Bank Holidays & Closures
Bank holidays continue to affect banking operations across the nation. Specifically, branches are expected to be closed for multiple days from January
14-18, impacting financial transactions. Checking the bank holiday lists ensures that individuals and businesses are aware of the closures.
IPO Market Overview
The Initial Public Offering (IPO) market is seeing several developments. The Bharat Coking Coal IPO opened on January 9 and was fully subscribed within an hour, indicating high investor interest. The Gabion Technologies IPO saw significant oversubscription, with 209.45x subscription on Day 2. Furthermore, the Victory Electric Vehicles IPO has also been in the spotlight, with day 1 and day 2 updates on subscription status. Details on GMP (Grey Market Premium) also gives investors an idea of what to expect.
Stock Market Insights
The stock market has been volatile, with the Sensex and Nifty experiencing fluctuations. Recent data showed the Sensex ending lower by 245 points and Nifty below 25,700 on certain days. FIIs (Foreign Institutional Investors) pulled out over Rs 11,700 crore in January. The Indian stock market also has holidays, such as the Maharashtra municipal elections on January 15, leading to closures in both NSE and BSE. Several stocks were actively discussed: Infosys, HCL Tech, ICICI Prudential, and Maruti Suzuki.
Real Estate Sector
The real estate market shows varied trends. In Delhi-NCR, housing launches increased by 39% QoQ in Q4 2025. There's a shift toward branded homes, with an observed 55% rise in branded homes over the past 5 years. A new order in Bengaluru has changed possession rules. Furthermore, the real estate industry anticipates tax relief and policy stability in Budget 2026.
Income Tax Updates
Income tax regulations are also evolving. A new income tax law is set to roll out from April 2026. The ITR filing for AY26 showed 22.4 lakh updated returns and 26 lakh revised returns filed till December 31. Taxpayers are also looking at the impact of the upcoming Budget 2026, which is scheduled for February 1, 2026. There is expectation for joint tax filing for married couples and changes in tax slabs.
Investment Strategies
Several investment opportunities and concerns are emerging. Gold and silver prices reached record highs, and investors are debating whether they should expect further upside. Small savings schemes are being considered for safe returns. The SGB (Sovereign Gold Bond) premature redemption saw an investment of Rs 1 lakh turning into Rs 2.9 lakh, which can be seen by investors. Motilal Oswal paused inflows into its microcap index fund.
Sector-Specific News
Specific sectors have reported significant events. In the IT sector, TCS announced a dividend payout of Rs 57 per share, while Infosys saw a 2.2% YoY decline in net profit to Rs 6,654 crore. The healthcare, insurance, and pharma sectors are seeking tax relief and a local push in the upcoming Budget. The government is also focusing on digital payments with the DIGIDHAN Mission, showing a 41% CAGR as digital payments hit Rs 22,831 crore in FY25.
