Bank Holiday Alert!
Multiple bank holidays are scheduled from January 14 to January 18. Readers should check their local bank's specific closure dates. Furthermore, there
are bank holidays occurring throughout January due to various festivals. Also, it’s advisable to plan visits accordingly, ensuring essential transactions are completed before or after these periods to avoid inconvenience.
IPO Market Overview
Several IPOs were launched or in progress. Bharat Coking Coal's IPO, for instance, had a strong initial response and was fully subscribed within an hour of opening. Gabion Technologies and Victory Electric Vehicles also had IPOs that were underway. Details such as subscription rates, GMP (Grey Market Premium), and allotment details were closely monitored by investors. Overall, the IPO market was active, with varying degrees of success across different offerings.
Stock Market Trends
The stock market experienced fluctuations, with the Sensex and Nifty showing mixed performance. Some reports noted that the Sensex ended lower by 250 points, while the Nifty fell below 25,750. In contrast, HDFC Bank's shares initially increased before paring gains. IT majors like Infosys and TCS announced Q3 results, impacting their share prices, with Infosys reporting a 2.2% year-on-year drop in net profit to Rs 6,654 crore, and TCS seeing a 13.8% fall in profit. Overall, the market was volatile, with specific stocks reacting to their respective earnings reports and broader economic factors.
Real Estate Developments
The real estate sector displayed varying trends. Reports revealed a 39% quarter-on-quarter jump in housing launches in the Delhi-NCR region during Q4 2025, with the mid-segment leading the supply. The demand for branded homes increased, with a 55% rise in such properties over the past five years. There was a notable instance in Pune, where a 3BHK flat's projected value increased significantly. New regulations regarding possession also emerged in Bengaluru. Overall, the sector showed growth with specific regional variations.
Budget 2026 Insights
Expectations around the upcoming Budget 2026 are building. The real estate industry is calling for tax relief and stable policies. Discussions have revolved around the potential phasing out of the old tax regime and the introduction of joint tax filing for married couples. Furthermore, there are anticipations for tax clarity and faster dispute resolution to ease doing business. Overall, the Budget is expected to significantly influence various sectors with its proposed tax reforms and policy changes.
Other Financial News
Several other financial updates were released. These included discussions around EPFO rules, specifically on when individuals can withdraw up to 100% of their PF money. Another significant development was the launch of the Capital Gains Account Scheme by Karur Vysya Bank and ICICI Bank. Additionally, the government announced that India's GST collection rose by 6.1% year-on-year to Rs 1.74 lakh crore in December 2025. Moreover, there were reports about changes in card benefits by SBI Card, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank. All of these reports showcase a dynamic financial environment.
