21/12/25, Arihant Capital Limited activity

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 Penny stock under ₹5: Indian financial services company, Arihant Capital Markets, purchased more than 2 crore equity shares of diversified agro-industrial company, Davangere Sugar Co. Ltd, through a bulk deal on Friday, 19 December 2025, according to the data collected from the NSE website.

The NSE bulk deals data showed that Arihant Capital purchased a total of 2,16,46,910 or more than 2 crore equity shares from the open market at an average trade price of ₹4.27 apiece, marking the deal at over ₹9.24 crore on Friday's market session.

The data also showed that aside from purchasing over 2.16 crore stake in the company, Arihant Capital sold 7,90,498 equity shares of Davangere Sugar at an average trade price of ₹4.04 apiece, amounting to ₹31.93 lakh.

After Arihant Capital's bulk purchase, the shares of Davangere Sugar jumped more than 10% during Friday's stock market session to hit an intraday high of ₹4.46, compared to the previous market close levels of ₹4.03.

Davangere Sugar share price

Penny stock under ₹5, Davangere Sugar shares closed 9.43% higher at ₹4.41 after Friday's stock market session, compared to the previous market close levels, according to the NSE website.

Shares of Davangere Sugar have lost more than 20% in the last one-year period, and have dropped 21.95% on a year-to-date (YTD) basis. However, the diversified agro-industrial firm's shares have delivered stock market investors 19.84% return on their investment in the last one-month period, and are trading 15.75% higher in the last five sessions on the Indian stock market.

The penny stock hit its 52-week high level of ₹6.36 on 22 January 2025, while the 52-week low level stood at ₹3.03 on 10 October 2025, NSE data shows. The company's market capitalisation (M-Cap) stood at ₹630.63 crore as of Friday's stock market session.

Davangere Sugar's focus now

Davangere Sugar promoters recently raised ₹150 crore in funding in an effort to cut down the company's debt and use the money to boost the profitability and the balance sheet.

The company promoters infused funds of up to ₹44 crore into the company advertisements while also purchasing nearly 10 lakh equity shares from the open market. This move seeks to fuel investor confidence in the company shares among the stock market community as the firm focuses on creating long-term growth.

The Karnataka-based company, Davangere Sugar, has evolved from a sugar manufacturer into a diversified enterprise which operates in sugar manufacturing, ethanol production, and cogeneration of power. The company focuses its efforts on ethanol production and sustainable development.

source: mint

Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

21/12/25, Stocks News

20/12/25, The rate-cut cycle of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has likely ended, and the central bank will likely maintain a long pause along with the neutral policy stance, according to economists of YES Bank.

 "Unless there is any serious crumbling of the growth dynamics, we think the current interest rate cut cycle of the RBI is over, and the RBI will likely maintain a long pause, along with the stance being kept at 'neutral'. Actions to keep liquidity comfortable and anchor the operative rate to the repo rate are expected to continue," say YES Bank economists Indranil Pan and Khushi Vakharia in a report.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on December 5 cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%, while maintaining a neutral policy stance.

Meanwhile, the minutes of the last meeting of the RBI MPC, released on Friday, December 19, showed that the central bank decided to cut rates due to benign inflation and emerging signs of weakness.

"The minutes of the December meeting highlight RBI's commitment to maintaining the growth momentum. While the growth surprised on the upside in the first half, it is expected to soften in the second half," YES Bank economists stated.

"MPC members noted that inflation remains below the lower bound of FIT ( flexible inflation targeting) and thus necessitates counter-cyclical action from the central bank."

Inflation is likely to rise

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), or the retail inflation, stood at 0.71% in November, up from 0.25% in October.

Under the flexible inflation targeting framework, the MPC targets retail inflation at 4% with a tolerance band of +/-2%.

YES Bank economists pointed out that the next meeting of the MPC is scheduled post-Budget alongside a new CPI series with a change in base and restructuring in the weight diagrams.

"The next policy announcement will come close to the Ministry's publication of the new base year CPI, along with its change in the weighting diagram. Household Expenditure Survey of 2022-23 indicates a lowering of the food weight in CPI and a higher weight for non-food items," said YES Bank.

"The new CPI will likely lead to lower food weightage, and thus the comfort derived from low food prices could be limited. While we expect MPC to maintain the neutral stance, we do not expect RBI to cut rates further unless growth falters significantly," YES Bank said.

source: Mint

20/12/25, GUJARAT KIDNEY

 Gujarat Kidney and Super Speciality IPO: Gujarat-based healthcare company Gujarat Kidney and Super Speciality, on Friday, announced that it has raised over ₹ 100 crore from anchor investors ahead of its initial public offering ( IPO).

According to the exchange filing, the company has allocated 87,73,120 equity shares at ₹114 per share to anchor investors.

Venus Investments VCC - Venus Stellar Fund, Khandelwal Finance Private Limited, Craft Emerging Market Fund PCC Citadel Capital Fund, Nexus Global Opportunities Fund, Arnesta Global Opportunities Fund PCC - Arnesta Global Fund 1, Zeta Global Funds - Zeta Series C Fund PC, Innovative Vision Fund, Religo Commodities Ventures Trust and Sunrise Investment Trust - were some of the marquee institutions that participated in the anchor book round.

Gujarat Kidney and Super Speciality IPO details

The IPO comprises a fresh issue of up to 2.20 crore equity shares, with the total issue size amounting to ₹250.8 crore at the upper end of the price band. The offering will open for subscription on Monday, December 22, 2025, and close on Wednesday, December 24, 2025.

Investors can apply for a minimum lot of 128 equity shares and in multiples thereof. The issue is being conducted through the book-building route, under which up to 75% of the net offer is reserved for qualified institutional buyers, while non-institutional investors and retail individual investors are allocated up to 15% and 10% of the net offer, respectively.

Nirbhay Capital Services Private Limited is acting as the book-running lead manager for the issue, with MUFG Intime India Limited serving as the registrar.

The company is a regional healthcare provider based in central Gujarat, operating a network of mid-sized multi-speciality hospitals. It offers integrated healthcare services with a strong emphasis on secondary and tertiary care. Healthcare services are classified into secondary services, which include surgical procedures, and tertiary services, comprising super-speciality surgical treatments. The hospitals also provide integrated diagnostic facilities, both in-house and through partners, along with pharmacies to serve patient needs.

Gujarat Kidney and Super Speciality IPO GMP today

The shares of Gujarat Kidney and Super Speciality IPO are trading at a premium of ₹7, as per Investorgain. This means that the GMP of Gujarat Kidney and Super Speciality IPO is +7.

The estimated listing price of Gujarat Kidney and Super Speciality IPO is likely to be ₹121, which is 6.14% higher than the IPO price of ₹114.

source: Mint

Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts or broking companies. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

19/12/25, SENSEX, NIFTY

 

18/12/25, Today's Market Wrap

After a volatile session, the Indian equity benchmark indices closed marginally lower for the fourth straight session on Thursday, December 18, following weak global cues.

The S&P BSE SENSEX had touched an intraday low of 84,238.43 on Thursday before closing at 84,481.81, falling 77.84 points, or 0.09%.

The 50-share index NIFTY50 closed at the 25,815.55 level, flat, down by 3 points, or 0.01%. During the intraday period, the index had touched a low of 25,726.30.

Volatility in the domestic currency has also made the investors worried. On a provisional basis, the rupee rose 12 paise to close at 90.26 against the US dollar.

Further, shares of asset management companies such as HDFC AMC, UTI AMC, and Nippon India, and broking firms such as Nuvama and Angel One, among others, traded in the green on Thursday after capital markets regulator SEBI announced several tweaks to mutual fund regulations around expense ratios and exit loads, seeking to adopt a "balanced" stance.

According to exchange data, on Wednesday, the foreign institutional investors (FIIs) purchased shares worth ₹1,171.71 crore, while the domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought equities worth ₹768.94 crore on a net basis.

Globally, Asian markets closed mixed on Thursday, led by declines in technology stocks, as investors braced for a potentially hawkish stance from the Bank of Japan.

Singapore's Straits Times dipped 0.11%, Japan's Nikkei declined 0.83%, and South Korea's KOSPI slipped 1.55%. The Shanghai Composite, however, ended 0.16% higher, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng also rose marginally by 0.05%.

On Wall Street, the major indices ended lower on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq sliding to three-week lows.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.47%, and the S&P 500 declined 1.16%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 1.81%.

Here are the key developments of Thursday's session that you need to know

Market statistics

As many as 3,209 stocks traded on the NSE on Thursday. Out of this, 1,273 advanced and 1,827 stocks declined, while 109 scrips remained unchanged.

This indicated that the market breadth was in favour of declines.

A total of 49 stocks hit their 52-week highs, while 228 stocks touched their one-year lows. Besides, 59 stocks hit their upper circuit limits, and 60 touched their lower circuit bands on Thursday.

The market capitalisation of NSE-listed firms stood at ₹463.51 lakh crore at the close of the session, adding ₹2.48 lakh crore.

India VIX, the volatility gauge, stood at 9.71 levels, slumping 1.32%.

Broader market

The broader markets outshined the main equity indices as the Nifty Smallcap 100 index surged 0.13% to close at 17,160.20, while the Nifty Midcap 100 index ended at 59,592.15, gaining 0.34%.

Sectoral watch

Nifty Media took the lead among losing sectors, declining 1.27%, while Nifty Auto (-0.61%), Nifty Oil & Gas (-0.33%), Nifty Pharma (0.24%) and Nifty FMCG (-0.1%) were the other laggards.

Meanwhile, led by TCS (1.97%), Tech Mahindra (1.62%) and Infosys (1.57%), Nifty IT outperformed, surging 1.21%. Nifty Consumer Durables (0.37%), Nifty Realty (0.34%), and Nifty Metal (0.25%) were the other sectoral gainers.

Top gainers and losers

On the NIFTY50, 24 stocks ended in the green, while 25 declined and two remained unchanged on Thursday.

Sun Pharma was the biggest laggard, sliding 2.62%, followed by Tata Steel (-1.4%), Power Grid (-1.23%), Asian Paints (-0.98%) and Tata Consumer Products (-0.92%).

On the flip side, IndiGo (2.9%), TCS (1.97%), Max Healthcare (1.64%), Tech Mahindra (1.62%) and Infosys (1.57%) were the top gainers on the 50-share index.

18/12/25, Gold Price

 Gold price today: The rates of gold and silver declined in the domestic futures market on Thursday morning (December 18) due to profit booking at record high levels amid a mild uptick in the US dollar, ahead of the US CPI inflation data.

MCX gold February contracts were 0.20% down at ₹1,34,619 per 10 grams around 9:20 am. MCX silver March contracts were 0.47% down at ₹2,06,451 per kg at that time.

On Wednesday, MCX gold February futures closed 0.36% higher at ₹1,34,894 per 10 grams. MCX silver March futures hit a record high of ₹2,07,833 and closed 4.9% higher at ₹2,07,435 per kg in the previous session.

The focus of investors is now on the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for November, which is due later today, and the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index data on Friday.

The inflation prints will shape the expectations of the interest rate trajectory of the US Federal Reserve. Gold prices may move higher if inflation prints come below expectations.

Meanwhile, job market trends indicate the US Fed may reduce rates by 25 bps in January. On Tuesday, data showed that the US unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in November, the highest since September 2021.

The Bank of Japan's (BoJ) policy decision on Friday is expected to trigger some volatility in markets, as the BoJ is widely anticipated to raise its benchmark rate to its highest level in three decades.

"Gold and silver prices remain volatile ahead of the BOJ policy meeting, but they could hold their key support levels of $4,140 per troy ounce and $57.20 per troy ounce, respectively," said Manoj Kumar Jain of Prithvifinmart Commodity Research.

Gold and silver: Key levels to watch

Aksha Kamboj, Vice President at India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) and Executive Chairperson of Aspect Global Ventures, pointed out that the gold price has slightly recovered its lost ground amid continued global uncertainty. Buyers continue to step in on dips, with traders closely watching interest-rate cues and currency movements.

"The sentiment remains cautiously positive, as the yellow metal is well placed at higher levels. In the near-term, the price action in the metal may continue to be supported, more for global risk perception than speculative activity," said Kamboj.

According to Jain, gold has support at $4,340 and $4,300, while resistance is at $4,400 and 4,440 per troy ounce. Silver has support at $65.00 and $63.60, while resistance is at $68.20 and $70.00 per troy ounce in today's session.

On the MCX, Jain sees support for gold at ₹1,34,200 and ₹1,33,650 and resistance at ₹1,35,500 and ₹1,36,300. MCX silver has support at ₹2,04,4400 and ₹2,02,000, and resistance is at ₹2,10,000 and ₹2,14,000, said Jain.

"We suggest buying gold in the range of ₹1,34,400 to ₹1,34,000 with a stop loss of ₹1,33,300 for the target of ₹1,35,500 and ₹1,36,200 and silver on dips in the range of ₹2,05,000 to ₹2,02,000 with a stop loss of ₹1,98,800 for the target of ₹2,10,000 and ₹2,14,000," said Jain.

According to Rahul Kalantri, VP of commodities at Mehta Equities, gold has support at $4,275 and $4,245, while resistance is at $4,355 and $4,385. Silver has support at $65.40 and $64.7,5 while resistance is at $66.90 and $67.75.

In INR, Kalantri said gold has support at ₹1,33,850 and ₹1,33,110 while resistance is at ₹1,35,350 and ₹1,35,970. Silver has support at ₹2,05,650 and ₹2,03,280, while resistance is at ₹2,08,810 and ₹2,10,270.

source: Mint

Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations expressed are those of individual analysts or broking firms. We advise investors to consult with certified experts before making any investment decisions, as market conditions can change rapidly and circumstances may vary.

18/12/25, INDIA AND OMAN TRADE DEAL

 India and Oman signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on December 18, the second day of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Gulf country, giving most Indian exports, including textiles, duty-free access.

The CEPA gives India zero-duty access on 98.08 percent of Oman's tariff lines, covering 99.38 percent of Indian exports by value.

"All major labour-intensive sectors including gems & jewellery, textiles, leather, footwear, sports goods, plastics, furniture, agricultural products, engineering products, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and automobiles receive full tariff elimination. Out of the above, immediate duty elimination is being offered on 97.96 percent tariff lines," the commerce ministry said in a statement.

India will cut duties on about 78 percent of its tariff lines, covering nearly 95 percent of imports from Oman, with sensitive products given access mainly through tariff-rate quotas.

Talks for the trade agreement began in November 2023 and concluded in August 2025 after five rounds of negotiations.

India has emerged as Oman's third-largest trading partner, while Indian investments in the Sultanate have more than tripled since 2020, crossing $5 billion.

These investments span sectors such as green steel, green ammonia, aluminium manufacturing, renewable energy and logistics.

Muscat is the last stop of Modi's three-nation tour. The Prime Minister earlier visited Jordan and Ethiopia.

Report by Adrija Chatarji for Network18 

18/12/25, The Rajya Sabha passed a bill on Wednesday to raise foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector to 100 per cent, aiming to provide insurance to all by 2047. The move is seen as a landmark reform aimed at attracting greater global capital into one of the world's fastest-growing insurance markets.

The Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025 would amend the Insurance Act, 1938, the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956, and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999.

FDI limit raised to 100%

The amendment seeks to raise the FDI limit in the insurance sector from 74 per cent to 100 per cent, according to the bill. On Tuesday, the Lok Sabha passed the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025 to boost the growth of the insurance sector and strengthen policyholder protection.

Insurance Amendment Bill seeks to accelerate growth of sector, improve regulatory oversight: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

The Bill's aim is to increase regulatory supervision, make rule-making more transparent, relax compliance requirements, and increase the limit of foreign direct investments in the sector. One of the main proposals suggests permitting full (100 per cent) foreign direct investment (FDI) in insurance firms so that they can attract long-term funds, compete more vigorously and be able to cover more customers. Furthermore, the bill aims to attract foreign reinsurers by significantly reducing capital requirements, which may lead to enhanced reinsurance capacity and risk diversification.

Greater powers for regulator, autonomy for LIC

The legislation proposes to strengthen the powers of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India through enhanced enforcement authority, simplified compliance norms and clearer approval thresholds for equity transfers.

Moreover, it allows the Life Insurance Corporation of India to operate more independently, thereby facilitating quicker growth and restructuring, which might even involve international markets.

Nirmala Sitharaman tables 'Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha' insurance amendment bill in Parliament

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government infused over Rs 17,000 crore into public sector insurers and expanded coverage through various insurance schemes. She also highlighted the decision to waive GST on life and health insurance premiums and said insurance penetration has improved over the past 11 years. Opposition members opposed higher FDI limits and raised concerns over the privatisation of the insurance sector.

The Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025 received the Union Cabinet's nod on Friday. As per the statement of objects and reasons, the Bill aims to accelerate the growth and development of the insurance sector and ensure better protection of policyholders.

India's insurance penetration-measured as total premium as a percentage of GDP - declined to 3.7 per cent in 2023-24 from 4 per cent in 2022-23, according to the latest data. Life insurance penetration fell to 2.8 per cent from 3 per cent, while non-life insurance remained steady at 1 per cent. In August 2025, the finance ministry issued a notification replacing the existing 74 per cent foreign investment limit in insurance companies with what it said was "as stipulated by the Insurance Act 1938", ahead of the legislative amendment to enable 100 per cent FDI in the sector.

18/12/25, Your smartphone may have numerous features, but it's not necessary to keep all of them turned on all the time. Many features on a phone are used only on specific occasions, but keeping them constantly active drains the battery.

 If your phone doesn't provide adequate battery backup, it could be due to five such settings or features that are unnecessarily enabled. Let's discuss them in detail today so you can turn them off, save your phone's battery, and use them only when needed.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Scanning
If you keep Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on even when you're not using them, it can be a major reason for rapid battery drain. When your phone isn't connected to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, having these settings enabled causes it to constantly search for networks and accessories in the background. This consumes a significant amount of battery power.

While keeping them always on might be convenient, if battery backup is more important to you than this minor convenience, turn Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on only when needed and turn them off after use.

Turn off Quick Share
The Quick Share feature is used to share photos or videos between two smartphones. This feature is very useful for transferring large files quickly, but it should be turned off when you're not using it.

To enable instant sharing, your phone constantly searches for devices and incoming transfer requests. Quick Share uses both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to function. As a result, it gradually drains your phone's battery. Several users on the Samsung support forum have also reported that Quick Share consumes a lot of power. If you don't use it regularly, turn it off. To do this, go to Quick Share settings and set "Who can share with you" to None.

Turn off System Vibration
Your phone vibrates every time you dial a number or type something. This is called haptic feedback in technical terms. This type of vibration makes using the phone more enjoyable, but it also consumes power repeatedly to run the vibration motor.

While a single small vibration doesn't significantly drain the battery, when you add up hundreds of vibrations throughout the day, it consumes a considerable amount of battery power. Therefore, you can save a significant amount of battery by turning off your phone's vibration.

Turn off Background App Refresh
Whenever you install an app on your phone, that app is permitted to run in the background by default. This means that numerous apps on your phone can use the internet, refresh content, and sync data in the background, even when you're not actively using your phone.

Therefore, you should revoke background app refresh permission from all apps except those that truly need to run in the background. To do this, go to the app's settings, tap on the Battery option, and select Restricted. Then, go to Mobile data and turn off "Allow background data usage." This will prevent your phone's battery from draining unnecessarily.

Turn off Location Services
After the display, your phone's GPS is the biggest battery consumer. The main reason for this is keeping the phone's location services always on. Doing so allows numerous apps to use location services in the background, which drains the phone's battery very quickly.
Therefore, keep your phone's location services turned off until you actually need to use GPS. This will save a considerable amount of your phone's battery.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Navbharat Times. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.

By Indian Employment News

18/12/25, GOLD & SILVER

On December 18, 2025, the prices of gold and silver in India remain influenced by global trends, local demand, and fluctuating currency rates.

Precious metals like gold and silver remain a significant part of Indian culture and the economy, especially during festivals and weddings, as well as for investment. Here's a breakdown of the current gold and silver prices.

Gold Prices on December 18, 2025:

As of today, gold prices in India have risen slightly due to global demand and inflationary pressures. The cost of 24K gold (also referred to as 999 pure gold) is priced at Rs 13,452 per 1 gram, while 22K gold (which contains 91.67% pure gold, commonly used in jewellery) is priced at Rs 12,331 per 1 gram.

Gold prices in India are affected by several factors, including the international price of gold, the U.S. Dollar exchange rate, and domestic jewellery demand, especially ahead of the festive season. Indian consumers often see price fluctuations based on these factors.

Gold prices in Delhi
The current price of 24K gold in Delhi is Rs 13,467 per gram
The current price of 22K gold in Delhi is Rs 12,346 per gram

Gold prices in Mumbai
The current price of 24K gold in Mumbai is Rs 13,452 per gram
The current price of 22K gold in Mumbai is Rs 12,331 per gram

Gold prices in Kolkata
The current price of 24K gold in Kolkata is Rs 13,452 per gram
The current price of 22K gold in Kolkata is Rs 12,331 per gram

Gold prices in Chennai
The current price of 24K gold in Chennai is Rs 13,529 per gram
The current price of 22K gold in Chennai is Rs 12,401 per gram

Silver Prices on December 18, 2025:

On this date, the price of silver in India is trading at approximately Rs 2,08,100 per kilogram, and the rate of Silver 925 (also known as Silver sterling) is at Rs 2,00,000 per kilogram. Silver, while generally less expensive than gold, is also a favoured metal for both investment and use in jewellery, especially in regions where silver ornaments are more common than gold. Much like gold, silver prices are influenced by global markets, with industrial demand playing a significant role in price fluctuations.

Silver price in Delhi today
The current price of Silver 999 in Delhi is Rs 2081 per 10 grams.

Silver price in Mumbai today
The current price of Silver 999 in Mumbai is Rs 2081 per 10 grams.

Silver price in Kolkata today
The current price of Silver 999 in Kolkata is Rs 2081 per 10 grams.

Silver price in Chennai today
The current price of Silver 999 in Chennai is Rs 2221 per 10 grams.

source: DNA, Dailyhunt 

18/12/25, Buy or sell stocks By Vishali Parekh: Global markets enter today's session on a cautious footing following a sharp overnight sell-off in the US. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow extended their losing streak as investors booked profits in high-valuation technology and AI stocks.

 Renewed scepticism around AI capex returns, reports of funding pullbacks in data-centre investments, and a visible rotation toward defensive sectors have reinforced a risk-off tone. Investor sentiment also remains cautious ahead of the release of US consumer price inflation data, with divided views in the market over the future trajectory of monetary policy, prompting participants to stay defensive and avoid aggressive positioning.

Asian markets opened on a weak note, mirroring the subdued tone on Wall Street after several sessions of sustained selling. This pressure is likely to spill over into Indian equities at the open. That said, the selling seen so far does not reflect panic; instead, it appears to be a valuation-led reset following a strong rally, rather than any indication of a structural breakdown.

Stock market today

Vaishali Parekh, Vice President of Technical Research at Prabhudas Lilladher, believes the Indian stock market sentiment has turned weak as the Nifty 50 index fell further and finished around the 25,800 level, which is close to the 50-DEMA support placed at around 25,750. If the 50-stock index breaks below this support, it may attempt to test the 25,500 to 25,400 levels. On the upper side, the key benchmark index is facing a hurdle at 26,000. Breaking above this level on a closing basis would fuel positive conviction among bulls.

Speaking on the outlook of the Nifty 50 index, Vaishali Parekh said, "The Nifty 50 index witnessed another day of profit booking, which ended above the 25,800 zone with bias slightly weakened and with near-term support positioned near the 25,750 level; it would need a revival to maintain the bias intact. With the overall bias still maintained at a positive level, we have major support near the 25,700 zone. At the same time, on the upside, a decisive breach above the 26,050 level is necessary to establish conviction and continue with the positive uptrend in the coming days, having the 26,200 level as the next immediate target."

On the outlook of the Bank Nifty index, Parekh said, "The Bank Nifty index continued to move within the tight range, resisting near the 59,150 zone, witnessing a sluggish session to end near the 59,000 level with bias maintained intact. As said earlier, a decisive breach above the 59,500 zone is much needed to expect a fresh upward move in the coming days, having the higher target of the 60,000 level, with the crucial near-term support positioned near the 50-DEMA level of 58,300, which needs to be sustained to keep the overall bias intact."

Parekh stated that immediate support for the Nifty 50 index is located at 26,000. The Bank Nifty is expected to have a daily range of 58,500 to 59,500.

Vaishali Parekh's stock recommendations today

Regarding stocks to buy today, Vaishali Parekh recommended three buy-or-sell stocks for intraday trading on Thursday: GNA Axles, Grasim Industries, and ONGC.

1] GNA Axles: Buy at ₹307, Target ₹320, Stop Loss ₹300;

2] Grasim Industries: Buy at ₹2805, Target ₹2850, Stop Loss ₹2770; and

3] ONGC: Buy at ₹232, Target ₹243, Stop Loss ₹228.

Report by Vishali Parekh for MINT

Who is Vaishali Parekh

Vaishali Parekh is an Assistant VP, Technical Research & Analysis at Prabhudas Lilladher Pvt, bringing extensive expertise in technical research and analysis within the financial markets. Their background includes providing market insights and trading recommendations.

During their tenure at Prabhudas Lilladher Pvt, Vaishali progressed through roles of increasing responsibility, demonstrating a deep understanding of technical analysis and market dynamics. They have experience as a Manager, Technical Research & Analysis, and as a Senior Technical Research Analyst. In these capacities, Vaishali provided Nifty Bank Nifty daily trading calls along with overall market views. They also catered to sub-brokers with market calls, including momentum and weekly positional strategies. Vaishali's work history includes analyzing market trends and formulating trading strategies.

Vaishali's expertise encompasses analyzing market data, interpreting financial indicators, and providing actionable trading recommendations. Their capabilities include contributing to investment reporting and supporting financial operations within the financial sector. They apply their knowledge of financial analysis to interpret market data and inform strategic decisions.

Vaishali holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from R. A. Podar College of Commerce & Economics.

Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts or broking companies. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

18/12/25, Support & Resistance

18/12/25, LIC INVESTMENTS

LIC Investments: భారతీయ జీవిత బీమా సంస్థ ఎల్ఐసీ వివిధ రంగాల్లో పెట్టుబడులు పెడుతుంది. అయితే, ఇటీవల అదానీ గ్రూప్ కంపెనీల్లో పెట్టుబడులపై తీవ్ర దుమారం చెలరేగింది. ఈ క్రమంలో ఎల్ఐసీ పెట్టుబడులపై చర్చ కొనసాగుతోంది. ప్రస్తుతం ఎల్ఐసీకి అత్యధికంగా పెట్టుబడులు ఉన్న కంపెనీల్లో టాటా, రిలయన్స్, హెచ్‌డీఎఫ్‌సీ వంటివి ఉన్నాయి. మరి ఆ వివరాలు తెలుసుకుందాం.

LIC Investments: లైఫ్ ఇన్సూరెన్స్ కార్పొరేషన్ ఆఫ్ ఇండియా (ఎల్ఐసీ) పెట్టుబడుల అంశం మరోసారి తెరపైకి వచ్చింది. అదానీ గ్రూప్ కంపెనీల్లో ఎల్ఐసీ పెట్టుబడులు పెట్టేందేందుకు కేంద్ర ఆర్థిక శాఖ ఒత్తిడి చేసిందన్న ఆరోపణలు వచ్చాయి. దీనిపై ఎల్ఐసీ సహా కేంద్ర ప్రభుత్వం క్లారిటీ ఇచ్చింది. ఎల్ఐసీ పెట్టుబడులు ఏ కంపెనీలో అత్యధికంగా ఉన్నాయనే విషయం తెలుసుకునేందుకు ప్రజలు ఆసక్తి చూపిస్తున్నారు. ప్రస్తుతం ఎల్ఐసీకి అత్యధికంగా టాటా గ్రూప్‌లోనే పెట్టుబడులు ఉన్నాయి. టాటా గ్రూప్ కంపెనీల్లో మొత్తం రూ.88,404 కోట్లు పెట్టుబడులు పెట్టింది.

ఎల్ఐసీ పెట్టుబడుల్లో టాటా గ్రూప్ మొదటి స్థానంలో ఉండగా రెండో స్థానంలో హెచ్‌డీఎఫ్‌సీ బ్యాంక్ ఉంది. ఈ బ్యాంకులో ఎల్ఐసీ మొత్తం రూ. 80,843 కోట్లు ఇన్వెస్ట్ చేసింది. ఆ తర్వాతి స్థానంలో రిలయన్స్ ఇండస్ట్రీస్‌ ఉంది. ఇందులో రూ. 60,065 కోట్లు మేర ఇన్వెస్ట్ చేసింది. ఎల్ఐసీ పెట్టుబడుల పరంగా ఆ తర్వాతి స్థానాల్లో అదానీ గ్రూప్ కంపెనీలు ఉన్నాయి. అదానీ సంస్థల్లో ఎల్ఐసీ రూ. 47,633.78 కోట్లు ఇన్వెస్ట్ చేసినట్లు వెల్లడించింది. ఇక ఎస్‌బీఐలో రూ. 46,621.76 కోట్లు ఉన్నట్లు పార్లమెంటులో అడిగిన ఓ ప్రశ్నకు కేంద్ర ఆర్థిక శాఖ సహాయ మంత్రి పంకజ్ ఛౌద్రి తెలిపారు

దేశీయంగా 35 కంపెనీలు లేదా గ్రూపుల్లో ఎల్ఐసీ రూ. 5000 కోట్లకుపైన పెట్టుబడులు పెట్టినట్లు కేంద్ర మంత్రి తెలిపారు. వీటి మొత్తం విలువ రూ. 7.87 లక్షల కోట్లుగా ఉందని వెల్లడించింది. ఈ 35 కంపెనీల్లో హిందుస్థాన్ యునిలీవర్, ఎల్అండ్‌టీ, ఐడీబీఐ బ్యాంక్, మహీంద్రా అండ్ మహీంద్రా, ఆదిత్య బిర్లా వంటి ప్రముఖ సంస్థలు ఉన్నాయి. టాప్ 5 గ్రూపులు లేదా కంపెనీల్లో మొత్తం రూ.3.23 లక్షల కోట్లు ఇన్వెస్ట్ చేసింది.

LIC Investments: Indian life insurance company LIC invests in various sectors. However, recently there has been a huge uproar over investments in Adani Group companies. In this context, the discussion on LIC investments is ongoing. Currently, the companies in which LIC has the most investments include Tata, Reliance, and HDFC. Let's find out the details.

LIC Investments: The issue of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) investments has once again come to the fore.  There have been allegations that the Union Finance Ministry pressured LIC to invest in Adani Group companies  . The Union government, including LIC, has given clarity on this. People are interested in knowing in which company LIC has the highest investments. Currently, LIC has the highest investments in the Tata Group. It has invested a total of Rs. 88,404 crore in Tata Group companies.

Tata Group is in first place in LIC investments, followed by HDFC Bank. LIC has invested a total of Rs. 80,843 crore in this bank. Next is Reliance Industries. It has invested Rs. 60,065 crore. Next in terms of LIC investments are Adani Group companies. It has been revealed that LIC has invested Rs. 47,633.78 crore in Adani companies. Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said in a question in Parliament that SBI has Rs. 46,621.76 crore.

The Union Minister said that LIC has invested more than Rs 5000 crore in 35 companies or groups in the country. The total value of these is Rs 7.87 lakh crore. These 35 companies include prominent companies like Hindustan Unilever, L&T, IDBI Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra, Aditya Birla. It has invested a total of Rs 3.23 lakh crore in the top 5 groups or companies.

17/12/26, IS US DOLLAR DYING SLOWLY?

The US dollar's position as the world's main reserve currency is slowly being undermined, with several countries shedding their holdings of US Treasury securities, once considered the safest asset.

Amid this, economist Peter Schiff warned that the US economy is on the brink of "the biggest economic crisis of our lifetimes," citing the rise in gold and silver as other factors. What really is the situation with the US dollar? Let's dive in.

Peter Schiff's warning on US economy

Schiff warned that the fall in treasury holdings and rise in gold and silver prices could send consumer prices, bond yields, and unemployment soaring in the US.

Some of his predictions could be alarmist and should be taken with a pinch of salt, as Schiff is a well-known gold advocate and frequent critic of US monetary policy. Schiff's forecasts are not new; he has been discussing hyperinflation, gold price surges, and imminent dollar destruction for 15 years, most of which did not happen within his predicted timeframe or scale.

Gold and silver prices are indeed rising

Gold and silver prices fluctuate daily, and both reached record or near-record highs in recent years, with gold around $2,600-$2,700 per ounce in late 2025, and silver above $30-$35 per ounce. Geopolitical uncertainties, Federal Reserve activity, and inflation hedging are among the reasons.

US Treasuries is a sign of trust in the dollar but who is trimming holdings?

As the world's primary reserve currency, the dollar is roughly 60 per cent of global reserves. Demand for US Treasuries remains strong. But foreign holdings of US Treasury securities - including bills, notes, and bonds - have slowly been declining, as tracked by the US Treasury Department's Treasury International Capital (TIC) system.

Total foreign holdings currently exceed $9 trillion, with the largest holders being Japan (around $1.1-1.2 trillion), followed by the UK (around $800-900 billion), and China (around $750-800 billion). Net inflows in recent months are primarily driven by private investors and some official institutions.

China has been the most notable long-term reducer of US Treasury holdings, after peaking at around $1.3 trillion in the early 2010s. Its holdings have fallen to roughly $750-760 billion. Diversification into gold and other currencies is part of China's effort to reduce reliance on dollar assets amid geopolitical tensions.

Russia's holdings fell sharply after 2022 due to sanctions following the Ukraine invasion, declining to under $2 billion from tens of billions before 2022.

Saudi Arabia and some other oil exporters have occasionally reduced holdings for short-term capital needs and diversification. Switzerland, Germany, and Norway have also trimmed US Treasury holdings in recent months, as have smaller holders like Brazil and Vietnam.

These reductions have not led to broader sell-offs, at least for now.

In fact, Japan has increased its holdings to record levels of around $1.15 trillion as of 2025. The UK has risen to the second-largest holder of US Treasuries, surpassing China this year, with around $850-865 billion currently.

India is reducing its US Treasury holdings

India has gradually reduced its US Treasury securities over the past year as part of a broader diversification strategy by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Factors include US trade policies, diversification trends, and a preference for gold as a hedge against dollar volatility and inflation.

Concerns over US fiscal debt, credit rating issues, and rising yields have also contributed. India's US treasury holdings had peaked in 2024 at $247 billion, but fell to around $220 billion by year-end.

Yet, India remains among the top 20 foreign holders of US Treasuries.

India is increasing its gold reserves

The RBI has simultaneously increased gold reserves, adding dozens of tonnes in 2025, bringing total reserves to over 880 metric tonnes. Gold now accounts for roughly 14-15 per cent of the RBI's reserves. Overall, India's total foreign exchange reserves have remained robust at around $690-700 billion, adequate to cover a large share of imports and external liabilities.

Unlike Japan and the UK, India and other BRICS nations have trimmed exposure, often in response to global uncertainties.

India's foreign currency assets usually constitute about 80-85 per cent of total reserves, mostly in US dollar-denominated assets such as US Treasury securities, deposits, and sovereign bonds.

source: WION, Dailyhunt

17/12/25, According to Financial Express news, Motilal Oswal Pridiction on Vishal Mega Mart

 The domestic brokerage Motilal Oswal initiated a positive view on the value retailer Vishal Mega Mart. The brokerage has assigned a 'Buy' rating and set a target price of Rs 170. This translates to an upside potential of nearly 25%.

According to the brokerage report, the call is based on steady store-level growth, increasing contribution from in-house brands, and operating efficiencies that may support margins over time.

Let’s take a look at the 3 key reasons why the brokerage is bullish on the stock.

Motilal Oswal on Vishal Mega Mart: Repeat customers and own brand

One of the key factors supporting the company’s outlook is its heavy reliance on private labels.

As per the brokerage report, nearly 75% of the company's revenue comes from its own brands. Management expects this to help maintain steady same-store sales growth on an annual basis, even if quarterly numbers fluctuate.

As per the brokerage house report, "Management remains optimistic about sustaining double-digit SSSG on an annual basis…driven by differentiated own brands portfolio (~75% of the revenue mix)." Same-store sales growth refers to growth generated by existing stores, excluding the impact of new store additions.

The brokerage also noted that customer loyalty remains high, with repeat customers contributing the bulk of sales. According to the report, "ownership of opening price points and loyal customer base (~95% of sales to repeat customers) remain key drivers for sustainable SSSG."

Motilal Oswal on Vishal Mega Mart: Premiumisation and cost control

Another factor pointed out by the brokerage house in its report is the company's gradual shift towards premium products without moving away from its value positioning.

According to the brokerage report, Vishal Mega Mart has been upgrading product quality by reinvesting efficiency gains from sourcing and supply chain improvements.

The report stated, "VMM has focused on premiumization over the last few years to match the rising aspirations of its customer base while remaining competitive in the opening price points."

Operational efficiency also plays a role here. The brokerage pointed out that investments in warehouse automation and Radio Frequency Identification technology are helping reduce costs. As noted in the report, "the company's focus on volume-led growth, technology… and frugal operational philosophy should result in operating leverage and drive EBITDA margin expansion."

Motilal Oswal on Vishal Mega Mart: Expansion strategy and quick commerce add optionality

Motilal Oswal also pointed Vishal Mega Mart's store expansion strategy, especially in southern India. According to management, lower sales throughput in the region is linked to newer stores rather than weaker demand. The brokerage noted, "lower throughput in South India is a function of relatively new stores…profitability in South is similar if not better than the pan-India level."

Another emerging lever is quick commerce. The brokerage highlighted that the company currently offers quick delivery services across 460 towns, with online orders contributing a small but growing share of sales. According to the report, "VMM's QC offering is largely profitable on cash basis as AoV at ~Rs 700 is similar to typical in-store sales."

The brokerage also noted that Vishal Mega Mart is testing smaller store formats in towns with populations of around 50,000. These pilots have performed broadly in line with larger stores, expanding the company's targetable addressable market.

17/12/25, Morgan Stanley view on Reliance Industries

 Morgan Stanley has issued a bullish note for the shares of Reliance Industries (RIL), maintaining its 'Overweight' call and raising their target price.The international brokerage expects the company to see earnings upgraded and valuation re-rating in every quarter of 2026.

It increased its target price for Reliance Industries shares to Rs 1,847 apiece from the earlier Rs 1,701 apiece. This implies an upside potential of nearly 20 percent from the stock's previous closing price of Rs 1,542.30 per share.

Morgan Stanley said that three key building blocks, along with an approximate $50 billion in value creation and multiple catalysts made the outlook more bullish for the RIL shares heading into 2026.

It said India's most valuable company is currently undergoing the fourth monetization cycle as all business verticals, energy, consumer and telecom, are turning free cash flow (FCF) positive. This would allow RIL to redeploy capital towards new growth frontiers, it added.

Morgan Stanley noted that RIL has invested more than $80 billion since COVID-19 period, and these investments will likely begin to bear fruit from 2026 onwards. The international brokerage sees "golden age" for the firm's refining segment, with margins near US$14/bbl, about 1.5x mid-cycle levels.

For Reliance Jio, Morgan Stanley sees average revenue per user (ARPU) rising at 9 percent CAGR over FY26–FY28 as 5G adoption accelerates. The brokerage's expectation of RIL seeing a rating upgrade every quarter in 2026 is driven by refining up-cycle, ARPU hike in telecom, retail growth, and ramp-up of new energy business.

RIL share price history:

Reliance Industries, India's most valuable company, currently has a market capitalization of nearly Rs 21 lakh crore. The shares were trading in the green at around Rs 1,545 apiece.

The stock has gained around 2 percent in the past one month, and is up more than 26 percent in 2025 so far, outperforming benchmark index Nifty 50. This came after the heavyweight stock increased nearly 56 percent over the past five years.

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