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Beyond

India’s GDP rises 8.2% in Q2, six-quarter high

India’s GDP recorded a robust 8.2% growth in the second quarter (July–September) of FY 2025–26, marking the fastest expansion in six quarters and exceeding market expectations. The performance comes even before the full impact of the recently announced GST rate cuts has been reflected in the economy.

The secondary sector, which includes manufacturing and industry, grew by around 8.1%, while the tertiary sector, encompassing services such as trade, finance, and transport,  expanded by approximately 9.2%. The primary sector, which covers agriculture, forestry, and mining, posted a modest growth of 3.1%.

Analysts said the growth was supported by strong rural demand, increased government spending, and early export shipments. Consumption showed an uptick ahead of the festive season, partially driven by expectations of lower tax rates under the GST regime.

Despite the upbeat headline numbers, some areas of the economy remain subdued. Urban demand and private investment have yet to pick up significantly, suggesting that growth is currently more dependent on government-led and rural spending.

Economists said sustaining this momentum in the coming months will require a revival in private sector investment and broader consumption across both rural and urban areas.

The Q2 growth indicates that India’s economy continues to show resilience in the face of global uncertainties. If domestic consumption, private investment, and exports continue to strengthen, the country could maintain a healthy growth trajectory in the second half of the fiscal year.

Overall, the numbers reflect a combination of strong rural activity, government support, and industrial recovery, showing that the economy is well-positioned to benefit from policy measures such as GST cuts while navigating ongoing challenges in urban markets and private investment.

Also Read: Meesho IPO to open on Dec 3, plans to raise ₹5,421 cr

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1 Minute-Read

Ashok Leyland shares hit 52‑week high on merger plan

Ashok Leyland shares touched a 52‑week high after the company announced plans to merge its finance arm, Hinduja Leyland Finance Limited, with NDL Ventures Limited.

The board has approved the merger, aimed at simplifying operations and strengthening financial structure.

Following the announcement, the stock jumped 5–6%, reaching ₹156–₹158, reflecting strong investor confidence. The company has also reported improved earnings recently, adding to positive sentiment.

Ashok Leyland is among several mid‑cap firms hitting yearly highs, and trading volumes surged as investors showed renewed interest in the stock, boosting market momentum.

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Beyond

Trump orders green card check for 19 countries

The US government has ordered a nationwide review of all green cards held by immigrants from 19 countries after a shooting near the White House left one National Guard member dead and another critically injured.

The accused shooter, Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, came to the US under the 2021 evacuation program. Former President Donald Trump directed a “full-scale, rigorous re-examination” of permanent residency permits for immigrants from Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, and Yemen.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will oversee the review, which will cover current green card holders, as well as pending and new applications from these countries, effective November 27, 2025. Officials said the applicant’s country of origin will now be a key factor in eligibility, citing national security concerns.

Supporters say the move is necessary to protect US citizens, while critics argue it unfairly targets immigrants based solely on nationality.

The review reflects a stricter, security-focused approach to immigration, shifting away from broad humanitarian resettlement programs. Thousands of residents from the 19 countries may face renewed scrutiny, and applicants seeking residency or asylum could encounter stricter requirements and longer processing times.

Authorities maintain the review aims to balance safety with fairness, but the decision has sparked debates over civil liberties and the treatment of immigrants from the targeted nations.

Also Read: Adani buys India’s top pilot-training company for ₹820 cr

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Corporate

ICICI Prudential AMC gets SEBI nod for $12 billion IPO

ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company (AMC), India’s second-largest mutual fund house, has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch its initial public offering (IPO). The company is aiming for a valuation of $12–12.5 billion, making it one of the biggest listings from the financial sector in recent years.

The IPO will be a complete offer-for-sale (OFS) by its UK-based shareholder, Prudential Corporation Holdings (PCHL). Prudential plans to sell around 10% of its stake, equal to about 1.76 crore shares. Since it is a pure OFS, the company will not issue new shares, and all proceeds will go directly to the selling shareholder. ICICI Bank, which currently owns 51% of the AMC, has also proposed buying an additional 2% stake from Prudential before the IPO to maintain its majority shareholding.

ICICI Prudential AMC manages assets worth over ₹10.6 lakh crore and serves more than 1.5 crore investors. It has a strong presence across equity, debt and passive funds, and holds a market share of about 13% as of March 2025. The AMC is considered one of the most trusted fund houses in the country, backed by the ICICI brand and its long operational track record.

Once listed, ICICI Prudential AMC will become the fifth ICICI Group company to debut on the stock market, joining ICICI Bank, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, ICICI Lombard General Insurance and ICICI Securities. The public issue is expected to attract strong interest from institutional and retail investors due to the company’s scale, profitability and established market position.

The IPO is likely to hit the market soon, making it one of the major offerings to watch in India’s financial markets this year.

Also Read: ED arrests WinZO founders in money-laundering case

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Leaders

ED arrests WinZO founders in money-laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested the two founders of the gaming platform WinZO, Saumya Singh Rathore and Paavan Nanda, for allegedly laundering money.

According to the ED, WinZO did not return around ₹43 crore to users after the government banned real-money gaming. Instead, the agency says the company moved the money around, hid it in different accounts, and even sent some funds abroad in suspicious ways.

During searches in Delhi, Bengaluru and Gurgaon, the ED froze assets worth over ₹500 crore. This includes bank accounts, fixed deposits, mutual funds and investments linked to WinZO and its founders.

Investigators also claim that WinZO used unfair systems inside the app. They say the company made players unknowingly compete against software “bots” instead of real people, which made users lose money more often.

The case is being investigated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). After the arrests, the founders were taken to a Bengaluru court, and the ED was given custody for further questioning.

WinZO has said it is cooperating with authorities and following the law.

The arrests are part of a wider crackdown on online gaming companies, especially after stricter rules were introduced on real-money gaming in India.

Also Read: Bandhan Bank to sell nearly ₹7,000 cr of bad Loans

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Corporate

Bandhan Bank to sell nearly ₹7,000 cr of bad Loans

Bandhan Bank has decided to sell a big chunk of its old, unpaid loans, almost ₹7,000 crore, to companies that specialise in recovering bad debts. These loans are unsecured retail loans, mostly given to small businesses, micro-entrepreneurs, and group borrowers.

The bank says many of these loans have not been repaid for over six months, and some were already written off earlier because recovery seemed unlikely. Instead of keeping these stressed loans on its books, Bandhan now wants to hand them over to asset reconstruction companies (ARCs), which take on the risk and try to recover whatever money they can.

The overdue loans (₹3,212 crore) will be sold through a Swiss Challenge method, where the bank invites bids and then allows competing buyers to improve upon them. The written-off loans (₹3,719 crore) will be auctioned separately.

Most of these loans come from Bandhan’s micro-finance and small-business segments,  borrowers who often run tiny shops, farms, or home-based enterprises. The bank says selling these loans will help it clean up its balance sheet and focus on healthier business.

If the sale attracts strong interest, Bandhan may consider more such transactions later.

Also Read: GAIL shares drop 6.5% after ₹65.69 tariff

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Corporate

GAIL shares drop 6.5% after ₹65.69 tariff

GAIL (India) Limited’s shares declined 6–6.5% on 28 November 2025 following the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board’s (PNGRB) announcement of a revised pipeline tariff.

The regulator approved an increase for GAIL’s integrated natural-gas pipeline network to ₹65.69 per MMBtu from the current ₹58.60, reflecting a 12% rise. However, this was below both market expectations of approximately 15% and GAIL’s requested tariff of ₹78 per MMBtu, or a 33% increase. The new tariff will be effective from 1 January 2026, with a comprehensive review deferred until FY 2028.

Market analysts noted that while the tariff adjustment provides incremental revenue support, the smaller-than-anticipated revision limits its immediate impact on the company’s earnings. Certain cost components were revised, but the overall effect on realized tariffs is expected to be moderate.

Investor sentiment reflected caution as the stock adjusted to the tempered revenue outlook amid broader business uncertainties in GAIL’s petrochemicals and gas marketing segments.

Also Read: Omnicom merges with IPG, becomes advertising giant

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Corporate

Omnicom merges with IPG, becomes advertising giant

Global advertising giants Omnicom Group and Interpublic Group (IPG) have officially merged, forming the world’s largest advertising and marketing company. The deal, valued at around $13.25 billion in an all-stock transaction, gives former Omnicom shareholders 60.6% and IPG shareholders 39.4% of the combined company. IPG shareholders received 0.344 Omnicom shares for each IPG share.

The merger brings together some of the most prominent creative and media agencies worldwide, including McCann, FCB, MullenLowe, and IPG Mediabrands, under one roof. With a combined annual revenue exceeding $25 billion, the new entity will dominate global advertising and become the second-largest network in India, after WPP plc.

Regulatory approvals were completed recently, with the European Commission giving unconditional clearance, allowing the merger to finalize. Industry analysts note that while the merger strengthens the company’s global scale and resources, it may also lead to job consolidations and operational changes as overlapping agencies restructure.

 The merger highlights how major advertising firms are seeking scale to compete amid declining traditional ad revenues and the rise of digital and AI-powered marketing solutions. For Indian advertisers, this consolidation could influence media buying, campaign strategies, and pricing, as fewer large networks control a bigger share of the market.

Also Read: Adani buys India’s top pilot-training company for ₹820 cr

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Corporate

Adani buys India’s top pilot-training company for ₹820 cr

Adani Defence Systems & Technologies, part of the Adani Group, has bought a majority stake in Flight Simulation Technique Centre (FSTC), India’s largest independent pilot-training company, for ₹820 crore.

The deal gives Adani control of around 73% of FSTC, while the original owners retain the remaining 27%. FSTC runs 11 advanced flight simulators and 17 training aircraft, offering services from commercial pilot licenses to specialized skill courses. The company has training centers in Gurugram and Hyderabad and flying schools in Haryana. It is certified by India’s DGCA and Europe’s EASA.

This acquisition marks Adani’s entry into pilot training and flight simulation. With India’s aviation industry growing fast, the demand for trained pilots is increasing. By acquiring FSTC, Adani aims to offer complete aviation services, covering training, maintenance, and defence support  and expand its presence in both civil and military aviation.

Also Read: Asian Paints to invest ₹340 crore in new UAE plant

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Beyond

Gold nears ₹1.26 lakh, silver climbs up ₹1.64 lakh

Gold and silver futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) climbed on Friday, fueled by expectations of a U.S. Federal Reserve rate cut and strong domestic demand ahead of the wedding season.

MCX December gold contracts rose 0.39% to ₹1,25,999 per 10 grams, while silver December contracts gained 0.85% to ₹1,63,849 per kilogram in early trading.

Analysts said the rally was driven by a softer U.S. dollar, healthy spot-market demand, and a high probability of a Fed rate cut in December. Some profit-booking was also seen, reflecting caution amid global market volatility and currency fluctuations.

With both global cues and domestic buying supporting the market, bullion, particularly gold, remains in focus for investors.

Also Read: Sensex gains 100 Points, Nifty tops 26,200