The Economic Times

India's National Stock Exchange is in discussions with Indian Gas Exchange, or IGX, to develop and launch Indian natural gas futures, the country's largest bourse said on Thursday.

SaaS firm Amagi Media Labs set its IPO price band at Rs 343361 per share for a Rs 1,789 crore issue opening January 13. The offer includes fresh equity and OFS, with proceeds aimed at technology expansion and acquisitions.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) presented a surplus budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year on Wednesday, forecasting a net surplus of Rs 143.05 crore.

Real estate firm Shree KB Realty has bought a 3-acre plot in Greater Noida for Rs 122 crore through an auction process to develop a commercial project.

Indian government bonds fell on Thursday ahead of a debt sale, which is likely to test a market where appetite has taken a hit despite aggressive debt purchases by the central bank.

Market regulator Sebi has overhauled its more than three-decade-old stockbroker regulations, allowing brokers to carry out activities under the framework of other financial regulators, in a move aimed at providing ease of compliance as well as ease of doing business.

Avro India plans to list its wholly-owned subsidiary Avro Recycling by FY28 and raise up to Rs 300 crore through a public issue to support the expansion of its recycling business, a top company official said on Thursday.

Seven BSE 500 stocks, including Bajaj Auto and Polycab, hit fresh 52-week highs even as the broader market slipped, with monthly gains ranging from 5% to 15%.

Nifty Metal stocks fell sharply after a strong rally as profit booking and global commodity index rebalancing triggered volatility. Precious metals like gold and silver saw selling pressure, while Brent crude may attract inflows. Experts say the correction is technical, with long-term supply-demand fundamentals in metals still supportive despite near-term uncertainty.

Indian markets extended losses as the Sensex slid 800 points and the Nifty broke key technical levels amid renewed US tariff concerns. Analysts advise caution, citing geopolitical risks and weak momentum, even as long-term fundamentals remain supportive.

Nifty Metal stocks fell sharply after a strong rally as profit booking, commodity index rebalancing and uncertainty over US Fed rate cuts triggered volatility. Analysts say valuations had priced in a bull case, but underlying demand-supply remains supportive. Short-term earnings may be muted, yet experts see corrections as buying opportunities for long-term investors.

Silver prices, after a record rally to USD 83.60/oz in late 2025, face heightened volatility in 2026. HSBC expects bullish momentum in H1 due to physical market tightness and safe-haven demand, but warns of potential pullbacks in H2 as supply rises, industrial demand weakens, and investor sentiment shifts.

Shares of BHEL and other capital goods stocks tumbled up to 14% after reports said the Finance Ministry may scrap restrictions on Chinese companies bidding for government contracts. BHEL closed nearly 9% lower, while ABB, Siemens and L&T also declined amid broad market weakness and sharp sector-wide selling.

The Indian rupee ended lower on Thursday after a choppy session as fresh, surprise intervention by the Reserve Bank of India was outweighed by tariff worries and equity outflows.

Motilal Oswal expects Nifty Q3 earnings to grow 8% year on year, marking the strongest pace in eight quarters. Oil and gas, autos and NBFCs lead growth, while SBI and Eternal feature among its top stock ideas.

Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath urges IPO investors to track lock-in expiries, warning that post-expiry selling by large shareholders can pressure stocks. He also highlights regulatory limits on broker growth, including SEBIs 15% open interest cap.

Gold and silver prices slid for a second day as Bloomberg Commodity Index rebalancing loomed, prompting heavy futures selling. MCX and COMEX prices fell sharply, with silver more vulnerable after 2025s outsized rally, while near-term pressure persists into January trading.

European shares deepened their pullback on Thursday as investors recalibrated bets following a strong start to the year, with geopolitical risks and major earnings updates in focus.

Vedanta shares fell sharply on Thursday to an intraday low of Rs 595 on the BSE amid a broad metal sector sell-off. Weakness in global and domestic commodity prices, coupled with profit booking after recent highs near Rs 630, pressured the stock, with near-term support seen around Rs 580 for potential buying.

Indian equity markets experienced sharp profit-taking, with the Nifty slipping below the crucial 26,000 mark and breaching 25,950, signaling heightened near-term volatility. Experts anticipate this uncertainty to persist until early next week, awaiting U.S. Supreme Court developments. A potential downside to 25,700 is noted if the Nifty sustains below 26,000.

Veteran investor Manishi Raychaudhuri notes that Indian equities may face a delayed earnings revival, unlike other Asian markets showing early upticks. He highlights a lack of concrete earnings upgrade evidence in India, contrasting with robust trends in North Asia and ASEAN.

Maharashtra has declared January 15, 2026, a public holiday for civic polls, but its still unclear whether financial markets will remain open or closed on the day. The BSE, NSE and MCX have not announced a trading holiday. The date also coincides with the weekly expiry of Sensex derivatives, adding to market uncertainty.

Hindustan Zinc shares fell up to 6.5% to Rs 588 on Thursday, extending a two-day decline that has erased 10% of its value, as silver prices dropped sharply by Rs 7,000 per kg to Rs 2,43,704 on the MCX. Silver ETFs also edged lower, reflecting weakness in the underlying metal and weighing on sentiment for the precious metal producer.

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Export-oriented stocks fell sharply on Thursday as fresh US political signals stoked fears of extremely high import duties. Shares of seafood, textile, pharmaceutical, and metal companies dropped amid concerns that a proposed bipartisan Russia sanctions bill could raise tariffs on Russian imports to 500%, potentially affecting countries like India, China, and Brazil, triggering investor caution over global trade risks.

Asian equities have started 2026 strongly, driven by fiscal expansion in developed markets and persistent geopolitical tensions. Rising commodity prices, particularly base metals, are linked to AI-driven demand. Investor Manishi Raychaudhuri remains positive on Asian equities, with a selective overweight on India, favoring financials, discretionary consumption, commodities, and industrials.

Indian markets remain selective as Q3 updates highlight strength in Tata Steel, early recovery signs in IT, and improving BFSI outlook. Safeguard duties support steel prices, while valuation comfort is drawing institutional interest into IT stocks. Consumer discretionary looks better placed than durables, even as investors stay cautious on platforms and high-competition segments.

Laurus Labs shares are surging, hitting a new all-time high near Rs 1,128.50. Analysts see strong bullish momentum, with the stock trading above key moving averages and a rising RSI. Immediate resistance is at Rs 1,150, with a potential rally towards Rs 1,233.

Japan's Nikkei share average fell for a second day, impacted by profit-taking in AI stocks and escalating trade tensions with China. The Nikkei 225 dropped 1.6%, extending Wednesday's decline, as China launched an anti-dumping probe into Japanese chipmaking chemicals. SoftBank Group was a significant loser, sliding 7.6%.

Why market is down today? Indian stock markets are experiencing a significant downturn. Benchmarks have fallen for four consecutive sessions. Investors are reacting to global geopolitical issues and potential U.S. tariffs. Corporate earnings reports are also mixed. This combination of factors is causing a broad market decline. The Sensex and Nifty 50 have both seen substantial losses.

Silver price crash: Silver prices experienced a sharp Rs 10,000 intraday fall on Thursday, following a record rally. HSBC warns of unsustainable levels and high volatility, citing weakening industrial and jewelry demand. While institutional buying offers near-term support, rising mine output and recycling are expected to temper long-term price gains, suggesting a volatile outlook for silver in 2026.

Kalyan Jewellers shares slipped marginally on Thursday despite a strong Q3 update, with consolidated revenue surging 42% YoY on festive-driven demand. Same-store sales rose 27%, international revenue grew 36%, and Candere posted a 147% jump.

The Indian rupee saw a rebound on Thursday following intervention by the Reserve Bank of India, though its long-term stability remains a concern for bankers. Despite the RBI's efforts to strengthen the currency, experts advise importers to hedge against potential future depreciation due to an uncertain trade deal outlook and subdued foreign inflows.

Shares of NALCO fell on Thursday, ending a four-day, 14% rally, as profit booking hit Indias metals sector. All 15 stocks on the Nifty Metal index traded lower amid cooling global commodity prices and stretched valuations.

Speculation about changes to insurance commissions is back on Dalal Street. This is raising concerns for distributors and insurers. Analysts warn that stock prices might not fully reflect these potential regulatory shifts. While the December quarter shows strong momentum for insurers, especially in health and term plans, any commission cuts could hurt volumes. Policybazaar also faces uncertainty.

As of January 8, the IPOs grey market premium (GMP) is around Rs 11.5, implying a 50% premium over the upper end of the price band of Rs 23.

India's residential real estate saw robust sales in 2025, exceeding 3.48 lakh units despite a slight year-on-year dip. Premium housing dominated, accounting for nearly 50% of sales, while affordable segments experienced a decline. The market is now consolidating at higher levels, with stable absorption and disciplined supply expected in 2026.

JM Financial advises caution on oil marketing companies (OMCs) like HPCL, IOCL, and BPCL due to potential excise duty hikes in the upcoming budget. The brokerage reiterates buy ratings on upstream producers Oil India and ONGC, citing attractive valuations and medium-term production growth potential amidst subdued crude prices.

As Indian IT companies gear up for what is expected to be a slow quarter, weak demand from the U.S. continues to dampen tech spending. Market analysts project only slight increases in revenue and profits for leading firms. Nevertheless, the growing trend of AI integration and a potential resurgence in 2026 could provide a silver lining.

Jefferies says Jios planned IPO in the first half of 2026 could act as a re-rating trigger for Bharti Airtel, aided by tariff hikes and a higher sector weight in indices. The brokerage has raised Bharti Airtels target price to Rs 2,760, implying 32% upside, and maintains it as its top pick in Indian telecom.

HDFC Bank shares saw a dip as investors await third-quarter results. Analysts predict steady balance-sheet growth. While margins may face some pressure, asset quality and cost discipline are expected to remain strong. The bank's expanding rural network is boosting market share. Investors will watch for priority sector lending compliance and borrowing repayment.

Torrent Pharmaceuticals is set to raise 125 billion rupees via bond sales in January. This funding will support its acquisition of a controlling stake in JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals. The deal is expected to boost Torrent Pharma's market share significantly. This move highlights a growing trend of domestic bond market financing for acquisitions in India.

US policy shifts on Venezuela oil and expectations of deeper US rate cuts could stabilise crude prices and revive foreign investor interest in India, says DoorDarshi India Funds Rajeev Agrawal. He remains optimistic on Indias growth outlook, reform momentum and earnings recovery, even as global geopolitics and capital flows remain volatile in 2026.

Indian government bonds saw little movement as traders awaited Friday's debt sale, despite the Reserve Bank of India's substantial bond purchases. Concerns over hefty supply persist, even as the market anticipates potential inflows from Indian bonds' inclusion in the Bloomberg Aggregate Index next week. Overnight swap rates showed mixed trading.

As per the market data, up to 110 million shares, or about 2% of the companys outstanding equity, became tradeable. The increase in free float revived nearterm supply concerns, weighing on the stock even as brokerages maintained a constructive view on the companys longerterm prospects.

Bitcoin slipped towards the $90,000 mark while Ethereum hovered near $3,150 as investors awaited key US jobs data and a Supreme Court ruling on global tariffs. Analysts see consolidation amid ETF flows, geopolitical uncertainty and technical resistance levels.

Hindustan Copper shares fell sharply for a second session, tracking weakness in global copper prices after a strong rally. Profit-taking emerged as copper corrected from record highs, while elevated valuations and overbought technical indicators signalled near-term caution, despite the stock maintaining a positive broader trend and rising institutional interest.

TVS Motor Company shares have surged 60% in the past year, outperforming peers and the Nifty index. With strong fundamentals and a supportive technical structure, brokerages anticipate further upside of up to 16%. The company's robust earnings growth and positive sales figures underpin this optimistic outlook.

This move makes a notable shift for Republicans, aligning them with long-standing Democratic criticism of corporate homebuying. For years, Democrats have argued that institutional investors have driven up housing costs and reduced supply, though past legislative efforts to curb the practice have failed.

Cloud-based SaaS company Amagi Media Labs announced its Rs 1,788 crore IPO will open on January 13, with shares priced between Rs 343-361. The issue, comprising a fresh issue and an offer for sale, aims to strengthen technology, fund acquisitions, and cover general corporate expenses.