Daily trending news …
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) amended the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) scheme in December 2025, raising the minimum death benefit to Rs 50,000 for dependents of members who die without 12 months of continuous service or with low PF balances.
Ranveer Singh’s spy thriller Dhurandhar crossed ₹700 crore globally in 15 days, sparking optimism for struggling multiplex stocks like PVR Inox (down 25% YTD). Strong footfalls amid wedding season signal industry turnaround post-Covid, with analysts forecasting ₹3,000 crore Q3 FY26 collections. PVR Inox could see ₹900 crore box office share, driving revenues near ₹1,800 crore.
Fortis Healthcare signs a binding agreement to acquire Pearl Tree hospital in Bengaluru for Rs 430 crore, with plans to invest over three years to expand to 300 beds and enhance oncology and other facilities, reinforcing its national growth strategy.
Indian Railways clarified that passengers with digitally booked unreserved tickets can show them on the booking device for verification, without needing a printout, countering misleading media reports. Printed tickets remain required only if a physical copy was taken, with no new rules issued.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that soon Modi Govt will implement satellite-based Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling nationwide by end-2026, eliminating stops at toll plazas. Using AI, satellite tech and ANPR with FASTag, vehicles can pass at 80 km/h without barriers.
Gold prices eased on 19 Dec 2025 after softer-than-expected US inflation data reduced its inflation-hedge appeal, while a stronger dollar added pressure. Spot gold fell 0.3% to $4,318/oz but eyed weekly gains; MCX opened at ₹1,34,027/10g. Silver dipped 0.5% yet held strong weekly rise after all-time high. Silver’s 125% YTD surge outshines gold’s 65%. Goldman Sachs projects gold reaching $4,900/oz
Bank of Japan hiked short-term rates to 0.75% from 0.5% – highest since 1995 – signalling more increases ahead to normalise policy after decades of near-zero rates. Confident in stable 2% inflation backed by wage growth, BOJ ends ultra-loose era amid deflation battle recovery. Unlike Fed and RBI cutting rates, Japan’s move strengthens yen, triggering unwind of popular yen carry trades and potentia
Motilal Oswal Financial Services has issued Buy recommendations for three stocks: Astro Microvo, Vishal Mega Mart, and Lodha Developers, citing improving margins, revenue growth, and strong order books. The targets imply meaningful upside with long-term growth supported by sector dynamics and execution.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 18 Dec 2025, demanding urgent bilateral talks to resolve US 50% tariffs crippling textile and leather exports. Highlighting ₹60 crore daily revenue loss in Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Erode and Karur.
Reliance Industries is set to revolutionise India’s healthcare diagnostics by offering genomic tests under Rs.1,000, slashing costs from current ₹10,000 levels through its 2021-acquired Strand Life Sciences. Similar to Jio’s 2016 telecom disruption, this move aims to democratise access to advanced testing.
