Wall Street's main indexes were subdued at the open on Friday as an in-line inflation print, signaling continued moderation in price pressures, helped offset an earnings gloom after a dour revenue forecast from Intel.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 42.45 points, or 0.11%, at the open to 38,006.68. The S&P 500 opened lower by 5.25 points, or 0.11%, at 4,888.91.

Airbus and Tata Group have partnered to produce single-engine helicopters and transport aircraft in India. This is part of Airbus' global operations, with final assembly lines in six countries including India. Each model has its own supply chain, with parts produced around the world. Airbus' facilities in Europe cater to global markets, while those in China and the US focus on local markets.

China Evergrande said on Thursday one of its units had entered a deal to sell its entire stake in Shantou Hengmeng Property Development for 137.6 million yuan ($19.20 million). Hengda Real Estate Group Yuedong, a unit of the property giant, holds a 65% stake in Shantou Hengmeng, with the rest being held by Redleaf Trading, its Australia-based joint venture partner.

China is expanding the use of commercial property loans by banks to help struggling real estate firms. These loans can now be used to pay off debts unrelated to the project pledged as collateral, providing relief to developers. Central bank Governor Pan Gongsheng announced policies aimed at improving commercial property loans, potentially boosting consumer and household wealth.

Intel's stock slumped 10% on Friday due to a weak revenue outlook for the first quarter. The chipmaker is behind in the race for AI technology and is also facing low demand in the PC market. This has had a negative impact on other chip companies like Nvidia, AMD, Qualcomm, and Micron Technology. Intel's challenges in the AI sector have caused concerns among analysts.

HDFC Bank, led by Aditya Puri, became a successful and profitable lender by focusing on individual borrowers with regular incomes rather than large corporations. This strategy, along with a high percentage of low-cost deposits, contributed to the bank's strong net interest margin and premium valuations. However, after a merger with parent company HDFC in 2022, the bank's metrics have decreased.

The power segment received a significant boost in the FY24 budget, with a 58% increase in allocation to Rs 20,671 crore. Analysts anticipate continued attention on this sector in the FY25 budget despite it being interim. Green initiatives, production-linked incentives for solar manufacturing, and higher capital expenditure for renewable energy are expected in the upcoming budget.

Global investors exercised caution ahead of a pivotal inflation report and the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting, leading to reduced holdings in equity funds. Despite this, global stocks saw a surge which limited fund outflows. Asian funds were the only ones to experience net inflows, with tech sector receiving the biggest inflow since 2023. Debt funds saw increased interest.

U.S. investors cautiously decreased equity fund holdings for the fourth week in a row, amid concerns about inflation and a Federal Reserve meeting. Despite a Wall Street rally led by strong tech sector gains, U.S. value funds saw the largest outflow in five weeks while growth funds attracted new capital after three weeks of outflows. Technology was the most popular sector with a net inflow.

PSUs have experienced significant growth in stock prices during the NDA-led government's tenure. The upcoming budget will determine the continued rise of these stocks. However, investors should be cautious as valuations are higher than those of private companies. The majority of privatization attempts have been unsuccessful due to practical obstacles.

Mumbai stock exchanges have removed 39 small-cap stocks from the Enhanced Surveillance Measure (ESM) framework, effective Jan 29, 2024. ESM rules were introduced in 2020 for highly volatile micro-small-cap companies. Some stocks shifted out of the ESM framework, including Rudra Global Infra Product and Kanoria Energy. In July, the stock exchange revised rules to allow ESM Stage-II stocks.

Gold prices held steady on Friday as investors awaited the release of U.S. inflation data, which could affect the Federal Reserve's upcoming policy meeting. The crisis in the Red Sea has also caused inflation expectations to rise. Oil prices have also risen due to Middle East tensions. Market focus is now shifting to the Fed's preferred inflation indicator, with lower numbers potentially support.

Indian bankers estimate that an additional Rs 2.5 lakh crores in equity capital will be needed annually for the next seven years to double the country's GDP by 2030. This can be achieved with existing domestic inflows and fresh equity issuances each year. The strong regulatory framework and a growing economy make India an attractive destination for investors, with its potential to surpass China.

Mangalam Group, a Rajasthan-based real estate developer, will invest Rs 150 crore in a new commercial project in Jaipur. The project, called Manglam Signature Elite, will cover 310,000 sq ft and have a mix of retail and office spaces. Expected to be completed by June 2024, the project has already generated interest from both local and outside investors. With a leasing agreement with Westside.

"Indian equity markets had a strong year, with the Nifty 50 rising over 19% since last Republic Day. The midcap and smallcap indices outperformed the benchmarks, surging 54% and 64% respectively. Sectors like realty, PSU, infrastructure, auto, pharma and energy saw significant gains. Railway stocks were the best performers, with Indian Railway Finance Corporation gaining 444%.