Child care professionals, parents, Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker and other local leaders expressed horror Wednesday after the federal government announced that it would freeze about $10 billion in funding for child care and family assistance programs in Illinois, California, Colorado, Minnesota and New York.
Indian banks anticipate strong profitability in the third quarter. Falling deposit rates and Reserve Bank of India's liquidity measures will support net interest margins. Credit growth remains robust, especially for large lenders. Stable asset quality and fee income will also contribute positively. Analysts foresee steady margins and improved profitability driven by loan growth and lower credit costs.
Bharat Coking Coal plans a 1,071 crore Offer for Sale, reducing Coal India's stake to 90%. The company is poised to benefit from rising steel demand and is expanding its operations with new washeries. Despite strong growth, investors should note customer concentration and longer working capital cycles, alongside the long-term impact of renewable energy.
India's equity capital markets are poised for a strong 2026, with total issuance volumes projected to exceed 6 lakh crore. This growth will be driven by a robust pipeline of IPOs, QIPs, and block deals, with new-age tech and consumer companies leading the IPO market. Domestic institutional investors are expected to continue their significant role in supporting market activity.
Gold jewellery stocks surged on Wednesday. Titan Company, Kalyan Jewellers India, and Senco Gold reported strong third-quarter sales. This positive market sentiment is expected to continue. Analysts point to rising gold prices and consistent sales growth as key drivers. Titan's jewellery business grew 41% year-on-year. Senco's revenue was up 51%. Kalyan Jewellers saw consolidated revenue growth of approximately 42%.
India's IPO market is attracting diverse companies, including niche B2B platforms, fitness equipment makers, and digital financiers, in 2026. Investor appetite favors differentiated, category-leading businesses with unique, disruptive stories and clear growth paths. This trend sees previously informal economic activities formalizing and seeking public investment.
Foreign investors divested 16,848 crore from Indian markets in the latter half of December. FMCG and financial services saw major outflows. However, the information technology sector attracted 4,457 crore in inflows, marking the first positive fortnight since June. This shift indicates a change in global investor sentiment towards Indian equities.
