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Shares of Urban Company surged as much as 4% on Thursday to Rs 174 on the BSE, taking gains to nearly 69% over its IPO issue price of Rs 103, in just two days of trade. The sharp rally has left investors weighing whether to book profits after the blockbuster listing or stay invested for the long haul.The stock listed on Wednesday at Rs 162.25 on the NSE, a premium of 57.52% to its issue price, before settling at Rs 166.83, up 61.97%. On Thursday, it extended gains to Rs 174.The Rs 1,900-crore initial public offering, priced at Rs 98–103 per share, drew overwhelming demand with a subscription of 103.63 times. The qualified institutional buyers’ portion was subscribed 140.20 times, the non-institutional investors’ segment 74.04 times, and the retail tranche 39.25 times.The IPO comprised a fresh issue of Rs 472 crore and an offer for sale of Rs 1,428 crore, with early backers such as Elevation Capital, Accel India, Bessemer India Capital, Internet Fund V, VYC11 and Tiger Global trimming stakes.Ahead of the issue, the company had raised Rs 854 crore from anchor investors including Government Pension Fund Global, Fidelity Funds, Florida Retirement System, Amundi Funds, SBI Mutual Fund, ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, Nippon India MF, and several insurance players.Business momentumUrban Company, formerly known as UrbanClap, runs a technology-driven marketplace offering home and beauty services such as cleaning, plumbing, carpentry, appliance repairs, grooming and massage therapy. The company also operates in the UAE, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.It recently turned profitable, reporting a net profit of Rs 240 crore in FY25 compared with a loss of Rs 93 crore in the previous year. Revenue climbed 36% to Rs 1,261 crore.What analysts say“For those who received allotment, consider booking partial profit and hold rest for long-term gains with a stop loss of Rs 120,” said Shivani Nyati, Head of Wealth at Swastika Investmart.Short term investors can look to exit with listing gains, said Gaurav Garg from Lemonn Markets Desk, adding that long term investors can hold and wait for attractive prices to accumulate more.While valuations appear stretched in the near term, analysts highlight the company’s dominant position in India’s largely unorganised Rs 6,000 crore home services market and its ability to scale new categories as reasons for optimism.Also read | Ola Electric vs Ather Energy shares: Which EV bet looks stronger for your portfolio right now?(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

Gold and silver may have stolen headlines this year — with gold up 38% and silver rallying 43% — but platinum has quietly emerged as 2025’s strongest performer. Prices have surged nearly 57% year-to-date, including a 28% leap in June, their biggest monthly rise in decades.The World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) believes the rally may still have further to run. The global platinum market is forecast to register a deficit of 850 koz in 2025, following a 968 koz shortfall last year. Three consecutive years of deficits have already cut above-ground stocks by 46% since end-2022, leaving inventories at their lowest in more than a decade.On the supply side, mine output is expected to drop 6% this year, with South Africa on track for its weakest production in a quarter century outside of strike or shutdown years. Recycling is rising but remains well below pre-pandemic levels. WPIC underlines that platinum supply is structurally price inelastic: even at higher prices, new mines take close to a decade to reach full production.Demand has proven equally sticky. Automotive use is holding firm despite tariffs and electrification pressures, while jewellery demand is forecast to rise 11% this year as buyers in China and India pivot from gold to cheaper platinum. Investment demand is set to edge up 2%, led by strong bar and coin buying in China and steady ETF interest. WPIC also stresses that platinum’s deep discount to gold continues to bolster both jewellery and investment flows.Brokerage SAMCO Securities echoes this view, pointing out that platinum’s surge has been driven by South African production disruptions, younger buyers shifting into platinum jewellery, and ETF inflows as investors reassess its undervaluation relative to gold.The bigger picture, SAMCO adds, is that 2025’s commodity story stretches far beyond bullion. Platinum and cobalt are leading with outsized gains, while uranium is setting up for its strongest cycle in years as nuclear energy gains prominence in powering AI-led growth and clean infrastructure.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the first set of changes to the naturalization civics test as part of a multi-step overhaul of the American citizenship process. The new test, effective from 2025, aims to better measure applicants’ knowledge of US history and government, in line with statutory requirements.Integrity of naturalization process in focusUSCIS said the changes are introduced to strengthen the naturalization process and ensure that only those who meet all eligibility requirements can become citizens. These include the ability to read, write and speak English, and to demonstrate an understanding of the US government and civics.“American citizenship is the most sacred citizenship in the world and should only be reserved for aliens who will fully embrace our values and principles as a nation,” USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser said. “These critical changes are the first of many.”Broader changes already impliedThe agency has also introduced stricter reviews of disability exceptions to the civics and English requirements and has issued new guidance for officers to assess an applicant’s ‘good moral character’. Under the updated framework, applicants are expected to show positive contributions to American society, not just the absence of misconduct.USCIS is resuming neighbourhood investigations to verify that applicants meet statutory requirements. Recent policies also clarify that unlawful voting, unlawful voter registration and false claims to U.S. citizenship disqualify an applicant from demonstrating good moral character.Officials stated additional measures will be announced in the coming weeks to “further enhance the integrity of the naturalization process.”Study materials, test questions and implementation details for the new civics test are available through the USCIS Citizenship Resource Center.