Morning Scan: All the big stories to get you started for the day

A roundup of top newspaper stories to keep you informed and ahead of the curve.

#1. Amazon raises export target from India to $80 billion by end of decade

US ecommerce giant Amazon has announced raising its cumulative export target from India to $80 billion by 2030 from $20 billion by 2025 in line with the firm’s commitment to Viksit Bharat (developed India), the Business Standard reported. The firm is on track to reach its previous target of $20 billion in exports by 2025 after reporting $13 billion in the current calendar year.

Why it’s important: Amazon is not alone in boosting its sourcing from India. Rival Walmart, also based in the US, is also stepping up its India sourcing targets to $10 billion a year by 2027.

#2. Tata Trusts against Shapoorji Pallonji Group taking fresh loans against Tata Sons shares

Tata Sons’ shares cannot be used as collateral for fresh loans by the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, Siddharth Sharma, chief executive of Tata Trusts, told Mint. The group plans to use the 18.4 percent shares it owns in Tata Sons as collateral to replace its loans totalling Rs 22,000 crore ($2.6 billion) payable by March. The shares are already pledged against these loans, and the aim is to transfer the shares to a new set of investors to raise money to repay the earlier loan.

Why it’s important: The friction between the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, the largest public shareholder of Tata Sons, and the philanthropic entities that control the Tata empire remains despite a change of guard at the Tata Trusts, with Noel Tata taking over as chairman. This would need to be resolved soon.

#3. Debts worth $1.7 billion taken by three Adani Group companies due to mature in March 2025

The Adani Group faces nearly $1.7 billion in debt maturities at three of its businesses over the next quarter, the Economic Times reported. These include a $1.05 billion construction loan taken for Adani Green Energy due March. Adani Cement also has a $300 million loan due March, while there is a $290 million credit facility for Adani Ports and SEZ due January.

Why it’s important: The Adani Group has been roiled by controversies and bribery charges in the past couple of years that has dented the public standing of the conglomerate. There are no immediate apprehensions though that it would default on any of its borrowings.

#4. Investment bank bonuses to surge to record in 2024 on deluge of dealmaking in India

Dealmakers may win record bonuses for 2024 after fetching the decade’s highest fee income driven by share sales, mergers and debt funding rounds, the Mint reported. The bonuses may cross Rs 1,000 crore in 2024, of which Rs 700 crore may go to over 350 top executives.

Why it’s important: The fee pool at i-banks swelled due to large IPOs like Hyundai Motor India, Swiggy, Ola Electric and Firstcry. The year also saw large block deals in companies, including ITC, Trent and Bharti Airtel.

#5. Regulator expands optional T+0 settlement cycle to top 500 scrips by market capitalization

The Securities and Exchange Board of India is widening the scope of the optional T+0 rolling settlement cycle in the equity cash market. The T+0 settlement cycle will be made available to top 500 scrips by market cap. Trading and settlement will start with scrips at the bottom 100 firms and add the next 100 every month till the top 500 companies are covered. This is in addition to the 25 scrips already on T+0 settlement.

Why it’s important: The move will make India one of the fastest settlement markets in the world. The phased implementation by the regulator provides sufficient time for market infrastructure to be ready for a smooth implementation.

#6. Container shipper AP Moller-Maersk shows interest in building and repairing ships in India

Container shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk is keen to build and repair ships in India, making it the first major global ship owner to show confidence in the nation’s capabilities as the government gives final touches to a big bang shipbuilding policy to be signed off soon by the cabinet, the Economic Times reported. It has already been recycling its ship in the country for the past decade.

Why it’s important: The intention by the world’s second largest container carrier would provide a big thrust  to India’s ambitions to emerge as a shipbuilding and repairing hub that is part of the country’s larger drive to step up manufacturing.

#7. Frequent policy changes slow down subsidy claims for electr4ic two-wheelers in country

The number of electric two-wheelers for which buyers claimed subsidies declined to a three-year low in the current financial year as automakers skipped the benefits following stringent rules and frequent changes in criteria, the Mint reported. Of around 649,000 electric scooters sold in April-October 2025, subsidy was claimed for about 329,000 (51 percent), compared with  benefits on 89 percent of about 948,000 battery-powered units sold in 2023-24 and 93 percent of around 727,000 in 2022-23.

Why it’s important: Changes in the phased manufacturing programme rules that cover localization requirements have disproportionately impacted mid-sized and small original equipment makers. There is need to exercise caution so that sales of electric two-wheelers does not slow down.

#8. Omnicom becomes India’s second largest ad firm after board approves Interpublic Group acquisition

The board of directors of the Omnicom Group has approved the acquisition of Interpublic Group, making it the largest advertising company in the world by revenue, the Business Standard reported. IPG has a presence in India through IPG Mediabrands India. Globally, WPP, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe and IPG form the Big Four of the advertising world.

Why it’s important: The acquisition will make it India’s second-largest in the advertising space on the basis of market share. It is primarily a financial merger aimed at cost-cutting and streamlining operations.

#9. Amazon to introduce 15-minutes deliveries in Bengaluru to take fight to quick commerce players

Starting December, ecommerce giant Amazon will roll out 15-minute delivery as a pilot in Bengaluru, targeting top-selling items like groceries and daily essentials, the Mint reported. The move marks Amazon’s response to growing competition from ultra-fast delivery players, a segment reshaping consumer expectations in India.

Why it’s important: Amazon is taking the fight to India’s quick commerce startups. The online quick commerce space in the country has seen rapid growth in recent times and Amazon wants a share in the expanding pie.

#10. Indian companies likely to hire ore in fiscal fourth quarter with buoyancy in software services

Hiring intentions in India during the March quarter are stronger by three percentage points compared to the previous quarter, the Economic Times reported, citing a Manpower Group Survey. The IT sector is back as the strongest hiring sector at 50 percent, followed by financials and real estate (44 percent). Consumer goods and services (40 percent), energy and utilities (38 percent), healthcare and life sciences (38 percent) are the others in the top five.

Why it’s important: A majority of Indian employers surveyed said they would hire more people, which puts back optimism in the net employment outlook. Hiring has been muted in recent times, but it is too early to say if this would reverse the trend.