Credit demand zooms as policy eases, outstanding bank credit crossed Rs 200 lakh cr for the first time on Dec 31, 2025

India’s credit demand is surging. Lower taxes and supportive monetary policy are fueling investment. Outstanding bank credit has crossed a major milestone. This growth surpasses projections, indicating a strong economic rebound. Auto loans, small and mid-sized companies, and home loans are key drivers. Investment intentions are translating into spending, creating a positive environment.

Oil market dynamics: Factors that will drive prices in 2026

Crude oil posted its sharpest annual decline since 2020 in 2025, with Brent down 19% and WTI falling 20% as prices slid to near multi-year lows. Persistent oversupply, where global production consistently outpaced demand and inventories swelled, outweighed brief price support from geopolitical tensions, keeping the market under pressure.

ICICI Lombard alerts exchanges after employee shares draft Q3 results on WhatsApp

ICICI Lombard reported a corporate governance lapse after draft financial results were accidentally posted on a senior employee’s personal WhatsApp status. The insurer promptly removed the post and informed stock exchanges as a precaution. This incident highlights concerns over safeguarding sensitive information amid informal messaging, following a similar case with Hatsun Agro Product.

Investor Alert: More data, better returns? Aswath Damodaran weighs in

Valuation expert Aswath Damodaran warns that an AI-driven data explosion doesn’t guarantee better investment decisions. He cautions against false precision and overconfidence, emphasizing that true competitive advantage lies in interpretation and judgment, not just data access. Global markets saw significant growth in 2025, with technology leading sectors.