Category: Beyond

The benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty opened Monday, September 15, 2025, with modest gains but soon turned volatile and flat as investors engaged in profit-taking following last week’s rally. The markets are now waiting for cues from the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy meeting later this week, which is expected to influence global sentiment.

At 10:25 AM IST, the 30-share BSE Sensex was trading at 81,904.31, down 10.06 points from the previous close, while the 50-share NSE Nifty stood at 25,099.90, slipping 12.65 points. In early trade, the Sensex had climbed 20.81 points to 81,925.51 and the Nifty had gained 4.9 points to 25,118.90. Among Sensex constituents, Bajaj Finance, Eternal, Tata Motors, Adani Ports, Power Grid and State Bank of India were trading higher, whereas Infosys, Sun Pharma, Tata Consultancy Services and Tech Mahindra were under pressure.

Global cues added to the cautious market mood. In Asia, South Korea’s Kospi, Shanghai’s SSE Composite Index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng moved higher. U.S. markets ended mixed on Friday, contributing to the subdued risk appetite. Brent crude oil prices rose by 0.60% to $67.39 a barrel, while foreign institutional investors were net buyers of Indian equities, purchasing stocks worth ₹129.58 crore on Friday.

Awaiting Fed, Inflation Data and Domestic Signals

Last week, Indian indices extended their uptrend, with the Sensex climbing 1,193.94 points or 1.47% and the Nifty gaining 373 points or 1.50%. Over eight sessions, the Nifty surged 534.4 points or 2.17%. Investors had welcomed the rally on expectations that the Reserve Bank of India’s recent inflation data—which showed retail inflation rising to 2.07% in August but still within its comfort zone—would pave the way for future rate cuts to support economic growth.

However, with global uncertainties and domestic challenges persisting, markets are treading carefully. The Fed’s policy decision could have significant repercussions, particularly if it signals a shift in monetary tightening. Meanwhile, sectors like IT and pharmaceuticals are facing profit-booking, while financials and infrastructure-related stocks are showing resilience. With these developments, markets appear to be balancing optimism from last week’s gains with caution over near-term risks.

Also Read: Fitch Upgrades India’s FY26 Growth Forecast to 6.9%, Citing Strong Demand Amid Global Risks

In a significant move to strengthen India’s appeal as an investment destination, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Friday proposed a series of reforms aimed at simplifying processes for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs). The regulator announced the introduction of the Single Window Automatic & Generalised Access for Trusted Foreign Investors (SWAGAT-FI) framework, which will provide a unified registration process and streamline investment access for eligible foreign investors.

SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey highlighted that the new framework will facilitate easier access for FPIs and Foreign Venture Capital Investors (FVCIs) by reducing regulatory complexities and ensuring compliance remains straightforward. “The SWAGAT-FI framework aims to unify, standardise, and enhance access for select categories of foreign investors who meet prescribed eligibility criteria,” Pandey stated. Eligible investors include government and government-related entities, along with regulated Public Retail Funds such as mutual funds, insurance companies, and pension funds.

Existing FPIs meeting the eligibility norms may also transition into the SWAGAT-FI category, and the framework is expected to be implemented within six months. The regulator’s move comes amid sustained foreign investor outflows, with FPIs offloading ₹63,516 crore worth of shares since July 2025.

In addition to facilitating foreign investment, SEBI proposed relaxed norms for initial public offerings (IPOs), particularly for large issuers with market capitalisation between ₹1 lakh crore and ₹5 lakh crore. The regulator recommended lowering the minimum public shareholding requirement to 2.75%, with the final decision pending government approval.

SEBI also expanded anchor investor reservations in IPOs from one-third to 40%, allocating one-third to domestic mutual funds and the rest to life insurance companies and pension funds. Furthermore, scale-based thresholds have been introduced to define material related party transactions, providing clarity for listed entities.

The regulator’s governance reforms include appointing two independent executive directors to lead market infrastructure institutions, strengthening succession planning and operational excellence. Additionally, SEBI announced regulatory adjustments, including the creation of a separate category of AIF schemes exclusively for accredited investors and reducing the maximum permissible exit load in mutual funds from 5% to 3%.

The reforms also aim to deepen market participation by incentivising distributors to channel investments from B-30 cities, further promoting financial inclusion.

Together, these measures reflect SEBI’s commitment to creating a robust, investor-friendly ecosystem, attracting global capital while enhancing transparency and governance in India’s capital markets.

Also Read: Fitch Upgrades India’s FY26 Growth Forecast to 6.9%, Citing Strong Demand Amid Global Risks

Paramount Skydance is reportedly preparing a significant acquisition bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), a move that could dramatically reshape the entertainment industry. The Ellison family—including Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and his son David Ellison, CEO of Skydance—are backing the effort.

The bid is expected to be a majority cash offer covering WBD’s film studios, streaming platforms, and cable networks.

If successful, the merger would unite Paramount’s assets such as CBS, Showtime, and Nickelodeon with WBD’s holdings, including HBO, CNN, and Warner Bros. Studios. This consolidation would create one of the most powerful media conglomerates, positioning it as a formidable competitor against streaming giants like Netflix and Disney. 

However, experts suggest the deal could face antitrust scrutiny due to the combined entity’s market influence.

WBD currently holds a market capitalization of around $31 billion, along with significant debt obligations. Paramount Skydance, formed through Skydance Media’s $8.4 billion acquisition of Paramount Global, is valued at approximately $16 billion. Financing such a deal would likely require substantial private equity and debt arrangements, raising questions about the long-term structure and stability of the merged company.

Following reports of the potential acquisition, WBD’s stock price surged nearly 30%, reflecting investor optimism about the prospects of the deal. Paramount Skydance’s shares also rose, signaling market approval of the merger’s potential. Analysts believe that this surge reflects anticipation of increased market share and growth opportunities.

From a regulatory perspective, the deal may not require Federal Communications Commission approval since WBD does not hold broadcast licenses. However, it could attract scrutiny from the Department of Justice, given concerns about market competition and potential monopolistic practices.

Though no official bid has been submitted yet, the Ellison family’s active pursuit signals their ambition to consolidate major media assets and strengthen their position in the entertainment landscape. Should the deal go through, it would mark one of the largest and most consequential mergers in Hollywood’s history.

As negotiations continue, industry watchers are closely monitoring developments, recognizing that such a merger could redefine entertainment consumption, content production, and distribution strategies for years to come. 

Paramount Skydance’s bold approach reflects a growing trend among media companies to scale operations in response to changing consumer behavior and increasing competition from digital platforms. The outcome of this acquisition could have lasting implications for shareholders, regulators, and viewers alike.