GPT Healthcare is set to go public with its IPO priced at ₹177-₹186 per share. The subscription will take place from February 22-26 and allocation to anchor investors will happen on February 21. The floor price is 17.7 times the face value, with the hopes of raising ₹40 crore through a fresh issue and an offer-for-sale to raise more funds. The company currently operates four hospitals.

Paytm Closes Wallets, Killer Transaction Fees Complications Given the closure of PPBL wallets, Paytm customers using FASTags and NCMC may experience difficulties in figuring out how to fund these instrumentalities. Originally, the wallet functioned as a quasi-PPI to charge 2% for domestic Cashback when loading wallets, auto-debiting from cards or accounts.

Inflation is down, interest rates are likely to decrease, and China's economy is struggling with deflation. This could have a ripple effect on the rest of the world, causing commodity prices to drop and potentially impacting global growth and trade. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has downplayed the potential impact on US and may be cautious about implementing policies based on China's economic troubles.

ITC's shares showed resilience in Friday's trading session, closing nearly unchanged despite hitting a 10-month low earlier. Analysts are cautiously optimistic, as British American Tobacco plans to reduce its stake by 4%. This move could benefit both companies and analysts believe most downsides are priced in, making it a good time to add the stock to portfolios. Q3 results were strong.

Shares of LIC responded positively to the news of receiving a tax refund worth Rs 21,740.77 crore from the Income Tax Department for assessment years 2012-13 to 2019-20. The company also launched a new endowment plan called LIC Amritbaal, targeting parents looking to save for their child's higher education. In Q3 FY24, LIC reported a net profit of Rs 9,444 crore, up 49% from the previous year.

CITI's latest India Equity Strategy report highlights resilient earnings in the third quarter of FY24, with BSE 100 and Nifty posting substantial growth in EBITDA. Auto and healthcare sectors performed well, while financials and materials fell short of expectations. CITI analysts have a positive outlook on state-run utilities and defence, industrials, banks, and insurance.

HSBC Holdings had a successful year in 2022, with CEO N. Quinn expressing optimism for the company's future. However, he also warned of potential challenges ahead, including tough market conditions in China and Hong Kong and US-China tensions. Analysts predict strong earnings and potential share buybacks for HSBC in 2023, but the sale of their Canadian business could impact the company's profits.

The Bank of Japan is considering ending negative interest rates in the coming months, despite the recent recession and weak domestic demand. They are closely monitoring wage growth before making a decision. The next round of annual wage negotiations will be more important than the recent GDP data. The governor of the central bank has been working to shift away from radical monetary stimulus.

Mumbai's current account deficit (CAD) estimates for FY24 have been revised down due to a smaller trade deficit and higher services exports in January. FDI and portfolio flows are expected to improve, but the rupee may not strengthen as the central bank could use the opportunity to boost its reserves. Various banks and research firms have also lowered their CAD forecasts for FY24.

Today, Adani stocks saw a huge surge in buying interest ahead of an investors' meeting on February 22, 2024. Adani Wilmar opened with a 7% rally and other group companies also witnessed strong buying. Market experts attribute the rise to speculations about fundraising and bond reset. However, they advise caution as these are mere speculations and urge investors to wait for official announcements.

Chinese regulators are facing a difficult decision regarding their monetary policy as they try to balance economic risks and deflation pressures. Despite hopes for stronger stimulus, the central bank has refrained from cutting interest rates, but has taken other steps to boost confidence in the economy. However, with external factors such as the US-China trade war and strength of the USD in play.

Shares of Healthcare Global rose 4% to a 52-week high on Feb 19 as private equity firms EQT, TPG Capital & KKR competed to acquire a controlling stake in the cancer hospital chain. The three firms are looking to buy out CVC Capital's 60% stake. CVC acquired a 59% stake in 2020 at Rs 1,100 crore and is now looking to exit. Q3 saw a revenue increase of 11%.

On February 16, high-frequency trading (HFT) firms were active in Confidence Petroleum India, Dish TV, and Zee Media Corporation. HFTs use complex algorithms to execute trades at fast speeds and are typically active in large, liquid stocks. However, in recent times, they have also been seen in smaller, illiquid stocks, which can attract retail investors due to the high volumes generated by HFTs.

PB Fintech's subsidiary, Policybazaar has been upgraded to a 'Composite Insurance Broker' from a 'Direct Insurance Broker' by the insurance regulator. This move is expected to improve reinsurance pricing for the company and allow it to deepen insurance penetration in India. The company received target upgrades from brokerages such as Morgan Stanley, BofA, Kotak Institutional Equities, and more.

Extending its winning streak for the fifth straight session, the Nifty 50, representing India's top 50 companies, soared to yet another all-time high of 22,150 points in today's session, surpassing its previous high of 22,124 touched on January 16. (Please note that this is a developing story, and updates will be provided shortly.)