Asian stocks rose, mirroring US gains after weak jobs data bolstered expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut next week. Bitcoin slipped as traders priced in a high chance of a December reduction. Investors are watching Japan's bond auction and the dollar's impact on Asian currencies.
Fixed deposits now constitute 62% of bank deposits, a two-year high, as depositors shifted funds from low-yield savings accounts seeking better rates. This trend, driven by yield sensitivity and digital empowerment, has increased banks' funding costs and pressured interest margins. Private banks saw their FD share rise, while public sector banks experienced a slip.
Indian Bank plunged 5.5%, while Punjab National Bank and Canara Bank tumbled 4.3% and 3.8%, respectively. Bank of Baroda and Punjab & Sind Bank dropped more than 3% each.
Kotak Mutual Fund advises investors to temper return expectations for next year, anticipating mid-caps to outperform large and small caps. The fund house suggests diversifying across equity, debt, and precious metals, with a 10% allocation to gold and silver due to global uncertainties. Earnings growth is expected to drive equity returns in 2026-27, potentially attracting foreign investment.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) withdrew $933 million from Indian equities in early December, more than double November's outflows, pressuring the rupee. Overseas investors have been net sellers in equities throughout 2025, with $17.33 billion withdrawn year-to-date. Factors like an absent US trade deal and overvalued stocks are cited for these exits.
Despite Nifty 50 and Sensex reaching record highs, optimism is limited as nearly half of NSE's top 500 stocks trade below key technical indicators. Market breadth remains weak, with gains concentrated in large-cap stocks, leaving many small and mid-cap investors with muted returns or losses.
A Manhattan judge has ordered OpenAI to provide the Chicago Tribune and other news outlets with millions of anonymous chats between ChatGPT and its users in a major ongoing copyright infringement case.
