As we stand at the close of 2025, the Indian business world is buzzing with activity. From the stock markets reaching historic levels to Indian companies making waves on the global stage, it has been a year of intense change.

Based on the latest reports from the Financial Express, we’ve put together a simple, ready-to-post guide to help you understand the biggest stories of the week and what they mean for the future.

1. The IPO Party: A Bitter-Sweet Year for Investors

2025 will be remembered as the "Bumper Year" for Initial Public Offers (IPOs). In simple terms, an IPO is when a private company sells its shares to the public for the first time.

The Good News: Companies in India raised nearly ₹2 lakh crore through IPOs this year. This is a massive number that shows that investors are very excited about the Indian economy.

The Reality Check: However, it wasn't a win for everyone. Data shows that almost 50% of these companies are currently trading below their initial "issue price." This means that while some people made quick money on the first day, others who held onto their shares might be seeing a loss right now.

Lesson learned: For 2026, the market is becoming more "disciplined." Investors are no longer just buying anything; they are looking for companies with real profits.

2. Tata Steel’s Global Legal Battle

One of the most talked-about stories in international business involves Tata Steel. A Dutch non-profit group is seeking €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) in compensation from Tata Steel’s units in the Netherlands.

What is the issue? The lawsuit alleges that emissions from the steel plant have caused health issues and environmental damage to people living nearby.

Why it matters to you: This story highlights a huge trend: ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). In today’s world, it is not enough for a company to just make money. Big businesses are now being held legally and financially responsible for their "carbon footprint" and their impact on human health. This could change how big industries operate in India and Europe for years to come.

3. Bollywood vs. The World: A Record-Breaking Year

In a surprising boost for the "creative economy," the Indian film industry is set to have its biggest year ever.

The Numbers: Theatrical revenues are expected to cross ₹12,500 crore, beating the previous all-time high set in 2023. Films like Dhurandhar have already crossed the ₹1,000 crore mark globally.

The Trend: Even with the rise of Netflix and Amazon (OTT platforms), people are flocking back to cinemas. The report notes that "content is the single-biggest driver." This shows that Indian audiences are willing to pay for high-quality storytelling, providing a massive boost to the retail and entertainment sectors.

4. Banking and Interest Rates: Good News for Homeowners

If you are planning to buy a house, the year is ending on a high note. Major banks have started cutting home loan rates to attract new customers before the year ends.

In simple terms: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been very "growth-friendly" this year, cutting rates multiple times. This makes it cheaper for you to borrow money. When banks compete to give you a lower interest rate, you save thousands of rupees in your monthly EMIs.

5. Technology: The Rise of the "New Titans"

The tech world saw a shift in 2025. While names like Elon Musk usually dominate the news, this year, industry experts are pointing to Larry Ellison (Oracle) as the titan who truly defined the year.

Why? Because 2025 was the year of AI Infrastructure. It wasn't just about "talking robots"; it was about building the massive data centers and clouds that make AI work. India is becoming a hub for this, with Google and Microsoft committing billions of dollars to build AI hubs across the country.

6. The 2026 Outlook: What’s Next?

As we look toward January, the experts at Financial Express have a few predictions:

Reviving Consumption: The government’s main goal for 2026 will be to make sure people are spending more money, which keeps shops and factories running.
Manufacturing Growth: With new "Quality Control Orders" being simplified, smaller businesses in textiles and steel should find it easier to work and grow.
The Rupee Factor: The Rupee is currently trading at over 90 against the Dollar. While this sounds scary, it acts as a "buffer" for our exporters, making Indian goods cheaper for the rest of the world to buy.

Final Summary

The takeaway for 2025 is that India is resilient. Despite global tensions and trade wars, our economy is growing at a rate (over 7.8%) that is more than double the global average.

For the average citizen, this means more jobs in tech and entertainment, cheaper home loans, and a stock market that—while volatile—is showing that the world is betting big on India.

Stay tuned for our weekly updates as we navigate the exciting world of business together!