Financial Summary: Thursday, December 18, 2025

A proposed bill in India seeks to enable insurers to invest directly in unlisted companies, potentially boosting infrastructure and entrepreneurship funding.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has mandated that insurance companies switch to the 1600-series numbering for customer service calls by February 15.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has introduced the Securities Markets Code Bill, 2025, aimed at enhancing regulatory oversight and investor protection.

The U.S. government has accepted liability for a helicopter crash that resulted in 67 fatalities after colliding with an American Airlines jet.

Ghislaine Maxwell has filed a petition to vacate her sex crime conviction amid ongoing scrutiny of Jeffrey Epstein's case.

Paraguay's credit rating has been upgraded by S&P, signaling improved economic stability and pro-business policies.

Europe is considering legal actions to seize Russian assets for reparations to Ukraine as the conflict continues.

China has warned the U.S. that its recent $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan will lead to self-harm, escalating tensions between the two nations.

EU leaders are working to finalize funding for Ukraine, including the potential use of frozen Russian assets, under pressure from President Zelenskyy.

The Conservative Party in the UK faces challenges as it aims to counter Nigel Farage's influence ahead of the 2026 elections.

Christian Turner has been appointed as the new UK ambassador to the US, succeeding Peter Mandelson.

Economists express concerns over the accuracy of the US inflation report for November, suggesting the reported drop to 2.7% may be misleading.

Gold prices increased in early Asian trading due to favorable market conditions.

Tech stocks, including Oracle and Nvidia, fell over 3%, contributing to a decline in the Nasdaq index.

The U.S. stock markets rallied, with the Nasdaq rising over 1% after softer-than-expected inflation data.

The Bank of England cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points to stimulate growth amid economic weakness.

Seven largecap companies in India reported their highest quarterly profits in a decade, indicating strong financial performance.

AMC stocks rallied up to 7% following less severe expense ratio cuts from Sebi than anticipated.

Indian markets are expected to open lower, with the Sensex dropping over 300 points amid choppy trading.

The average US long-term mortgage rate has edged lower, remaining near its lowest point for the year.

Everyday item prices have surged approximately 25% since 2020, impacting consumer spending.

Analysts are raising price targets on bank stocks following their strong performance in the market.

Wall Street anticipates a volatile trading day as December options expirations are set to break previous records.

Economists are questioning the reliability of a recent CPI report that indicated lower-than-expected inflation.

Instacart's shares fell amid an FTC investigation into its AI pricing tool, raising regulatory concerns.

BP has appointed Meg O’Neill as its new CEO, marking a significant leadership change.

Coinbase is expanding its platform to include prediction markets and stock trading, diversifying its offerings.

Micron's stock surged 15% as it anticipates increased revenue from rising demand for AI-driven memory.

Accenture reported better-than-expected quarterly revenue, driven by strong demand for its AI services.

Activist investor Elliott Management has acquired a $1 billion stake in Lululemon, proposing a new CEO candidate.

Darden Restaurants raised its revenue outlook, citing strong demand for its Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse brands.

DHL has invested $1.5 million to expand its cold storage facilities at LAX, enhancing logistics capabilities.

Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader are merging to create a $3.6 billion law firm, marking a historic merger.

American Airlines has stopped allowing basic economy passengers to earn miles, effective immediately.

Newly released photos from Jeffrey Epstein's estate featuring Bill Gates and Sergey Brin have reignited scrutiny over their connections to Epstein.

As health insurance costs continue to rise, experts are recommending health savings accounts as a viable financial relief option for consumers.

A financial advisor has outlined a retirement strategy for individuals with $200,000 saved, emphasizing investment and savings growth.

Jim Cramer cautions against 'Lazy Susan' deals in tech, highlighting potential risks to the industry.

An analysis shows many digital capabilities fail post-deployment due to lack of support and integration.

The House has passed the SPEED Act to streamline AI infrastructure development permits, now heading to the Senate.