News Nook: Jun 23, 2025

 Indian Sector Specific News:

A) BFSI: 

1) HDB Financial IPO: Key Things to Know

• HDB Financial Services is launching its IPO on June 25 at a price range of ₹700–₹740 per share. It plans to raise ₹12,500 crore through a mix of fresh shares and an offer for sale.
• Shares are already being traded in the grey market at about ₹47–₹48 above the IPO price, suggesting good early demand and a 6.3% premium.
• Source: ETMarkets

2) Sebi Cracks Down on Fraudulent Traders

• Sebi has banned two individuals, Shivprasad Pattiya and Alkesh Narware, from the stock market for 3 years for running a fraudulent scheme using out-of-the-money stock options.
• The duo has been ordered to return illegal gains of ₹4.83 crore and pay a fine of ₹25 lakh each within 45 days.
• Source: Business Standard

3) SEBI to Simplify Mutual Fund Rules

• SEBI is reviewing and planning to simplify mutual fund regulations to make them more investor-friendly and easier for the industry to follow, aiming to match modern market needs and innovations.
• New draft rules will soon be released for public feedback, with efforts focused on boosting investor awareness, streamlining disclosures, and expanding access in under-penetrated regions like eastern India.
• Source: PTI via Moneycontrol

4) SEBI Penalises IAGF and Others for AIF Norm Violations

• SEBI has fined India Asset Growth Fund (IAGF), its trustee, and fund managers a total of ₹29 lakh for serious breaches of Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) regulations during April 2021 to March 2022.
• The violations were found to potentially mislead investors and weaken regulatory oversight, with fines ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹11 lakh on involved entities and individuals.
• Source: Business Standard

B) Pharma:

1) FMRAI Slams Revised UCPMP as Toothless

• Despite the 2024 revision, FMRAI claims the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) remains non-binding and ineffective, citing the case of AbbVie India allegedly sponsoring luxury trips for doctors without facing real penalties.
• FMRAI argues that authorities can only issue warnings, not take punitive action, and has approached the Supreme Court again demanding a statutory code with enforceable penalties to curb unethical pharma marketing.
• Source: Pharmabiz

C) Telecommunication:

1) GTRI Warns Against Telecom Policy Shift Favoring MNCs

• A new GTRI report raises concerns that easing local content rules in telecom procurement may hurt Indian firms and give an edge to MNCs like Cisco and Ericsson, risking domestic R&D and tech self-reliance.
• The Department of Telecommunications is reviewing the Public Procurement Order, with proposed changes that could dilute the 50% local content requirement for Class-I supplier status in government contracts.
• Source: Times of India

D) Energy:

1) India Unfazed by Possible Strait of Hormuz Closure

• Despite rising tensions after US strikes on Iran, India is unlikely to face major oil or gas supply disruptions even if the Strait of Hormuz is closed, thanks to diversified imports from Russia, the US, and Brazil.
• While short-term oil prices may spike to around $80 per barrel, India’s gas imports remain unaffected as key suppliers like Qatar, Australia, and Russia do not rely on the Strait for delivery.
• Source: PTI via Economic Times

E) FMCG:

1) FMCG Giants Rebuild Ties with Kiranas Amid Quick Commerce Surge

• Companies like ITC, Nestle, Coca-Cola, and Tata Consumer are now prioritizing traditional kirana stores by offering premium products and better margins, after earlier favoring quick-commerce platforms.
• This renewed focus includes support tools and programs for distributors to ensure fair pricing and higher ROI, aiming to balance growth across both new-age and traditional retail channels.
• Source: Economic Times

F) Infrastructure:

1) Namo Bharat Corridor Set to Boost Property Markets in NCR

• The soon-to-be-operational Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat RRTS corridor is expected to significantly raise property demand and prices in areas like Ghaziabad and Meerut, thanks to faster commute times, TOD zones, and integrated metro links.
• Real estate near transit stations is poised for a boom, with rising demand for mixed-use developments, commercial hubs, and walkable residential communities tailored to urban professionals and families.
• Source: Trade Brains

Indian Economy and Government Initiatives:

• India has emerged as Asia’s top destination for AI-related cross-border investments, attracting over $10 billion, driven by demand, cost advantages, and pro-tech policies. Despite global investment slowdown, AI remains a bright spot, with major funding flowing into data centers and semiconductor infrastructure, especially from the U.S.
• India is set to outpace G7 economies in growth, driven by strong macro fundamentals, rising rural consumption, policy-led capital expenditure, and global supply chain shifts, according to Equirus. With over 15% projected contribution to global GDP growth (2025–2030), India is emerging as a structural outperformer in a volatile global economy, making it a key destination for strategic capital allocation.

Indian Stock Market Update:

• Indian markets slipped sharply on June 23, with the Sensex falling over 850 points and Nifty dropping below the 25,000 mark, driven by weak global cues amid rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
• Defence and shipbuilding stocks like Bharat Forge and ideaForge saw strong gains, while tech stocks under Nifty IT declined over 1%; Kerala Ayurveda jumped 18% and Ola Electric fell 4% after a block deal.
• Broader markets (midcap and smallcap) remained relatively stable, while oil-related stocks stayed in focus following ministerial assurance of secure supply despite global disruptions.

Bonus Briefs:

• US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites have heightened fears of conflict escalation, with potential fallout including attacks on energy infrastructure or closure of the Strait of Hormuz, possibly pushing oil prices above $130 per barrel.
• The timing is critical, as major global institutions have already downgraded growth forecasts, and any further spike in energy prices could worsen inflation and slow the global economy further.