India’s equity markets saw investors joining at a slower pace in November, just 13.2 lakh investors were added during the month during the month. This was a 11.6% dip from October, as the growth was dragged down by uncertainty in global markets continued to temper risk appetite, data released by the National Stock Exchange (NSE) showed.With these additions, the total number of registered investors reached 12.3 crore by the end of November 2025. The slowdown came after two months of steady improvement in registrations, signalling a pause in the recent rebound. The NSE noted, “The pace of additions moderated during the month, declining 11.6 per cent MoM after two consecutive months of sequential increases.” The report pointed out that investor sign-ups have remained uneven throughout calendar year 2025. While short phases of stronger growth were seen between May and July and again in September and October, the broader trend has been one of moderation. Global headwinds and persistent volatility have weighed on confidence, making many potential entrants wary of entering equity markets. Data from the exchange also showed that the rapid expansion seen in the previous year has lost momentum. Last year in February, the investor base crossed 9 crore. By August 2024, the number moved to 10 crore and touched 11 crore in January 2025, with each milestone achieved within five to six months. On the other hand, the next crore took significantly longer, with nine months required to move from 11 crore to 12 crore. Between January and November 2025, the NSE added an average of 12.8 lakh investors every month, taking total additions during the period to 1.4 crore, drastically lower than the same period in 2024, when average monthly additions were 19.3 lakh, translating into 2.1 crore new investors.On the regional front, north India continued to dominate with an investor participation of 4.5 crore investors as of November 2025. West India stood at the second position with 3.6 crore investors. South India and east India ALSO recorded 2.6 crore and 1.5 crore investors, respectively. Year-on-year growth remained positive across most regions. All parts of the country reported growth of over 15% in November, except West India, where investor growth lagged at 11.6%. Overall, the NSE data indicated that although India’s equity investor base is still expanding, the rate of new investor additions has slowed during 2025 as global uncertainty continues to influence participation.

Last Updated:December 21, 2025, 10:04 IST

MUFG Bank acquires 20 percent stake in Shriram Finance Limited for Rs 39,618 crore, marking the largest FDI in Indian financial services.

Shriram Finance share price

Shriram Finance Share Price: Shriram Finance Limited shares will react on Monday, December 22, after MUFG Bank has acquired 20 per cent stake with an investment of Rs 39,618 crore (USD 4.4 billion) on Friday.

MUFG Bank has become the second Japanese lender which have made heavy investment in India’s financial sector in 2025, followed by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, a unit of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group. SMBC bought a 24.2% stake in Indian lender Yes Bank starting with a 20% stake for $1.6 billion in May.

“The Board has approved raising of funds of INR 3,96,17,98,28,781.15 (Indian Rupees Thirty Nine Thousand Six Hundred and Seventeen Crores Ninety Eight Lakhs Twenty Eight Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty One and Paise Fifteen only) from MUFG Bank Ltd. (“Investor”) a company incorporated under the laws of Japan, by way of issuance of

47,11,21,055 (Forty Seven Crores Eleven Lakhs Twenty One Thousand and Fifty Five) fully paid-up equity shares of face value INR 2/- (Indian Rupees Two only) each of the Company (“Subscription Shares”) at a price of INR 840.93 (Indian Rupees Eight Hundred and Forty and Paise Ninety Three) per Subscription Share, through preferential issue on a

private placement basis (“Preferential Issue”),” the company said in the filing.

MUFG Bank’s transaction marks a landmark moment in the Indian financial services industry as it is being the largest FDI in a financial services company in India.

The stake purchase will help SFL to enhance capital adequacy, strengthen its balance sheet, and provide longterm growth capital.

“This collaboration is further expected to unlock synergies in technology, innovation, and customer engagement, driving sustainable growth. It will improve access to low-cost liabilities and potentially strengthen SFL’s credit ratings while aligning governance and operational practices with global best standards,” it added.

Shares of Shriram Finance ended 4 per cent higher to Rs 905 apiece last week, compared the previous day close at Rs 869.45 apiece.

India allows up to 100% foreign ownership in non-banking finance companies, unlike banks where foreign institutional stakes are capped at 15% per entity unless exempted by the RBI. Earlier this month, the RBI clarified that banks can hold equity in NBFCs, easing a regulatory hurdle for MUFG’s investment in Shriram Finance, according to Reuters report.

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New Delhi: The prices of major imported agricultural goods in South Korea have risen sharply in recent years, outpacing global price increases due to the weakening of the South Korean won against the US dollar, data showed on Sunday. 

According to the Bank of Korea, the import price index for coffee came to 307.12 in November in U.S. dollar terms and 379.71 in Korean won terms, with 2020 set as the base year at 100, reports Yonhap news agency.

The figures indicate that global coffee prices have risen about threefold over the past five years but increased nearly fourfold when converted into the Korean won. The data showed that the price of imported beef increased 30 percent over the period in U.S. dollar terms but surged 60.6 percent in Korean won terms.

Over the same period, the price of imported pork rose 5.5 percent in U.S. dollar terms but jumped 30.5 percent in Korean won terms. The Korean won traded at around the 1,100-won level in 2021 before weakening into the upper 1,200-won range in 2022. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the average exchange rate stood at 1,450 won per dollar.

The price of imported fresh seafood fell 11 percent in terms of U.S. dollars but rose 10 percent in Korean won, reflecting the impact of currency depreciation, the data also showed. South Korea imports a lot of raw materials, such as sugar and flour, said Choi Chul, a professor of consumer economics at Sookmyung Women’s University.

As the price of domestically produced (agricultural products) are rising due to climate change, a hike in imported goods due to the foreign exchange rate will push up overall food prices, including processed products, Chul added.