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Operating profit surged 27% to $47.44 billion in 2024, up from $37.35 billion in the previous year. The fourth quarter set a record, with operating profit soaring 71% to $14.53 billion ($1,010 per Class A share), driven by strong insurance gains and foreign currency benefits, compared to $8.48 billion a year earlier.

Warren Buffett highlighted Berkshire Hathaway s achievements over the past year and six decades, praising successor Greg Abel s readiness to seize investment opportunities. With $334.201 billion in cash, Berkshire expanded by acquiring the rest of a utility business and the Pilot truck stop chain.

Markets remained range-bound with Nifty and Bank Nifty forming Doji patterns, signaling indecisiveness. FII selling pressure continues, keeping the market under check. Rajesh Palviya’s stock picks for next week include SBI Life and Hindalco (Buy), Lupin (Short). While oversold conditions suggest a technical rebound, sustained recovery depends on FII outflows easing.

Markets remain volatile amid FII outflows and global uncertainty, while DII inflows continue to support Indian equities. Earnings recovery, tax cuts, and sector rotation could drive stability. Key investment themes include agrochemicals, hospitals, and selective banking stocks. While a technical bottoming-out process is possible, investors must moderate return expectations and stay cautious amid macro risks and market fluctuations.

Sebi imposed a Rs 10 lakh penalty on Axis Securities for rule violations and improper client fund handling. Axis Securities failed in regulatory procedures, including reporting errors, mishandling client funds, and exceeding margin limits. Sebi noted discrepancies in supervision reporting, client settlements, and allocation of penalties, leading to the fine after an inspection for April 2021 to November 2022.

Dr. V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, noted that optimism in the Chinese market stems from new initiatives led by the president and key business leaders, fueling hopes of a growth recovery. This sentiment drove an 18.7% surge in the Hang Seng index over a month, contrasting with Nifty’s 1.55% decline.

Nukleus Office Solutions’ IPO opens on February 24, offering 13.54 lakh fresh equity shares at Rs 234 per share, with no OFS component. Shreenath Paper Products launches its Rs 23-crore IPO on February 25, priced at Rs 44 per share, comprising 53.1 lakh fresh equity shares. Retail investors can bid for a minimum lot of 3,000 shares.

Financial services saw the highest outflows, followed by FMCG, capital goods, oil & gas, and consumer services, while telecom, healthcare, IT, and chemicals witnessed selective buying.

Since 2018, high PE stocks have steadily replaced lower-valuation companies, driven by new entrants from fintech, consumer discretionary, and healthcare. Meanwhile, older economy stocks, including oil & gas, industrials, and traditional lenders, have been phased out. This shift reflects evolving market dynamics favoring growth sectors over legacy industries.

Over the five trading sessions leading up to February 21, the Sensex declined by around 0.83%, losing 628 points to close at 75,311.