The BSE Sensex slipped 109 points while Nifty50 ended flat on the last trading day of the year 2024 amid persistent foreign fund outflows as selling in heavyweight IT stocks weighed on the benchmarks. However, with an 8% annual return in 2024, India's benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty maintained their winning streak for the ninth consecutive year in a row.
Happy New Year Wishes: 2024 is about to end and we are going to celebrate New Year, 2025 in a few hours. On New Year's, people share various heartfelt messages and quotes for friends, family, colleagues, partners, and neighbors to spread positivity and joy as we enter 2025. Wish everyone a year of happiness, success, and unforgettable memories.
This acquisition will enable Curefoods to broaden its portfolio and strengthen its presence in India’s food service market by leveraging the brand’s customer base and operational network. Curefoods had in December 2023 invested Rs 10 crore in restaurant and food discovery enabling platform Hogr. It also acquired foodtech company Yumlane and its proprietary technology in October 2023.
Mamata Banerjee is considered the poorest chief minister in India, with assets of just over Rs 15 lakh, as per a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms. In contrast, Andhra Pradesh's N Chandrababu Naidu is the richest with over Rs 931 crore in assets.
Bengaluru will have increased security measures for New Year celebrations. Over 7,500 CCTV cameras have been installed, and police deployment includes 11,830 personnel. Celebrations are allowed until 1 a.m. Police will monitor key areas and private parties on the city's outskirts. Loud noise-making devices and facemasks are discouraged.
India's startup ecosystem showed resilience in 2024, despite a 6.5% decline in funding from the $ 32.5 billion secured in 2023. Several startups achieved unicorn status, while early-stage investments gained traction. However, challenges like rising operational costs and infrastructure issues remain. The Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem is poised for continued growth in 2025, with AI, Deep Tech, and sustainable technologies.
Define your financial goals clearly, whether it's long-term growth, steady income, or saving for a specific expense. This focus will help you choose the right mutual funds.
NEFT, RTGS rule change: There have been many instances where remitters remitted funds to the wrong beneficiary. This new rule will help to limit the number of incorrect money transfers.
Reliance Industries Ltd, led by Mukesh Ambani, has invested USD 13 billion in acquisitions over the past five years, focusing on new energy, telecom, retail, and media. Recently, it bought Karkinos Healthcare for Rs 375 crore, enhancing its healthcare and diagnostic ecosystem, aligned with its shift from petrochemicals to consumer-facing verticals.
For Elon Musk, 2024 was another whirlwind, a year marked by both wins and controversies. From his friendship with president-elect Donald Trump to the integration of X, the former Twitter, into his broader AI ambitions, Musk continued to hit the headlines, often leaving a trail of both awe and apprehension in his wake.
New Year's eve and New Year's Day 2025: While not all stores and businesses may not be closed on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in America, some may have varying hours depending on the location. Government offices and USPS are closed on January 1, 2025. Major retailers like Walmart are open, but stores like Aldi are closed. Pharmacies have modified hours, and banks rely on ATMs and apps.
Gold and silver funds delivered strong returns (up to 19%) in 2024. HDFC Gold ETF and HDFC Silver ETF were top performers. These funds offer portfolio diversification, but allocation should be limited (around 10%). Consider long-term equity allocation and consult with an advisor before investing in gold/silver ETFs.
January Bank Holidays 2025: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a list of bank holidays per state for 2025. Bank holidays differ across India due to regional celebrations. It is critical to stay up to date on bank holiday schedules to ensure that financial services and transactions continue uninterrupted.
The Fujiyama Power Systems IPO comprises a Rs 700 crore fresh issue and an offer-for-sale of 20 million shares, with promoters Pawan Kumar Garg and Yogesh Dua selling 10 million shares each. A reserved portion with discounts is available for eligible employees.
The UPSC will close the registration for NDA & NA, CDS I 2025 exams on December 31, 2024. Candidates can apply on the UPSC website. The exams will be held on April 13, 2025, to fill 406 NDA & NA and 457 CDS positions. The correction window for applications will be open from January 1 to January 7, 2025.
2024 saw equity market volatility and 10% Nifty returns. Fixed income investors explored alternatives to FDs and Debt MFs, like direct bond investments offering 10-14% returns. Tax benefits across these instruments are now aligned. Investors should consider their age and risk tolerance when adjusting their asset allocation for 2025, potentially increasing fixed income exposure as they age.
Ford Motor Company's X (formerly Twitter) account was briefly compromised, leading to unauthorized and controversial posts about Israel and Palestine. The posts were swiftly removed, and Ford is investigating the breach while emphasizing the need for better account security to prevent such incidents.
Arvind Kejriwal launched the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana, announcing a monthly honorarium of Rs 18,000 for temple priests and Gurudwara granthis. He emphasized the scheme's uniqueness and highlighted the societal role of priests. Delhi BJP president Virendraa Sachdeva criticized the announcement, calling it a populist move to stay in power ahead of the upcoming elections.
In 2024, Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund dominated equity mutual fund performance, with its Midcap Fund leading at a 57.47% return. The fund has consistently delivered positive returns over the past three years: 55.83% in 2021, 10.71% in 2022, and 41.68% in 2023.