The demand for silver vark has dropped by 25%-30% from Rakshabandhan, amid a surge in the prices of silver, The Economic Times reported. Rates of the thin sheets of silver used to decorate sweets have nearly doubled this year to around ₹1,400 for 150 sheets, prompting sweet-makers to use pistachio and saffron for decoration, the report said.

A recent study by Counterpoint Research said the average selling prices (ASPs) for smartphones will increase next year by 6.9% worldwide. The predicted 6.9% spike in smartphone prices for 2026 is driven by a critical global shortage of RAM and needed infrastructure for AI. However, Apple and Samsung are best positioned to weather the next few quarters, report said.

Lok Sabha passed Insurance Amendment Bill 2025, which seeks to raise FDI limit in the sector to 100%. This raise in FDI limit will directly benefit customers by increasing competition, as companies will offer policies with lower premiums and better features. The bill will provide better data protection, clearer claims, less mis-selling and stricter action against insurers for wrongdoings.

Lok Sabha on Tuesday cleared the Insurance Amendment Bill, 2025 to raise Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in insurance sector from 74% to 100%. According to Insurance Brokers Association of India president Narendra Bharindwal, insurance premiums may not fall right away. He, however, said customers will likely benefit from better coverage, improved service quality and faster claim settlements.

Energy stocks, ExxonMobil and Chevron rose after oil prices jumped more than 2% on Wednesday. This happened as President Trump ordered a full blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering Venezuela, tightening supply fears. Brent crude climbed above $60 per barrel, lifting shares of Exxon, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Occidental, Baker Hughes, and SLB.

Bitcoin advocate Michael Saylor said quantum computing will ultimately strengthen Bitcoin through upgrades and reduced supply. However, Caprioles Charles Edwards warned that failure to address quantum risks by 2028 could push Bitcoin below $50,000, stressing that meaningful progress is needed as early as next year to maintain market confidence.

Amazon will lay off 370 employees in Luxembourg in the coming weeks, marking the largest round of layoffs in the country in more than twenty years. The job cuts will affect about 8.5% of Amazon’s workforce in Luxembourg, where it employs roughly 4,370 people. Amazon reduced the number of job cuts from 470 to 370 after discussion with employee representatives.

SKM Egg Products Export (India) Ltd has set 12 January 2026 as the record date under Regulation 42 to identify shareholders for its stock sub-division. Each equity share with a face value of ₹10 will be split into two equity shares of ₹5 each, as approved by the Board of Directors.

Banganga Paper Industries Ltd appointed Venkatesh Prabhu and Ravindranathan M as independent directors on December 16, for a five-year term. Filed with BSE, the move aims at expansion and capacity gains, using 40 years and 50 years of experience to drive sustainability, quality, and accelerated growth.

MOL India and IIT Bombay’s Society for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SINE) have signed an MoU to promote innovation, deep-tech startup engagement, and knowledge exchange. The collaboration aims to enhance industry competitiveness and foster a technologically advanced, sustainable future. Under the agreement, MOL India and SINE will share technical insights and industry perspectives continuously.