Business & Economy

Mumbai: The domestic stock market saw a decline for the third consecutive day on Wednesday. The BSE Sensex fell by 102.20 points, closing at 84,961.14, while the NSE Nifty slipped 37.95 points to settle at 26,140.75. The market was affected by concerns over rising U.S. tariffs and global tensions, alongside continued foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows. However, selective buying in certain stocks and a drop in international crude oil prices provided some support to the market. During the trading session, the Sensex touched a low of 84,617.49, down 445.85 points or 0.52%. The Nifty 50 ended 0.14% lower. Among Sensex constituents, Maruti, Power Grid, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, HDFC Bank, Asian Paints, and Tata Steel were major laggards. On the other hand, Titan, HCL Tech...

India’s economy is projected to grow at a robust 7.4% in the financial year 2025-26, according to advance estimates released by the National Statistical Office (NSO). This marks a significant increase from last year’s 6.5% growth, making India one of the fastest-growing major economies globally. Nominal GDP is expected to expand by 8.0%. Services Sector Drives GrowthThe strong performance is primarily driven by the services sector, which accounts for the bulk of India’s GDP. Within services, financial, real estate, professional services, public administration, and defense are expected to grow by 9.9%, while trade, hotels, transport, communications, and broadcasting may expand by 7.5%. Manufacturing, Construction, and AgricultureThe secondary sector, including manufacturing and constr...

India’s services sector expanded in December 2025, but at its slowest pace in 11 months, according to the HSBC India Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). A decline in new business orders and softening domestic demand led to stagnation in employment, though robust export demand provided some support. Domestic Demand and New Orders DeclineThe slowdown was primarily driven by reduced new orders, which grew at their weakest pace in nearly a year. Companies reported that while domestic demand remained stable, rising competition and cautious customer behavior contributed to slower growth. As a result, service providers moderated capacity expansion plans. Employment and Business Sentiment WeakEmployment growth halted in December, marking a pause after a prolonged hiring phase. Several...

Platinum has delivered remarkable returns in the first week of 2026, outperforming both gold and silver. The precious metal has been a strong performer since 2025, attracting significant attention from investors. Platinum’s Recent RallyOn Wednesday, gold and silver prices saw notable declines, while platinum surged. By 4 PM, MCX reported gold down over 0.5% and silver falling more than 1.5%. In contrast, platinum gained over 6% during the day. In 2025, gold appreciated by approximately 70%, silver surged over 160%, and platinum rewarded investors with nearly 140% returns. However, in the first seven days of 2026, gold and silver showed modest gains of 2% and 8% respectively, while platinum soared, delivering a 15.6% return—over seven times that of gold and nearly double that of silve...

Two IPOs from the SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) segment are making waves in the grey market, with both seeing an impressive Grey Market Premium (GMP) of over 30%. These IPOs, which are currently open for subscription, could provide substantial gains to investors on listing. 1. Gabion Technologies India The IPO of Gabion Technologies India opened for subscription on January 6, 2026, and will close on January 8, 2026. With an issue size of ₹29.16 crore, the company is issuing fresh shares, and the price band for the offer is ₹76 to ₹81 per share. It is expected to list on the BSE SME platform on January 13, 2026. Grey Market Performance: This IPO was over-subscribed by 60 times on January 6, and by the afternoon of January 7, it had exceeded a 100 times subscription. The...

Shares of Tata Group company Titan Company Ltd surged sharply on Wednesday, defying the broader market weakness to hit a fresh all-time high. The stock jumped nearly 5%, driven by strong business growth and robust festive demand, delivering massive gains to veteran investor Rekha Jhunjhunwala. Titan shares rose 4.8% on the BSE to touch a record high of ₹4,309. The rally came even as benchmark indices remained under pressure, highlighting strong investor confidence in the company’s growth prospects. Rekha Jhunjhunwala, wife of late legendary investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, holds a 5.32% stake in Titan. The sharp rise in the stock added an estimated ₹20,000 crore to the value of her holdings in a single trading session. Strong Business Performance Fuels Rally The surge in Titan’s s...

As more people plan to buy their own homes in 2026, home loans are set to remain the preferred financing option. However, borrowers often focus only on interest rates and overlook several hidden charges that can significantly increase the overall cost of a home loan. From processing fees to insurance add-ons, these charges can quietly drain your finances if not understood in advance. According to experts, being aware of these costs and negotiating wherever possible can help borrowers save a substantial amount over the loan tenure. 1. Processing Fees Every home loan begins with a processing fee, which covers administrative, legal, and documentation-related expenses. Banks charge this fee for evaluating applications, verifying documents, and conducting credit checks. Typically, proc...

Domestic equity markets extended their losing streak for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, as sustained selling pressure, global uncertainties and weak cues from overseas markets weighed on investor sentiment. Over the last three sessions, the BSE Sensex has fallen by more than 1,100 points, while the Nifty 50 has slipped close to 1%. What initially appeared to be a mild correction has now turned into a broader phase of weakness, with markets remaining in the red throughout the week. Analysts point to four major factors behind the ongoing decline. 1. Heavy Selling in Index Heavyweights Persistent selling in large-cap stocks has played a crucial role in pulling the market lower. On Wednesday, shares of HDFC Bank declined 1.7%, while Reliance Industries slipped 0.4%. Trent als...

Venezuela may be sitting not only on the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves but also on a massive hidden stockpile of Bitcoin, according to market experts. Estimates suggest that the Maduro government could be holding Bitcoin worth nearly $60 billion (around ₹5.4 lakh crore), raising concerns about potential turbulence in the global cryptocurrency market. Following reports of a US operation in Venezuela and the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, global attention has shifted to the country’s strategic assets. While Venezuela’s oil reserves of about 303 billion barrels are well documented, speculation is growing about its alleged crypto holdings. According to CNBC, analysts warn that if such a large volume of Bitcoin were to be seized or sold, it could have a signi...

Even as the broader equity market witnessed a decline, shares of National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) surged to a fresh 52-week high on Wednesday. The stock has gained nearly 14% over the last four trading sessions, reflecting strong investor confidence in the state-owned Navratna company. On the BSE, NALCO shares rose up to 3% to touch ₹357.50, marking their highest level in a year. The sharp rally comes at a time when global aluminium prices have climbed to multi-year highs, significantly improving the outlook for aluminium producers. Global Aluminium Prices Drive Optimism The primary catalyst behind the rally is the sharp rise in aluminium prices in the international market. Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) have crossed the $3,000 per tonne mark for the...