TLDR
Market Recap: December 22, 2025
On December 22, Indian equities extended gains as easing bets stayed alive after RBI minutes, the rupee’s rebound steadied risk appetite, and domestic buying absorbed foreign selling. Sensex closed at 85,567.48 (+638.12, +0.75%) and Nifty 50 at 26,172.40 (+206.00, +0.79%); Nifty Midcap 100 +0.84% and Nifty Smallcap 100 +1.17% outperformed, while India VIX rose to 9.68 (+1.68%), signaling slightly higher near-term hedging demand despite the rally. IT and metals led, while consumer durables lagged.
Key Drivers :
RBI easing optionality: The December minutes maintained the rate-cut narrative, supporting rate-sensitive assets and broader risk appetite.
Flows split, locals in control: FIIs were net sellers in cash, but DIIs offset meaningfully, keeping the tape bid through the close.
FX stability as a tailwind: RBI-linked rupee stabilization reduced near-term macro stress and improved risk sentiment into year-end positioning.
Today’s Top Stories:
Varun Beverages - Twizza buy: ₹1,118.7 cr all-cash South Africa acquisition plan lifted VBL about 3% as markets priced faster Africa scaling.
GE Vernova T&D - HVDC win: 2,500 MW HVDC order signaled strong grid capex visibility, pushing the stock up about 10% intraday.
HCC - Railways order: ₹901 cr tunnel contract extended, keeping momentum in infra EPC names.
Kinetic - JioThings tie-up: Connected EV partnership triggered a sharp rerate attempt, with shares spiking 15% on the day.
Hindustan Zinc - silver tailwind: Record silver prices pushed HZL to a fresh high, reinforcing its “listed silver” positioning.
TOP STORIES
1. Varun Beverages to buy Twizza (South Africa)
Gemini-2.5
Financial: All-cash buy of Twizza, enterprise value about ZAR 2,095m (₹1,118.7 cr).
Strategic: Expands Africa footprint with added capacity and brand portfolio.
Market impact: Stock traded higher as investors priced faster Africa scaling.
VBL buying Twizza in South Africa. Your take?
2. GE Vernova T&D India wins 2,500 MW HVDC order
Gemini-2.5
Financial: 2,500 MW, +-500 kV HVDC VSC terminal station contract from AESL Projects.
Strategic: Strengthens positioning in India grid capex and renewable evacuation buildout.
Market impact: Stock surged on orderbook visibility and momentum.
Does the 2,500 MW HVDC win change your view?
3. HCC JV bags ₹901 cr Northeast Frontier Railway tunnel contract
Gemini-2.5
Financial: JV wins ₹901 cr for Tunnel 28 on Tupul to Imphal line; HCC holds 65%.
Strategic: Adds backlog in complex tunneling, execution becomes the key monitor.
Market impact: Stock extended rally on order-led rerating hopes.
Will the ₹901 cr tunnel order sustain HCC’s rally?
4. Kinetic Engineering ties up with JioThings for connected EV tech
Gemini-2.5
Financial: Partnership for connected features like smart clusters and voice controls.
Strategic: Tries to differentiate upcoming EV models with a scalable digital layer.
Market impact: Stock spiked as investors chased connected mobility optionality.
Can connected EV features drive meaningful demand?
5. Hindustan Zinc rises as silver hits fresh record highs
Gemini-2.5
Financial: Silver at record levels boosts sentiment around listed silver exposure.
Strategic: Higher silver realizations can support margins and cash generation.
Market impact: Stock moved to fresh highs tracking metals strength.
If silver stays elevated, does HZL outperform?
GYAANI HOT TAKES
Disclaimer:
The IndiaStox Research Hackathon is intended for educational and community engagement purposes only. Submissions do not constitute investment advice, nor should they be construed as recommendations to buy or sell any securities.
By participating in the IndiaStox Research Hackathon and submitting content, you grant IndiaStox a worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, and irrevocable license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, distribute, and display your submission, whether in whole or in part, across its digital platforms and in promotional materials. This license extends to both commercial and non-commercial purposes, including content seeding, editorial use, and advertising.
By submitting your work, you confirm that it is your original creation and that you have the right to grant the above license.
