The Times of India News

Mutual funds in 2025: Despite volatile markets in 2025, investor confidence in mutual funds stayed strong, with assets under management rising sharply. Multi-asset funds emerged as portfolio standouts, benefiting from surging gold and silver prices.

Silver price crash today: Silver prices saw a sharp drop after hitting record highs, with MCX futures plunging Rs 21,000 per kg as profit booking set in amid easing geopolitical risks and higher margin requirements.

Income Tax Department has been sending emails and SMSes warning that return processing and refunds are on hold due to flagged donations or deduction claims. These have unsettled taxpayers, particularly those with genuine claims.

The United States remains the top debtor of Taiwan banks for the 41st straight quarter. This means the U.S. owes more money to Taiwanese banks than any other country. According to a report by Focus Taiwan, this trend has continued for more than ten years without any change at the top spot.

India's agriculture sector is poised for record foodgrain production in 2025-26, driven by strong monsoons and GST cuts on key inputs. Despite global trade headwinds and excessive rainfall in some areas, sowing has progressed well. Stakeholders anticipate major bills on seeds and pesticides in 2026 to address input quality.

Gold price prediction today: Any pullbacks in the gold price rally may be used for accumulation, says Manav Modi, Senior Analyst, Commodity Research at Motilal Oswal Financial Services. He believes that a decisive move above 140,000 may possibly open the way toward targets of 143,000145,000.

Stock market recommendations: Sudeep Shah, Head - Technical Research and Derivatives at SBI Securities recommends buying Karur Vysya Bank, and Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation.

Following GST rate reductions, consumer demand for household essentials and groceries saw a significant boost in the October-December quarter, with sales volumes rising by 9-10%. This growth, despite initial trade disruptions, suggests a revival from an inflation-led slowdown, with urban-rural demand gaps narrowing.

Gulf states have confirmed that the unified GCC tourist visa will launch in 2026, revising earlier expectations of a 2025 rollout. Approved in principle but delayed by security, technical and data-sharing requirements, the Schengen-style visa aims to allow seamless travel across all six GCC countries and reshape regional tourism by simplifying multi-country visits under a single permit.

The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Act is projected to boost state funds by nearly Rs 17,000 crore, despite concerns over a revised 60:40 Centre-state funding ratio. An SBI report indicates most states will be net gainers, with opportunities to enhance benefits through their own contributions.

Silver prices soared past eighty dollars an ounce on Monday. Tight supplies and growing industrial demand fueled this rally. Platinum also touched a record high. Investors are watching for further US interest rate cuts. Gold prices eased slightly after reaching new highs. Geopolitical developments are also a key focus for traders.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in green on Monday. While Nifty50 was above 26,050, BSE Sensex was above 85,000.

Stock market recommendations: Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd recommends buying Midwest, and Ambuja Cement. An 18% upside is seen in Midwest and a 35% upside in Ambuja Cement.

Asian markets opened positively, driven by optimism for potential US interest rate cuts and a resilient tech rally. Investors await the Federal Reserve's December meeting minutes for further guidance. Meanwhile, gold and silver prices eased after reaching record highs, influenced by rate cut expectations and geopolitical tensions.

Mobile retail firm SS Retail is set to launch its initial public offering, aiming to raise Rs 500 crore. The IPO will comprise a fresh issuance of shares valued at Rs 300 crore, complemented by an offer for sale amounting to Rs 200 crore. This move marks the company's debut in the public market.

Indian Overseas Bank plans to raise Rs 4,000 crore via a qualified institutional placement in Q4 FY26. This significant fundraise, potentially the bank's largest in a decade, will further dilute the Union government's stake by an estimated 3% to 3.5%.

Satellite communication services are set to launch soon in India. Companies including Elon Musk's Starlink must meet security agency demands. These include international gateway clearances and ensuring data stays within India. Spectrum pricing is also being finalized. Once these conditions are met, services will be rolled out.

Indian engineers are reporting significantly higher developer experience scores, a trend observed by engineering intelligence firm DX. These scores, based on perceptions of work environment rather than output, consistently outpace Western counterparts. DX, now part of Atlassian, adjusts its benchmarks for India-centric teams due to these findings, highlighting the nation's growing global engineering influence.

Odisha-based Indian Metals and Ferro Alloys (IMFA) is planning to enter the critical minerals sector, leveraging its extensive experience in mining and mineral processing. The company, a pioneer in underground chromite mining, sees a strategic fit and is exploring opportunities both domestically and internationally.

Gold and silver have significantly outperformed equities this millennium in India, delivering impressive compound annual growth rates. Gold's appeal stems from its role as a jewelry component and store of value, while silver's demand is boosted by industrial applications and safe-haven appeal amid global uncertainties. This trend suggests precious metals may continue their strong performance.

Industry bodies are seeking government clarification on new labour codes, particularly regarding retrospective implementation and wage definitions. The ICAI advises companies to account for increased gratuity and other payments in their December quarter accounts, as the codes were notified effective November 1.

Go Digit General Insurance's board has approved a landmark merger of its unlisted holding company, Go Digit Infoworks Services, with the listed insurer. This move, the first of its kind post-amendments to insurance laws, aims to streamline operations and reduce costs by eliminating the holding company layer.

Warburg Pincus is reportedly in talks to sell its 26% stake in IndiaFirst Life Insurance, a move potentially valuing the insurer at over Rs 10,000 crore. Recent changes to insurance laws, including a higher foreign investment limit, are attracting a wider pool of potential buyers and easing control constraints for strategic investors and private equity funds.

A new 24/7 Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) has been operationalized by the civil aviation ministry to swiftly address air traveller grievances. This initiative brings together key aviation stakeholders to monitor operations and resolve issues like flight disruptions, delays, and baggage problems, leading to a marked improvement in grievance redressal.

India has launched its first testing standard for electric agricultural tractors, IS 19262:2025, to ensure safety, reliability, and performance. This move by the Bureau of Indian Standards aims to promote cleaner farm mechanization, reduce emissions, and lower operating costs for farmers.

Indian exports demonstrated resilience in a challenging 2025, navigating steep US tariffs and global trade uncertainty. Exporters successfully diversified markets and products, a strategy officials and industry believe will drive steady growth into 2026. Despite shocks, combined goods and services exports hit a record $825.25 billion in 2024-25.

IndiGo's domestic market share dipped to 63.6% in November due to operational disruptions, allowing rivals like Air India Group and SpiceJet to gain ground. Despite IndiGo's decline, overall domestic air travel continued to grow by 4.26% year-on-year, though passenger service issues and flight cancellations remained concerns.

Gold and silver are poised to maintain their strength as traders await US Federal Reserve meeting minutes for monetary policy cues. Analysts anticipate continued support for precious metals into 2026, driven by expected global rate cuts, safe-haven demand, and robust industrial consumption.

Satellite communication services in India await security clearance and finalized spectrum pricing before rollout. Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed this, also stating the government is reviewing issues concerning Vodafone Idea's financial situation and potential relief measures.

India's food delivery market is poised for growth driven by enhanced customer experience, faster deliveries, and value-conscious consumption. Leading aggregators like Swiggy and magicpin highlight deeper merchant inclusion and catering to users seeking affordability without compromising quality as key future drivers.

The government has launched two major shipbuilding initiatives, the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) and the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS), with a combined outlay exceeding Rs 44,700 crore.

Government mandates public sector banks and financial institutions to promptly report vigilance issues concerning directors. Delayed or incomplete disclosures of adverse information, including private complaints and court observations, have been noted.

India's wine exports are surging, with fruit-based wines gaining traction alongside traditional grape varieties. A recent shipment of jamun wine to the US marks a significant milestone, as domestic consumption remains muted. While grape wines lead exports, non-grape varieties like mango and apple wines are also finding international markets, though producers face challenges with competitiveness and sustained demand.

Jefferies has strategically rebalanced its Asia Pacific portfolio, boosting India and Taiwan by one percent each. This move, driven by confidence in India's domestic demand and Taiwan's semiconductor prowess, sees reduced exposure to China and Indonesia due to economic uncertainties.

Indian markets are bracing for a data-heavy week as the year concludes. Analysts anticipate a range-bound trading session, influenced by domestic economic indicators like industrial production and auto sales, alongside global cues from the US Federal Reserve. Investors are closely watching for insights into growth and liquidity trends.

India remembered Ratan Tata on his 88th birth anniversary with tributes from political leaders and industrialists. Tata Trusts highlighted his strategic philanthropic approach, while leaders praised his integrity, compassion, and role in reshaping Indian enterprise. His legacy of innovation, trust, and nation-building continues to inspire.

Seven of India's top ten companies experienced a combined market capitalization loss of Rs 35,439.36 crore in a holiday-shortened week, despite the broader market index closing higher. SBI, Reliance Industries, and Bajaj Finance saw the steepest declines, while HDFC Bank, Infosys, and Bharti Airtel posted gains.

Power consumers could soon benefit from lower electricity bills as regulators review trading fees. This move coincides with the upcoming implementation of market coupling, a reform designed to unify electricity prices across trading platforms. The aim is to enhance efficiency and transparency, ultimately reducing procurement costs for buyers.

Popular OTT series are significantly influencing travel choices, driving a surge in bookings to northeastern Indian cities like Imphal and Agartala. This screen-inspired wanderlust is transforming into tangible travel demand, as the region's landscapes and culture gain mainstream attention. The trend highlights the growing impact of entertainment on travel decisions.

Indian travelers are diversifying New Year destinations beyond Thailand and Cambodia due to border violence. Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Japan, and West Asia are gaining popularity. While Thailand sees a slight dip in bookings, Cambodia faces a stronger reaction. Rising airfares also influence choices, favoring shorter, visa-on-arrival destinations.

Chile's state-owned Codelco, the world's leading copper producer, and private miner SQM, which features Chinese capital, announced Saturday the creation of a giant company to exploit lithium, a lightweight metal used in batteries for electric vehicles. The Chinese firm Tianqi holds a 22 percent stake in SQM. The new company will carry out lithium exploration, extraction, production, and commercialization activities in the Atacama salt flat until 2060, Codelco said in a statement.

IndiGo has cancelled 13 flights on Sunday due to forecasted bad weather and operational reasons, impacting major city routes. This follows earlier cancellations due to pilot duty norms and stricter fog operating rules. Air India also warned of potential disruptions in northern India due to dense fog.

Jayshree Ullal, CEO of Arista Networks, leads India's richest tech executives for 2025. She has surpassed Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella. Ullal's net worth is $5.7 billion. Her company's revenue was $7 billion in 2024. The AI and software services boom has boosted her wealth. Ullal is an exemplary leader in a male-dominated industry. Read here to know more!

Quick e-commerce firm Zepto has filed preliminary papers with SEBI for an IPO, aiming to raise Rs 11,000 crore. The company, founded by Stanford dropouts, is utilizing a confidential filing route for its planned stock market debut next year. Zepto's move follows successful listings of rivals Zomato and Swiggy.