India's new central bank governor, Sanjay Malhotra, faces the challenge of managing the rupee's exchange rate amid pressure for more flexibility. Former Governor Shaktikanta Das's tenure focused on reducing volatility, but critics argue this hurt export competitiveness. The rupee is nearing record lows as the dollar strengthens and the trade deficit widens.
Traders, who as recently as late September were fully pricing in another Fed rate cut by March, scrapped wagers that there will be one until the second half of the year. Separate data Tuesday showed job openings rose to a six-month high in November, boosted by a jump in business services — while other industries showed more mixed demand for workers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Andhra Pradesh is highly anticipated, as he will lay the foundation for key projects worth over Rs 2 lakh crores, including the NTPC Green Hydrogen Hub and various infrastructure developments. These projects aim to boost economic growth, create jobs, and enhance connectivity in the state.
Gurucharan Singh, celebrated for his role as Roshan Singh Sodhi in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, recently shared an emotional video from his hospital bed, sparking concern among fans. The actor extended wishes for Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti while reflecting on faith and gratitude. Although the cause of his hospitalisation remains undisclosed, Singh assured his followers of an update soon. Fans have rallied with messages of support, praying for his recovery and expressing unwavering affection for the beloved actor.
President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea may face arrest on insurrection charges. An investigator is determined to break the security blockade around the presidential compound to arrest him. Yoon is under criminal investigation for a martial law bid and is facing a separate impeachment trial. Security remains tight around the compound.
Matthew Livelsberger, a decorated soldier, used ChatGPT to help plan an explosion outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas. The intention was not to harm others, but a stunt to address personal and societal issues. The incident, which resulted in minimal injuries, highlights growing concerns about the misuse of AI in planning harmful activities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Andhra Pradesh is marked by the initiation of significant investments and projects worth over Rs 2.5 lakh crore, including the NTPC Green Hydrogen Hub and various railway, road, and industrial initiatives poised to bolster economic growth and job creation in the region.
Electric vehicle maker BYD brought hundreds of Chinese workers on irregular visas to construct a factory in Brazil. An investigation revealed that 163 of these workers were subjected to slavery-like conditions. BYD has committed to adhering to local labor laws. The company has also severed ties with the contractor Jinjiang, which denies the allegations.
The sector-specific headwinds are expected to inflate operational and credit costs for microfinanciers in the medium term, Ind-Ra said. The rating agency expects asset quality stress for micro finance companies to continue in the near term with tightening of funding by banks and capital raising constraints expected to add to the challenges of the sector.
President-elect Donald Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland has resurfaced, with his son Donald Trump Jr. recently visiting the territory. Despite stating the visit was private, speculation grows that the incoming administration might pursue control of the mineral-rich land for strategic purposes. Greenland rejects the idea of being sold to the US.
Tate Steel India's crude steel production jumped 6% year-on-year while rising 8% sequentially to 5.68 million tons aided by the commissioning of the 5 MTPA blast furnace at Kalinganagar in September.
Krishnan said the market needs to get into a phase of consolidation. "Therefore, we think that 2025 is going to be that year of consolidation wherein fewer sectors, fewer stocks are likely to outperform," he said.
Corporates seek capital for expansion. Private equity firms do IPOs. Promoters who need an exit often use the equity IPO route to raise money. If it is an offer for sale, money goes to the investors making the sale, else it is used as growth capital.
In the short term, Nifty is expected to consolidate between 23,500 and 23,900, with a breakout on either side, further determining the direction of the market.
Wow Skin Science, valued at around $400 million, is seeking a strategic buyer at a reduced valuation of $250 million as investors look to exit. The brand faces slowing growth amid tough competition in India's D2C beauty market, sparking industry consolidation with other brands exploring similar options.
RAS Luxury Skincare has raised $5 million in funding led by Unilever Ventures. The company plans to expand its retail presence and invest in talent acquisition, R&D, branding, marketing, and technology enhancement. The brand aims to open 50 new exclusive brand outlets across India over the next three years.
Satya Nadella emphasises the importance of leveraging India's human capital for global competitiveness and the widespread adoption of AI technology. He highlights the rapid diffusion of technology globally and underscores the role of Microsoft’s investments in India, stressing the need for bold entrepreneurial efforts and careful regulation to maximize benefits and create opportunities.
During his visit to India, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discussed the continued relevance of Moore's Law in AI advancement, highlighting collaborations with Indian startups and enterprises using AI to enhance productivity and streamline processes. Nadella noted India's potential to become the world's leading developer ecosystem by 2028, with widespread use cases ranging from chatbots to tax filing solutions.
While HDFC Bank also has the option of merging HDB Financial Services with itself, Macquarie believes the bank may not consider this route due to the operational challenges associated with asset-liability mismatch and other reserve requirements mandated by the Reserve Bank of India .
Now, exchanges offer weekly contracts of only their benchmarks. Nifty weekly contracts expire every Thursday, and Sensex contracts expire on Fridays. As a result, the volatility has been restricted to these two days. Starting January 1, Sensex weekly contract expiries have shifted to Tuesday from Friday.
As per the merger scheme, ITC itself would retain 40% of the hotel shareholding, and the remaining 60% would be held by the existing ITC shareholders.
Temasek is negotiating to acquire a minority stake in Haldiram Snacks Food for over $1 billion after Bain Capital opted out. Alpha Wave Global is also competing. Blackstone's offer includes conditions resisted by Haldiram's promoters. A decision is expected by the end of the month. Haldiram's family may choose one or two investors.
Chinese companies like Midea, Haier, Xiaomi, Lenovo, and BYD are seeing strong revenue growth in India. Consumers prefer their products because they are priced competitively and offer more features. The perception of Chinese product quality has improved over the past decade. Brands like Haier, Midea, and Lenovo report increased sales in recent periods.
The Centre is revising its regional air connectivity scheme, emphasizing airport readiness before seeking airline bids. Financial support may be provided for developing unserved airports. Greater scrutiny of route feasibility is expected. The UDAN scheme currently has about 60% operational routes. Smaller airlines face financial burdens when airports aren't ready. The UDAN scheme may be extended beyond 2026.