Author: Staff Writer

Categories
Corporate

Sensex jumps 600+ points, Nifty crosses 26,050

The markets bounced back with fresh energy on Wednesday after three days of weakness. The Sensex rallied more than 600 points, and the Nifty climbed past 26,050, signalling a strong return in investor confidence.

The biggest boost came from metal stocks and PSU banks, which were the clear outperformers of the day. JSW Steel topped the gainer’s list, reflecting strong buying interest in the sector. On the other side, Bharti Airtel slipped around 2%, making it one of the notable laggards even as the broader market moved higher.

The positive mood wasn’t just domestic — upbeat global markets also helped lift sentiment. Asian indices and U.S. cues were strong, giving traders the reassurance needed to step back into the market.

Importantly, the rally was broad-based. Buying was seen across multiple sectors, showing that the recovery wasn’t limited to a handful of stocks but spread across the market. If global cues stay stable and sector leaders continue to perform, this momentum may carry forward into the next few sessions.

Also Read: Nifty under 25,900, Sensex drops 314 points

Categories
Technology

First foldable iPhone set for 2026 launch

Apple is reportedly preparing to launch its first foldable iPhone in September 2026, signaling its entry into the foldable smartphone market, which has so far been dominated by Samsung and other Android manufacturers.

The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover screen, with design improvements aimed at delivering a nearly crease-free folding experience. Leaks indicate that the device’s thickness could be around 9–9.5 mm when closed, combining portability with a large, immersive screen.

The device is also expected to include an under-display selfie camera on the inner screen, while the rear camera setup may feature main and ultra-wide sensors, offering versatile photography options. Interestingly, the foldable iPhone may support Touch ID instead of Face ID, reflecting Apple’s continued experimentation with biometric options.

On the performance front, the foldable iPhone is likely to be powered by the next-generation A20 Pro chipset, similar to the iPhone 18 Pro models, promising high-speed performance and efficient power management. The battery is tipped to be around 5,400 mAh, making it the largest ever for an iPhone and likely offering extended usage compared to current models.

Price leaks suggest a premium tag of around $2,399 (approximately ₹2.15 lakh), making it the most expensive iPhone to date. In India, the price is expected to be higher after taxes and import duties. Apple plans to launch the foldable iPhone alongside iPhone 18 Pro models, with standard iPhone 18 devices expected to follow in early 2027.

With this new model, Apple aims to compete directly with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series, offering a new form factor and advanced technology for iPhone users. The foldable iPhone represents Apple’s bold step into the foldable segment, combining a larger screen, premium features, and powerful performance, but at a high cost for early adopters.

Also Read: SEBI proposes changes to basic demat accounts

Categories
Corporate

Nifty under 25,900, Sensex drops 314 points

The S&P BSE Sensex fell 314 points (0.37%) to close at 84,587, while the NSE Nifty 50 slipped 75 points (0.30%) to finish at 25,884 on November 25.

Among the 30 Sensex stocks, only BEL, SBI, Tata Steel, Eternal, Reliance Industries, Bharti Airtel, and Bajaj Finserv ended in positive territory. The biggest losers were Adani Enterprises, down 3%, followed by Trent, which fell 2%, along with Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, Power Grid Corp, and Infosys.

Looking at sectors, IT, Auto, FMCG, and Oil & Gas dragged the market, with declines of up to 0.6%. Stocks like Infosys, TCS, HCL Tech, and Wipro were the main contributors to the fall.

On the brighter side, PSU banks led the gains, rising over 1%, while Metal, Pharma, and Realty sectors also saw modest rises of up to 0.5%. Key gainers included State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, and Indian Bank.

Also Read: Sensex up 110 pts, Nifty nears 26,000

Categories
Beyond

SEBI proposes changes to basic demat accounts

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed changes to the framework governing Basic Services Demat Accounts (BSDA), a low-cost demat facility designed for small investors. The draft regulations aim to make account eligibility assessment fairer, more transparent, and easier to manage.

Under the proposed changes, delisted securities, shares removed from stock exchange trading will no longer be considered when calculating BSDA holdings. SEBI noted that delisted shares often lack a market price, making it difficult to assess their real value. Similarly, Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) bonds, which are non-transferable and do not provide any principal or interest return, will be excluded from valuation. Including these instruments previously inflated an investor’s account value artificially, potentially disqualifying them from BSDA benefits.

For listed but illiquid securities, SEBI proposes using their last traded price for BSDA eligibility purposes. Promoter individuals holding securities will not be subject to these valuation changes.

Another key recommendation is to replace the current billing-cycle-based reassessment of BSDA eligibility with a uniform quarterly system-driven review, standardizing the process across investors. Additionally, SEBI has suggested allowing investors to provide required consents through authenticated methods beyond registered email IDs, making the process more convenient.

SEBI said these measures aim to simplify account management, improve financial inclusion, and ensure that low-cost demat services benefit genuine small investors. The regulator has invited public comments on the draft proposal until 15 December 2025.

With these changes, SEBI hopes to ensure that BSDA holders are evaluated based on active and real investments, rather than on securities that are non-tradable, illiquid, or have no market value, thereby improving transparency and usability of the system for retail investors.

Also Read: Bitcoin slides 21% in November, sparks concern

Categories
Beyond

Bitcoin slides 21% in November, sparks concern

Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, has plunged 21% in November, recording its steepest monthly decline since June 2022. The digital currency fell from around US$126,000 in early October to below US$81,000 by late November, shedding nearly a third of its value in just over a month.

The sell-off has been driven by several factors. Large outflows from crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) contributed heavily to the decline, with one fund alone seeing close to US$3 billion withdrawn this month. Such withdrawals signal reduced investor confidence and have added pressure on prices.

Forced liquidations of leveraged positions also played a major role. Many traders who had bet on Bitcoin’s rise with borrowed funds were forced to sell as prices dropped, triggering a cascade of selling across the market. Analysts note that this has intensified volatility, especially in a market where large holders, often called “whales,” can sway prices significantly.

Global economic uncertainty, particularly concerns about interest rates and regulatory policies, has further contributed to investor caution. High-risk assets such as cryptocurrencies are being sold off in favor of safer investments, adding to the downward pressure.

Despite strong gains over the past two years,  153% in 2023 and 122% in 2024,  this sudden correction underscores the volatile nature of the crypto market. Market experts suggest that while short-term losses may continue, long-term investors could view the current dip as a potential buying opportunity, provided they can tolerate high levels of risk.

Also Read: Trump’s “Gold Card” lets wealthy buy US residency

Categories
Beyond

RBI may cut interest rates in December

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) sees room to lower its key policy rate, the repo rate, in its December meeting. This comes as inflation is very low and the economy is growing steadily.

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said recent data shows the central bank could consider a rate cut. Retail inflation rose just 0.25% in October, the lowest in years. Food prices are falling, and both manufacturing and services are showing growth.

Good rainfall this year has filled reservoirs, supporting crop sowing and keeping supply strong. The rupee has weakened slightly against the US dollar, but the RBI is focused on controlling volatility rather than targeting a specific level.

While the central bank sees space to cut rates, the final decision will be taken by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in December. If rates are reduced, borrowing could become cheaper for businesses and individuals, supporting investment and economic growth.

Also Read: Google and Accel partner to boost India’s AI startups

Categories
Corporate

Adani’s $1.2 billion copper plant hit by ore shortage

Adani’s new copper smelter in Gujarat is unable to run at full strength because there isn’t enough copper ore available in the global market.

The Kutch Copper plant can produce 500,000 tonnes of copper a year, but to do that, it needs about 1.6 million tonnes of copper concentrate. Since starting operations, the smelter has received only around 147,000 tonnes, much less than required. As a result, the plant is running at a very low capacity.

This problem isn’t unique to Adani. The world is facing a shortage of copper concentrate due to production cuts and disruptions at major mines. At the same time, smelting capacity has increased in countries like China, creating more competition for limited ore.

Because of the shortage, the fees that smelters charge miners  which is the treatment and refining charges, have dropped to record lows, making operations less profitable.

Some suppliers like BHP, Glencore, and Hudbay have sent ore to the Kutch plant, but the volumes are still too small to support full production.

India’s demand for copper is rising quickly for construction, power, and renewable energy. But since the country has limited copper ore reserves, local smelters depend heavily on imports, making them vulnerable to global shortages like this one.

For now, Adani’s smelter will take longer to ramp up, and may operate at a loss until global ore supply improves.

Also Read: Google and Accel partner to boost India’s AI startups

Categories
Leaders

Google and Accel partner to boost India’s AI startups

Google and global venture capital firm Accel have come together to support a new wave of early-stage AI startups in India. Their partnership is designed to help young founders who are still at the idea or prototype stage but have the passion and potential to build meaningful AI products.

Under this initiative, selected startups can receive up to $2 million in funding, shared between Google’s AI Futures Fund and Accel’s Atoms programme. For many first-time entrepreneurs, this kind of early backing can be the difference between a dream that stays on paper and a product that reaches the market.

But the help goes far beyond money. Young founders often struggle with access to powerful computing resources, which are essential for training and testing AI models. To bridge this gap, Google will offer $350,000 worth of compute credits, along with access to its newest AI technologies, including Gemini and DeepMind models. This gives small teams the same high-end tools used by global AI companies.

The selected startups will also receive close mentorship from Google engineers, product leaders and Accel’s investment team. This support will help founders refine their ideas, build stronger products and learn how to take them to market. For many entrepreneurs, this kind of guidance can be more valuable than the funding itself.

This partnership comes at a time when India’s AI ecosystem is rapidly expanding. Google for Startups recently launched a hands-on programme called “Prompt to Prototype” to help early-stage founders learn to build with AI. More than 150 young companies also participated in Google’s AI Day for Startups, showing the excitement and hunger among India’s new generation of builders.

Global tech giants are also paying attention. Nvidia has joined India’s Deep Tech Alliance, and companies like OpenAI, Anthropic and Perplexity are strengthening their presence in the country. They see India not just as a big market, but as a place where talented engineers and creative problem-solvers can build world-class AI products.

Through this collaboration, Google and Accel hope to inspire India’s youngest AI minds to think big, experiment boldly and build solutions that can impact millions, both in India and around the world.

Also Read: AdaniConneX buys Trade Castle Tech Park for ₹231 crore

Categories
Beyond

Gold up ₹1,070, Silver jumps ₹1,900

Gold and silver prices in India rose sharply on Tuesday as global markets increasingly bet on a possible US Federal Reserve rate cut in December. On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold futures gained about ₹1,070 to reach ₹1,24,924 per 10 grams, marking a strong upward move. Silver futures also surged, rising nearly ₹1,900 to about ₹1,56,380 per kilogram.

In the international market, spot gold slipped slightly after a strong rally the previous day, but overall sentiment remains positive. A firm U.S. dollar, currently near six-month highs, acted as a mild drag, yet investors continued to show preference for precious metals on expectations of lower interest rates ahead.

Investor confidence in a December rate cut has strengthened significantly. Market indicators now reflect an estimated 81% probability of the Federal Reserve trimming rates, up from about 40% just a week earlier. Lower interest rates typically boost demand for gold, as they reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets.

However, some US Federal Reserve officials remain cautious. A few policymakers have suggested that it may be premature to ease monetary policy, warning that cutting rates too soon could pose risks to economic stability.

In India’s physical bullion market, prices also moved higher across major cities. In Delhi, 22-carat gold is trading around ₹93,176 per 8 grams, while 24-carat gold is priced at roughly ₹1,00,224 per 8 grams. Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad reported similar firming in rates.

Also Read: Sensex up 110 pts, Nifty nears 26,000

Categories
Corporate

Sensex up 110 pts, Nifty nears 26,000

The Indian stock market opened slightly higher on Tuesday, with the Sensex rising about 110 points and the Nifty 50 hovering close to the 26,000 mark. Early trade sentiment was mildly positive as investors tracked global cues and waited for key domestic data expected later this week.

Metal and realty shares lifted the mood, with both sectors gaining nearly 1%. On the other hand, IT, telecom and FMCG stocks saw some early selling pressure, slipping around 0.5%. Market watchers noted that foreign institutional investors have continued to pull out money over the past few sessions, keeping overall sentiment cautious.

In stock-specific action, Hindalco led the metal pack with over 1% gains, supported by firm global commodity trends. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories also traded higher after receiving approval for a biosimilar product in Europe, boosting investor confidence. Jio Financial Services was another notable gainer in morning trade.

Among the key laggards were FMCG names, with Tata Consumer Products and Nestlé India slipping due to sectoral weakness. Auto major Eicher Motors also traded lower as the broader auto pack showed signs of pressure.

Analysts say that the approaching F&O expiry and upcoming macroeconomic numbers could influence movement in the next few days. Despite the mixed cues, frontline indices stayed in the green through the early session as select heavyweights posted gains.

Also Read: Sensex falls 331 points, Nifty slips below 25,950