The Economic Times News

Several listed companies have announced corporate actions next week, including face value consolidation, stock splits and bonus issues, which may boost liquidity, affordability and retail interest without altering underlying business fundamentals.

Foreign investors are set to record their biggest-ever exit from Indian equities in 2025, with net outflows of over Rs 1.58 lakh crore, driven by exchange selling, rupee weakness and global capital shifts, despite steady domestic flows.

Bitcoin slipped near $87,000 as crypto retreated from October highs, while gold, silver and equities rose. Analysts cite year-end thin liquidity, geopolitical risks and macro uncertainty, with Bitcoin consolidating above key averages and awaiting clearer directional cues from global markets.

Silver prices surged over 150% in 2025 as supply deficits, falling inventories and strong industrial demand tightened the physical market, pushing prices above $75 and decoupling paper contracts from actual availability, with China export risks adding further pressure globally ahead.

As per the latest available data for the September 2025 quarter, Kedia holds publicly disclosed stakes in around 16 companies, with a combined value of about Rs 1,170 crore as of December 26, 2025, down nearly 38% from Rs 1,896 crore in December 2024.

Markets stayed rangebound in a holiday-shortened week as Nifty inched higher amid low volumes. India VIX fell to record lows, signalling complacency. Momentum weakened, breadth lagged and volatility compression warned of vulnerability until a decisive breakout emerges in coming sessions.

Several 2024 multibaggers turned major laggards in 2025 as stretched valuations met slowing growth. Earnings misses, margin pressures and execution delays led to sharp corrections, with many stocks falling 3040% or more after last years euphoric rally.

Quick commerce firm Zepto has filed draft papers with Sebi for a $1.3 billion IPO, people in the know told us. The Aadit Palicha-led company plans to raise most funds through fresh shares, with some stake sales by early investors. The Bengaluru-based firm, valued at $7 billion, aims to list in July-September quarter of 2026.

Warren Buffett will step down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO on December 31, ending a six-decade tenure. Vice-chair Greg Abel takes charge January 1, marking a succession while Buffett remains active, cementing a legacy of patience, discipline, ownership and long-term investing.

Markets stayed range-bound in a holiday-shortened week as low volumes and mixed global cues capped gains. Ultra-low volatility, resilient supports and broader market strength suggest consolidation may precede a directional move in coming weeks.

While the Sensex edged up modestly last week, select BSE 500 stocks delivered strong momentum. Thirteen stocks gained across all five sessions, posting cumulative returns of 1037%, highlighting stock-specific strength amid a sideways broader market.

Prabhudas Lilladher has initiated coverage on Waaree Energies, Premiere Energies and Vikram Solar, citing strong policy support, rising power demand and capacity expansion, with upside potential of up to 33% despite recent stock underperformance.

After a stellar 2025, precious metals are likely to see moderated returns in 2026. Gold and silver prices will hinge on geopolitics, US Fed actions and central bank policies, while equities regain attention through earnings, valuations and stock-specific opportunities.

Indias capital markets are undergoing a structural shift as millions move from trading to disciplined investing. Rising SIP flows, younger investors, and growing retail ownership are reshaping savings habits, market stability, and long-term wealth creation.

India leads global crypto adoption in 2025, drawing new investors to digital assets. A disciplined approachresearch, starting small, diversification, SIP investing, choosing compliant exchanges, and monitoring marketscan help beginners manage risk and invest confidently.

After a blockbuster 2025, Indias IPO market enters a quiet year-end with just one SME issue opening, while 11 listings dominate the week. Attention is shifting to a strong 2026 pipeline led by big-ticket names.

The Japanese yen weakened against the US dollar on Friday. Investors are watching for possible intervention to support the yen. The dollar saw a slight gain against the euro amid low trading volumes. Japan's government proposed record spending for the next fiscal year. Core consumer inflation in Tokyo slowed but remained above the Bank of Japan's target.

Oil prices dropped significantly on Friday. Investors are concerned about a global oil surplus next year. Talks between Ukraine's President Zelenskiy and U.S. President Trump could impact oil prices. A peace deal might lift sanctions on Russia's oil sector. U.S. actions regarding Venezuelan oil are seen as having minimal global impact. The market remains focused on the growing oil surplus.

Indian markets mirrored global trends as major U.S. stock indexes neared record highs, buoyed by anticipated Federal Reserve rate cuts and a weaker dollar. Precious metals like silver and gold surged to all-time peaks amid geopolitical tensions. Investors are keenly watching for Fed policy shifts and a new chair nomination, while oil prices dipped on supply glut fears.

Indian markets saw a flat close on Friday after a strong rally. Investors are watching for the Santa Claus rally, a seasonal trend. This year has been volatile with tariff concerns and geopolitical tensions. Major indexes are set for double-digit gains. Experts advise preparing for continued volatility. Nvidia and Target saw stock movements.

Investors are pouring money into climate-friendly assets despite policy rollbacks, pushing global green bond issuance to records as AI-driven power demand boosts renewables, grids and clean-energy stocks worldwide.

India's markets are consolidating into duopolies, with two dominant players controlling nearly 90% of sectors like aviation, food delivery, and digital payments. This concentration, exemplified by IndiGo and Air India, shifts incentives from customer service to market management, potentially harming consumers and innovation. The government is now intervening to foster new competition.

Indias banking sector is recalibrating as asset quality improves and growth turns selective. PSU banks are regaining MSME and home loan share, unsecured lending is moderating, and secured retail drives stability. Analysts favour execution-led lenders like ICICI Bank and AU Small Finance Bank.

Indias real estate sector stayed resilient in 2025, led by premium housing and strong office demand. Whitelands Sudeep Bhatt says 2026 will see higher institutional inflows, rising REIT and fractional ownership adoption, focus on ESG assets, infrastructure-led growth corridors, and improving rental yields.

A former Coinbase customer service agent has been arrested in India. This arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into a data breach at the cryptocurrency exchange. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong confirmed the development. He thanked Hyderabad Police for their assistance. The company has zero tolerance for bad behavior.

US stocks are poised for a strong finish to 2025, nearing record highs. Despite recent tech sector jitters, the S&P 500 is on an impressive streak. Investors are keenly awaiting Fed minutes for clues on interest rate cuts and President Trump's Fed chair nomination, anticipating further market movements.

The 2025 IPO season is nothing short of a phenomenon, propelled by Indian retail investors who have collectively committed around 42,000 crore to mainboard IPOsmarking a stunning threefold increase since 2023. The trend also extends into mutual funds, energized by a wave of SIP investments, signaling a robust engagement from retail participants in the equity arena.

On Friday, Indian stock exchanges experienced a downturn as investors opted to trim their portfolios ahead of the weekend break. Meanwhile, bullion markets thrived, with gold and silver prices hitting unprecedented levels, marking a continued upward trend. Global trading activity remained lukewarm, reflecting the seasonal slowdown due to year-end festivities.

Ace investor Ramesh Damani has picked up Rs 13 crore worth of John Cockerill India shares in a bulk deal on Friday, while promoter John Cockerill SA offloaded Rs 91 crore worth of stock. The shares were purchased at a price of Rs 4,704.45 apiece, a 1% discount from the Wednesday closing price of Rs 4755.40 on the BSE.

Silver prices soared to Rs 2.32 lakh per kg on Friday, marking a record high this year, while gold touched Rs 1.37 lakh per 10 gm. Strong industrial demand, supply constraints, festive buying, and global macro factors have fueled the rally, with experts expecting both metals to maintain a bullish trend in 2026.

US stocks opened mostly flat on Friday in the post-Christmas session, with investors eyeing potential rate cuts and strong earnings for 2026.

Punjab National Bank on Friday reported a Rs 2,434 crore borrowal fraud linked to former SREI promoters to Reserve Bank of India. The borrower fraud related to SEFL stood at Rs 1,240.94 crore and the PSU bank has made 100% provision for the outstanding amount, the lender said in its filing to the exchanges.

Hindustan Zinc, Vedanta, NMDC, Phoenix Mills, Titan, and Eicher Motors hit 52-week highs, with monthly gains up to 35% despite a weak Sensex.

Indian government bonds fell on Friday as weak demand at a central government debt auction sparked a selloff in the secondary market, raising raised doubts about how long a recent rally can hold in the face of weak buying interest.

RVNL, Lenskart, Hindustan Copper, Titan and IEX were key movers on Friday as Indian markets ended lower, led by IT, financials and auto stocks.

The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in the country is emerging as a strong catalyst for corridor-led investment, with nearly 80 per cent of surveyed existing users associating improved RRTS connectivity with enhanced economic opportunities in their region, a report showed on Friday.

Turkey's Capital Markets Board imposed fines totalling around 2 billion lira ($47 million) on 19 people for market-disruptive transactions in shares of Peker Gayrimenkul Yatirim Ortakligi, according to its weekly bulletin.

The Indian rupee ended a tad lower on Friday and posted a weekly loss, as steady dollar demand from corporates and in the non-deliverable forwards market chipped away at gains fuelled by aggressive central bank intervention.

The Indian rupee ended a tad lower on Friday and posted a weekly loss, as steady dollar demand from corporates and in the non-deliverable forwards market chipped away at gains fuelled by aggressive central bank intervention.

The BSE Sensex fell 367 points, or 0.4%, to end at 85,041.45, while the NSE Nifty 50 declined 0.4% to 26,042.3, slipping below the 26,050 mark. On the 30-stock Sensex, shares of Bajaj Finance, Asian Paints, Eternal, Sun Pharma and Tech Mahindra were among the biggest drags, each falling between 1% and 1.5%. Fridays decline pared weekly gains for the benchmark indices. The Nifty 50 rose 0.3% for the week, while the Sensex added 0.1%, snapping a three-week losing streak.

Indian stock market outlook: Angel Ones Sneha Seth sees Nifty holding firm above 26,000 with limited downside risk. A breakout above 26,200 could trigger fresh upside. Banking stocks remain key, while Nifty Metal shows strength and IT offers buy-on-dips. UPL and Ola Electric remain top stock picks amid positive market bias.

Titan Company shares rose to a fresh 52-week high after it announced the launch of a new women-focused lifestyle brand, beYon from the House of Titan, with its first exclusive store set to open in Mumbai on December 29.

Motilal Oswal expects Budget 2026 to spur domestic demand, private investment and jobs through tax simplification, rural support, infrastructure and defence capex. The brokerage recommends five beneficiariesTVS Motor, UPL, Bharat Dynamics, M&M Financial Services and Dalmia Bharatciting strong sectoral tailwinds, balance-sheet strength and earnings visibility across consumption, agriculture, defence and infrastructure.

After delivering stellar gains in 2024, several multibagger stocks have faced steep corrections in 2025. Losses of up to 60% highlight valuation resets and shifting market sentiment, as many former high-flyers struggle amid broader market consolidation, underscoring risks associated with chasing momentum-driven rallies.

Foreign investors have preferred global markets over India in 2025, while domestic liquidity has driven mid- and smallcap inflows. With limited capex triggers and slow credit growth, 2026 may test retail money. A valuation-led consolidation could bring FPIs back, making large caps the safer allocation for equity portfolios.

Peter Schiff warns that gold could replace the US dollar as a global reserve asset, triggering a sharp fall in the greenback amid rising geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Robert Kiyosaki weighs in on silvers sharp rally past $75 an ounce, urging investors to focus on independent research, long-term conviction, and financial self-education rather than timing the market.

Indian investors are increasingly entering a more sophisticated phase of portfolio construction, with diversification across asset classes, themes, and geographies becoming foundational, according to Vasanth Kamath, Founder & CEO of Smallcase.

BSE BANKEX has been reconstituted with four new banking stocks added from December 26, expanding the index to 14 constituents. The move aligns with BSEs broader strategy to strengthen its derivatives segment and boost participation in SENSEX and BANKEX contracts.

In 2025, India's primary equity market scaled new heights as companies raised a record Rs 1.95 trillion through more than 365 initial public offerings (IPOs), according to a latest strategy report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services.