The Economic Times News

IT stocks jumped up to 4% as softer US labour data and easing inflation revived hopes of a Fed rate cut. The Nifty IT index rose over 2% for a fourth straight session, led by Persistent Systems, Infosys, Wipro and Tech Mahindra, as lower borrowing costs are expected to support global tech spending.

The Gujarat Kidney and Super Specialty IPO received a strong response on its opening day, with 90% subscription led by robust retail participation. While grey market signals point to a steady listing, analysts have flagged valuation concerns and advised caution given the companys aggressive expansion plans and premium pricing.

Gold prices hit a fresh record of Rs 1.36 lakh per 10 grams on MCX, entering overbought territory after a sharp rally. However, experts say the broader trend remains bullish, backed by strong global cues, central bank demand, and supportive technical indicators, favouring a buy-on-dips strategy rather than selling into strength.

Axis Securities has set a base-case Nifty target of 28,100 for December 2026, expecting markets to shift from valuation-led consolidation to an earnings-driven cycle. Improving macro fundamentals, resilient domestic demand, rising corporate earnings and strong domestic liquidity are seen supporting equities, with a buy-on-dips strategy recommended despite global and currency-related risks.

Indian equity markets are unlikely to stay flat in 2026 after a year-long breather, says Abakkus Assets Aman Chowhan. He expects a revival led by largecaps, with midcaps joining later, strong prospects for financials, pharma and manufacturing, selective opportunities in new-age tech, and decadal themes like defence, EMS and import substitution driving long-term growth.

BSE shares witnessed an uptick on Monday after an ET report suggested that the exchange plans to launch new monthly index option products and revamp the Bankex index. The move aims to boost BSEs derivatives market share beyond weekly expiries, with management betting on cheaper monthly options and improved liquidity to deepen trader participation.

Global stock markets showed mixed movements on Monday. A strong rebound in AI-related stocks like Nvidia on Wall Street boosted Asian markets. Tokyo's Nikkei saw significant gains driven by chipmakers. The Bank of Japan's rate hike caused the yen to weaken against the dollar. Investors are watching inflation and interest rate policies closely.

Bharat Coking Coal, a Coal India subsidiary, is likely to launch a Rs 1,300 crore IPO in early 2026 via a pure offer for sale, valuing the debt-free PSU at about Rs 13,000 crore.

European shares held steady on Monday, with gains in tech and commodity-linked stocks providing support, as investors started a holiday-shortened week on a tepid note following the previous session's record-high close.

Indian equity markets are showing renewed strength, with the Nifty holding above key technical levels and poised to retest all-time highs. While the banking sector consolidates, IT, auto, and defence sectors are gaining traction. Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle and Hindalco are highlighted as attractive stock picks with bullish patterns and near-term targets.

ICICI Direct expects Indian equities to regain momentum on the back of an earnings recovery and supportive macro conditions, targeting the Nifty 50 at 29,500 by December 2026. The brokerage has identified seven high-conviction stock picks across banking, financials, telecom, IT, real estate and cement, citing valuation comfort and earnings visibility.

Wealth management expert Gurmeet Chadha has reiterated a structurally positive outlook on Indias economy and markets, citing falling borrowing costs and rising foreign interest. He expects Indian bond yields to decline over the next few years and favours a portfolio heavily weighted towards equities, reflecting confidence in Indias long-term growth prospects.

FIIs quietly raised stakes in select stocks for three straight quarters, with several turning into CY25 multibaggers.

Japanese government bonds fell further on Monday, sending short-term yields to a record high, following the central bank's interest rate hike last week.

Euro zone government bond yields edged up early on Monday, extending the rise of the previous week after the European Central Bank left monetary policy unchanged and signalled that further rate cuts were unlikely for at least another year.

Railway stocks rallied on December 22 led by IRCTC, Jupiter Wagons, RailTel and RVNL on stock-specific triggers, including fare rationalisation and promoter buying. The bounce follows a weak 2025 for the sector, with hopes now pinned on higher railway capex in Budget 202627.

Recent IPO price swings are driven by technical factors and high short-term trading volumes, not just supply and demand. Feroze Azeez agrees with Nithin Kamath, highlighting that initial trading phases differ significantly from mature stock behavior. Investors should watch for institutional buying to distinguish long-term opportunities from short-term trades.

Japan's Nikkei share index surged for a second day. A weaker yen and strong AI investment sentiment fueled the gains. US stocks also rose on positive chipmaker forecasts. SoftBank Group, a key AI investor, saw a significant jump. This positive momentum is now visible in the Japanese market.

ICICI Direct projects a stronger phase for Indian equities, targeting the Nifty 50 at 29,500 by December 2026, supported by an earnings revival, favourable macro conditions and more reasonable valuations. The brokerage highlights select stock picks and sectors while maintaining a constructive medium-term outlook for the market.

Bitcoin steadied near $88,800 on Monday as holiday-season liquidity remained thin, while Ethereum held above $3,000. Traders await key US macro data, including GDP and jobless claims. BTC faces resistance at $90K, ETH eyes $3,150$3,200, and altcoins showed mixed moves, keeping overall crypto market sentiment cautiously bullish.

SBI Chairman CS Setty confirmed plans to list SBI Mutual Fund within the next 12 months, with no other IPOs or stake sales lined up. He said SBI does not need fresh capital for five years, citing strong capital ratios, steady profits and sufficient buffers to fund credit growth.

Infosys American Depository Receipts saw a significant intraday surge. Experts attribute this spike primarily to derivative strategies and options trading mechanics. While the stock closed with a modest gain, reflecting underlying fundamentals, the dramatic intraday movement was largely driven by short gamma positions. Investors are advised to focus on end-of-day prices for a clearer picture of stock performance.

Indian markets are buzzing as Australian shares surged for a third day, hitting a month-high driven by strong mining and broad buying. Analysts are calling it the 'Santa Claus rally,' with potential for further gains. Miners saw record highs, while gold stocks also climbed. Financials are showing resilience, with banks expected to benefit from anticipated interest rate trends into 2026.

Ashok Leyland shares hit a fresh 52-week high after Nomura reaffirmed its Buy rating and raised optimism around the commercial vehicle upcycle. The brokerage sees the company as a key beneficiary of improving CV demand, stronger volume growth and margin tailwinds, setting a target price of Rs 196 with healthy upside.

Investors are eyeing IT, FMCG, and power sectors for opportunities. IT stocks offer a contra play after corrections. FMCG requires selective choices, with Marico and Tata Consumer being favored. Asian Paints also shows promise. The power sector, including Tata Power, is set for growth. HVDC projects present long-term potential in transmission and distribution, with Siemens Energy being a key player.

Indias cables & wires industry is entering a multi-year growth phase, driven by infrastructure, renewables, railways, data centres and exports. With the market seen nearing Rs 1.9 trillion by FY30, companies like Polycab India and KEI Industries are well placed to benefit from strong demand visibility and resilient margins.

Meesho shares have fallen 8% over two sessions after surging more than 100% since its December 10 IPO. Low free-float, short-covering, and intense early demand are driving the pullback despite strong analyst support.

Hindustan Construction Company shares climbed for a third straight session after its joint venture secured a Rs 901 crore railway tunnel project from Northeast Frontier Railway. While the order boosted sentiment, technical indicators continue to point to underlying weakness in the stocks broader trend.

Japans surprise rate hikes, an expected 50 bps Fed cut, and a weakening US job market could reshape global capital flows. Economist Peter Cardillo says emerging markets may benefit, with India standing out as inflows return amid a carry-trade unwind, AI-driven layoffs, sticky inflation pressures, and slowing US growth into 2026, according to recent commentary on monetary policy shifts globally.

Silver Price Today: Silver has surged to record highs on the MCX, driven by tight global supply, robust industrial demand, strong ETF inflows and supportive macroeconomic cues. With analysts targeting Rs 2.25 lakh per kg by year-end, the metal has emerged as one of the standout performers of 2025.

Gold price today: After a stellar 2025 rally of over 60%, gold may extend its gains into 2026, supported by central bank buying, ETF inflows, geopolitical risks, a weaker dollar, and de-dollarisation trends. However, shifts in monetary policy, dollar strength, and rising yields remain key risks to watch.

Indian equities surged for a second day, with Sensex and Nifty climbing on a stronger rupee and positive global sentiment. Foreign institutional investors turned net buyers, contributing to the rally. This renewed investor confidence, driven by potential U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts and domestic economic strength, signals a potential year-end market upswing.

Options trading has gone mainstream, with calls and puts widely used across Indian, US and global markets for profits, protection and risk management. While options offer leverage, defined risk and hedging benefits, they also involve time decay and complexity, making disciplined strategy and understanding essential for investors.

The rally came after Jupiter Wagons informed the stock exchanges that its promoter, Tatravagonka A.S., had acquired additional equity shares through the conversion of convertible warrants.

Indian government bonds declined as market participants faced persistent supply, with states planning to borrow significantly more than expected. This increased supply, coupled with foreign investor exits and caution ahead of quarter-end, is pushing yields higher. Despite RBI interventions, the outlook for bonds remains bearish due to ongoing supply pressures.

As USD/INR nears the 92 mark, the debate over a possible move to 100 is intensifying. Experts argue this is less about economic weakness and more about structural shifts in currency markets, regulatory changes, and global dollar strength shaping the rupees long-term trajectory.

ICICI Prudential AMC shares surged over 2% to an intraday high of Rs 2,645, extending their rally post a strong market debut. Brokerages like PL Capital and Centrum have issued Buy ratings, citing strong performance, superior equity yields, and robust revenue growth. The company's dominant position in equity AUM and expanding PMS/AIF platforms further bolster bullish outlooks.

Ola Electric shares saw a nearly 10% jump Friday after CEO Bhavish Aggarwal sold a portion of his stake to repay debt and eliminate promoter pledges. This move aims to reduce risk and volatility, though the stock remains down significantly year-to-date and from its peak, with technical indicators flashing caution.

Shares of Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works fell 51% after turning ex-split, reflecting a technical price adjustment. The drop did not affect fundamentals, and the stock later rebounded over 11% intraday, leaving investors overall holding value unchanged.

U.S. equities have seen a choppier-than-usual December, defying the typical year-end rally even as major indices remain on track for solid full-year gains in 2025. Recent volatility has been driven by concerns over heavy AI-related capital spending and uncertainty around the Federal Reserves interest-rate outlook.

As the year-end approaches, global markets remain volatile amid mixed U.S. economic signals, geopolitical risks and uncertainty over a Santa rally. Investors are closely tracking key data releases, oil-market developments and central bank cues in Asia as a turbulent year draws to a close.

GE Vernova T&D India shares rose sharply after the company secured a large HVDC transmission project from AESL Projects Limited. While the order strengthens long-term growth visibility and underscores technical capabilities, the stock is trading near its peak with rich valuations, suggesting optimism may already be priced in.

Wall Street forecasts a Nifty rebound by 2026, driven by earnings recovery and easing rates. However, hidden valuation gaps, with many Nifty constituents trading at high multiples despite modest growth, challenge this optimism. Large financials and PSUs mask the elevated valuations in other sectors, suggesting selective stock picking over broad index gains.

Billionbrains Garage Ventures, parent of Groww, saw its shares surge over 20% after Jefferies initiated coverage with a Buy rating. The brokerage highlighted Groww's Robinhood-like strategy, expecting 35% earnings growth driven by new products and margin improvements, setting a target price of Rs 180.

BSE is launching new monthly index option products, including a revamped Bankex index with expanded constituents and a new weighting structure, to boost its derivatives market share. This strategy aims to attract traders beyond weekly expiries by offering more attractive, cheaper monthly options. The exchange is also developing other monthly derivative products and strengthening its GIFT City operations.

Indian stocks surged on Monday, with the Sensex and Nifty breaking a three-week losing streak. Investor sentiment was boosted by foreign fund inflows and increasing anticipation of interest-rate cuts in the coming year. The Sensex climbed over 450 points, surpassing 85,400, while the Nifty 50 gained over 150 points, crossing 26,100.

Gold and silver prices surged to record highs globally, driven by strong investor demand, central bank buying and expectations of interest rate cuts. Silver outperformed sharply, while gold remained near historic peaks. Despite mixed domestic cues, bullish global sentiment and broker outlooks continue to support precious metal prices.

Historical data reveals smallcap stocks have consistently outperformed during the year-end Santa rally, averaging 3.55% returns with a 100% success rate. Technical indicators suggest smaller stocks are poised for a comeback, with market breadth already tilting in their favor. The Nifty also shows potential for an upward move, aligning with the repeatable seasonal pattern.

Sachin Gupta, Chief Rating Officer at CareEdge Ratings, shares his approach to maintaining peak performance. He highlights how mindful routines, yoga, and family activities help him stay calm and focused. Strategic games also sharpen his decision-making skills. These practices are crucial for navigating demanding professional environments and making sound judgments.

Indian investors are increasingly looking beyond domestic markets for portfolio diversification, with global investing gaining traction. Experts suggest allocating 10-30% to global assets by 2026 to manage risk and unlock opportunities, driven by themes like AI and currency hedging.