1. India’s Pharma Exports Cross US$30 Billion Milestone
India’s pharmaceutical exports have reached ₹2.72 lakh crore (US$30 billion), reflecting strong global demand for Indian vaccines, formulations, and bulk drugs, and reinforcing the country’s growing role in the global healthcare supply chain.
2. Flipkart Trends 2025 Report Highlights Rise of Quick Commerce, Gen Z Influence, and Tier 2–3 City Demand
Flipkart’s Trends 2025 Report points to major shifts in Indian e-commerce, with quick commerce emerging as a daily habit, Gen Z driving trends through social media, and strong growth coming from Tier 2 and 3 cities. Fashion, beauty, electronics, groceries, and appliances saw evolving preferences, while video commerce gained traction during festive periods. The report also notes increased use of UPI and BNPL payments, alongside a 25–30% rise in active sellers supported by enhanced platform tools.
3. Google Commits US$8 Million to Support India’s AI Centres of Excellence
Google has announced funding of ₹72.4 crore (US$8 million) for India’s AI Centres of Excellence to strengthen AI research, build talent, and drive adoption across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and the environment. The funding, under Google’s AI for India initiative, also underscores the company’s focus on responsible and ethical AI development.
4. Bank of Japan Raises Rates to 0.75%, Highest Since 1995
The Bank of Japan raised interest rates by 0.25% to 0.75%, the highest level since 1995, as expected by markets. This is the second rate hike in 2025, showing a slow move away from very easy monetary policy. The BoJ believes companies will keep increasing wages in 2026 due to better profits. However, interest rates are still low in real terms, so financial conditions remain supportive. The BoJ said it may raise rates further if economic conditions improve as expected.
5. Infosys ADRs Surge Sharply on NYSE Amid Technical Volatility
Infosys Ltd’s American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) on the New York Stock Exchange surged nearly 40–56 % on Friday, briefly hitting a 52-week high and triggering volatility trading halts. The unusual spike occurred without any material company news and is thought to be driven by technical glitches and algorithmic activity. After the pause, ADR prices pared gains. Infosys clarified there were no undisclosed developments behind the move.
6. India, Oman Sign CEPA to Boost Trade and Investment Ties
India and Oman signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Muscat, aiming to deepen economic engagement by boosting trade, investment and services cooperation. The pact grants near-universal duty-free access on most Indian exports and streamlines tariff liberalisation on imports from Oman, enhancing market access for goods and services. Officials expect the deal to strengthen bilateral ties and expand trade opportunities once implemented.
7. RBI Fines Kotak Mahindra Bank ₹61.95 Lakh for Regulatory Lapses
The Reserve Bank of India imposed a ₹61.95 lakh fine on Kotak Mahindra Bank for regulatory breaches, including non-compliance with norms on basic savings bank deposit accounts (BSBD), business correspondent activities, and incorrect data provided to credit information companies. The penalty follows a supervisory inspection of the bank’s March 31, 2024 financials. RBI said the violations warranted the monetary penalty after reviewing the bank’s response and submissions. The action underscores regulatory adherence demands in banking operations.
8. China Challenges India at WTO Over ICT Tariffs, Solar Subsidies
China has formally challenged India at the World Trade Organization (WTO) by requesting consultations over New Delhi’s tariffs on information and communications technology (ICT) products and subsidies for photovoltaic (solar) manufacturing, saying they violate WTO rules on bound tariffs and national treatment. Beijing claims the measures unfairly advantage Indian industries and harm Chinese interests, and has urged India to correct the practices. The move starts the WTO dispute process and allows 60 days for bilateral talks.
9. Japan’s MUFG to Invest ₹39,600 Crore for 20% Stake in Shriram Finance
Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) will invest ₹39,600 crore (about $4.4 billion) to acquire a 20 % stake in Shriram Finance Ltd through a preferential equity issue, marking one of the largest foreign direct investments in India’s financial services sector. The deal, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, gives MUFG rights to appoint nominee directors and is expected to strengthen Shriram’s capital base, growth prospects, and global partnership.
10. Ola Electric Shares Jump After Promoter Clears ₹260 Crore Loan
Ola Electric Mobility Ltd shares jumped nearly 10 % on December 19 after the company said CEO and promoter Bhavish Aggarwal sold a portion of his personal shares to fully repay a ₹260 crore promoter‑level loan. The stake sale also eliminated all promoter share pledges, releasing about 93 % of previously pledged stock, which eased investor concerns. The promoter group’s holding remains around 34.6 %, with no change in long‑term control.
11. NCLT Clears Vedanta’s Five-Way Demerger Plan
Vedanta Ltd has received approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in Mumbai for its long‑awaited five‑way demerger plan, allowing the metals‑to‑oil conglomerate to split into five separate listed entities focused on aluminium, oil & gas, power, iron & steel and the parent business. This aims to unlock up to ₹2 lakh crore in shareholder value by improving transparency and operational focus. Vedanta’s stock rose on the news. Completion is expected by March 31, 2026.
12. Vodafone Idea Arm Raises ₹3,300 Crore via Secured NCDs
Vodafone Idea Ltd said its subsidiary Vodafone Idea Telecom Infrastructure Ltd (VITIL) has successfully raised ₹3,300 crore by issuing unlisted, unrated secured non‑convertible debentures (NCDs) to investors including NBFCs, FPIs and AIFs. The proceeds will be used by VITIL to repay payment obligations to Vodafone Idea, helping the debt‑laden telecom firm boost capital expenditure and support business growth. The fundraise reflects investor confidence in Vi’s long‑term strategy, the company said.
13. SEBI Overhauls Mutual Fund Fee Structure, Cuts Brokerage Caps
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), approved a major overhaul of mutual fund fee rules, introducing a clearer Base Expense Ratio (BER) and rationalising brokerage caps. Under the new framework, the Total Expense Ratio will comprise BER, brokerage, regulatory and statutory levies, with separate disclosure of charges. SEBI cut brokerage caps to 6 bps for cash market trades and 2 bps for derivatives, trimmed base expense limits across categories, and aims to boost transparency and investor protection. Changes take effect April 1, 2026.
14. Parliament Passes Bill Allowing 100% FDI in Insurance Sector
India’s Lok Sabha passed the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025, raising the foreign direct investment (FDI) cap in the insurance sector from 74 % to 100 %. The legislation, now cleared by Parliament, aims to attract global capital, bolster competition, deepen insurance penetration, and lower premiums. It also amends key laws governing insurance, life insurers and the regulator IRDAI, and is seen as a major reform to strengthen the sector’s growth.
15. Rupee Slides Past ₹91 per Dollar to Record Low
The Indian rupee weakened to a fresh all-time low against the U.S. dollar, sliding past ₹91 per dollar for the first time amid strong dollar demand and continued foreign portfolio outflows. The currency’s decline marks multiple consecutive sessions of record lows, driven by hedging demand, persistent capital flight and stalled trade negotiations. Traders said pressure remained high as overseas investors sold local assets, while the Reserve Bank of India intervened at times to mitigate volatility.
16. Mexico Approves Steep Tariffs on Imports From China, Asia
Mexico’s Senate approved a major tariff hike on imports from China and several other Asian countries, authorising duties ranging from 5 % to 50 % on about 1,463 product lines including automobiles, auto parts, textiles, plastics, steel and other goods from nations without free-trade agreements, effective January 1, 2026. The government says the move will bolster domestic industry and protect jobs, while critics warn it could disrupt trade and raise consumer prices. China has objected to the measure.
17. U.S. Inflation Cools Sharply in November, CPI at 2.7%
S. consumer inflation cooled more than expected in November 2025, with the Consumer Price Index rising 2.7%YoY, below economists’ forecasts of about 3.1%. Core inflation (excluding food and energy) also slowed to 2.6%, marking its lowest pace in years. The report lacked regular monthly detail because a 43-day federal government shutdown disrupted data collection, leading economists to warn that the figures may be skewed or incomplete. Markets saw modest relief but caution persists ahead of future data.
18. Market View This Week: Market Continues in Buy-on-Declines Mode
For the week ended 19 December 2025, global equity markets delivered mixed performance. In the US, the Nasdaq rose 0.48%, supported by selective buying in technology stocks, while the Dow Jones declined 0.67% as rate-sensitive and industrial stocks faced pressure. Overall sentiment remained cautious as investors awaited key macroeconomic cues, especially the US CPI data, which continued to shape expectations around the Federal Reserve’s future policy direction.
The Nifty closed near 25,966, continuing to preserve its medium- to long-term uptrend, while the short-term trend remains in a consolidation phase. The overall price structure is constructive, characterized by higher highs and higher lows, which underscores the underlying bullish strength. The index is trading comfortably above its 50-DMA and 100-DMA, reaffirming the strength of the broader trend. Immediate support is placed around 25,680, followed by 25,500, and the ability to hold above these levels indicates that market participants continue to accumulate on declines.
From a trend perspective, the upward-sloping trendline and positive price slope suggest continuation rather than exhaustion of the prevailing trend. On the upside, 26,150–26,300 represents a key resistance zone; a sustained breakout above this range could trigger fresh momentum, opening the path toward 26,800–27,000 levels in the near term. The ongoing consolidation near record highs appears to be a healthy pause, allowing the market to absorb prior gains.
Momentum indicators remain supportive, with the RSI oscillating in the 55–60 range, indicating a neutral-to-positive bias without overbought conditions. Stable volumes further suggest the absence of meaningful distribution at current levels, keeping the broader outlook constructively bullish with a buy-on-dips approach.
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