The Economic Times

US Federal Reserve officials offered differing views on the inflation outlook, with Boston Fed President Susan Collins calling Julys data mixed and maintaining her expectation of gradual disinflation. Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack remained more hawkish, saying inflation could stay above target through next year and reiterating that a rate hike is needed.

Federal Reserve officials expressed concerns about stubbornly high inflation at Jackson Hole. Some policymakers believe further interest rate increases may be necessary soon. Persistent price pressures could threaten the central bank's credibility and credibility. Inflationary mindsets might embed themselves within the economy over time. Investors await further data and signals on the monetary policy outlook.

Priority Jewels secured Rs 27.45 crore from anchor investors before its upcoming public offering. The company's initial public offering will open for subscription on August 28, 2026. This maiden public offer aims to raise funds for working capital and general corporate needs.

Nvidia shares jumped about 7% after strong quarterly results and a bullish revenue forecast eased concerns over slowing AI spending. The chipmaker reported $96.2 billion in second-quarter revenue and expects about $108 billion in the current quarter. Its 70% fiscal 2028 growth outlook further strengthened investor confidence in the AI trade.

ESDS Software Solution raised Rs 216 crore from anchor investors ahead of its Rs 720 crore IPO, opening August 28. Priced at Rs 408-429, the fresh issue will fund cloud computing equipment, data centre infrastructure and corporate needs.

Sebi has proposed waiving mandatory merchant banker appointments for eligible listed issuers raising small-value debt privately. The move aims to cut costs and delays, while safeguards would restrict exemptions to regulated companies issuing senior secured debt rated AA- or higher.

Indian equities ended sharply lower on Thursday as expiry-day volatility intensified after the first monthly expiry under the Closing Auction Session. Sensex fell 539 points and Nifty 117 points, while technical indicators signalled weakening momentum amid global and geopolitical uncertainty.

Bitcoin's sharp rebound from its July low has revived hopes of an Uptober rally, but analysts say sustained ETF inflows, institutional demand, regulatory clarity and Fed policy will matter more than seasonality. Bitcoin remains about 37% below its October 2025 record high, keeping the path towards a fresh peak challenging.

NSEs much-awaited IPO could be nearing launch as Sebi chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey says approval of its DRHP is close. The entirely offer-for-sale issue involves 148.9 million shares, or 6% stake, with valuation potentially reaching 5.26 lakh crore.

Alpha Wave Ventures II plans to sell up to 20.8 million Lenskart shares worth 1,313 crore at 630 apiece, a 1.7% discount. The secondary transaction represents about 1.2% stake, with Lenskart receiving no proceeds from the sale.

Nvidia has calmed investor anxieties regarding the AI surge, forecasting a remarkable seventy percent increase in revenue for the upcoming fiscal year. This optimistic outlook highlights sustained investments in artificial intelligence technology. Following this development, shares of other AI-related chip manufacturers also rose, with Nvidia witnessing a substantial one-day boost in its market capitalization.

Sebi Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey said the regulator has no plans to change the Closing Auction Session despite sharp expiry-day swings. Sebi expects participation and understanding to improve, while monitoring liquidity concerns and alleged manipulation. NSE IPO approval is also nearing.

The 118-year-old Calcutta Stock Exchange is seeking Sebi guidance on reviving equity trading through interoperability or a new clearing corporation. The bourse is evaluating regulatory compliance options, with interoperability via NSE or BSE potentially offering a faster route.

US earnings momentum is broadening beyond the Magnificent 7, with S&P 500 CY27 EPS estimates rising nearly 22% year-on-year. Stronger revenue growth, margin expansion and upgrades across sectors suggest the next market phase could feature wider earnings participation.

Happiest Minds Technologies shares fell 6.16% after reports that ITC Infotech may acquire a 22% promoter stake. The stock settled at Rs 420.25, while investors weighed the potential transaction against the companys recent profit and revenue growth.

BNP Paribas has issued an outperform rating on Nvidia with a target price of $285, implying a 36% upside. The brokerage highlighted Nvidia's role in the data centre revolution, accelerated computing, strong Q2 financial results, and robust demand for its Blackwell and Vera Rubin platforms despite supply chain constraints.

Wall Street opened higher on Thursday as technology stocks rallied following Nvidia's strong revenue forecast. The gain restored investor confidence in the broader artificial intelligence rally, lifting the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite at the opening bell, driven by robust buying across semiconductor and tech shares.

Wipro ADRs gained 5% pre-market after expanding its Google Cloud partnership to scale Gemini Enterprise and agentic AI adoption. The company will deploy AI internally, train 10,000 specialists and help enterprises embed autonomous agents across core business workflows.

Five BSE 200 stocks hit fresh 52-week highs on Thursday despite a weak market. Divis Laboratories led the pack with a 22% monthly gain.

Realty firm iUSTUS is set to embark on an ambitious project, developing a staggering twenty-five lakh square feet across South and East Bengaluru. Committed to excellence in quality construction and professional execution, the founders, Pawan Sawhney and Santosh Soni, leverage their extensive real estate backgrounds to foster lasting value for both communities and homebuyers.

On Thursday, investor appetite for Indian government bonds dwindled amidst fears of increased supply and concerns over RBI's liquidity stance. The results from the treasury bill auction reflected weak demand, driving yields upward. Speculation is building that the Reserve Bank of India may take steps to curtail excess liquidity, preparing for possible policy adjustments as inflationary pressures rise. Market analysts predict interest rate hikes within the next year.

Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warshs first Jackson Hole speech comes as markets grapple with sticky inflation, elevated oil prices and shifting rate expectations. Investors will watch for clues on the Feds policy path, while the dollar, Treasury yields and gold could react sharply to any change in Warshs tone.

Sebi has put forth a proposal to exempt small-value debt issuances from the requirement of appointing merchant bankers. This initiative is designed to lower compliance costs and foster market growth for listed companies. To qualify, issuers must be regulated and have been listed for a minimum of one year, along with providing an auditors certificate to confirm no recent defaults.

Paramotor Digital Technology has received Sebi approval for its IPO after confidentially filing draft papers in May. The fintech and enterprise technology company operates across spend management, rewards, digital gifting and software services through four business platforms.

The Sensex witnessed a sharp late-session swing of over 2,000 points in six minutes on Thursday, raising fresh questions about the Closing Auction Session (CAS) on its first monthly derivatives expiry. The Nifty also ended lower as thin auction-window liquidity amplified volatility and drew renewed regulatory scrutiny.

Vedanta plans to raise at least Rs 1,000 crore through rupee bonds with maturities of three to seven years, mainly to refinance debt. It would be the groups third domestic bond issue this year. The planned borrowing comes as Indian companies increasingly tap bond markets amid expectations of possible interest-rate hikes later this year.

Prime Minister Modi will visit Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan for the SCO summit. He will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Chinese President Xi Jinping is also expected to attend the important summit. This visit occurs as India and China work to improve bilateral relations. Discussions will focus on regional cooperation, security, and economic development.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a new tank overhaul facility in Jabalpur. This facility will significantly boost India's capacity for maintaining its armored fleet. Singh highlighted tanks as crucial for border defence and soldier morale.

Bengaluru-based Dukaan co-founder and CTO Subhash Choudhary revealed that he sold his 1.8 crore Mumbai house to buy a Ducati XDiavel. He said the property had become a financial burden as he lived in Bengaluru, while the startups pressures made him rethink saving for an uncertain future.

Quote of the day by Barbara Ehrenreich highlights two qualities that can give human relationships their greatest value: generosity and love. Families have the opportunity to teach these qualities through everyday actionssharing, listening, helping, forgiving, encouraging, and making time for one another. These lessons may seem simple, but their influence can last for generations. A person who grows up experiencing compassion may become more capable of extending compassion to others.

The Karnataka High Court has said a husband cannot force his wife to perform household chores, care for his parents or seek permission to visit her own parents. The court stressed equality within marriage, said caring for in-laws must remain voluntary and upheld Rs 9,000 monthly maintenance for the wife and daughter.

A $30,000 Brooklyn wedding reception reportedly turned into a nightmare after the bride, groom and 30 of 112 guests fell ill with vomiting, diarrhoea, chills and abdominal cramps. A lawsuit alleges that food served at the reception was contaminated with norovirus. On the other hand, a health department investigation said the specific source of the outbreak could not be determined.

As bond yields fall, markets are revising their expectations for the Bank of England's rate hikes. Investors now foresee a modest quarter-point increase by February 2027, with less than four basis points anticipated for the upcoming September meeting. The persistent inflation coupled with a weakening labor market is adding complexity to the monetary policy landscape, keeping a keen eye on economic indicators and central bank cues for future actions.

The Indian rupee declined on Thursday, reversing early gains against the dollar. Importer dollar demand increased, and month-end pressures also contributed to the fall. A modest recovery in the dollar index further dampened the rupee's momentum. Banks absorbed two days of inflows after a holiday, increasing swap costs. The rupee had previously seen its biggest single-day rise after oil prices slipped.

The Iran war has reached a costly stalemate after six months of conflict. The Iranian government faces economic siege but believes it has time on its side. Tehran is betting that China and India will not fully comply with US sanctions. Washington's latest measures shift the battlefield to Iran's oil revenues and trading partners. Gulf states fear an outcome where Iran declares victory while disrupting vital oil routes.

India is streamlining foreign direct investment processes and norms. The government seeks industry ideas to improve the investment regime further. Discussions are ongoing regarding trade pacts with several countries and blocs. Efforts focus on promoting end-to-end manufacturing and self-reliance in key sectors. Production-linked incentives will be considered for sectors facing cost disadvantages.

Scientists injected mitochondria taken from a womans leg into both of her eyes in an experimental attempt to boost energy production in damaged retinal cells. The treatment triggered temporary pupil responses to light after the injections, but her vision did not show any measurable improvement. The single-patient case suggests the procedure may be safe enough for further investigation, while opening up a potential new avenue for regenerative medicine.

Nepal's hydropower generation capacity has been significantly reduced by recent flash floods. This disaster has damaged several key power plants, impacting electricity supply. The country may now turn to India for electricity to bridge the shortfall. Meanwhile, rescue operations continue for those missing after the devastating glacial collapse. Concerns are also resurfacing regarding hydropower development in the fragile Himalayan region.

Himalayan glaciers are receding due to rising temperatures, leaving unstable debris behind. Shifting precipitation patterns cause rainfall in areas previously receiving snow. Intense rainfall saturates loose debris, triggering landslides and debris flows. Blocked water flow by snow or debris creates temporary dams which then break. These combined factors intensify disaster severity in the geologically active Himalayas.

India Incs revenue growth is expected to moderate to 13-15% in Q2 FY27 from 21.3% in Q1, ICRA said. Higher input costs could squeeze margins, while domestic consumption supports growth and weak global demand pressures export-oriented sectors.

Indian equities fell sharply on Thursday, erasing gains during the first monthly expiry under the new closing auction session. Sensex dropped 539 points, or 0.7%, while Nifty declined 117 points, or 0.48%. HDFC Bank and NTPC led losses, while Kotak Mahindra Bank, ICICI Bank and Tech Mahindra gained.

Utah's Timpanogos Rock Glacier looks like a rocky pile but conceals a massive ice-rich core. A new study estimates 1.55 million cubic metres of ice beneath its surface, roughly the volume of Egypt's Great Pyramid, after researchers used 232 gravity measurements to create a 3D model of the hidden glacier.

The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) and FSSAI held a food safety discussion with Delhi NCR restaurant owners and industry stakeholders. The session focused on food safety regulations, ingredient sourcing, traceability, temperature control, hygiene, cross-contamination prevention, food handler practices and documentation. The initiative aims to help restaurants understand FSSAI requirements and strengthen food safety standards across operations.

Quote of the day by Isaac Newton offers a thought-provoking reminder that human imperfection does not invalidate valuable ideas, skills, or creative pursuits. Mistakes are part of the process through which knowledge becomes experience and experience becomes mastery. The responsibility lies with us to recognize errors, understand their causes, correct our methods, and continue developing our abilities. Newtons words therefore offer a balanced lesson: do not fear mistakes, but do not ignore them e

Lauren Snchezis helping direct Amazon founder Jeff Bezos $10 billion climate fund. In July this year, the fund announced a $100 million investment to turn unused spaces into parks and green community hubs in eight US cities, including Los Angeles, Atlanta, Cleveland and Indianapolis. Jeff Bezos launched the Bezos Earth Fund in 2020 with a $10 billion commitment.

Thirteen BSE midcap stocks delivered over 25% year-on-year profit growth for two consecutive quarters and gained 40%-118% over the past year, signalling strong earnings momentum and investor interest.

Goa's Food and Drug Administration has halted three government canteens. Serious structural deficiencies and poor kitchen hygiene were observed during a recent drive. The health minister stated operations will resume after compliance is verified. The FDA will now conduct a special drive across institutions in Goa. Canteen contractors must ensure strict adherence to food safety standards.

Aragen Life Sciences has filed its DRHP with Sebi for an IPO comprising a Rs 800 crore fresh issue and an OFS. Proceeds will fund debt repayment, capacity expansion and equipment purchases. The CRDMO reported strong FY24FY26 growth, with revenue reaching Rs 2,178 crore and profit Rs 258 crore in FY26.