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Business Standard

• Market Outlook and Performance: Indian stock markets are expected to open positively, with GIFT Nifty indicating an upbeat start, following gains in Asian markets. This comes despite a year-end review suggesting that Indian stocks lagged behind emerging markets and Asia, marking their worst showing in decades. Jefferies' global head of equity strategy, Chris Wood, predicts Sensex could reach 100,000 in 2026 if corporate earnings improve.

• Investment Insights:

  • Analysts recommend Shriram Finance and Varun Beverages as top stock picks for the day.
  • Technical stock picks include Rico Auto, Kirloskar Oil, and Stylam Industries.
  • ICICI Securities maintains a 'Buy' rating for Aditya Infotech, citing a strong outlook.
  • Motilal Oswal highlights motor insurance as a key sector, with specific top bets.

• Economic Trends: Mutual funds experienced a contraction in New Fund Offer (NFO) collections in 2025, indicating a cooling equity appetite among investors. In Bangladesh, the government reportedly owes commercial banks over Tk4,000 crore in remittance incentive dues, raising concerns about banking sector profitability and liquidity.

Economic Times

• Economic Indicators:

  • Gross Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India marginally decreased to $6.5 billion in October, down from $6.6 billion in September. Net FDI remained negative, with an outflow of $1.5 billion in October.
  • The Reserve Bank of India's latest bulletin highlights the importance of focusing on fundamentals to sustain India's growth, projecting a 7.3% GDP expansion for FY 2025-26.
  • India's borrowing costs are anticipated to increase as the market faces a $90 billion supply in Q4.
  • Corporate tax collections have surpassed personal income tax, with gross direct tax revenue exceeding Rs 20 lakh crore.
  • The Asian Development Bank (ADB) committed $4.26 billion in sovereign lending to India for 2025.

• Market Dynamics:

  • Wall Street saw broad gains, driven by continued advancements in technology stocks.
  • The Japanese Yen remains volatile amid threats of currency intervention.

• Companies in Focus:

  • Stocks to watch include Ambuja Cements, ACC, Cipla, Groww, and Canara Bank.
  • LIC Housing Finance reduced interest rates on new home loans to 7.15%.
  • Saatvik Green Energy's arm secured a Rs 486 crore order for solar PV modules.
  • Private equity firm Quadria Capital exited Akums Pharma by selling its 4.62% stake for Rs 311 crore.

Mint

• Corporate Deals and Strategy:

  • Oracle's Larry Ellison has offered a $40.4 billion guarantee to support Paramount's bid for Warner Bros.
  • Alphabet is set to acquire Intersect for $4.75 billion, signaling a push in the AI data center sector.
  • Kotak Mahindra Bank is reportedly looking for a "younger, leaner, hungrier" leadership.

• Regulatory and Economic Policy:

  • The US is exploring 'joint innovation' with India as the SHANTI Act opens up India's nuclear sector.
  • Guidance on H-1B visa screening warns against social media missteps.

• Market Listings: KSH International's IPO is scheduled for listing today, with experts predicting a tepid response from investors.

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