Zepto’s Billion-Dollar IPO, Samsung’s Local Push, and More News 🔥 (Jan 23)

Good morning and happy Friday Junior (aka Thursday)! 🌟 The weekend is almost here, so let’s keep the energy high as we sip on today’s top brews. From Trump’s $500bn AI venture to Zepto’s billion-dollar IPO dreams, and even some Sebi drama—it’s a packed chai tray today. Let’s get into it! 🚀

Chai Shots ☕️

• HUL acquires Minimalist 🧴: As we’d mentioned last month, HUL has finalized its ₹2,955 crore acquisition of the D2C beauty brand Minimalist. Founders Mohit and Rahul Yadav will stay on for two years. P.S. Want to know how Minimalist became a skincare star? Check out our case study here.

• Zepto ups IPO game 📈: The quick commerce startup is eyeing an IPO size of $800M–$1B, citing massive growth projections and solidifying its second-place market share.

• Samsung goes local 📱: Galaxy S25 AI smartphones will now be made in India, with production in Noida. Indian engineers played a key role in their AI capabilities.

• Adidas powers DAX to a record high 👟: Stellar Q4 sales (+19%) boosted Adidas shares by 6%, driving Germany’s DAX index to a new peak of 21,254 points.

• Rupee climbs higher 💸: With RBI interventions and strong Asian peers, the rupee ended at ₹86.32 against the dollar. Phew- some relief!

The Big Brew 🍵 The $500bn Stargate AI Power Play

Donald Trump has announced the Stargate Project, a $500 billion AI infrastructure venture with Oracle, SoftBank, and OpenAI. This mega-project will build colossal data centers across the U.S., aiming to re-industrialize the tech sector, secure America’s AI dominance, and create over 100,000 jobs. The venture starts with $100 billion in immediate deployment, and Masayoshi Son (SoftBank) and Sam Altman (OpenAI) are leading the charge.

But not everyone’s on board. Elon Musk, a former OpenAI co-founder, publicly criticized Stargate, claiming SoftBank lacks the financial muscle to meet its commitments. This marks yet another chapter in Musk’s long-standing feud with OpenAI and Sam Altman.

Why It Matters

1. For the Economy: Stargate could strengthen the U.S.’s position in the global AI race and create a tech job boom. But Trump’s rollback of AI safety regulations raises ethical concerns—will innovation come at the cost of responsible development? 🤔

2. For Investors: AI-related stocks like Nvidia, Oracle, and Microsoft are already rallying, and this could be just the beginning. If you’re an investor, this is a moment to stay sharp. 📈

3. For Techies: Stargate could be a career game-changer for AI professionals, data scientists, and engineers. Get ready for a hiring frenzy! 💼

4. For Geopolitics: This project directly challenges China’s rapid strides in AI, escalating the global tech arms race. Expect ripple effects on trade, diplomacy, and security. 🌍

What Does This Mean for You? Whether you’re an investor or just here for the drama, Stargate is a real-world sci-fi thriller. Between Trump’s AI ambitions, Musk’s criticisms, and a brewing U.S.-China showdown, there’s no shortage of action. Who needs Netflix when you have this? 🍿

Market Masala 📊 Sensex and Nifty bounce back in style🕺

• 📊 Sensex and Nifty bounced back in style, powered by IT and financials, while midcaps and smallcaps played the bench—talk about a comeback story!

• HDFC Bank Hauls the Markets Higher 🏦: Wednesday started shaky with foreign investors offloading Indian stocks worth $7 billion in January alone. But HDFC Bank, the heaviest hitter on Sensex and Nifty, rallied 1.5% after its Q3 earnings report.

  • The Numbers: Profit rose 2% YoY to ₹16,736 crore, with Net Interest Income growing by 8% YoY.

  • Investor Sentiment: Despite falling short of Street expectations, HDFC’s robust growth in deposits and advances calmed jittery nerves.

• Go First Liquidation Drama 🛬: Creditors may have voted for liquidation, but Busy Bee Airways isn’t ready to call it quits, challenging the liquidation. With ₹6,521 crore in debt, the airline’s future now hinges on today’s NCLAT hearing.

• Sebi’s Grey Market Cleanup 🧹📈: Sebi has proposed a “when listed” platform to allow IPO shares to trade in the three days between allotment and listing. This bold move is designed to curb grey market activity—aka the desi underground trading scene—and bring transparency to the IPO ecosystem.

  The platform aims to turn unregulated “curb trading” into a structured process, ensuring investors have a fair shot. While this won’t eliminate all grey market dealings (they often start before IPOs open), it’s a great start to shift activity into the light.

  Our Thoughts: If you’ve been chasing grey market premiums for IPO tips, this might put a wrench in the usual playbook. But hey, more transparency means fewer risks and better market integrity. Investors can finally stop feeling like they’re at a shady auction house! 🕵️‍♂️✨

☕ Market Mood: After Wednesday's rebound led by IT and financials, Thursday's focus will be on Nifty’s 23,000 support and 23,350 resistance. Keep an eye on HDFC Bank, buzzing stocks like Zomato and Infosys, and global cues like Trump’s tariff threats and AI investments. Buckle up! 📈🌏

Global Masala 🌍

• DAX Record High: Germany’s DAX index hit 21,254 points, driven by Adidas (+6%) and Siemens Energy (+7%).

• 🔥 AI Stocks Keep the US Markets Party Alive: Nvidia, Microsoft, and Oracle rallied as President Trump’s $500 billion Stargate AI venture gained momentum. With AI being the star of the tech show, these companies are riding the innovation wave! 🚀🤖 

  Nasdaq and S&P 500 surged on strong Netflix earnings and Trump’s Stargate announcement. However, looming tariff threats with China and Canada could stir volatility.

• Trump’s Fiery Warning to Putin 🌩️🇺🇦: In a bold Truth Social post, Donald Trump warned Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war—or brace for heavy U.S. sanctions and tariffs. His message? “Make a deal, no more lives should be lost!” The move could dial up tensions in U.S.-Russia relations. 🌍⚖️

• EA Stumbles on the Pitch 🎮: Gaming giant Electronic Arts (EA) saw its shares drop 7% after disappointing guidance for its soccer franchise, EA Sports FC. The company blamed weak December-quarter sales and underwhelming performance of “Dragon Age.” Guess not even virtual soccer can dodge the post-holiday slump! ⚽

Startup Scoop 🚀

• Cancrie Raises $1.2M: The Jaipur-based energy storage startup is scaling its advanced nanocarbon materials to meet growing global demand.

• Zepto’s IPO Expansion: Quick commerce giant Zepto now targets an IPO size of $800M–$1B, set to launch later this year.

• Kent RO’s IPO Filing: Hema Malini-endorsed Kent RO Systems is taking its ₹1 crore share offering to the markets. 💧

Chai Break Trivia 🧠

Did you know? India’s quick commerce market is expected to hit $40 billion in orders by 2027, led by Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart! 📦

What’s Brewing Next? 🔮

• Go First NCLAT Hearing: Can Busy Bee save the airline? Stay tuned for updates.

• Global Watch: With Trump’s tariff threats looming, all eyes are on market reactions and any updates from Russia or Ukraine. 🌍

• Sebi Feedback Deadline (Feb 6): Don’t miss your chance to weigh in on the ₹250 sachetized SIP proposal! 🕒

Well, that’s a wrap for today’s Masala Chai! From Trump’s AI ambitions to Zepto’s billion-dollar dreams, the week is shaping up to be anything but boring. Take a cue from Adidas and Samsung: push your limits and sprint into Thursday like the superstar you are. 🌟