India's UPI Surpasses 10 Billion Monthly Transactions, Marking Explosive Growth in Digital Payments

Top Loser : -

• Adani Enterprises Ltd: Lost by 6.29%, closing at ₹2,225.15.

• Trent Ltd: Lost by 5.46%, closing at ₹6,224.40.

• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd: Lost by 4.45%, closing at ₹265.30.

• Bharat Electronics Ltd: Lost by 4.21%, closing at ₹259.60.

• Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd: Lost by 4.10%, closing at ₹1,066.65

Top Gainer : -

• Axis Bank Ltd: Gained by 0.83%, closing at ₹1,049.30.

• Tata Consultancy Services: Gained by 0.60%, closing at ₹4,291.10.

• IndusInd Bank Ltd: Gained by 0.44%, closing at ₹941.70.

• Hindustan Unilever Ltd: Gained by 0.37%, closing at ₹2,451.00.

Fintech firm Groww is preparing for an IPO in 2025, aiming to raise $700 million at a valuation of $6-8 billion. The company, which became India’s largest brokerage in September 2023 with over 10 million active clients, has held talks with several investment bankers. After relocating its parent entity to India in May 2024, Groww plans to capitalize on India’s booming equity market, which has seen demat accounts soar from 39.3 million in 2019 to 185.3 million in 2024. Despite a net loss of Rs 805 crore in FY24, the company is positioned for growth as India’s retail investor base expands.

Indian stock markets faced a major blow on Monday with the BSE Sensex plunging over 1000 points to 76,330 and the Nifty50 falling over 300 points to 23,085. The rupee also hit a lifetime low of 86.27 against the US dollar. This sharp decline was driven by rising crude oil prices, a stronger dollar, and concerns following strong US employment data. US stocks also dropped sharply, with inflation worries intensifying. Oil prices reached three-month highs, and the dollar strengthened. Foreign investors sold Rs 2,254 crore, while domestic investors bought Rs 3,962 crore.

A man created a homemade AI bot that revolutionized his job search. The bot could analyze job descriptions, tailor CVs and cover letters, and even answer interview questions.

While the man slept, the bot applied to 1,000 jobs, leading to 50 interview calls. This innovative approach highlights the potential of AI in automating job applications and improving efficiency. The story showcases how technology can provide a competitive edge in a crowded job market, saving time and increasing opportunities for job seekers.

The Economic Times lists 10 Indian stocks that align with Warren Buffett's value investing principles, focusing on companies with strong fundamentals, consistent performance, and long-term growth potential. These include names like ITC, Infosys, HDFC Bank, and more, which demonstrate high return on equity, strong cash flows, and low debt. Buffett's strategy emphasizes buying undervalued stocks with sustainable businesses. The featured companies reflect qualities of stability, profitability, and market leadership, making them attractive to long-term investors seeking consistent returns in India's growing economy.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is set to achieve a milestone as the first Indian port to surpass 10 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) in capacity. Sanjay Sethi, JNPA Chairman, revealed this ambitious target, highlighting plans for new terminals and enhanced port infrastructure. Currently operating at around 7.5 million TEUs annually, JNPA is India’s busiest container port, contributing significantly to trade. Sethi emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships and technology-driven solutions to boost efficiency and sustainability. The move positions JNPA as a leader in India’s maritime growth.

A marketing candidate was rejected by an Indian boss simply for playing the guitar and running marathons, Parminder Singh, COO of Tatler Asia, revealed on X.

Despite being highly qualified, the boss questioned, "When will he work?" Singh, who regretted not hiring him, compared this rigid mindset to Google, where diverse skills like excelling in the Olympics are valued. Meanwhile, L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan faced criticism for suggesting a 90-hour work week, including Sundays, sparking debate on the importance of work-life balance in modern workplaces.

The Q3 earnings season kicks off today, January 13, 2024, with major companies unveiling their financial results.

Highlights include HCL Technologies, Delta Corp, and DEN Networks. Notable results are also expected from Marathon Nextgen Realty, Angel One, Himadri Speciality Chemical, Anand Rathi Wealth, and Lotus Chocolate Company. D-Mart reported a 4.8% rise in profit to ₹723.54 crore in Q3 FY25, compared to ₹690.41 crore in Q3 FY24, though margins dipped from 5.1% to 4.5%. Companies like Narmada Macplast and Urja Global are also in focus today.

The Indian rupee fell by 27 paise to a historic low of 86.31 against the US dollar in early trade on Monday, following Friday's close at 86.04.

Rising crude oil prices, continuous foreign capital outflows, and weak domestic equity trends added pressure. The rupee opened at 86.12 at the interbank forex market but quickly dropped. Brent crude rose 1.44% to $80.91 per barrel, increasing inflationary worries. A strong US dollar, backed by robust job data and higher Treasury yields, further weighed on the currency.

L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan recently sparked debate by saying he’d prefer employees to work on Sundays, questioning how long they can stay home with their spouses.

Shark Tank India’s Anupam Mittal had a witty comeback, saying, “If husband and wife don’t look at each other, how will we stay the most populous country?” His humorous response on X (formerly Twitter) drew mixed reactions, from laughs to criticism. Mittal, CEO of Shaadi.com, remains a popular Shark Tank judge, known for his sharp wit and social media presence.

The first ipo opening on the first day of this week will be laxmi dental ipo, which is the only public issue from the mainboard segment.

The remainder four ipos are from the sme segment and will be from ahmedabad-kabra jewels, landmark immigration consultants, ema partners india and rikhav securities. This is despite the bears enjoying party at dalal street as the benchmark indices corrected more than 2 percent last week. All the ipos will be taking place during the same period - january 15-17.

Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group, humorously countered L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan's suggestion of a 90-hour workweek by saying, "My wife is wonderful; I love staring at her.

Speaking at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025, Mahindra emphasized focusing on work quality rather than quantity. He argued that productivity should be measured by the impact of one's work, not the hours spent.

Foxconn has stopped sending Chinese workers to its iPhone manufacturing facilities in India, reportedly shifting focus to Taiwanese employees. This decision could impact its India expansion plans and workforce dynamics. The move comes as the company aims to comply with local rules and strengthen its global operations. India plays a key role in Foxconn’s diversification strategy, producing iPhones for Apple and reducing reliance on China.

After over two decades with Avenue Supermarts, Neville Noronha, CEO and MD, will not renew his contract ending January 2026. Under his leadership since 2004, DMart expanded from 5 to over 380 stores, surpassing ₹50,000 crore in annual turnover.

Anshul Asawa, currently Unilever's Country Head in Thailand and General Manager for Home Care in Greater Asia, will join as CEO Designate in March 2025

Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), forecasts that India's economy will experience a slight downturn in 2025. She attributes this to global uncertainties, particularly concerning U.S. trade policies. While the U.S. economy is performing better than expected and the European Union is experiencing stagnation, India is projected to see reduced growth. The National Statistics Office estimates India's GDP growth for 2024-25 at 6.4%, a decline from 8.2% in the previous fiscal year.

Waaree Energies, a leading solar module manufacturer in India, is set to acquire a 100% stake in Enel Green Power India for Rs 792 crore. Enel Green Power India operates 172 MW of renewable energy assets, including wind and solar projects. This strategic acquisition will expand Waaree's portfolio and strengthen its position in the renewable energy sector. The deal aligns with Waaree's goal to become a major player in clean energy. Enel India, a subsidiary of Italy-based Enel Group, marks Waaree's entry into operational renewable projects.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) reported a 12% rise in net profit for the December quarter, boosting investor confidence.

This led to a 5% increase in TCS shares, propelling the Nifty IT Index up by 3.4% on Friday. Other major IT firms also saw gains: LTI Mindtree rose 4.6%, Tech Mahindra 3.6%, HCL Technologies 3.2%, and both Infosys and Wipro 2.5%. Analysts attribute this surge to TCS's optimistic demand outlook and improved deal cycles, signaling a recovery in discretionary spending.