The Economic Times

Major U.S. stock indexes finished Friday higher, but recorded weekly declines. Investors reacted to fluctuating government bond yields and Middle East developments. Stronger services sector growth offset manufacturing slowdowns, easing some investor concerns. Oil futures settled higher for a sixth consecutive day, adding to inflation worries. Upcoming economic data and Fed Chair's speech will guide future market movements.

Ken Griffin's Citadel has sold over 80% of acquired positions. These trades followed a steep loss in technology holdings for Situational Awareness. Citadel executed nearly one hundred block trades valued at over four billion dollars.

Indian couples are increasingly moving away from established wedding destinations such as Goa, Delhi and Mumbai, opting instead for quieter, scenic locations in smaller cities and towns. Wedding planners report rising demand for intimate, personalised celebrations in places such as Coorg, Jaisalmer, Kochi and Uttarakhand, driven by privacy and experience.

US investors bought equities for a second week, encouraged by corporate earnings and easing inflation. However, a bond market selloff and rising oil prices created market pressures. Investors added over eleven billion dollars to US equity funds, showing continued optimism. Bond funds saw significant inflows, while money market funds experienced outflows.

India confirmed ongoing technical discussions with Bangladesh on river issues. The Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, signed in 1996, is set to expire this December. Discussions under the Joint Rivers Commission address all river-related matters between the two nations. Bangladesh is reportedly open to joining a new Mecca defense pact. India is closely monitoring these regional developments and its implications.

LG Electronics India is looking to exports and B2B products as key growth drivers as its Korean parent aims to make India a global manufacturing hub. The company expects these businesses to help improve margins amid pressure from higher raw material costs, rupee depreciation and geopolitical risks.

Ancient traders sought Indian black peppercorns, which were once more valuable than gold. Today, Tellicherry peppers and Lakadong turmeric are globally recognized for their superior quality. Many Indians remain unaware of their indigenous gourmet produce, unlike other nations. This lack of awareness stems from historical perceptions that devalued local products. Greater appreciation and accessibility are needed for India's world-class agricultural offerings.

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India has emerged as a major investment destination, but much of the value generated by foreign companies still flows overseas through dividends, royalties and intellectual property payments. The column argues that India must move beyond being a manufacturing and consumption base by building globally competitive brands, proprietary technology and Indian-owned intellectual property.

India's research funding system suffers a staggering 3,000 crore in losses each year due to overlapping grants. Implementing a unified tracking system is crucial for monitoring all publicly funded research outputs. By utilising persistent identifiers and a robust digital framework, we can create an accessible record of research results, thus enhancing verification, discovery, and reuse while maximising the value of public investments.

In India, the politicization of public spaces has a profound effect on educational institutions, turning them into arenas of ideological conflict. By removing politics from these spaces, we can encourage open discussions and innovative thinking. Maintaining neutral environments is crucial for developing effective problem-solvers rather than engaging in mere debates, highlighting the importance of creating spaces that promote civic engagement and growth.

The IFDA has backing from 131 WTO members, including 94 developing countries, and focuses on reducing red tape and making it easier to attract foreign investment. With Trkiye and South Africa dropping their opposition, the article says India is now the main obstacle to bringing the agreement into the WTO rulebook.

Indian energy companies are paying more than $23 per mmbtu for September LNG cargoes, among the highest prices for imports since 2022, as the Iran war disrupts global supplies. GAIL India and Gujarat State Petroleum Corp. have bought cargoes at these levels, while Bharat Petroleum has also purchased LNG from the spot market.

Goldman Sachs sees gold potentially exceeding its $4,900 year-end forecast as strong options demand, Western investor interest and central bank buying amplify price moves. Rising call-option activity could accelerate gains near key strikes, though changing Fed expectations could also trigger sharper corrections.

Symbiotec Pharmalab has raised Rs 526.20 crore from anchor investors ahead of its Rs 1,757 crore IPO opening August 24. The pharmaceutical company has set a Rs 938-988 price band, with proceeds from the fresh issue earmarked for debt repayment.

New indigenously designed mobile phones with Indian IP rights will launch in 10-14 months. The government will strictly screen brands, preventing copycats from benefiting. Companies must prove ownership of design intellectual property rights for scheme eligibility. The Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme aims to boost domestic brands and production. This initiative seeks to establish technological sovereignty and capture greater economic value.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India had moved from the Licence Raj-era Production Linked Punishment model to incentivising production through the PLI scheme, which he said has generated 2.5 lakh crore in investment, 22 lakh crore in production and sales, 15 lakh crore in exports and over 14 lakh jobs.

Indias 10-year benchmark bond yield climbed to a two-month high of 6.88% before closing at 6.85%, posting its biggest weekly rise this fiscal. Hawkish MPC minutes, potential rate hikes and escalating West Asia tensions drove cautious sentiment among bond traders.

Foreign investor positioning in Indian equities is nearing historical extremes, with FII flows showing early recovery after sustained outflows. Jio BlackRock says resilient domestic buying, reduced foreign selling and more reasonable valuations could signal a potential sentiment turnaround for Indian markets.

India has rejected remarks by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson called the organization biased and lacking credibility. USCIRF officials had called for sanctions against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. They also recommended that US officials avoid diplomatic courtesies for RSS leaders. India stated that such organizations have their own agendas and should be avoided.

Gold prices soared to a three-month high on Friday, marking its third consecutive weekly increase. This rally was driven by a softer U.S. dollar influenced by Treasury buyback strategies. Analysts identify the surge as a bullish signal after a notable break above significant moving averages. Investors are increasingly attracted to gold and related exchange-traded funds, while other precious metals such as silver and platinum also saw substantial gains.

Accel, a leading global venture capital firm, along with two other parties, has divested nearly five percent stake in Amagi Media Labs. They sold over one crore equity shares for Rs 587 crore via open market transactions. Notably, domestic mutual funds and an insurance company were part of the buyer's pool, alongside foreign investors. Following this development, Amagi Media Labs shares surged by 4.57 percent on the NSE.

Online Instruments has successfully secured Sebi approval for its initial public offering. The firm is set to issue new equity shares alongside an offer for sale, with proceeds aimed at addressing borrowings, boosting working capital, and facilitating acquisitions. Specializing in audiovisual systems integration and display product manufacturing, Online Instruments has demonstrated notable growth in both revenue and net profit over recent fiscal years.

Skyways Air Services raised Rs 174.5 crore from anchor investors ahead of its Rs 582.80 crore IPO, opening August 24, 2026. The price band is Rs 131-138 per share, with shares expected to list on September 1, 2026.

India and Bangladesh are holding back-channel talks for Tarique Rahman's visit. His planned two-day trip this month was postponed due to contentious issues. The Ministry of External Affairs had invited Rahman for a bilateral visit and BRICS summit. Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi met top Bangladeshi officials to foster ties. Uncertainty continues as discussions aim to finalize the prime minister's trip.

India's foreign exchange reserves rose over $9 billion in the week ending August 14. Foreign currency assets and gold reserves significantly contributed to this overall increase. Banks received substantial funds through special deposit schemes and borrowing measures.

Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said describing India as a China+1 destination is intellectually lazy, arguing that the country should instead be viewed as a potential global growth engine. Speaking at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum, Birla said India has its own strengths and track record and should be seen as World+1 rather than as an alternative to China.

Major Wall Street indexes opened higher on Friday after significant declines. The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a slight increase at the opening. The S&P 500 also experienced a rise in its opening figures. The Nasdaq Composite index registered a notable gain at the opening bell. Markets are still set to finish the week with losses.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday dismissed Pakistans objections to US envoy Sergio Gors remarks describing Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and indivisible parts of India, amid a diplomatic row between Islamabad and Washington.

In the first quarter of fiscal year twenty twenty-seven, real estate prices experienced a significant six percent year-over-year rise. Major cities such as New Delhi, Noida, Chennai, Greater Noida, and Bengaluru spearheaded this trend. While residential sales saw a moderate three percent uptick, the launch of new projects declined alongside an increase in unsold inventories in areas like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and NCR, illustrating a complex market dynamic.

Indian government bonds encountered significant challenges this week, marking the worst week of the financial year. The Reserve Bank of India's hawkish policy minutes triggered a selloff, compounded by the early closure of a diaspora-deposit hedging facility. Additionally, soaring crude oil prices heightened inflation concerns and rate hike fears in India, culminating in a notable increase in bond yields.

IndiGo's reservation system was restored Friday after technical issues disrupted bookings. The airline's website and app experienced intermittent problems affecting ticket reservations. Passengers faced difficulties with bookings, web check-ins, and payment confirmations. These repeated disruptions pose a challenge for the new CEO, Willie Walsh. This follows significant flight cancellations due to pilot rostering issues last December.

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ICICI Bank has taken a significant step by doubling its overseas borrowing limit to five billion dollars. This strategic decision enhances the bank's ability to tap into international fundraising avenues. Following the closure of a previous swap facility, Indian banks are ramping up efforts, eyeing to collectively secure at least five billion dollars through loans and bonds. So far, ICICI has successfully raised over two billion dollars in dollar-denominated debt.

Seven stocks from the BSE Consumer Discretionary Index hit fresh 52-week highs despite a largely flat Sensex. Baazar Style Retail, Menon Bearings, Shanti Gold International, Lenskart Solutions and others recorded strong monthly gains, signalling sustained investor interest and improving sentiment across select consumer stocks.

In a decisive action on Friday, Sebi announced the cancellation of registration certificates for fifteen investment advisers who neglected to pay their required renewal fees on time. Despite issuing notices in June, the advisers did not respond, leading to the termination of their registrations. It is essential to note that this cancellation does not free them from previous duties and financial responsibilities they owe.

Lumino Industries has announced its IPO price range set between Rs 78 and Rs 82 per share. This Rs 700 crore offering will be available for subscription from August 27 to August 31. The plan includes a fresh issue of Rs 500 crore alongside an offer-for-sale of Rs 200 crore. Funds raised are earmarked for debt repayment and upgrading equipment, furthering their focus on power cable and electrical wire manufacturing.

Upstox has crossed 2 crore demat accounts, with 85% of customers from Tier-II and Tier-III cities and 70% first-time investors. The investment platform aims for 10 crore users within five years and is reportedly exploring a $350-400 million IPO.

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