Markets

Manufacturing Growth Loses Momentum at Year-End India’s manufacturing sector recorded its weakest improvement in nearly two years in December, reflecting softer growth in new orders, restrained input purchases, and limited job creation. The slowdown marked a loss of momentum toward the end of the calendar year, even as overall activity remained in expansion territory.The seasonally adjusted HSBC India Manufacturing PMI declined to 55 in December from 56.6 in November. In PMI terms, a reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a score below 50 signals contraction.Production and New Orders Moderate December saw a broad-based easing across several indicators tracked by the survey. Production growth slipped to a 38-month low, alongside...

Precious Metals Open 2026 on a Strong Note Gold and silver futures traded higher on Friday, supported by firm global cues and renewed safe-haven buying as investors positioned themselves for the possibility of lower US interest rates in the coming period.Gold Futures Gain on MCX On the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold futures for February delivery advanced by Rs 948, or 0.7 percent, to Rs 1,36,752 per 10 grams. Trading activity remained healthy, with a business turnover of 15,639 lots during the session.The yellow metal had previously settled at Rs 1,35,804 per 10 grams on Thursday, registering a gain of Rs 357, or 0.3 percent, from Wednesday’s close of Rs 1,35,447 per 10 grams.The commodities exchange operated only during the day...

The Federation of All India Farmer Associations has cautioned that the government’s decision to impose additional excise duty on tobacco products could significantly hurt farmer incomes and intensify smuggling in a market already under pressure from illicit trade.The finance ministry last month notified revised excise duties ranging from Rs 2,050 to Rs 8,500 per 1,000 cigarette sticks, based on length. The new rates are set to take effect from February 1 under the Chewing Tobacco, Jarda Scented Tobacco and Gutkha Packing Machines Capacity Determination and Collection of Duty Rules, 2026.Federation of All India Farmer Associations said the move contradicts earlier assurances of revenue neutral tax reform. The association represents...

Chandigarh, January 2, 2026 – Nectar Lifesciences Limited (NECLIFE) saw a sharp surge in participation in its ongoing share buyback, with the issue reaching 0.95 times subscription as of 9:20 a.m. on January 2, 2026, bringing it close to full subscription midway through the offer period. The company is undertaking a fixed-price buyback of up to 3 crore equity shares at an offer price of ₹27 per share, with the offer window running from December 31, 2025 to January 6, 2026. Buyback SnapshotParticularsDetailsCompany NameNectar Lifesciences LimitedSymbolNECLIFESeriesBBOffer TypeBuybackIssue TypeFixed PriceOffer Price₹27 per equity shareFace Value₹1Issue SizeUp to 3,00,00,000 equity sharesOffer PeriodDecember...

Jet Fuel Prices Reduced After Three Months of Increases Prices of aviation turbine fuel (ATF), commonly known as jet fuel, were reduced by 7.3 percent on Thursday, offering relief to airlines after three consecutive monthly hikes. The cut was implemented as part of the routine monthly price revision aligned with global fuel benchmarks.In Delhi, ATF prices were lowered by Rs 7,353.75 per kilolitre to Rs 92,323.02 per kilolitre. The reduction follows a series of increases, including a 5.4 percent hike on December 1, a near 1 percent rise in November, and a 3.3 percent increase in October.The latest revision effectively offsets more than two thirds of the cumulative price increase since October 1.Relief for Airlines as Fuel Costs...

Retail Participation and SIP Inflows Drive Record Growth India’s mutual fund industry extended its strong expansion through 2025, adding around Rs 14 lakh crore to its asset base and taking total assets under management to a record Rs 81 lakh crore by the end of November. The growth was led by sustained retail participation and consistently strong systematic investment plan inflows.The industry recorded net inflows of about Rs 7 lakh crore during the year, alongside an increase of 3.36 crore investors. SIP contributions alone accounted for nearly Rs 3 lakh crore, reinforcing their role as the primary driver of long-term inflows.AUM Rises 21 Percent Year-on-Year Assets under management grew 21 percent from Rs 67 lakh crore at the end...

Benchmark Indices Extend Gains Equity benchmark indices were trading higher in early trade on Wednesday, supported by sustained buying from domestic institutional investors.At around mid-morning trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex was up 206.02 points, or 0.24 percent, at 84,881.10. The 50-share NSE Nifty was trading at 26,030.25, up 91.40 points, or 0.35 percent.Sensex Stocks in Focus Among Sensex constituents, Tata Steel, Bharat Electronics, Titan, Axis Bank, Adani Ports, and Hindustan Unilever were trading higher in early deals.Meanwhile, Bajaj Finserv, Tata Consultancy Services, Mahindra and Mahindra, and Infosys were among the stocks trading lower.Global Market Cues Remain Weak Asian equity markets were largely under pressure...

Foreign Fund Outflows and Weak Equity Cues Pressure Rupee The Indian rupee weakened by 15 paise to 89.90 against the US dollar in early trade on Wednesday, tracking continued foreign fund outflows and a subdued opening in domestic equity markets.At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 89.89 against the dollar and slipped further to 89.90, compared with its previous close of 89.75. The local currency had ended the previous session higher by 23 paise.Foreign portfolio investors have continued to reduce exposure to Indian equities over the past few months, which has remained a persistent drag on the rupee. Equity outflows have added to pressure from importer demand, while exporters have remained cautious in their...

Focus on Unmanned Systems, Guided Weapons and Future Warfare Capabilities The Adani Group plans to invest Rs 1.8 lakh crore next year in defence manufacturing, with a strong focus on unmanned and autonomous systems, advanced guided weapons, and next-generation military technologies. The investment is aligned with the group’s strategy to strengthen India’s future warfare capabilities through indigenous and scalable solutions.Rapid Transition from Planning to Deployment in 2025 In 2025, Adani Defence & Aerospace moved from extended planning cycles to rapid deployment, with some of its military hardware seeing operational use during Operation Sindoor. This marked a shift toward faster execution and readiness across multiple defence...

Record Equity Outflows Mark 2025 Foreign portfolio investors exited Indian equity markets in 2025 at an unprecedented scale, withdrawing a record Rs 1.6 lakh crore, equivalent to about USD 18 billion. The sharp outflows were driven by volatile currency movements, global trade tensions including concerns over potential US tariffs, and elevated market valuations that weakened risk appetite.Rising US bond yields, a stronger dollar, and persistent geopolitical uncertainties also prompted global capital to shift towards developed markets, moving away from emerging economies such as India.Despite the severity of the sell-off, market participants expect the trend to reverse in 2026 as global and domestic conditions improve.Global and...

SBI Leads Decline Despite Marginal Rise in Benchmark Indices The combined market capitalisation of seven of the ten most valued Indian companies declined by ₹35,439.36 crore during the holiday-shortened week, reflecting a subdued trend in equities. The decline came even as the broader market posted marginal gains.During the week, the BSE benchmark index advanced by 112.09 points, marking a modest rise of 0.13 percent.Seven Heavyweights See Valuation Erosion Among the top-10 companies, Reliance Industries, Tata Consultancy Services, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro, and Life Insurance Corporation of India witnessed a decline in their market valuations.State Bank of India recorded the steepest drop...