5101: Fuel excise duty cuts, Nokia layoffs, Rupee slide & Dhurandhar 2 success | MC Editor's Picks

In this edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks: The government’s sharp excise duty cuts on fuel, export curbs, and other measures to stabilise domestic supply, Axis Bank stays cautious even as it eyes future growth, corporate churn continues with layoffs at Nokia’s India unit, macro pressures deepen as the rupee hits record lows amid rising crude. Markets remain volatile, though improving valuations offer some comfort to investors navigating an increasingly uncertain economic landscape. Tune in!

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we unpack why IPOs aren’t the finish line, according to Lightspeed’s Bejul Somaia, and what that means for startup founders. We also dive into India’s AI-native fintech gap and the $300 million opportunity investors are eyeing. Plus, legacy players take the lead in the EV two-wheeler market amid discounts and subsidy rush, and Dream11 pivots to a content-first strategy with its Watch Along feature.

India has secured 60 days of crude supply and is expanding sourcing amid Strait of Hormuz disruptions, while a push for 90-day reserves gains traction. As war-driven costs rise, food companies are absorbing input pressures for now, though price hikes may follow. A helium supply shock linked to Qatar’s Ras Laffan hub highlights vulnerabilities in India’s semiconductor plans. Aviation has been hit hard, with most Gulf flights cancelled. Meanwhile, the IL&FS case tightens scrutiny on audit firms, reinforcing accountability for financial watchdogs. All this and much more in the latest Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks.

The RBI has sought board records from HDFC Bank following Atanu Chakraborty’s abrupt exit, signalling deeper regulatory scrutiny. Dream Sports is pivoting to stock broking with Dream Street after regulatory setbacks hit its core gaming business. Markets rallied as the Nifty 50 surged on easing West Asia tensions, though global capital flows remain a concern, with BlackRock flagging structural risks. Investor caution is visible in slowing additions on National Stock Exchange, while rising crude prices push companies like Berger Paints to hike prices. All this and much more in the latest Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, OpenAI appoints JioStar CEO Kiran Mani to lead its Asia-Pacific expansion, signalling a sharper focus on the region. Dream Sports enters stock broking with its new platform Dream Street, targeting retail investors with AI-led tools. And Cashify moves ahead with IPO plans, appointing ICICI Securities, JM Financial and Nomura as bankers, even as market uncertainty persists.

In this episode, presented by Moneycontrol in collaboration with Giving Pi, host Gaurav Choudhury speaks to GivingPi Founders Circle member Sunny Gurpreet Singh, the founder of Roundglass Giving, a philanthropic initiative for social transformation through what he calls “Wholistic Wellbeing”. As a diaspora philanthropist, Singh has redefined what it means to care for a community. His work goes beyond individual sectors, encompassing physical, mental, emotional, and environmental health and underscores the interconnectedness of these dimensions in achieving overall wellbeing.

Sarvam’s fundraising efforts may get global backing, Manipal hospitals files draft papers for IPO, the frontrunners for IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Centre reassures public on availability of adequate energy stock and Indian equities rebound after war-related decline. However, the pressure is on India Inc and is beginning to show up in state finances. All this and more in the latest Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, Sarvam is in talks to raise up to $250 million from Nvidia, Accel and HCLTech, marking a major moment for India’s AI ecosystem. We also track rising investor interest in instant home services startups like Snabbit and Pronto. UPI continues its rapid growth toward 240 billion transactions, even as subsidy concerns persist. And finally, India’s media and entertainment industry crosses Rs 2.7 lakh crore, led by digital.

Donald Trump’s announcement of productive talks with Iran brings a much-needed, even if fragile break to war triggered upheavals in the economy. At the same time, the effects of war become more visible across sectors, from steel to real estate. Moneycontrol Eco Pulse Index shows India’s economy was humming along before the war struck. We unpack the impact of the crisis so far and what happens if it drags on. Also inside: IPL ownership race, HDFC Bank’s self examination and the Bajaj Finance strategy. Much more inside the day’s Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we unpack Bajaj Finance’s aggressive AI push and how it could reshape lending and operations. We also look at the rapid rise of India’s micro-drama market, set for explosive growth. Plus, Snowflake’s bet on simplifying enterprise AI adoption without large engineering teams. And finally, deeptech momentum continues as AI data centre startup Kluisz looks to raise fresh capital amid rising investor interest.