic about India's growth, citing reforms and economic strengths. She believes the rupee's movement is not a concern and expects inflation to remain benign. Gupta anticipates strong growth of 7-7.5% in the coming years, with limited downside risks.

US consumer confidence dipped in December to its lowest point since early tariffs, driven by worries over rising prices and trade levies. Households are increasingly anxious about inflation and job prospects, with expectations for the future remaining subdued. This softer sentiment reflects a cautious labor market facing ongoing uncertainty.

US stocks traded near record highs as stronger-than-expected Q3 GDP data boosted Treasury yields. Investors digested the economic resilience amid higher interest rates, with muted equity moves in a holiday-shortened week.

The US economy surged to a 4.3% annual growth rate in the third quarter, exceeding expectations due to robust consumer spending, exports, and government outlays. Despite this expansion, inflation persisted above the Federal Reserve's target, with the PCE index rising to 2.8%.

China has initiated a trade dispute against India at the World Trade Organization. The challenge targets India's policies on solar cells, solar modules, and information technology goods.

From comfort staples to regional favourites, Indians kept returning to a familiar set of cravings in 2025. Swiggys year-end data offers a telling glimpse into how tastes evolved.

December brings crucial financial deadlines. Ensure your NPS Scheme A is switched by the 25th to avoid unwanted changes. The 31st marks the final chance for belated or revised tax returns, crucial for carrying forward losses. Also, verify Aadhaar-PAN compliance for specific PAN holders to prevent inoperability. These actions prevent future financial headaches.

OYO's parent company, PRISM, has received shareholder approval to raise up to Rs 6,650 crore through a fresh equity issue for its upcoming IPO. This significant milestone signals steady progress towards a public market debut, with the company also seeing improving financial expectations and a stable outlook from Moody's.

Ambuja Cements is merging ACC and Orient Cement into itself, creating a unified listed platform for enhanced operating leverage and cost synergies. This share-based transaction aims to consolidate Adani Group's cement assets, simplifying operations and bolstering expansion plans.

Noida International Airport (NIA) has partnered with Tech Mahindra to establish a 24/7 integrated Network and Security Operations Centre (NOC-SOC). This collaboration aims to embed cybersecurity and digital resilience into the airport's operations from its inception. The NOC-SOC will proactively monitor and manage critical IT infrastructure, ensuring high availability and robust security for seamless airport operations.

Gold and silver prices reached unprecedented highs on Tuesday, driven by investor demand for safe-haven assets amidst geopolitical tensions and anticipated US Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. Both domestic and international markets saw significant surges, with gold futures on MCX and Comex hitting record levels.

Gold prices hit a new record high Tuesday, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions as the US seized Venezuelan oil tankers. Silver also neared historic peaks, extending a strong rally in precious metals. Expectations of lower US interest rates and a weaker dollar further fueled this surge, making gold an attractive safe haven for investors.

Hyosung Heavy Industries secured a contract worth 120 billion won, or approximately USD 82 million, to supply ultra-high-voltage transformers to the United Kingdom. This deal with SP Energy Networks, a division of ScottishPower, aims to support a significant wind power project as Britain works toward its carbon-neutrality goals.

PAN-Aadhaar linking deadline: Link your PAN with Aadhaar by December 31, 2025, or face consequences. Unlinked PANs become inoperative from January 1, 2026, impacting tax refunds and leading to higher TDS.

Global equities climbed Tuesday, buoyed by anticipated US interest rate cuts and easing AI concerns. Gold and silver hit record highs as US economic data signaled inflation cooling and unemployment rising, strengthening the case for Federal Reserve easing. Micron's strong earnings also boosted tech stocks, despite ongoing AI investment scrutiny.

India's IPO market has shown strong momentum in 2025, emerging as a key exit route for private equity (PE) investors, according to KPMG's Pulse of Private Equity Q3'25 report.

Amazon has blocked over 1,800 North Koreans attempting to secure remote IT jobs, citing a rise in applications and the use of laptop farms. This tactic, also seen at other companies, aims to generate funds for Pyongyang's regime. Officials warn of a widespread issue, with North Korea's cyber unit actively seeking to steal financial assets.

Markets saw huge volatility in 2025, with analysts predicting its continuation into 2026. Dynamic asset allocation funds, also known as balanced advantage funds, offer a potential solution by adjusting their equity and debt mix based on market conditions, delivering average returns of 4.57% in 2025.

Indian doctors and nurses are increasingly leaving the UK's NHS due to rising costs, tighter immigration rules, and reduced job security. Financial strain, better global opportunities, and restrictive government policies are pushing many to seek careers elsewhere, with visa numbers for Indian healthcare workers seeing significant drops. This trend impacts the NHS workforce.

Indonesia and the United States have finalized a new tariff deal, with presidents expected to sign it next month. The agreement lowers US tariffs on Indonesian goods, including palm oil, coffee, and tea, while the US seeks greater access to Indonesia's critical minerals. This follows a commitment by Indonesia to increase imports from the US.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in red on Tuesday. While Nifty50 was above 26,150, BSE Sensex was below 85,500.

The Chinese embassy in India has launched an online visa application system for Indian passport holders, simplifying the process for tourist, business, student, and work visas. This digital initiative reduces consulate visits and allows for real-time tracking and INR fee payments, aiding in the gradual normalization of ties between the two nations.

Stock market recommendations: Mirae Asset Sharekhan's Somil Mehta identifies NMDC, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, and BHEL as top stock picks for December 23, 2025. These companies are showing positive technical indicators, suggesting potential uptrends.

Nuvama downgraded Voltas citing weak near-term demand and high inventory, while Kotak sees improvement in SBI Cards' asset quality and spending. CLSA expects Dalmia Bharat's volumes to rise but margins to be pressured by weak pricing. Morgan Stanley views HCL Tech's acquisition as financially minor, and Citigroup remains positive on Divis Laboratories amid global supply chain shifts.

Tech billionaire Larry Ellison has personally guaranteed over $40 billion for Skydance's $78 billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, aiming to quell board doubts about funding certainty. This move, backing his son David's takeover attempt, intensifies the hostile bid against a rival Netflix deal. WBD's board now faces increased pressure from shareholders.