Top stories | MUFG–Shriram mega deal, US Biosecure Act fallout, Adani’s expansion spree and more

Globally, policy and geopolitical shifts shaped market sentiment, with the US signing the Biosecure Act, seen as a potential tailwind for India’s CDMO industry, and ByteDance finalising a deal to sell a majority stake in TikTok’s US operations to an American investor-led consortium.

Meanwhile, political unrest in Bangladesh following the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi highlighted rising instability in the region.Back home, India remained firmly on the radar of global capital and corporates.

Japan’s MUFG sealed a landmark ₹39,620 crore deal to acquire a 20% stake in Shriram Finance, reinforcing confidence in India’s financial services sector. The rupee saw sharp intraday swings before returning to the 90-mark against the dollar, while Parliament concluded a high-voltage Winter Session with over 100% productivity and the passage of seven Bills in just one week.

Additionally, corporate action stayed robust, with the Adani Group signalling an aggressive push in airport privatisation and exploring nuclear power as private participation opens up. South Korean major Krafton, along with Naver and Mirae Asset, launched a ₹6,000 crore fund to back Indian startups, even as brokerages turned bullish on ICICI Prudential AMC, pointing to sustained momentum across India’s markets and investment landscape.

MUFG’s mega Shriram bet signals global confidence in India’s financial sector: Industry veterans



The decision by Japan’s financial heavyweight Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) to acquire a 20% stake in Shriram Finance for ₹39,620 crore marks a watershed moment for India’s financial services industry, underscoring the growing conviction of global capital in the country’s banking and non-banking finance ecosystem.

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Adani Airports to be ‘quite aggressive’ in next privatisation round; all 11 airports on radar, says Jeet Adani



The Adani Group has signalled an aggressive push to expand its airport portfolio further, with Jeet Adani indicating that the conglomerate is keen to bid for additional airports if the government launches the next round of privatisation.

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Rupee returns to 90 against US dollar despite strengthening in early trade



The Indian rupee, after starting the day on strong note, trading below 90 against the US Dollar, has now fallen back to the 90 mark against the US dollar. Earlier in the day, the Rupee appreciated 24 paise to 89.96 against the US dollar in early trade on Friday, supported by corporate dollar inflows and easing crude oil prices.

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'Buy' ICICI Prudential AMC shares for 34% upside, Equirus Securities issues bullish call



Equirus Securities has initiated coverage on ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company (AMC) with a 'Long' rating, and a price target of ₹2,900 per share, which implied a potential upside of 34% from the issue price.

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Parliament logs over 100% productivity as 7 bills are passed in one week



The Winter Session of Parliament 2025 concluded with the government pushing through key legislation amid sharp political confrontation, even as official data pointed to unusually high productivity in both Houses.

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Adani plans nuclear energy foray as India allows private firms



The Adani Group has been in discussions with officials in the Uttar Pradesh government to build eight 200-megawatt small modular reactors, or SMRs, according to the people, who asked not to be identified as the discussions are private. The plan, part of efforts by Asia’s second-richest man to broaden his renewable portfolio, would give the conglomerate about 1,600 MW of nuclear capacity.

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Krafton plans ₹6,000 crore India investment over four years; sports IP, applied AI in focus



South Korean gaming major Krafton has unveiled plans to deploy up to ₹6,000 crore in India over the next four years, underscoring its growing conviction in the country’s startup ecosystem and long-term economic prospects.

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Bangladesh erupts in violence after student leader Sharif Osman Hadi dies: All you need to know

A group of people set fire to The Daily Star newspaper office building, following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a student leader who had been receiving treatment in Singapore after being shot in the head, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, December 19, 2025. REUTERS/Kazi Salahuddin

Bangladesh is witnessing widespread unrest following the death of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who was shot by masked attackers in Dhaka last week. Hadi (32), a senior leader of the student protest group Inqilab Mancha, died on Thursday, December 18, while undergoing treatment in Singapore.

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TikTok signs deal to sell US unit to American investor-led venture



TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, signed binding agreements with three major investors to sell just over 80% of the company's US assets to American and global investors to avoid a US government ban, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew told employees on Thursday (December 18).

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The US Biosecure Act forces clients to think about plan B: Piramal Pharma



The signing of the US Biosecure Act is a positive development for India’s contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) industry, Nandini Piramal, Chairperson of Piramal Pharma, told CNBCTV18.