Top Stories | RBI boost for INR, Anil Agarwal on Vedanta roadmap, SEBI board meet decisions and more

Markets turned volatile midweek as currency moves, policy decisions, and corporate actions shaped investor mood across asset classes. The rupee staged a sharp rebound of over 1% after RBI intervention and dollar unwinding eased pressure following a run of record lows, even as equities struggled to find a footing.

Benchmark indices extended their losing streak, with the Sensex and Nifty ending lower for a third straight session amid selling in financial heavyweights and select large caps, keeping broader market sentiment cautious.

Back home, regulators and policymakers stayed in focus. SEBI approved a comprehensive revamp of stockbroker regulations, replacing the three-decade-old 1992 framework, while corporate activity remained brisk with Shriram Finance lining up a board meeting to consider fund-raising options.

Vedanta also grabbed attention after chairman Anil Agarwal outlined an aggressive roadmap post-NCLT approval for the group’s demerger, targeting completion by April 2026 to unlock shareholder value.

Global headlines were driven by geopolitics, media deals and the AI boom. US President Donald Trump ordered a “complete blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela, adding fresh uncertainty to energy markets, while Warner Bros. Discovery asked shareholders to reject Paramount Skydance’s hostile bid.

The AI frenzy remained strong, with Amazon reportedly in talks to invest $10 billion in OpenAI at a valuation exceeding $500 billion. In China, investor enthusiasm continued unabated as another AI-linked chipmaker surged 755% on its listing debut.

Stay with us for all the latest updates and expert takes—there’s plenty to unpack!



Rupee rebounds over 1% as RBI intervention, dollar unwinding lift sentiment



The rupee recovered sharply against the US dollar on Wednesday (December 17), rising more than 1% during the session, after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) intervened in the foreign exchange market to curb volatility following four straight sessions of all-time lows.

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Sensex slips 120 points, Nifty below 25,850 as markets extend losing streak



Indian equity benchmarks ended lower for the third straight session on Wednesday (December 17), with all major indices closing in the red amid pressure from financial heavyweights and select large-cap stocks. The Nifty slipped below the 25,850 mark, weighed down by stocks such as M&M and L&T, while broader markets underperformed, keeping market breadth in favour of declines.

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SEBI board approves revamp of stockbroker regulations; replaces 1992 framework



The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has on Wednesday, December 17, approved a comprehensive overhaul of regulations governing stockbrokers, replacing the three-decade-old SEBI (Stock Brokers) Regulations, 1992, with a new framework.

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Shriram Finance shares gain ahead of the December 19 board meeting for fundraising



Shriram Finance said its board of directors will meet on Friday, December 19, to consider proposals for raising funds through a rights issue, preferential allotment, qualified institutional placement or any other permissible route.

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Anil Agarwal outlines Vedanta’s roadmap after NCLT clears demerger

Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal has set an ambitious course for the mining giant after securing NCLT approval for its long-awaited demerger, pledging to complete the restructuring by April 2026 and unlock significant shareholder value through focused, debt-free businesses.

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Insurance Amendment Bill passed: What the changes mean for policyholders



The Lok Sabha on Tuesday (December 16) passed the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025, with the government stating that allowing up to 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in insurance could improve competition, capital availability and affordability for policyholders.

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Trump orders 'complete blockade' of sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela



US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, December 16, ordered a "total and complete blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, launching further attacks on the Nicolás Maduro government.

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Warner Bros. Discovery urges shareholders to reject ‘Inferior’ Paramount bid



Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., the parent of HBO and CNN, is advising its shareholders to reject a hostile takeover bid by Paramount Skydance Corp. in favour of its original agreement with streaming giant Netflix Inc., deeming the Paramount offer “inferior” and “inadequate.”

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Amazon is in talks to invest $10 billion in OpenAI, reports



Amazon.com Inc. is in discussions to invest in OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, in a potential deal that could value the artificial intelligence company at over $500 billion, a source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

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A 755% Listing Day Pop: Another Chinese chipmaker latches on to the AI FOMO bandwagon



MetaX Integrated Circuits Shanghai Co., another Chinese chipmaker, saw a surge of 755% on its trading debut on Wednesday, December 17, continuing the trend of Chinese tech companies seeing eye-popping listing day pops amidst the continued AI-linked frenzy.

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