Business & Economy

Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended Wednesday with marginal losses, pressured by sell-offs in oil & gas, pharma, and IT sectors. Ahead of the Christmas holiday on Thursday, investors remained cautious, resulting in slower market activity. At the close of trading, Sensex fell 116.14 points (0.14%) to 85,408.70, while Nifty declined 35.05 points (0.13%) to 26,142.10. Market experts noted that Nifty held support between 26,100–26,130, showing some buying interest, but strong upward momentum was absent. Unless Nifty sustains above 26,200, market caution is expected to continue. Sector PerformanceOn BSE, Trent, UltraTech Cement, and Maruti Suzuki saw gains, while Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, Sun Pharma, and Asian Paints faced losses. On NSE, Trent, Shriram Finance, and ...

New Delhi: India and New Zealand have successfully concluded negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a development that is expected to unsettle China’s stronghold on New Zealand’s imports. According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), this FTA could significantly increase India’s share in New Zealand’s import market, where China currently dominates. Trade Gap and OpportunitiesGTRI data indicates that in FY2025, New Zealand imported goods worth $10 billion from China, while India’s exports to New Zealand stood at only $711 million. “India is underrepresented in several key product categories where it is a global leader, even though New Zealand is a major importer,” the report notes. Key Sectors for IndiaThe FTA is expected to open up substantial opportunities for Ind...

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has yet to release its report on the ongoing IndiGo crisis. The aviation regulator had formed a four-member committee on December 5 to investigate the matter, with a submission deadline of December 20. However, the committee could not complete its investigation on time. Sources now indicate that the committee’s report is expected to be submitted by December 26. The committee, led by Joint DG Sanjay Kumar, was originally mandated to submit its findings within 15 days of formation. Although the deadline has been extended, DGCA has not made a public announcement regarding the delay. What the Committee is InvestigatingThe panel is tasked with determining the reasons behind the consecutive grounding of IndiGo flights in the first week of De...

After prolonged negotiations, China’s Haier has received government approval to sell a 49% stake in its Indian unit, Haier Appliances India. The move clears the way for a joint venture between Sunil Mittal’s Bharti Enterprises and Warburg Pincus to acquire the stake, marking a significant development in India’s consumer electronics sector. Deal Details and ValuationThe formal announcement is expected soon, with the valuation of Haier India estimated at around ₹15,000 crore (approx. $1.5 billion). Under the agreement, Haier will retain 49%, Bharti Enterprises and Warburg Pincus will jointly hold 49%, and the remaining 2% will go to Haier Appliances India employees. The partnership between Bharti and Warburg is likely to be evenly split. Timeline and Management ChangesAll parties are e...

The year 2025 has been turbulent for the stock market, particularly for small-cap shares, causing losses even for seasoned investors. Amid this market volatility, veteran investor Mukul Agrawal has managed to shine, with five of his portfolio stocks delivering multibagger returns, despite a minor overall dip in his holdings. Portfolio PerformanceAgrawal’s portfolio, valued at ₹7,237 crore in December 2024, saw a slight decline to ₹7,214 crore by December 2025. However, several stocks in his portfolio more than doubled in value, highlighting his strategic investment acumen during a challenging market. Top Multibagger Stocks OSEL DevicesAgrawal acquired a 7.6% stake in September 2025. The company, which manufactures LED display systems and hearing aids, has seen investor returns mo...

Gurugram-based Juniper Green Energy Ltd has officially commenced commercial production at its Bikaner Merchant Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, marking a major milestone for the company. The project is being operationalized in phases. Commercial Operations BeginThe company has activated 60 MWh of its 100 MWh merchant BESS project through its subsidiary, Juniper Green Cosmic Private Limited. After completing trial runs, the facility received approval from the Northern Regional Load Dispatch Centre (NRLDC). Commercial operations began on 24 December 2025, with the remaining 40 MWh expected to go online soon. Once fully operational, this will be one of India’s largest battery energy storage systems. The Bikaner BESS project will generate merchant revenue through peak arbitr...

India’s healthcare sector is undergoing a significant transformation, with private hospitals reporting a sharp rise in revenue. The growth is driven by increasing health insurance coverage and the rising demand for high-tech treatments for critical illnesses. Rapid Growth in Hospital EarningsData from 2024–25 shows that the per-bed revenue (ARPOB – Average Revenue Per Occupied Bed) of the country’s top 10 private hospital chains has jumped from ₹40,015 per day last year to ₹49,304 per day—a 23% increase. Analysts say this reflects a major shift in India’s healthcare sector. Advanced treatments such as cancer therapy, cardiac surgeries, and robotic operations are becoming more common, and more patients are able to afford them thanks to health insurance. Which Treatments Drive Revenue?...

Gold has witnessed a remarkable rally this year, surging over 70%—its best performance in nearly four and a half decades. However, for jewellery companies, the story has been quite the opposite. Among India’s top 10 jewellery firms by market capitalization, eight have seen their stock prices decline, with only Titan and Thangamayil Jewellery delivering positive returns. Titan’s shares rose by 17%, while Thangamayil Jewellery surged 72%. In contrast, other major players have faced steep declines, with losses reaching up to 44%. PC Jeweller’s stock suffered the most, down 44% over the year and trading close to its 52-week low. Senco Gold fell 43.5%, Kalyan Jewellers dropped 35%, and Sky Gold & Diamonds declined 38%. Newly listed PN Gadgil saw a 15% drop, Bluestone Jewellery fell 1%, a...

New Delhi: India’s soap market has witnessed a major shake-up. Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting (WCCL) claims that its flagship soap brand Santoor has now become the largest soap brand in the country, surpassing Hindustan Unilever’s Lifebuoy. According to WCCL, Santoor generated ₹2,850 crore in revenue in 2025, edging past Lifebuoy, while Lux continues to hold the third spot. However, exact brand-wise revenue figures are not mandatory for companies to disclose, making independent verification challenging. Market Share DataA report by The Times of India cited WCCL’s statement that the company gathered data from multiple sources and is confident about its leading position. WCCL CEO Vineet Agarwal said, “There is a significant gap between us and Lifebuoy.” According to AC Nielsen data f...

Traveling internationally often involves connecting flights, and missing one can be stressful. Even a small delay at the first airport can disrupt your entire travel plan. Here’s what travelers need to know to manage such situations. If All Flights Are on a Single Ticket (PNR) When all legs of your journey are booked under the same PNR, the airline is generally responsible for rebooking you on the next available flight to your destination. This holds true even if the flights are operated by different airlines. Typically, no additional payment is required. What to Do: Immediately visit the airline’s help desk or transfer desk at the airport. Airline staff will check your booking and provide the next steps. Some airlines may offer meal vouchers or overnight hotel accommoda...