Financial Summary: Friday, July 25, 2025

The FCC has approved an $8 billion merger between Paramount and Skydance Media, marking a significant change in the entertainment industry.

The CEO and HR chief of Astronomer have resigned amid a corporate governance controversy, raising concerns about the company's future leadership.

Morgan Stanley's acquisition of a stake in Cigniti Technologies led to a 10% drop in the company's shares despite a profit increase.

Intel plans to reduce its workforce to 75,000 by year-end as it faces a deepening loss forecast for Q3, despite a rise in shares.

Sun Pharma has agreed to a $200 million settlement in a US drug pricing antitrust case, impacting its stock performance.

Mphasis shares surged 5% after reporting an 8% year-over-year profit increase for Q1, indicating steady growth.

Bajaj Finserv reported a 30% year-over-year increase in consolidated net profit for Q1FY26, reaching Rs 2,789 crore.

Meta announced it will stop running political ads in the EU due to new disinformation regulations, calling the rules 'unworkable'.

Airtel Africa's Q1 profit rose 20% to $156 million, driven by tariff hikes and subscriber growth, particularly in Nigeria.

IDFC First Bank is expected to report a significant decline in Q1 PAT, with estimates suggesting a drop of up to 68% year-over-year due to NIM pressure.

Orient Cement reports a significant increase in Q1 net profit to Rs 205 crore, reflecting strong performance under the Adani Group.

SAIL's consolidated net profit surged to Rs 744.58 crore in Q1, driven by improved operational efficiency and sales growth.

Tata Chemicals sees an 80% rise in Q1 profit after tax, reaching Rs 316 crore, showcasing strong financial health.

Petronet LNG reports a 25% decline in Q1 net profit but plans to invest Rs 6,355 crore in a new LNG terminal in Odisha.

Edwards Lifesciences raises its 2025 outlook following a strong performance in the first half of the year.

A new bill in Congress proposes tax discounts for companies that distribute stock to their lowest-paid employees.

Palantir's stock has more than doubled in 2025, propelling it into the top 20 most valuable U.S. companies after a 3% increase on Friday.

Tesla has launched its first retro-futuristic Supercharger diner in Los Angeles, merging dining with electric vehicle charging.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record highs, fueled by strong tech stock performances, particularly from Alphabet.

Indian stock markets faced a sharp decline, with the BSE Sensex dropping over 700 points due to financial sector concerns.

The Bank of Japan hinted at a possible rate hike, impacting global market sentiments on monetary policy.

European shares fell, mainly due to declines in auto stocks as investors await updates on US-EU trade negotiations.

Goldman Sachs acquired a stake in Authum Investment at a 20% discount, showcasing resilience amid market volatility.

Carvana's stock is projected to rise by another 30%, reflecting positive market sentiment for the company.

Major tech companies including Meta, Amazon, Alphabet, and Microsoft are set to invest $320 billion in AI and datacenters, signaling a significant boost in the tech sector.

Palantir Technologies received an Overweight rating from Piper Sandler, leading to a surge in its stock price to a new high.

Musk's Grok AI has been integrated into the Kalshi and Polymarket betting apps, raising concerns about potential risks.

AI start-up Anthropic is in discussions for a $150 billion valuation and is open to Middle Eastern investments, despite previous hesitations.

Concerns are growing that the proposed sovereign wealth fund for Social Security may exacerbate the funding gap.

To be in the top 2% of wealthiest households, individuals need a net worth of about $2.5 million, highlighting increasing wealth inequality.

The NFL will fine over 100 players for reselling Super Bowl tickets at a profit, with fines potentially doubling the ticket's face value.

An opinion piece stresses the urgent need to address the national fiscal situation to avert a potential debt crisis.

Many individuals are making budgeting mistakes with 'cash stuffing' that could hinder their financial goals.

Ajay Seth has been appointed as the new chairman of IRDAI to enhance insurance access and affordability in India.

The Reserve Bank of India is expected to maintain the key repo rate at 5.50% due to ongoing growth and inflation concerns.

Indian textile stocks surged by up to 6% following the India-UK Free Trade Agreement that eliminated export tariffs.

India and the U.K. have signed a major trade deal expected to boost bilateral trade by over $34 billion annually.

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer calls for urgent measures to prevent a doctors' strike as the British Medical Association plans five days of industrial action.

French President Emmanuel Macron announces plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September, drawing criticism from Israel.

The Trump administration files a lawsuit against New York, claiming it obstructs immigration enforcement in sanctuary cities.

The EU prepares for potential fallout from stalled trade negotiations with the U.S., fearing a no-deal scenario.

The IMF warns UK Chancellor Reeves of significant economic challenges due to the ongoing trade war and limited budget options.

Mexico's antitrust authority accuses several banks of colluding to fix prices, raising concerns about market competition.

A study reveals that five of the ten most unaffordable housing markets globally are in the United States, highlighting a housing crisis.

Former officials express concern over President Trump's escalating criticism of the Federal Reserve, particularly targeting Chairman Jerome Powell.

As the U.S. reduces its global engagement, other nations are collaborating to address pressing international issues.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to meet former US President Donald Trump in Scotland to discuss a potential new EU-US trade deal.

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer advocates for the reduction of steel tariffs as US President Joe Biden visits the UK for trade discussions.