Author: Staff Writer

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Corporate

Sensex down 150, Nifty under 26,150

As the markets opened on Wednesday, the BSE Sensex fell around 150 points, while the Nifty50 slipped below the 26,150 mark in early trade. Selling pressure in heavyweight stocks weighed on overall market sentiment.

Market participants stayed on the sidelines due to concerns over global developments and uncertainty around interest rates. After recent gains, many investors chose to book profits, leading to mild losses across key indices. Broader markets also reflected weakness, with mid-cap and small-cap stocks trading mostly in the red.

Sector-wise, performance was mixed. Realty, media, and oil and gas stocks faced selling pressure, while select banking, IT, and consumer stocks showed limited strength. Rate-sensitive stocks underperformed as traders remained cautious about future policy signals.

Among individual stocks, Titan Company emerged as a top gainer, rising sharply on strong buying interest, supported by positive outlook for its jewellery business. On the other hand, Cipla was among the top losers, falling over 2% due to selling pressure. Other heavyweight stocks such as HDFC Bank and Tata Motors also traded lower, dragging the benchmarks.

Market breadth remained weak, with more stocks declining than advancing on both the BSE and NSE. Analysts said the market may continue to move in a narrow range in the near term, with investors closely tracking global cues, upcoming earnings announcements, and macroeconomic data.

Experts added that the 26,000 level on the Nifty remains an important support, while upside could be limited unless there is fresh positive news. Until then, markets are expected to remain volatile, with stock-specific action dominating trade.

Also Read: Sensex slips 376 points, Nifty below 26,200

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Leaders

Marc Berson joins Mastek board to boost AI

Mastek, the global digital engineering and cloud transformation company, has appointed Marc Berson, a seasoned technology executive from Google, to its Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2026. This move reflects Mastek’s ambition to strengthen its AI and cloud initiatives as it expands its footprint across global markets.

Berson, currently Google’s Chief Information Officer, has over three decades of experience in driving digital transformation for major corporations. He has held leadership roles at Gilead Sciences, Hewlett‑Packard, IBM, and Philips, helping organizations modernize technology systems and leverage digital tools to achieve business growth. His deep expertise in cloud solutions and AI will provide Mastek with strategic guidance as it works to deliver innovative, enterprise-ready solutions.

Umang Nahata, CEO of Mastek, said, “Marc’s experience in leading large-scale technology transformations is a perfect fit for Mastek’s AI-first agenda. His insights will help us further strengthen our offerings and deliver measurable impact for our clients.”

Berson expressed excitement about joining Mastek, saying that the company’s focus on AI-enabled transformation resonates with his professional experience. “I look forward to contributing to Mastek’s journey of helping enterprises harness the power of AI and cloud technologies to create meaningful business outcomes,” he said.

Mastek, which operates in over 40 countries and serves clients across sectors like healthcare, retail, financial services, and the public sector, has been steadily investing in cloud and AI capabilities. The company is focusing on GenAI-powered solutions and strategic partnerships that simplify digital transformation and help businesses achieve faster results.

With Berson on board, Mastek aims to combine global technology insight with local execution expertise, positioning itself as a trusted partner for enterprises looking to embrace AI-first strategies and accelerate their cloud adoption. This appointment underscores Mastek’s commitment to innovation, leadership depth, and delivering tangible value to clients worldwide.

Also Read: Apple’s made-in-India iPhones cross $50 bn in 2025

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Technology

Apple’s made-in-India iPhones cross $50 bn in 2025

Apple’s iPhones made in India have hit a remarkable milestone, with exports reaching $50 billion (around ₹4.5 lakh crore) in 2025, the government has revealed. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called it a “historic achievement” and a testament to India’s growing stature in global electronics manufacturing.

This surge comes as a direct result of India’s Make in India initiative and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, both aimed at attracting global companies to set up and expand their manufacturing operations locally. Apple joined the PLI program in 2022, and the results are already visible. In fact, in the first nine months of the current fiscal year alone, India shipped $16 billion worth of iPhones abroad.

Vaishnaw highlighted how India’s electronics industry has grown over the past decade, noting that production has increased six-fold and exports have jumped eight-fold since 2014. Today, smartphones and electronic goods are among the country’s top export categories, and Apple’s success is playing a big role in that story.

Much of this production comes from Apple’s assembly partners in India, including Foxconn and Tata Electronics. A network of around 45 component makers, including many small and medium enterprises, supports these plants. This ecosystem is not only helping Apple meet global demand but also creating local employment—currently supporting around 2.5 million jobs in electronics manufacturing.

For perspective, while Samsung’s mobile exports from India during a comparable period totaled about $17 billion, Apple’s iPhone shipments have more than doubled that, underlining India’s rising significance in the global supply chain.

For the thousands of workers on the assembly lines, and the millions in supporting industries, the $50 billion achievement represents both pride and promise for the future of “Made in India.”

Also Read: Unnati acquires Gramophone, Info Edge invests ₹35 cr

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1 Minute-Read

Intel reveals AI‑ready Panther Lake chips

Intel has unveiled its next-generation PC processors at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, marking a key step in its push to regain leadership in the global chip market.

The new Intel Core Ultra chips are designed for laptops and are built to deliver better performance, improved power efficiency, and stronger artificial intelligence capabilities.

Intel said the processors will support advanced AI features directly on devices, reducing reliance on cloud computing. The chips are expected to power a wide range of new PCs launching later this year, as competition intensifies with rivals such as AMD and Nvidia.

Categories
Corporate

Sensex slips 376 points, Nifty below 26,200

Equity markets ended lower with the Sensex fell 376 points, while the Nifty closed below the 26,200 level, as selling pressure emerged in heavyweight stocks despite positive global cues.

Markets opened on a firm note, supported by higher GIFT Nifty, gains in Asian markets, and a strong overnight close on Wall Street. However, profit-booking at higher levels and weak domestic sentiment dragged indices into negative territory by the afternoon.

On the sectoral front, pharma and select banking stocks outperformed. Apollo Hospitals, Sun Pharma, ICICI Bank, HDFC Life, and Tata Consumer Products were among the key gainers, helping limit the overall downside.

In contrast, heavy selling was seen in frontline stocks such as Reliance Industries, ITC, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and InterGlobe Aviation, which emerged as major drags on the benchmarks. Sectors including capital goods, infrastructure, oil and gas, and media declined 1–2 percent.

The broader market also remained under pressure, with midcap and smallcap indices closing lower, indicating widespread selling.

Market experts said cautious investor sentiment and profit-taking outweighed supportive global cues. Investors are expected to track global developments, upcoming economic data, and earnings for further direction in the near term.

Also Read: Nvidia launches Alpamayo AI to boost self-driving cars

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Corporate

AMD unveils new AI, PC chips at CES, Las Vegas

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has announced a new range of chips for artificial intelligence, data centres and personal computers at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas, outlining an aggressive roadmap to strengthen its position in the fast-growing AI market.

At the centre of the announcement was the MI455 AI accelerator, part of AMD’s Instinct GPU portfolio, designed for large-scale data-centre and high-performance computing workloads. The chip will be deployed in advanced AI computing racks and is already being supplied to key customers, including OpenAI. AMD also introduced the MI440X, a version aimed at enterprise clients that want to run AI workloads within their own data centres rather than relying on cloud-scale infrastructure.

AMD chief executive Lisa Su also previewed the upcoming MI500 series, expected to launch in 2027. According to the company, these future accelerators are being designed to deliver up to 1,000-fold performance gains over earlier generations, highlighting AMD’s long-term push to compete more strongly in AI hardware.

For personal computers, AMD expanded its AI-focused offerings with the launch of the Ryzen AI 400 Series processors. These chips include built-in neural processing units (NPUs) that allow laptops and desktops to run AI tasks locally, such as real-time translation, image generation and productivity tools. The processors support Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC platform and will be used across consumer and commercial devices.

The company also showcased Ryzen AI Max+ chips for thin-and-light systems, aimed at users who need strong graphics performance alongside on-device AI capabilities. In addition, AMD announced the Ryzen AI Halo mini-PC platform, targeted at developers working on AI models and applications, offering high memory capacity and local AI compute power.

In the gaming segment, AMD unveiled the Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor, built on its Zen 5 architecture with enhanced cache technology to deliver improved gaming performance.

With partners expected to begin shipping systems based on the new chips in 2026, AMD’s CES announcements underline its strategy to expand across AI infrastructure, enterprise computing and next-generation PCs, even as competition in the semiconductor industry continues to intensify.

Also Read: HDFC AMC launches ₹2500 crore credit fund

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1 Minute-Read

Copper hits $13,000 after Chile mine strike

Global copper prices jumped to a record level of around $13,000 per ton following a strike at a major copper mine in Chile, the world’s top copper producer.

The work stoppage disrupted supply at a time when global inventories are already low, intensifying concerns over availability. Strong demand from construction, renewable energy, electric vehicles and power infrastructure has further supported prices.

Market analysts say fears of prolonged supply shortages are driving the rally, with any delay in mine operations likely to keep prices elevated.

The surge highlights growing pressure on industrial metal markets worldwide.

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Corporate

Novo Nordisk introduces cheaper Wegovy pill In US

Novo Nordisk has introduced the first oral version of its weight‑loss drug Wegovy in the United States, starting January 5, 2026, offering patients a convenient alternative to injectable treatments. The launch comes at a time of rising demand for obesity therapies and is priced significantly lower than existing injectables, triggering a price war in the U.S. market.

The oral pill is available in 1.5 mg and 4 mg doses at $149 per month, with insurance coverage potentially reducing out-of-pocket costs to $25 monthly. Higher doses, including 9 mg and 25 mg, are priced at $299 per month, while the 4 mg dose will increase to $199 in April. This pricing undercuts both Novo Nordisk’s own injectable Wegovy, which can cost over $1,000 per month, and rival products from Eli Lilly, including the injectable Zepbound and the oral candidate orforglipron, expected at roughly $346 per month.

Clinical trials indicate that patients taking the oral Wegovy experienced an average 17% reduction in body weight over 64 weeks, similar to results achieved with injectables. Novo Nordisk hopes the oral form will appeal to patients reluctant to use injections while expanding its share of the growing U.S. obesity treatment market.

The launch boosted Novo Nordisk’s shares, reflecting investor confidence that the lower-cost pill could strengthen the company’s market position. Analysts expect the new option to prompt further price competition and improve patient access, potentially reshaping the landscape of obesity drug pricing in the United States.

With this launch, Novo Nordisk is set to redefine the U.S. weight-loss drug market, offering a more convenient and affordable option to patients and intensifying competition in a sector increasingly focused on accessibility, effectiveness, and affordability.

Regulatory reviews in other countries, including the United Kingdom, are underway, and the pill may become available internationally later in 2026. Experts note that the oral Wegovy could accelerate the adoption of GLP-1 treatments, making effective obesity therapies more widely accessible while encouraging innovation among pharmaceutical competitors.

Also Read: Trump team to meet oil firms on Venezuela plans

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Beyond

Trump team to meet oil firms on Venezuela plans

The Trump administration is holding meetings with leading US oil companies to discuss re‑entry into Venezuela’s oil sector following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro Officials aim to explore how American energy firms could help revive and expand Venezuelan crude production, which has declined sharply over the past two decades.

Executives from Exxon Mobil, Chevron and ConocoPhillips say they have not yet been approached, contradicting President Trump’s earlier claim that consultations were already complete The upcoming talks are seen as the first serious discussions between the administration and industry regarding Venezuela.

Venezuela has some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves and its heavy crude matches US refinery requirements However infrastructure is degraded and legal and political uncertainties make investment risky Chevron is currently the only US oil major operating under a special licence while Exxon and Conoco pursue restitution claims.

Analysts warn that even if US firms return, boosting production will take years and require massive investment The administration is reportedly aiming to fast-track discussions and provide incentives to encourage participation.

It is unclear which executives will attend or whether companies will negotiate collectively or individually Antitrust concerns may limit joint discussions Market observers say the move could eventually increase Venezuelan output but immediate impact on global oil prices is likely limited.

The meetings reflect a strategic push by the Trump administration to align US energy interests with foreign policy objectives leveraging private investment to stabilize and expand Venezuela’s oil sector Analysts say progress will depend on legal clarity, infrastructure repair and political stability.

Also Read: Rupee gains 18 paise to 90.12 as dollar eases

Categories
Beyond

Rupee gains 18 paise to 90.12 as dollar eases

The Indian rupee advanced in early trade on Tuesday, strengthening by 18 paise to 90.12 against the US dollar, reversing part of its recent losses. The recovery came after four consecutive sessions of decline, during which the currency had weakened amid strong dollar demand and cautious global sentiment.

The rupee had closed the previous session near 90.30, weighed down by sustained pressure from importer dollar buying, foreign fund outflows, and elevated crude oil prices. On Tuesday, however, the local unit opened on a firmer footing as some of the dollar demand eased at higher levels, leading to short-covering by market participants.

Support also came from marginal weakness in the US dollar. The dollar index was trading slightly lower in the 103–104 range in early Asian trade, providing relief to emerging market currencies, including the rupee. Exporter selling of dollars further aided the rupee’s recovery during the morning session.

Crude oil prices remained a key overhang. Brent crude was trading close to $78–80 per barrel, a level that continues to pose risks for India’s external balances, given the country’s heavy dependence on oil imports. Elevated oil prices typically exert pressure on the rupee by increasing the import bill and widening the current account deficit.

Market participants noted that recent foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows from domestic equities had contributed to the rupee’s weakness over the past week. Volatility in equity markets and uncertainty over global growth and interest rate trajectories have kept foreign investors cautious.

Despite the day’s gains, analysts said the rupee’s outlook remains guarded. Movements in the dollar, trends in crude oil prices, and expectations around US monetary policy are expected to remain the key drivers of currency markets in the near term. Any sharp strengthening of the dollar or spike in oil prices could limit further appreciation in the rupee.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to continue closely monitoring currency movements. While the central bank has been intervening periodically to manage excessive volatility, it has largely allowed the rupee to move in line with broader market dynamics.

Going ahead, dealers expect the rupee to trade within a range of 90.00 to 90.40 in the near term, with gains capped by external pressures and support coming from intermittent dollar selling and possible RBI intervention.

Also Read: Gold inches up ₹1.38 lakh, Silver trades at ₹2.48 lakh