The Economic Times News

ICICI Direct forecasts the Nifty reaching 30,000 by 2026. The brokerage suggests investing in Bajaj Finserv, Indian Oil Corporation, LTIMindtree, Pidilite Industries, SRF, Can Fin Homes, and Jamna Auto Industries. BFSI and Consumption sectors are expected to lead growth. The Bank Nifty is also projected for significant gains. Current market breadth indicates a potential for broad-based opportunities next year.

Indian stock markets saw a modest rise on Friday. The Nifty and Sensex closed higher, gaining about half a per cent. This uptick followed a US interest rate cut. However, uncertainty surrounding a US-India trade deal and a weaker rupee limited further gains. Investors are awaiting clarity on trade tariffs.

Sebi has enhanced governance at Market Infrastructure Institutions by mandating the appointment of two executive directors. One ED will manage critical operations, while the other will oversee regulatory functions, compliance, risk, and investor grievances. Both will join the governing board, with hiring to be done through open advertisements.

Usha Martin's promoter, Peterhouse Investments India Limited, divested 23 lakh shares for Rs 99 crore in a block deal. Morgan Stanley and Bandhan Mutual Fund were among the buyers, acquiring shares at Rs 430 each. The transaction occurred as Usha Martin's stock closed higher at Rs 440.45.

Nasdaq filed a new rule on Friday that would allow the exchange to block IPOs even when companies meet all listing standards if it detects red flags that could make a company's stock vulnerable to manipulation.

U.S. 10-year Treasury yields rose on Friday after two straight sessions of declines, as investors assessed commentary from a flurry of Fed speakers and a positive outlook on the economy.

Shares of cannabis companies jumped on Friday after the Washington Post reported U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to push the government to dramatically loosen federal restrictions on marijuana.

Sebi has dropped insider trading charges against Pranav Adani and two others, ruling their Adani Green trades occurred after news of the SB Energy acquisition became public, making the information no longer price sensitive.

LIC has reduced its stake in Adani Ports to 7.34% by selling nearly 3.9 crore shares since 2022, even as the stock outperforms benchmarks and posts strong quarterly revenue and profit growth.

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq opened lower on Friday as Broadcom's latest results added to concerns about an AI-fueled bubble, dampening optimism stoked by the Federal Reserve's less-hawkish-than-expected signals on 2026 rate cuts.

Two officials who voted against the Federal Reserve's decision to lower interest rates again this week cited a need for more economic data and too-hot inflation in explaining their decisions on Friday.

Vijay Kedia said Exato Technologies stellar SME debut proves stock prices ultimately follow business fundamentals, as the AI-led tech firm nearly doubled on listing after a record 947 subscription across investor categories and strong financial performance supporting its growth story.

Gold and silver prices surged to all-time highs on MCX as the rupee hit a record low, with global safe-haven demand, wedding-season buying and strong investor interest driving bullions sharp 2025 rally.

The rupee closed at a record low of 90.41 amid strong importer dollar demand, Mexicos tariff move, lack of the India-US trade deal, and continued FPI outflows, marking a 1% December drop and nearly 6% yearly depreciation.

Nithin Kamath says Zerodha limits lending to loans against securities due to higher funding costs, tougher competition, and risks linked to unsecured credit. Lower-risk, collateral-backed loans align better with its philosophy and customer base, making them a natural extension of its broking business.

NSE has released the 2026 trading holiday calendar with 15 market holidays, weekend festival dates, and details on the Muhurat Trading session. The schedule helps investors plan expiries, liquidity strategies and portfolio actions as global brokerages project a recovery year for equities.

Nithin Kamath says 62% of Zerodha users with holdings still lack nominees despite an online process, urging investors to notify nominees to prevent unclaimed assets as Sebi defers its nomination frameworks third phase.

Blackstone-backed Horizon Industrial Parks is preparing a Mumbai IPO of up to $500 million, among Indias largest logistics listings, with proceeds earmarked for asset expansion amid strong retail and institutional market appetite.

Aspri Spirits, an alco-beverage distribution entity, has filed preliminary papers with markets regulator Sebi to raise funds through an initial public offering (IPO), which comprises a fresh issue of shares worth Rs 140 crore.

India's benchmark government bond posted its biggest weekly fall in nearly four months, as traders trimmed positions amid supply worries and declining prospects of further interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India.

ICICI Prudential AMCs 10,602-crore IPO saw a 53% Day 1 subscription, led by strong QIB demand. The GMP of 9.3% signals moderate listing expectations. Brokerages remain positive on the AMCs strong market share, high profitability and growth, though valuations are considered rich and suited more for long-term investors.

Indian markets rose for a second day on Friday, with New India Assurance, Hindustan Zinc, GMDC, JSW Energy, Swiggy, Refex Industries and HCC among the key stocks in focus.

A strong market session lifted the Sensex by 450 points, triggering 52-week highs in eight BSE 200 stocks. Companies across metals, autos, finance, and banking recorded notable monthly gains, signalling robust bullish momentum and potential near-term strength.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said asset manager Brookfield is set to invest over USD 1 billion (around Rs 9,000 crore) to create a global capability centre (GCC) facility in the state.

ICICI Direct expects Nifty to hit 30,000 by 2026, backed by a Cup & Handle breakout, strong long-term support zones, and historical post-correction rallies. The brokerage sees banks leading the next leg and identifies nine top stock picks, citing favourable technical setups and a supportive macro backdrop.

In a stunning development on Friday, the Indian rupee hit an all-time low, marking its second straight week of downturns. Investors are on edge, closely monitoring the uncertain trajectory of U.S.-India trade negotiations.

State-run insurance stocks rallied after the Union Cabinet approved 100% FDI in the insurance sector, triggering strong market optimism. New India Assurance led the gains, followed by GIC, LIC, and private insurers such as ICICI Prudential and SBI Life. The reform aims to attract foreign capital, streamline licensing, and introduce composite licences, forming a key part of the government's Insurance for All by 2047 vision.

Indian equities rose on Friday, with the Sensex and Nifty extending their Fed-driven rebound even as both ended the week lower. Metals and realty led gains, midcaps outperformed, and global sentiment improved after the U.S. rate cut. However, a weaker rupee, FII outflows, and tech-sector jitters capped enthusiasm.

Jefferies forecasts Nifty at 28,300 by December 2026, expecting steady domestic flows, stronger EPS growth, macro stability and sector-wide earnings rebound to support a 10% upside from current levels.

Property group Hongkong Land said on Friday it will launch a Singapore private real estate fund with more than S$8 billion ($6.19 billion) in assets under management at inception.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said asset manager Brookfield Properties is set to invest over USD 1 billion to create a global capability centre (GCC) facility in the state.

Vishal Gupta, managing director of Ashiana Housing, has been elected as the new president of realtors' apex body CREDAI's NCR chapter.

Data for November 2025 shows that 245 stocks were held by more than 100 mutual fund schemes, reflecting broad institutional conviction. Of these, 101 stocks gained over 10% in CY25, while 14 delivered returns above 50%, including one multibagger. Strong mutual fund participation supported strong performance across names such as L&T Finance, Aditya Birla Capital, RBL Bank, MCX, TVS Motor Company and Eicher Motors.

Realty firm Satya Group and Maple Group will develop a luxury housing project in Gurugram at a cost of around Rs 1,600 crore.

Indian Oil Corporation announced an interim dividend of Rs 5 per share for FY26, fixing 18 December 2026 as the record date. Shares rose intraday, backed by strong yearly returns and improved quarterly profits. The company continues to outperform benchmarks, supported by a consistent dividend history and stable operational performance.

JSW Energy's board approved a fundraising of up to Rs 10,000 crore through QIP and private offerings. This includes a Rs 3,000 crore preferential issue to promoter entity JTPM Metal Traders, increasing its stake. The company also appointed a new CFO.

Silver has officially leapfrogged Microsoft to become the fifth-largest asset in the world by market capitalization, marking a historic moment for the precious metal.

The Indian stock market is poised for a strong weekly close, with the Nifty nearing 26,000. Analysts anticipate a bullish trend continuing into December, driven by a potential breakout from a recent downward channel. The Nifty Metal Index is showing significant upside potential, with expectations of a 15-20% rise in the coming months.

India's markets navigate optimism and caution amidst a shifting global macro environment, with a potential trade deal and Fed rate cut injecting liquidity. While GDP growth supports earnings, currency pressures and sluggish portfolio flows present vulnerabilities. A favourable trade deal could bolster FDI and exports, easing these concerns.

The head of India's markets regulator said on Friday the agency is grappling with privacy concerns as it weighs a panel's proposal requiring senior officers, including the chairperson, to disclose their financial assets and liabilities.

Broadcom shares dropped 4.7% in Frankfurt on Friday a day after the company projected first-quarter revenue above Wall Street estimates, but said margins would fall due to a higher mix of AI revenue.

Market expert Sandip Sabharwal offers a cautious outlook on various asset classes, advising investors to be selective in capital markets and real estate. He warns against chasing parabolic rallies in silver and expresses skepticism about steel, while finding selective optimism in new-age stocks like Nykaa. Sabharwal anticipates broader market momentum to improve in 2026.

Refex Industries shares plummeted 20% after the Income Tax Department launched search operations at its registered office and group locations. The company stated its operations are unaffected and it's cooperating fully. This news follows recent order wins and steady September-quarter earnings, despite the stock's significant year-to-date decline.

Emkay Globals Seshadri Sen projects the Nifty at 29,000 by December 2026, backed by strong FY27 earnings, a broad consumption revival, rising credit growth, and supportive monetary policy. He expects small and midcaps to outperform despite near-term volatility, while remaining cautious on large private banks due to slower growth and valuation resets.

HCC shares fell sharply to a 52-week low as its Rs 1,000 crore rights issue opened on Friday, triggering investor caution. The offer includes nearly 80 crore new shares at Rs 12.50 each and remains open until December 22. Post-issue, HCCs outstanding share count will rise significantly, assuming full subscription.

InterGlobe Aviation's issues highlight aviation's tough nature. Expert Sandip Sabharwal sees opportunities in InterGlobe's stock. He warns about Kaynes Technology due to governance concerns. The EMS sector faces margin risks. ICICI Prudential AMC is viewed positively but with high valuation. Infrastructure players NCC and Ahluwalia Contracts are favored. Paints are expected to recover, while cement faces caution.

Japanese stocks surged on Friday, marking a third consecutive weekly gain, buoyed by positive Wall Street sentiment following a less hawkish US Federal Reserve. The Nikkei 225 closed higher, with the Topix reaching a record. Investors now await the Bank of Japan's policy decision next week, with caution expected early on. Tech stocks saw mixed performance, with some major decliners.

Prudential Corporation Holdings is set to make 10,603 crore from the ICICI Prudential AMC IPO, marking an extraordinary 108,170% return on shares bought 20 years ago for 2 each. The firm is selling 4.89 crore shares entirely via OFS at 2,165 apiece, reducing its stake from 49% by 10%.

Hindustan Zinc shares surged in four days to Rs 547, driven by soaring silver prices following the US Feds rate cuts. As silver more than doubles this year, analysts say the market is still underestimating Hindustan Zincs leverage to the metal, which contributes nearly half its EBIT. With strong global positioning, improving margins and rising investor interest, the stock is nearing its 52-week high.