News Nook: Jun 16, 2025

Indian Sector Specific News:

A) BFSI:

1) India Leads Global Stock Markets

• Indian stock markets have outperformed the world, giving 18% annual returns over 5 years, far ahead of global averages. Small-cap stocks were the top performers, rising 36%, followed by mid-caps and large-caps.
• Strong domestic factors like controlled fiscal deficit, falling food inflation, and a surprise rate cut by the RBI are boosting growth and market confidence.
• Source: IBEF

2) RBI’S strips move to benefit insurance companies

• RBI has allowed STRIPS in state government bonds, letting insurers separate and sell future bond payments. This helps them match investment income with long-term policy payouts more efficiently.
• STRIPS offer higher yields and reduce reinvestment risks, making them ideal for insurance companies with long-term liabilities.
• Source: Economic Times

3) HDB Financial Services set to launch ₹12,500-cr IPO

• HDB Financial Services, a subsidiary of HDFC Bank, is planning a ₹12,500-crore IPO by the end of June, aiming for a valuation of around ₹62,000 crore—making it India’s largest NBFC IPO to date.
• The IPO is in line with RBI’s mandate requiring all ‘Upper Layer’ NBFCs to be listed by September 2025, and key filings are already underway with the public issue likely between June 25–27.
• Source: Moneycontrol

4) Sebi may ease norms for FPIs, PSUs, and AIF co-investments

• In its June 18 board meeting, Sebi is likely to announce relaxations such as easier access for FPIs investing in Indian government bonds, voluntary delisting for low-float PSUs, and a new framework for co-investments in AIFs.
• A special FPI category—IGB-FPIs—may be introduced for investors focused solely on g-secs, under the leadership of new Sebi Chairperson Tuhin Kanta Pandey.
• Source: Business Standard

5) Sebi resolves over 4,400 investor complaints via SCORES in May

• Sebi addressed 4,493 investor complaints through its online redressal platform SCORES in May, though pending complaints rose slightly to 4,563 by month-end.
• Entities took an average of eight days to submit action taken reports, while first-level complaint reviews were resolved in five days.
• Source: Times of India

B) Automobile:

1) Car sales dip in May while two-wheelers rebound: SIAM

• Passenger vehicle sales dipped slightly by 0.8% year-on-year in May 2025 due to a high base, though volumes still marked the second-best May ever. Two-wheeler sales returned to growth after a weak April.
• Repo rate cuts and above-normal monsoon forecasts are expected to support a recovery in the auto sector in the coming months.
• Source: Moneycontrol

2) China’s rare earth export curbs threaten Indian auto production

• China’s restriction on rare earth magnet exports has disrupted Indian automakers, with Suzuki halting Swift production and Maruti slashing e-Vitara targets. Other global players like Ford and BMW are also scaling down operations.
• These materials are vital for car components and EV motors; if the situation persists, major Indian auto and bike manufacturers warn of severe production risks.
• Source: Prathamesh Shanbagh, Motoroctane

C) Pharma:

1) Lupin partners with Sino Universal to launch COPD drug in China

• Lupin has signed a license and supply deal with China’s Sino Universal Pharmaceuticals to commercialize tiotropium dry powder inhaler (DPI) for treating COPD. SUP will seek regulatory approval while Lupin will manufacture and hold marketing rights.
• The partnership strengthens Lupin’s respiratory portfolio and expands its presence in China amid rising respiratory illness cases.
• Source: Pharmabiz

D) Telecommunication:

1) Gaza internet restored after three-day blackout amid conflict

• The Palestinian Authority’s telecommunications ministry confirmed that internet services in Gaza have been restored after a three-day blackout caused by ongoing conflict and infrastructure damage.
• The disruption had severely affected communication and access to essential services in the region, further complicating humanitarian efforts.
• Source: Economic Times

E) Energy:

1) Oil and gas important in times of conflict, says Aramco CEO

• Aramco CEO Amin Nasser emphasized the crucial role of oil and gas during periods of conflict, citing recent geopolitical tensions as evidence of their strategic value.
• Speaking via video at the Energy Asia Conference in Kuala Lumpur, he noted that energy markets reacted sharply to Israel’s strikes on Iran, with oil prices spiking last week.
• Source: Reuters

F) Agriculture:

1) Agriphotovoltaics Can Help Farmers Earn More and Fight Climate Change

• A new method called agriphotovoltaics (APV), which combines solar panels with farming, can help farmers earn more money and use land more efficiently.
• Studies show farmers can earn up to six times more income through APV, and farmer groups (FPOs) can team up to overcome land and cost issues.
• Source: Ideas For India

G) FMCG:

1) Tealive Debuts 3-in-1 Beverage Sachets in FMCG Market

• Tealive has entered the FMCG space with ready-to-make sachets in milk tea, coffee, and chocolate variants, priced at RM12.90 per box, available from June 15 at AEON, Tealive outlets, and online.
• It also launched lighter milk tea options for health-conscious consumers and limited-edition merchandise in collaboration with Malaysian creatives.
• Source: Retail Asia

H) Infrastructure:

1) India’s Real Estate Sector Set to Hit $1 Trillion by 2030: CREDAI

• India’s real estate market, now valued at $320 billion, is expected to grow to $1 trillion by 2030, driven by housing, commercial spaces, co-living, and rental formats.
• CREDAI President Shekhar G Patel predicts a strong market rebound by July–August 2025, following recent consolidation, as India cements its position as the 4th largest global economy.
• Source: Moneycontrol

Indian Economy and Government Initiatives:

• India became the 4th largest global economy in 2025, with real GDP growing at 6.5% and nominal GDP tripling in a decade due to domestic reforms, strong demand, digital adoption, and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.
• Exports surged by 76% to US$ 825 billion in 2024–25, led by engineering, electronics, and pharma; services exports more than doubled, and digital payments (like UPI) grew 9x since FY18.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) touched US$ 1.05 trillion, with equity inflows rising 27% in FY25 and record investments in healthcare, tech, defence, space, and renewables.
• India’s GDP rose from ₹106.57 lakh crore in 2014–15 to ₹331.03 lakh crore in 2024–25, aided by high consumption (PFCE at 61.8% of GDP), GST reforms, tax-to-GDP at 12%, and a booming services sector.
• Infrastructure, investment, and capital markets boomed, with record IPO fundraises (₹1.62 lakh crore), 160 operational airports, 1.46 lakh km national highways, and declining NPAs (2.6% in Dec 2024).
• Macroeconomic stability improved, with inflation falling from 8.2% to 5% (avg.), retail inflation at 4.6%, and India projected to remain the fastest-growing economy (6.3–6.8%) in 2025–26.

Indian Stock Market Update:

• Sensex surged 677 pts and Nifty closed above 24,900, recovering from two days of losses despite rising tensions between Israel and Iran; UltraTech Cement and Tech Mahindra gained 2% each.
• 9 of 13 Nifty sectoral indices ended in red; smallcaps and midcaps dropped ~0.7% and 0.5% amid cautious investor sentiment and high crude oil prices due to Middle East conflict.
• S&P 500 and Nikkei futures rose modestly; dollar remained steady as markets eyed potential oil supply disruptions via the Strait of Hormuz and upcoming central bank decisions.