The Economic Times
Elections 2026Business / The Economic Times
Warming is projected to peak around 1.8C in the best-case scenario. This necessitates a new goal of overshoot, peak and decline for climate change. Cutting greenhouse gas pollution and removing carbon dioxide are crucial steps. Countries with greater historical responsibility must lead these urgent efforts.
Lumino Industries shares extended their strong debut gains, rising another 4% after listing at a 34% premium to the IPO price. While analysts see attractive valuations, strong profitability and debt reduction as positives, fresh investors have been advised to wait for consolidation, while IPO allottees can consider partial profit booking and monitor key support levels.
Indias nominal GDP growth could accelerate to 11.5%-12% in FY27, supporting stronger corporate earnings. However, elevated valuations, rising equity supply and potentially slower domestic flows could limit broad market gains. Jefferies favours lenders, power, ports and real estate, but sees a selective stock-picking environment rather than a broad-based rally.
Bengaluru tops the charts for household income and savings among Indias major cities, while Chennai records the highest debt-to-income ratio, driven largely by housing demand. Delhi-NCR, meanwhile, emerges as the countrys biggest consumption hub, thanks to its large household base. Mumbai and Delhi-NCR also have the highest number of affluent households, while urban spending patterns are increasingly shifting towards housing, healthcare and education.
Gujarat is expected to attract investments of over Rs 75,000 crore this year as the state continues to encourage businesses to set up operations, create products and boost exports, said Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General of ASSOCHAM.
Mainland Chinese stocks rebounded after two sessions of losses, with property shares leading gains. Investors remained focused on upcoming US jobs data and Chinas economic indicators for clues on interest rates, growth and policy support. Hong Kong markets were largely flat, while Beijing reiterated efforts to boost domestic demand and maintain openness.
IFCI shares rallied over 16% in two sessions amid expectations that the long-delayed NSE IPO could be nearing launch. IFCI indirectly owns more than 4% of NSE through its stake in Stock Holding Corporation of India. SEBI has moved closer to approving NSEs IPO after settling key regulatory cases, while the exchange seeks a valuation of up to Rs 5.26 lakh crore.
SpiceJet is adding twenty aircraft to its fleet by mid-November. These planes will enhance capacity for the upcoming winter schedule and holiday travel. The airline aims for two hundred daily flights during this peak period. This expansion will strengthen both domestic and international network operations. The new capacity will help stabilize the market and ease airfare pressures.
During President Trump's presidency, the national debt of the U.S. has ballooned to over forty trillion dollars. Federal expenditures are on a relentless rise, and interest on loans is climbing steeply. The tax reductions implemented by his administration have multiplied the national debt by trillions. This fiscal decline has roots that stretch back well before Trump, influenced by initiatives from both parties.
HUDCO shares jumped nearly 4% after the company signed an MoU with the Government of Bihar to provide financial assistance of up to Rs 25,000 crore over five years for industrial infrastructure and land acquisition. The development comes after HUDCO signed another Rs 1 lakh crore MoU with Bihar in July for urban infrastructure projects.
Farmers continue their protest at the Chandigarh border for a third day. They are demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price on crops. The cancellation of old water agreements is also a key demand. Unions are prepared for nationwide protests against a proposed Free Trade Agreement. Farmers seek loan waivers and a proper crop insurance scheme.
Dell Technologies reported record AI-server demand, with a $95 billion backlog and surging revenue. The company raised full-year revenue and earnings forecasts, highlighting strong AI infrastructure spending and expanding data-centre opportunities.
German automakers face high labor costs and foreign competition. Calls are rising to extend the standard 35-hour work week to 40 hours. This change could potentially reduce costs for German auto plants. However, experts doubt it will solve structural issues or demand problems. Unions advocate for cooperation, citing past successful agreements for flexibility.
Global investors are reassessing India's economic prospects due to its strong growth. US investors see confidence boosted by India's infrastructure and reforms. More regulatory opening is needed to attract greater foreign direct investment. Policy predictability is crucial for attracting large, long-term capital commitments. India's ambition to become a developed economy shows strong momentum.
Axis expects Nifty earnings to grow at a 13% CAGR over FY23-FY28, which it believes will underpin healthy medium-term market returns. Here are five small- and midcap stocks that the brokerage is bullish on.
Tamil Nadu will introduce digital driving licences and vehicle registration certificates from September 15, letting new vehicle owners download their RC the same day and driving test candidates get their licence immediately, ending the current week-to-month wait for physical, chip-based cards sent by post.
Closing the FCNR(B) scheme has led to a noteworthy increase in dollar inflows, which has positively impacted foreign exchange reserves. Indian banks have benefited from these substantial funds, assisting in the continued growth of loans. Nonetheless, the Reserve Bank of India must now tackle the critical issue of managing surplus liquidity efficiently.
Welspun Corp shares jumped nearly 6% after Jefferies initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a Rs 3,250 target price, implying 27% upside. The brokerage sees a multi-year upcycle in US and Saudi energy infrastructure spending, supported by Welspuns capacity expansion, strong order book and growing overseas operations.
India's services sector saw a slight acceleration in August, though new business growth remained subdued. Overall activity stayed near its weakest point in over four years, despite increased hiring. Firms reported cautious optimism for future market conditions and demand improvements. Cost pressures nudged up modestly, with businesses passing on higher operating expenses. India's composite PMI held steady as manufacturing growth slowed significantly.
Stock market veteran Shankar Sharma has questioned Indias headline GDP growth, arguing that the economys Real Feel growth is only 2-3%. Despite 7.8% GDP growth in Q1 FY27, he pointed to worsening quality of life and chaotic urban conditions, contrasting Indias experience with Europes stronger lived prosperity.
Inox Wind shares rose nearly 2% after securing a 755-crore, 100 MW turnkey order from Indian Oil Corporation. The project includes turbine supply, EPC, execution and 10-year O&M services, strengthening its institutional customer base and integrated renewable energy capabilities. Despite the order, shares remain significantly lower in 2026.
Economist Neelkanth Mishra defended India's GDP growth numbers against revision claims. He stated economic indicators point to a stronger economy with improving credit growth. Mishra highlighted personal vehicle dispatches and tax collections as real economic activity signs. He also noted robust construction indicators suggest strengthening private investment activity. However, weak real-wage growth indicates some economic slack remains.
The traditional 20% threshold for defining a bear market is facing fresh scrutiny as highly volatile technology and semiconductor indexes remain sharply higher for the year despite entering bear-market territory. The SOX and KOSPI have revived debate over whether factors such as volatility, duration and economic conditions should complement the conventional measure.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has urged JP Nadda for action regarding a purification ritual. This ritual allegedly occurred after a public meeting addressed by Kharge in Haldwani. Kharge noted that no First Information Report has been registered against the involved individuals and organisations. He stated the issue affects the sentiments of many people facing similar realities daily.
London is launching its first self-driving taxi service with Uber and Wayve. These electric vehicles will initially have human safety drivers present. The service operates under Britain's pilot framework for autonomous vehicles. Other companies are also preparing similar services in the city. This marks a significant step toward future autonomous vehicle deployment.
Small investors have profited significantly from 2026 IPOs with strong retail demand. Many of these issues are trading well above their initial offer prices. Tempsens Instruments and Sunshine Pictures show the highest returns, gaining seventy-six percent. This performance follows robust listing gains, with fourteen of fifteen IPOs trading higher. The Indian IPO market has revived, with more launches expected in the coming months.
India's rupee has seen a remarkable increase following a significant capital boost from the Reserve Bank of India, which successfully raised over 136 billion dollars through its specialized programs. This substantial financial inflow empowers the central bank to robustly guard the rupee. Consequently, the rupee has emerged as the second-best currency performer in Asia over the last month, a response to recent outflows aimed at bolstering its value.
Gold and silver prices rose for a second straight session on MCX as the US dollar weakened and bond yields eased. Investors now await US nonfarm payrolls data for clues on the Federal Reserves policy path. Gold remains supported by softer yields and geopolitical tensions, while traders monitor key technical levels and domestic physical gold prices across major cities.
Japans Nikkei traded in a narrow range as lower bond yields and softer oil prices offset weakness in semiconductor stocks following a drop in Broadcom shares. Energy stocks underperformed, while investors awaited Japans 30-year government bond auction for further cues on interest rates and technology stocks.
Arcil has announced an IPO price range set between Rs 132 and Rs 139 per share, with a target to raise around Rs 733 crore. The public can subscribe to Arcil's shares starting September 9th, as current shareholders and promoters choose to divest their stakes in this asset reconstruction firm. The company's shares are anticipated to be listed on the BSE and NSE by September 17th.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has urged India to move faster in the artificial intelligence race and build a strong domestic AI economy by leveraging its established IT sector. Speaking at the G20 Innovation Ministerial, Huang also called for practical AI regulation focused on actual harm, while stressing that technology companies must prioritise safety as AI systems become more capable.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari met Netherlands Ambassador Marisa Gerards in New Delhi. Discussions focused on sustainable infrastructure and green mobility cooperation. They also explored technology and innovation for strengthening bilateral trade. Ambassador Gerards also met officials regarding agriculture and democratic cooperation. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral engagement.
The White House is reportedly urging American space firms to decline an invitation to a Paris summit. This discouragement stems from concerns about tacit support for European Union policy positions. Officials also cited a lack of US coordination and perceived anti-competitive practices by France. The summit aims to discuss challenges related to the use of outer space. Global leaders and companies are expected to attend the French-German co-chaired event.
Despite foreign investors infusing billions into Indian equities, benchmark indices struggle to keep pace. Inflows in the primary market are notable but fail to directly uplift listed stocks. Selective purchases are occurring in large mid-cap stocks while financials and IT remain ignored. Domestic investors are a crucial pillar for market resilience, necessitating consistent secondary market activity for a comprehensive rally.
Becoming a loan guarantor creates significant financial and credit obligations for individuals. The guaranteed loan appears on your credit report and affects borrowing capacity. Borrower defaults can negatively impact your credit score and future loan access. Lenders can pursue guarantors directly for the full loan amount. Carefully review all loan and guarantee documents before agreeing to become a guarantor.
South Korean shares rebounded on Thursday, with the KOSPI rising 1.38% as chipmakers tracked gains in their US peers and optimism over AI demand lifted technology stocks. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix advanced, and POSCO Holdings also gained, although foreign investors remained net sellers.
Indian stock markets opened higher on Thursday, with key indices showing gains. The Sensex rose nearly 155 points, reaching 76,725 on its weekly expiry day. Nifty 50 also gained over 83 points, beginning the session near 23,998. Broader markets followed suit, with midcap and smallcap indices experiencing upward movement. This positive start occurred after a significant decline in the previous trading session.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi met tribal students in Nashik. He stressed education is a right, not a privilege for any student. Gandhi listened to their concerns about ashram school conditions. He stated marginalized students need system support and assistance. The leader also urged Maharashtra Congress leaders to uphold party ideology.
Power Grid shares gained attention after the state-owned transmission company received an LoI for a 6,000 MW inter-state transmission project linking Barmer in Rajasthan with South Kalamb in Maharashtra. The project carries quoted annual transmission charges of Rs 3,244.33 crore.
President Trump will now address the Republican convention on both nights. This expanded role competes with the NFL season's opening games. Party officials are concerned about attracting attendees to the Dallas event. Trump faces weak approval ratings amid voter dissatisfaction with current issues. The convention aims to rally voters behind Trump's agenda before elections.
Persistent Systems approved plans to raise up to $1.25 billion through debt and up to $450 million via equity-linked instruments, subject to approvals. The IT firm reported strong bookings and revenue growth in Q1, though profit declined due to forex losses. Shares have gained 21% over six months.
Former diplomat Syed Akbaruddin joins the Reserve Bank of India Central Board. He will serve as a part-time, non-official director for four years. The board oversees the central bank's general direction and business affairs. Akbaruddin brings extensive experience in international affairs and governance. His appointment enhances the board's expertise in global economic matters.

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