Stock market today (AI image)

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in green on the first trading session of the New Year 2026. While Nifty50 went above 26,150, BSE Sensex was up over 100 points. At 9:16 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 26,169.30, up 40 points or 0.15%. BSE Sensex was at 85,352.13, up 132 points or 0.15%.According to experts, stock markets are expected to post measured gains in 2026 after going through a consolidation phase in 2025. Analysts cite improving corporate earnings, a gradual pickup in private capital expenditure and continued backing from recent as well as upcoming government policy initiatives.Global cues remained mixed as US equities closed lower in the final trading session of 2025 on Wednesday. Wall Street’s key indices, however, still delivered strong returns for the year despite sharp swings driven by tariff-related uncertainty under President Donald Trump and heightened enthusiasm for artificial intelligence-linked stocks.On the domestic institutional front, foreign portfolio investors were net sellers of Indian equities, offloading shares worth Rs 3,597 crore on Wednesday. In contrast, domestic institutional investors supported the market, recording net purchases of Rs 6,758 crore during the session.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

Venezuela, currently in the throes of an escalating crisis with the United States, closed the books Wednesday on a complicated year for its economy, with the official cost of buying a US dollar up 479 percent in the last 12 months.The gap between the official and black market rate is mounting as well, nearing 100 percent in an economy that has become increasingly dollarized as a way to tackle hyperinflation.Even though President Nicolas Maduro projected economic growth of nearly nine percent in 2025, the oil-rich South American country has seen a sharp decline, with inflation soaring and hard currency in short supply.

US President Donald Trump has piled the pressure on Maduro, stiffening sanctions and ordering the seizure of “sanctioned oil vessels” sailing to and from Venezuela.Venezuela’s central bank on Wednesday set the official rate at 301.37 bolivars to the US dollar, a rate in effect until January 2. That marks a 479.25 percent increase from the rate of 52.02 bolivars to the dollar posted in early 2025.On the black market, where prices are determined by crypto exchange platforms, one US dollar is going for nearly 560 bolivars — at least an 85 percent difference with the official rate.Economists say that 80 percent of Venezuela’s currency exchanges are carried out on such platforms.Inflation could ultimately pass the astronomical rate of 500 percent in 2025, according to estimates from private firms. Official data has not been published since October 2024.Venezuela has been under a US oil embargo since 2019 and exports the vast majority of its output on the black market at a sharp discount.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended New Year greetings to the nation, praying “for peace, good health and happiness in society” as India welcomed the year 2026.Sharing a post on X, the PM posted, “Wishing everyone a wonderful 2026! May the year ahead bring good health and prosperity, with success in your efforts and fulfilment in all that you do.““Praying for peace and happiness in our society,” the prime minister added.In a separate post, PM Modi shared a video and noted, “Very warm wishes to all of you for 2026. We hope that this year brings new hopes, new resolutions, and a fresh sense of self-confidence for everyone. May it inspire all to move forward in life.”Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed New Year greetings describing the occasion as a time of renewed energy and fresh beginnings. “May the year 2026 bring peace, happiness and prosperity into our lives and infuse new energy to build a stronger and more prosperous India,” she said.India welcomed the New Year with vibrant celebrations across the country on Thursday night, as cities lit up with fireworks, cultural programmes, live music and themed decorations. Large crowds gathered at public spaces to ring in 2026 with enthusiasm and cheer.

Top stocks to buy (AI image)

Top stock market recommendations: According to Aakash K Hindocha, Deputy Vice President – WM Research, Nuvama Professional Clients Group, the top buy calls for today are: Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC), Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL), and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). Here’s his view on Nifty, Bank Nifty, and the top stock picks for January 1, 2026:Index View: Nifty & Bank NiftyNifty has bounced strongly from its 3-month rising trend line support seen at 25,860 – 25,880. The required follow through was seen in yesterday’s session as Nifty managed to climb more than 200 points. Now, a close above 26200 will lead to strong momentum for the next 500-600 points rally.Bank Nifty also managed to close above its previous resistance high of 59500. A break above such strong resistance would lead to strong momentum in coming days. A strong spurt of 2-3% in a short span of time can be achieved in coming days

Stock recommendations:

GMDC (BUY):

Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation’s stock has bounced back strongly from its 20-day moving average with strong volumes. With this, stock is less than 10% away from its all-time high levels. The next leg can see stock gathering momentum and move strongly past its all-time high levels.BHEL (BUY):

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd’s stock has been consolidating in a pennant for all of December. The consolidation is placed at the retest of a prior breakout, tilting the odds in the favour of an upside break. Furthermore, constant demand from the lower bound of the pennant also adds a layer of confidence.Indian Oil Corporation (BUY):

IOC stock has bounced strongly from its 20-day moving average supported by strong volumes. The current consolidation around its all-time high level looks to complete soon. A close above 180 will lead to strong momentum and one can see the next 10% move in a very short span of time.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

Virat Kohli’s Instagram post

Virat Kohli welcomed 2026 on a personal note, sharing a moment with his wife, Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma, through a social media post that quickly caught fans’ attention. The former India captain uploaded a photograph on Instagram showing the couple wearing masks, with Kohli’s playful Spider-Man-style mask adding a light-hearted touch to the image.

Virat Kohli’s Instagram post

Alongside the picture, Kohli wrote, “Stepping into 2026 with the light of my life.” The post drew a huge response, with fans and well-wishers filling the comments section with messages for the couple as the new year began.

On the cricketing front, Kohli continues to enjoy a remarkable phase in One-day internationals following his retirement from T20I and Test cricket. Now 37, he recently returned to India’s premier domestic one-day competition for the first time in 15 years and made an immediate impact, scoring 131 and 77 in successive innings. The performances underlined both his class and his hunger to compete at the highest level. That run also saw Kohli script history in List A cricket. He became the fastest player to reach 16,000 runs, surpassing a long-standing record previously held by Sachin Tendulkar. His domestic resurgence has followed a stellar ODI series against South Africa, where he struck two centuries and a fifty to guide India to a 2-1 series win. The Indian squad is scheduled to assemble in Vadodara on January 8 ahead of the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. The three-match ODI series will begin in Vadodara on January 11, followed by games in Rajkot on January 14 and Indore on January 18. A five-match T20I series will follow, running from January 21 to January 31.

NEW DELHI: Broadband subscriber base in the country crossed the 100 crore-mark in Nov 2025, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) said on Wednesday. India had 99.9 crore broadband subscribers in Oct, comprising 95.5 crore on wireless networks and 4.5 crore on fixed connections. “In the month of Nov 2025, the broadband subscriber base in India crossed the 1 billion (100 crore) mark,” Trai said in a statement. Jio led the market with 51 crore broadband subscribers, comprising 49.7 crore wireless and 1.4 crore fixed-line broadband subscribers. It was followed by Bharti Airtel with 31.4 crore broadband subscribers, which includes 30.4 crore wireless and over 1 crore wired broadband subscribers, according to Trai’s subscriber report for Nov. Vodafone Idea (Vi) reported to have 12.8 crore wireless broadband subscribers, BSNL 3 crore wireless and 44.5 lakh fixed line broadband connections. Trai said that in the last 10 years, the broadband subscriber base in India has increased more than six times. “There were 131.5 million (13.2 crore) broadband subscribers at the end of Nov 2015, which grew to 1 billion (100.4 crore) at the end of Nov 2025,” the regulator added.