4931: Apax enters exclusive talks to buy stake in iD Fresh; Meesho mints millionaires; and Deconstructing an AI data centre | MC Tech3

Inside the day’s Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks: What made India’s growth momentum beat Trump tariff related drag, how Apple is cementing roots in the world’s second-largest smartphone market, a deep dive into what it takes to build an AI data centre, and how drugmakers are doubling down on efforts to battle lung ailments. Tune in for all this and more.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we break down a packed day in tech and startups, from Apax Partners entering exclusivity to buy a major stake in iD Fresh Food, to Meesho’s IPO millionaires. We also dive deeper into the sudden funding rush for baby-care and rapid-delivery startups, India’s massive AI data-centre buildout, and a major shuffle in November’s EV two-wheeler rankings as Vida displaces Ola Electric.

Markets hit fresh record highs for the first time in 14 months but slipped into consolidation ahead of key macro data releases. All eyes are now on India’s Q2 GDP numbers, expected between 7% and 7.5%, as well as the latest IIP and forex data. In global cues, Asian markets trade mixed as U.S. futures remain muted after Thanksgiving, while the dollar heads for its steepest weekly drop in four months and oil rises on renewed hopes of a Ukraine peace deal. Back home, Whirlpool’s block deal, Adani Enterprises’ latest acquisition, and Meesho’s upcoming IPO are among the key stock stories in focus. And in our Voice of the Day segment, listen in to Amit Kumar Gupta of Fintrekk Capital on what’s next for markets after the record run. Tune in for all this and more in today’s Market Minutes — your morning podcast bringing you the top stories to kickstart your trading day, from stocks in the news to macro trends and global market cues.

Inside the day’s Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks: Benchmark indices hit new peaks but mid and small caps lag, SEBI considers reducing margin requirements, India to be $5 trillion economy a year later than predicted, Indians’ overseas investments jump, India’s push for magnet self-reliance still only on paper & Delhiites head to the sea and the hills to escape toxic air. Tune in!

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we break down the collapse of the $1.2 billion CarTrade–CarDekho acquisition, a deal that could have reshaped India’s auto-tech landscape. They then dive into the fresh VC rush powering consumer startups across protein snacks, sneakers, beauty, and community platforms. The episode also covers the ED’s arrest of WinZO’s co-founders under the PMLA, and wraps up with Reliance’s massive $11 billion plan to build AI data capacity in Andhra Pradesh.

Markets are eyeing new record highs after a solid rally on Wednesday. Globally, equities rallied with Wall Street logging four straight sessions of gains on Fed rate-cut hopes, while Asia followed higher led by tech stocks. Back home, all eyes are on the Whirlpool block deal, Mahindra’s new EV launch, and key cabinet approvals for the rare-earth magnet scheme. Meanwhile, the IMF has trimmed India’s FY27 growth forecast to 6.2% if U.S. tariffs remain elevated, even as it reclassified India’s exchange rate regime to a “crawl-like arrangement.” Tune in for all this and more in today’s Market Minutes — your morning podcast bringing you the top stories to kickstart your trading day, from stocks in the news to macro trends and global market cues.

Inside the day’s Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks: A new trust-based regulatory architecture in the works, rupee undervaluation makes exports competitive,network interference sparks blame game between Airtel and Tejas networks and more news. Also, Infosys's chief marketing officer Sumit Virmani shares his thoughts on why India’s education system needs an overhaul and experts explain the new labour code changes and what they mean for employers. Tune in!

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we break down DigiLocker’s upcoming AI agent and what it means for digital document processing. We also look at Tech Mahindra’s 8-billion-parameter education-focused LLM under the IndiaAI Mission and why India’s skilling gaps matter more than ever. Plus, Ilya Sutskever’s surprising “teenage AGI” approach, a new rare earth magnet manufacturing scheme approved by the Cabinet, and Dream Sports open-sourcing its decade-old tech engine with HorizonOS.

Nifty is poised to kick off the December series on a strong wicket. The GIFT NIFTY is indicating a triple-digit gain following a volatile session on Tuesday. The index failed to hold above 26,000 on expiry day, weighed by selling in banks and heavyweights like Infosys and HDFC Bank, though midcaps continued to outperform. Globally, markets traded higher as Fed rate cut hopes intensified, with reports that Kevin Hassett could be named the next Fed chair. The Nikkei and Kospi climbed, while Alphabet hit record highs on new AI chip developments. Meanwhile, oil prices slipped over 1% on reports of progress toward a Ukraine–Russia peace deal. In today’s episode, Nandita Khemka breaks down the top market movers — from Bharti Airtel’s $800 million block deal to HCLTech’s AI partnership with AWS and fresh approvals for Zydus Lifesciences. Plus, project wins for NCC and IGL, and Excelsoft Technologies is making its stock market debut. Also on the radar — PM Modi inaugurates Safran’s aircraft engine facility in Hyderabad, and Tesla opens its first India centre in Gurugram.  Tune in for all this and more in today’s Market Minutes — your morning podcast bringing you the top stories to kickstart your trading day, from stocks in the news to macro trends and global market cues.

Shifting power equations within the Tata Group, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles sets an ambitious goal, Bharti Airtel promoter launches block trade, Bitcoin is having a forgettable month, labour codes spark controversy and more news updates in the day’s edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks.