Dalal Street navigated local and global factors in 2025, with Sensex and Nifty posting single-digit gains. Despite underperforming global markets, new darlings emerged while some older ones faltered. The year saw record IPO mobilizations and significant growth in mutual fund assets, nearing the trillion-dollar mark. Precious metals like silver and gold delivered exceptional returns, while Bitcoin struggled.from Business News Today: Stock Markets, Financial News, India Business & World Business News https://ift.tt/stnu6hK
Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra views artificial intelligence not as a threat, but as an accelerator that can enhance the value and dignity of blue-collar jobs. He believes AI will handle routine tasks, elevating the importance of practical skills in building, crafting, and repairing essential machinery.
The Indian rupee faces significant volatility through 2026, with capital outflows and trade disruptions overshadowing strong economic fundamentals. Analysts warn that a US trade deal alone may not stabilize the currency, which has already seen substantial depreciation against major global currencies.
The economic impact will be driven by AI adoption across sectors including healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, financial services, education, governance, and climate services, where automation and data-driven decision-making are already improving productivity and service delivery.
Growing Chinese auto giant BYD stands poised to officially surpass Tesla as the world's biggest electric vehicle company in annual sales. Tesla has also faced rising EV competition from BYD and other Chinese companies and from European giants.
A new 24/7 Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) has been operationalized by the civil aviation ministry to swiftly address air traveller grievances. This initiative brings together key aviation stakeholders to monitor operations and resolve issues like flight disruptions, delays, and baggage problems, leading to a marked improvement in grievance redressal.
IndiGo has cancelled 13 flights on Sunday due to forecasted bad weather and operational reasons, impacting major city routes. This follows earlier cancellations due to pilot duty norms and stricter fog operating rules. Air India also warned of potential disruptions in northern India due to dense fog.
Mid-cap IT firm Coforge is set to acquire AI firm Encora for $2.3 billion, significantly expanding its presence in the hi-tech and healthcare sectors and deepening its North American footprint. This strategic move aims to accelerate Coforge's growth, boost its US business by 50%, and integrate Encora's $600 million revenue stream.
Castrol India is set for a significant ownership change as Stonepeak, a New York-based investment firm, will acquire a majority stake from BP. This global deal involves an open offer to public shareholders at Rs 194 per share. The transaction aims to reshape BP's business and strengthen Stonepeak's Indian presence.
Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) officially commenced commercial operations today, marking a significant expansion of air travel for the Mumbai region. The airport will initially handle around 30 domestic flights daily, with IndiGo operating the first arrival and departure. NMIA aims to scale up to round-the-clock services by February 2026.
US mortgage rates saw a slight dip this week, with the 30-year fixed rate now at 6.18%, offering minimal relief to homebuyers. While rates are down from last year, affordability remains a significant challenge, especially for first-time buyers. Despite some market improvements, economic uncertainty keeps many potential buyers hesitant.
Artificial intelligence is no longer confined to screening CVs or scheduling interviews. Two unsettling Reddit accounts describe interviews where neither side realised they were speaking to a machine. Perfect answers, repeated phrasing and lifeless precision exposed the truth. The stories hint at a near future where human presence in hiring becomes optional, and increasingly difficult to verify.
Indian IT stocks, after years of underperformance, are cautiously optimistic for 2026, banking on AI to reignite growth. While past demand weakness stemmed from global economic woes and productivity gains, AI is now seen as a long-term driver.
Indian-origin finance chiefs are increasingly leading global giants like Unilever, Tesla, and Mastercard. A study reveals over a dozen multinational corporations have appointed Indian descent CFOs, many educated in India. This trend highlights the evolving role of CFOs as strategists, adept at navigating complex markets and demonstrating resilience, a skill honed by the Indian education system and professional experiences.
India and New Zealand have signed a Free Trade Agreement set to boost mobility for Indian students and professionals, while enhancing export opportunities. The deal removes student caps, extends post-study work visas, and introduces a temporary employment visa for 5,000 Indian professionals. It also offers tariff reductions on agricultural products and opens up 118 service sectors for India.
Air India is halting its non-stop San Francisco flights from Bengaluru and Mumbai starting March 1 due to aircraft deployment issues and increased costs from airspace restrictions. While Delhi services to San Francisco and Toronto will be boosted, passengers with existing bookings face uncertainty. The airline promises re-accommodation or refunds, with a possibility of restoring the routes later.
FSSAI has strongly refuted claims linking eggs to cancer, stating that eggs sold in India are safe. The authority clarified that the presence of nitrofuran metabolites below regulatory detection thresholds does not pose a health risk, as the use of these banned antibiotics is strictly prohibited in poultry production.
NHAI has dispatched approximately 60 headquarters officers nationwide for on-site inspections of highway operations and maintenance. These officials are evaluating user comfort, safety, and aesthetics, and are mandated to report all identified deficiencies via the NHAI One app. This initiative aims to ensure improved maintenance standards across national highway stretches.
The Enforcement Directorate is preparing to file a money laundering case against Ponzi scheme fraudster Ravindranath Soni, accused of defrauding over 1,000 investors of Rs 970 crore globally. Kanpur police have gathered substantial evidence, including financial trails and celebrity connections.
Sebi is collaborating with RBI and the insurance regulator to allow banks and insurance companies to participate in commodity derivatives markets. Working groups are also reviewing measures to deepen the Agri Commodity Derivatives ecosystem and optimize the regulatory framework for margins, position limits, and delivery mechanisms.
Taxpayers under the old regime can still claim deductions for charitable donations via Section 80G. New FAQs from the Income Tax Department detail verification processes, emphasizing donor-donee data matching. Remember, cash donations over Rs 2,000 are ineligible, and this benefit isn't available under the new tax regime.
GVK Reddy's daughter, Shalini Bhupal, is set to acquire Indian Hotels' 25.5% stake in Taj GVK Hotels & Resorts for Rs 592 crore, becoming the largest shareholder. This move increases the GVK Reddy family's stake to approximately 75%, while Indian Hotels will continue to manage the hotel portfolio under long-term contracts.
Enforcement Directorate questioned Anil Ambani's son, Jai Anmol, for over seven hours in a Yes Bank money laundering probe. He's summoned again Saturday to clarify transactions. The ED alleges a quid-pro-quo between Ambani's group and Yes Bank promoter Rana Kapoor, leading to substantial losses for the bank due to significant exposure to Ambani's companies.
Dense fog grounded operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday, leading to at least 177 flight cancellations and over 500 delays. Airlines are offering full refunds and free rescheduling, with airport authorities ensuring passenger support amidst ongoing CAT III operations.
US inflation cooled more than expected in November. Most Americans still feel no relief from high prices for essentials, with energy costs rising.
The government has simplified the visa process for Indian companies to bring in foreign technical experts for production-related activities. A new online module allows digital generation of sponsorship letters for the e-Production Investment Business Visa (e-B-4 Visa), significantly reducing processing time and easing business operations for both PLI and non-PLI firms.
Kraft Heinz has named Steve Cahillane as its new CEO starting January 1, 2026. He will lead the Global Taste Elevation Co. after the company splits into two entities next year. This division aims to improve efficiency. Cahillane brings extensive experience in brand building and managing similar corporate structures. The current CEO will move to an advisory role.
NPS retirement withdrawal rules have been significantly revised, allowing non-government subscribers to withdraw up to 80% of their corpus as a lump sum. The mandatory annuity purchase requirement has been reduced to a minimum of 20%, offering greater flexibility in managing post-retirement income.
France's opposition and widespread farmer protests are jeopardizing the EU's long-delayed free-trade deal with Mercosur. Angry farmers fear competition from cheaper agricultural imports, threatening a pact that has been nearly 25 years in the making. The deal's signing, planned for December 20, now faces significant delays, potentially pushing it to 2026 or later.
US visa applicants, including H-1B workers and their families, must now make social media profiles public for enhanced screening. This directive, effective December 15, extends existing measures for students and exchange visitors. The State Department views visa decisions as national security matters, utilizing all available information to vet applicants for potential risks.
China's manufacturing sector is embracing automation, with some factories already operating with minimal human intervention. While larger companies invest heavily, smaller businesses adopt a hybrid approach, integrating technology to assist workers. This shift raises concerns about job losses and the cost of modernization for SMEs.
Indian Railways is implementing significant cost-cutting measures in maintenance, procurement, and energy to bolster its finances. This proactive approach aims to absorb anticipated wage increases from the Eighth Pay Commission, projected to be substantial. The railway is focusing on operational efficiency and increased freight revenue to manage the financial impact.
The Union Cabinet has approved significant reforms for the stock market and insurance sectors. The plan includes allowing 100% foreign investment in insurance, aiming to boost penetration and consumer choice.
New York faces a potential $73 million loss in federal highway funds after an audit revealed thousands of immigrant commercial driver's licenses were allegedly issued without proper verification. The Transportation Department found over half of reviewed non-domiciled licenses were improperly issued, with New York unable to demonstrate status verification for 32,000 active licenses.
