News Nook: Jul 18, 2025

Indian Sector Specific News:

A) BFSI: 

1) Sebi Flags Surge in Risky Derivatives Trading

• Sebi warns that too many people are betting on expiry-day index options, leading to huge retail losses of over ₹1 trillion in FY25, as 91% of traders lost money.
• The regulator is tightening rules to slow risky speculation and encourage more stable, long-term investing in the stock market.
• Source: Mint

2) Sebi Pushes for Longer F&O Contracts to Curb Risks

• Sebi’s Ananth Narayan says extending F&O contract tenures (beyond the current 3 months) could reduce volatility and curb risky short-term speculation that dominates India’s derivatives market.
• Regulators are worried household savings are being lost in speculative expiry-day trades, so new rules and long-term contracts are being considered to make markets more stable.
• Source: Times of India

3) The Wealth Company Gets Sebi Nod for Mutual Fund Launch

• The Wealth Company, part of Pantomath Group, has received Sebi approval to start its mutual fund business, entering India’s ₹74.41 trillion mutual fund industry.
• Operating as The Wealth Company Mutual Fund, it plans to focus on Tier 3 and smaller markets, using AI-driven research to make investing accessible for retail investors.
• Source: Economic Times

B) Automobile:

1) Govt Launches Auto Mission Plan 2047 to Boost Global Leadership

• The government has started drafting the Automotive Mission Plan 2047 to make India a global automotive leader, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and boosting exports.
• Seven expert sub-committees will set concrete targets for 2030, 2037, and 2047 to increase India’s share in global auto trade as part of the ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ vision.
• Source: Business Standard

2) Tesla to Open First India Showroom in Mumbai’s BKC

• Tesla is setting up its first India showroom at Maker Maxity, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, with Trilegal advising Maker Group on the retail space licensing deal.
• The move marks a milestone for Tesla’s India entry and reflects the growing presence of global brands in premium Indian markets.
• Source: IBEF

C) Pharma:

1) CORONA Remedies Buys 7 Pharma Brands from Bayer India

• Ahmedabad-based CORONA Remedies has acquired seven brands from Bayer India, strengthening its presence in women’s healthcare and cardiology, including entry into anti-platelet and hormone therapy markets.
• The acquisition (value undisclosed) will be integrated into CORONA’s operations, leveraging its sales network across urban and rural markets, as the company prepares for an IPO.
• Source: Business Standard

2) Lupin’s Dabhasa Facility Gets TGA Australia GMP Certification

• Lupin’s Dabhasa, Gujarat API manufacturing facility, operated by Lupin Manufacturing Solutions, has received Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification from Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
• The certification strengthens Lupin’s global CDMO presence as it expands API manufacturing operations, emphasizing quality, compliance, and international market reach.
• Source: Lupin Press Release

D) Telecommunication:

1) US Plans to Ban Chinese Tech in Undersea Internet Cables

• The US FCC is moving to block companies from using Chinese technology in submarine communication cables connecting to the US, citing national security and espionage concerns.
• Over 400 undersea cables carry 99% of international internet traffic, and the US is tightening rules after incidents of sabotage and past cable cancellations linked to China.
• Source: Economic Times

E) Agriculture:

1) AI Boosts Pest Management in Indian Agriculture

• Artificial intelligence is transforming pest control for farmers by using drones, IoT sensors, and data platforms to deliver real-time advisories, reducing crop losses and pesticide use.
• Government programs like the National Pest Surveillance System and Maharashtra’s CROPSAP and MahaAgri-AI Policy are scaling AI tools to help smallholder farmers improve yields and resilience.
• Source: Agricultural Technology Report, KPMG

F) Energy:

1) ONGC Mulls 200,000–240,000 bpd Refinery in Gujarat

• State-run ONGC is conducting a pre-feasibility study to set up a new refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat, with a proposed capacity of 200,000–240,000 barrels per day.
• The move aligns with India’s goal of boosting refining capacity and positioning itself as a global refining hub, as it remains the world’s third-largest oil consumer.
• Source: Economic Times

2) India Eyes Fuel Price Cuts as Oil Imports Diversify

• Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said India could reduce fuel prices if crude oil remains stable for 2–3 months, as the country expands oil import sources from 27 to 40 nations.
• Puri noted that continued imports from Russia have helped stabilize global energy prices, preventing crude from soaring to $120–130 per barrel.
• Source: Economic Times

G) IT:

1) Global IT Spending to Hit $5.43 Trillion in 2025, AI Leads Growth

• Worldwide IT spending is projected to grow 7.9% to $5.43 trillion in 2025, driven by rising investments in AI and GenAI infrastructure despite global economic uncertainty.
• Spending on AI-optimized servers, nearly absent in 2021, is expected to triple traditional server spending by 2027 as data centres expand rapidly.
• Source: Economic Times

H) FMCG:

1) Adani Exits AWL Agri Business with ₹11,080 Crore Stake Sale

• Adani Enterprises will fully exit AWL Agri Business (formerly Adani Wilmar) by selling its remaining 30.4% stake — 20% to Wilmar International for ₹7,148 crore and 10.42% to institutional investors for ₹3,934 crore.
• The group plans to deploy the proceeds into core sectors like airports, green hydrogen, roads, and copper, as it shifts away from FMCG operations.
• Source: Times of India

Indian Economy and Government Initiatives:

• The parliamentary panel on the Income Tax Bill 2025 has recommended faster, time-bound resolution of tax disputes to simplify and modernize tax laws. Most of its 285 suggestions, including streamlining the bill from 850 to 600 pages, have already been accepted.
• Jairam Ramesh, citing a Nuvama report, warned of an economic slowdown marked by weaker credit growth, slower GST and export growth, and falling core sector performance. He urged major reforms, including GST changes and ending favoritism, to boost economic momentum.
• The government will provide free AI training to 1 million citizens, prioritizing grassroots entrepreneurs and CSC operators, under the Digital India Mission. Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the initiative while celebrating 10 years of Digital India’s impact.

Indian Stock Market Update:

• Weak Q1 earnings — muted growth and cautious management commentary, coupled with global uncertainty, weighed on investor sentiment.
• Elusive India-US trade deal — uncertainty over tariff negotiations ahead of the August 1 deadline is keeping investors cautious.
• Broader market pressure — Sensex fell 502 points (0.61%) and Nifty 50 dropped 143 points (0.57%) on July 18, with mid and small-cap indices also sliding (down 0.62% and 0.64%), erasing nearly ₹3 lakh crore in market value.

Bonus Briefs:

• US markets rebounded after political turbulence, with gold prices rising as investors sought safety amid ongoing geopolitical risks.
• Global markets remained cautious ahead of US inflation data and ECB policy signals, while Brent crude traded near $68 per barrel.
• The British pound saw heightened volatility due to UK political uncertainty and fiscal pressures, with broader currency markets reacting to geopolitical tensions.