Watch the explosive fallout from President Trump's H-1B visa crackdown! Last night's bombshell rules scrap the 19-year-old random lottery for a wage-and-skill priority system, favouring high-paid pros while slapping a court-upheld $100,000 fee on new applications. Indian IT stocks like Coforge, Tech Mahindra, Wipro fall up to 2% as Nifty IT dips — higher costs, tighter vetting, and offshoring rush ahead. Effective Feb 2026, this America First shakeup hits TCS, Infosys, and US tech giants hard. Packed with market charts, rule explainers, and earnings impact graphics. Perfect for finance pros tracking US-India trade, visas, and markets. Stay ahead of the visa vise!
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V. Narayanan addresses the successful launch of the LVM3 vehicle injecting the Blue Bird block communication satellites for the US-based AST SpaceMobile. Speaking after the historic mission, Narayanan highlights that "the reward for hard work is more work" as the agency prepares for future targets. He confirms this is the "first dedicated commercial launch for a customer from USA" and notes it is the 104th launch from Sriharikota. The ISRO chief also details the technical precision of the mission, achieving a circular orbit with less than 2 kilometers dispersion, and celebrates the vehicle's 100% reliability record.
Shriram Finance is aiming for a significant reduction in its cost of capital over the next two to three years, driven by balance-sheet strengthening and a potential credit rating upgrade. Speaking to Business Today, Vice Chairman Umesh Revankar said improved fundamentals will allow lenders to view the company more positively, leading to incremental repricing of liabilities. Revankar expects a 40 basis point benefit initially, expanding to nearly 100 basis points over 24 months as access to diversified funding sources improves. A higher credit rating would enable Shriram Finance to tap lenders that typically work only with top-rated borrowers. Currently, the company’s liability cost stands at around 8.8%, which it aims to bring down meaningfully through better ratings and broader funding access.
In a landmark deal, Japanese lender MUFG Bank is set to invest ₹39,620 crore in Shriram Finance Ltd (SFL) via preferential allotment of equity shares, priced at ₹841 per share. The investment, at a post-money valuation of 1.8 times the price-to-book value, will bolster Shriram Finance’s capital base, enhance balance sheet resilience, and provide long-term growth capital. This marks the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) in India’s banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector. The deal represents approximately 66% of Shriram Finance’s net worth as of September 2025. Following the transaction, the promoter’s stake will reduce to 20.3% from 25.4% in September 2025. Watch Siddharth Zarabi, Group Editor at Business Today, in an exclusive conversation with Umesh Revankar, Executive Vice Chairman of Shriram Finance, as they discuss the MUFG deal and the company’s growth outlook for the future.
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As 2025 concludes amid uncertainties like Trump tariffs, global shocks, and market volatility, Indian equities approach 2026 with renewed optimism. The ongoing Santa Rally pushes indices toward all-time highs, supported by a positive undertone, stable rupee, RBI interventions, multiple FTAs, and expectations of Q3 earnings recovery, higher capex, and consumption revival from earlier reforms. Market expert Prashanth Tapse emphasizes key 2026 triggers: corporate earnings growth, potential US-India trade deal clarity for sentiment boost, possible FII return once valuations align, and sustained domestic flows providing downside protection. Risks include geopolitical tensions, global rate hikes, and execution delays in earnings. Investment advice focuses on diversification, gold/silver allocation, balanced large/mid/small-cap exposure, and a flexi-cap strategy. Top sectors poised for outperformance: Banking & Financials, Capital Markets, Real Estate, New Age Businesses and Manufacturing/Make in India.
India and New Zealand have concluded a landmark Free Trade Agreement, marking one of India’s fastest deals with a developed nation. The pact offers zero-duty market access to all Indian exports while safeguarding sensitive sectors like dairy and sugar. A key highlight is the agri-technology action plan for apples, kiwifruit and Manuka honey, aimed at boosting productivity without exposing farmers to import shocks. The agreement strengthens trade, investment, services and people-to-people ties.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari attended the release of the book Sanatan Sanskriti Ki Atal Drishti, recalling Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s firm belief in secularism. Gadkari said Indian culture, rooted in Sanatan and Hindu traditions, is inherently inclusive and universal, guided by the idea of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”. Quoting Swami Vivekananda, he stressed respect for all faiths and paths to the divine. Gadkari argued that Hindutva represents cultural nationalism, not exclusion, and called for learning from historical mistakes to guide India’s future, emphasising that Indian civilisation has always sought global welfare, not dominance.
Atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh continue unabated, triggering protests across India. From Dhaka to Delhi, anger has spilled onto the streets. In the national capital, VHP workers protested outside the Bangladesh High Commission, raising slogans against the Yunus government. Demonstrations were also held in Kolkata, Jammu, and Hyderabad. Meanwhile, security has been tightened at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka amid fresh reports of violence against Hindu families, casting a shadow over Bangladesh’s upcoming elections.
Delhi has turned into a gas chamber as Stage 4 of GRAP remains in force, but enforcement on the ground tells a different story. At the Delhi–Noida border, banned diesel buses openly operate despite BS-6 emission norms. Multiple BS-3 diesel buses were seen picking up passengers, loading luggage, and waiting to exit the capital—right under the watch of traffic police, transport officials, and civic authorities. With vehicles running without valid permits and clear violations going unchecked, serious questions arise over GRAP 4 enforcement and accountability as Delhi continues to choke.
Rahul Gandhi is back at the centre of a political storm. Speaking in Berlin, the Leader of Opposition alleged vote theft, misuse of central agencies, and an assault on India’s institutions, questioning the fairness of recent elections. The BJP hit back hard, accusing Rahul Gandhi of insulting India on foreign soil, branding his remarks as a “Bharat Badnam Yatra.” Union ministers and BJP leaders launched a multi-pronged counter-attack, while even an INDIA bloc ally struck a note of caution. Inside the Congress, fresh leadership murmurs have emerged after a senior MP publicly backed Priyanka Gandhi, giving the BJP fresh ammunition.
India’s oldest mountain range is under threat — not from bulldozers, but from definitions. A recent interpretation by the Supreme Court of India has narrowed what qualifies as a “hill” in the Aravalli Range, putting nearly 90% of the range at risk of losing legal protection. Lawmakers and environmentalists warn this could open the door to mining, deforestation, and irreversible ecological damage. Rajasthan MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati has appealed to PM Narendra Modi, while Ashok Gehlot backs the #SaveAravalli movement. The fight is now about law, air, and survival.
The next-generation Kia Seltos is all set to go on sale in India on 2nd January, 2025. The all-new model has already been showcased, revealing design changes, feature upgrades and mechanical enhancements. Bookings for the SUV are currently open across the country at Rs 25,000, with deliveries to start by mid-January, 2026. Business Today's Chetan Bhutani reviews the all new Kia Seltos.
After a deep correction of nearly 30% from its peak, the IT sector enters 2026 at a very different starting point. Valuations have cooled meaningfully, while fundamentals are gradually improving. Revenue growth visibility is stabilising, deal flows are picking up, and client confidence is beginning to return after a prolonged slowdown. With expectations now far more realistic, the risk-reward equation for IT looks healthier than it has in recent years. The key question for investors is whether the sector can move from being a sidelined trade to a broader portfolio allocation theme. If earnings momentum strengthens and demand recovery sustains, IT could once again attract meaningful fund flows in 2026, supported by a combination of improving fundamentals and attractive valuations.
After one of the most challenging 12-15 months for equity investors, markets enter 2026 with a very different setup. Valuations, once the biggest concern, have corrected sharply as earnings moved up but prices failed to keep pace. India is no longer the most expensive market, while policy tailwinds - tax cuts, repo rate reductions, GST rationalization and easing global liquidity - are now in place. Lower oil prices and rate cuts by global central banks further strengthen the macro backdrop. However, persistent selling pressure, rupee volatility and heavy IPO activity have capped upside momentum. The key question now is whether markets can absorb past excesses and transition into a more stable phase. With fundraising peaking and liquidity conditions improving, 2026 could mark a shift from pain to potential.
Gold and silver have surged to record highs, raising questions about what lies ahead for investors. While equities have faced pressure from fund flows shifting toward precious metals, the outlook for gold and silver remains nuanced. Gold continues to act as a store of value amid global uncertainty, central bank buying and declining trust in fiat currencies. Silver, on the other hand, behaves more like an industrial metal, driven by emerging use cases and tighter demand-supply dynamics. However, sharp price spikes often attract financial investors, increasing volatility, especially in silver. With broader metals like copper and aluminium also gaining traction, the key question is whether precious metals consolidate or extend gains into 2026. Investors may need to balance conviction with caution as the cycle evolves.
The United States has announced a major overhaul of the H-1B visa programme, scrapping the random lottery system in favour of a framework that prioritises higher-skilled and higher-paid foreign workers. The move, effective February 27 next year for the FY2027 cap season, is aimed at protecting American wages and curbing misuse of low-wage filings. For India — the largest source of H-1B professionals — the shift could reduce opportunities for routine roles while improving prospects for specialised, high-salary talent. The change comes alongside a court ruling upholding a proposed $100,000 fee on new H-1B applications, dealing a setback to U.S. tech companies and outsourcing firms. Indian IT majors and consultancies may now need to reassess wage structures and hiring strategies to remain competitive in the U.S. talent market.
What does it really take to keep cinema halls relevant — and profitable — in the age of OTT? In Episode 4 of the Business Today Exclusive Podcast, PVR INOX Managing Director Ajay Bijli joins Karishma Asoodani for a deep dive into the business of the big screen. From the evolution of single-screen theatres to luxury multiplexes, the conversation unpacks ticket pricing, footfall challenges, content risks, debt reduction, and the impact of the PVR-INOX merger. Ajay Bijli also explains why the theatrical experience continues to matter in India’s rapidly evolving entertainment economy. Don’t forget to like, share, comment, and subscribe for more exclusive business conversations.
The Indian government is set to overhaul its methodology for measuring key economic indicators like GDP, inflation, and industrial production from February 2026, incorporating the informal economy and e-commerce data. Chief Economic Advisor Anant Nageshwaran addressed the frequent criticism of the current data, stating, 'It is only when the GDP growth numbers surprise on the upside, we hear all these concerns being raised.' The new framework will adopt the 'double deflation' method for a more precise assessment of real-term value. This major policy shift, which has been in development for over two years, follows concerns raised by global bodies like the IMF. The government will also release back-series data for the past three financial years to allow for better comparison once the new system is implemented with the advance estimates in early 2026.
In an interview on Business Today Television, Prateek Agarwal, MD & CEO of Motilal Oswal Asset Management, shared an optimistic outlook for Indian equities in 2026 after a challenging 2025 marked by valuation corrections and pain in mid/small caps. He highlighted positives like significant valuation resets (India no longer the most expensive market), tax/GST/rate cuts, global easing, lower oil prices, and rupee depreciation boosting margins. Agarwal expects improved broad-market performance as rupee stabilizes, with tailwinds for growth themes like EVs, renewables, electronics manufacturing, and luxury. He advises focusing on high-growth leaders rather than cap categories, anticipates broader participation (e.g., metals, banks/NBFCs), and sees higher probability of positive outcomes. On gold/silver's strong 2025 run, he views gold as a store of value amid uncertainty and silver as industrial-driven, expecting possible consolidation before further gains.
In a year-end discussion on Business Today Television, Piyush Pandey, Senior VP-Equity Research at Centrum Broking, shared a positive outlook for India's IT sector in 2026 after two tough years.Q2 FY26 results showed sequential revenue growth, margin improvement, strong deal wins, and rising AI-related opportunities. Client spending is rebounding, especially in BFSI, aided by rupee depreciation and attractive valuations. Top large-cap picks: Infosys and TCS. Tier-2: LTIMindtree and Coforge. On telecom's duopoly, he favors Bharti Airtel (pricing power, ARPU growth, debt reduction) and Indus Towers (Vodafone relief trigger, reduced receivables). Vodafone Idea remains speculative; prefers Indus for indirect play. Overall, 2026 expected to be reasonably good for IT with improving fundamentals; Jio IPO likely by mid-year.
Trump Kills H-1B Lottery: New Priority Rules + $100K Fee Slam Indian IT Stocks | Full Breakdown
“Heaviest Satellite Ever Lifted From India”: ISRO Chief V Narayanan Hails LVM3 Mission
Rating Upgrade Could Unlock Cheaper Funds For Shriram Finance: Umesh Revankar
Exclusive: Shriram Finance's Umesh Revankar On MUFG Deal, Growth Plan & More
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