The Economic Times

Rescue efforts intensify for hundreds of workers missing in Nepal's flood-hit hydropower projects. Mud and debris are blocking tunnel entrances, hindering access for rescue teams. Nepal has requested specialized assistance from India and China for these complex operations. Indian and Chinese technical teams have arrived to support the ongoing tunnel rescue missions. Operations are nearing a critical breakthrough at several project tunnel entry points.

Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya has urged SEBI to investigate the sharp swings in the Sensex during the Closing Auction Session on August 27, when the index plunged over 2,000 points within minutes before recovering much of the loss. He questioned whether the new CAS mechanism, introduced on August 3, has weaknesses related to liquidity and price discovery.

Niftys September series begins with a cautiously positive undertone, with options positioning indicating support at 24,00024,100 and resistance at 24,20024,500. A decisive breakout could trigger further gains, while a break below 24,000 may invite downside. Meanwhile, Ather Energy and Nazara Technologies remain among the top stock picks, with analysts seeing further upside after recent bullish breakouts and strong momentum.

September promises volatility in the commodity markets, especially after the notable decline in gold prices. Traders are set to keep a close eye on US job reports and emerging geopolitical events as they navigate market direction. Key inflation metrics and US non-farm payroll data will play vital roles in shaping investment strategies.

India faces challenges from Donald Trump's policies despite its autonomy. The nation is not reliant on the US for financial or strategic support. Global powers like Europe are also facing their own internal struggles. Russia and China are strengthening their alliances, impacting India's security. The US is no longer the sole global power shaping international affairs.

Among BSE large-cap stocks, several companies are currently projected to deliver strong gains over the next 12 months, based on consensus estimates from Trendlyne.

India's real GDP growth is likely to remain resilient at 7 per cent-7.2 per cent in FY27, supported by buoyant domestic demand and continued government focus on capital expenditure, while nominal GDP growth could reach 12.5 per cent-13 per cent, according to recent report by EY. The firm said economic growth prospects remain relatively strong despite geopolitical uncertainty, elevated crude oil prices and a weaker global trade environment.

By the 1940s, European Klamathweed had established itself as a major rangeland threat in California. To combat this invasive species, leaf beetles known as Chrysolina hyperici and quadrigemina were released. Remarkably, these beetles managed to diminish the weed's presence by over ninety-nine percent within a decade. Chrysolina quadrigemina thrived, particularly in California's arid conditions, though this intervention inadvertently impacted native plants in the eastern United States.

Indian Bank plans to open approximately one hundred new branches this year. The bank will also increase its workforce by about two thousand five hundred personnel. This expansion aims to strengthen its presence in Central and Western regions. Asset quality management remains a focus, with targets for reducing NPAs. The lender anticipates its gold loan book will surpass one lakh fifty thousand crore rupees.

Mutual Fund CIO Umesh Mehta says Nifty mega caps may remain subdued as institutional ownership limits fresh buying and earnings momentum shifts towards mid- and small-cap stocks. He explains why Samco Flexicap Fund has allocated 7075% of its portfolio beyond large caps, while highlighting opportunities in defence, power, AI ancillaries and gold, and warning about IPO-led liquidity pressures.

MSCI

India and Uzbekistan agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Discussions covered digital connectivity, defence, and energy sectors for mutual growth. Modi also attended a yoga session, highlighting cultural ties between nations. He will next attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan.

Tata Consulting Engineers advocates for the Department of Atomic Energy to focus on strategic objectives. The company suggests greater private sector involvement in nuclear energy development. This shift could accelerate growth, drawing inspiration from ISRO's private sector collaborations. New legislation has opened opportunities for non-state enterprises in nuclear science research. Tata Consulting Engineers anticipates increased revenue from the nuclear sector by FY30.

Innovatively transforming shredded tyres into construction materials for highway embankments, Maine tackled substantial waste tyre pileup while offering an affordable alternative. The tyre-derived aggregate not only lightweighted construction fill but also alleviated pressure on fragile marine clay foundations. The Portland Jetport Interchange project showcased impressive cost reductions compared to conventional methods, underlining successful tyre recycling for both civil engineering and waste

Building a portfolio of high-quality companies requires more than simply identifying good businesses. Lawrence A. Cunninghams quality-investing framework highlights common mistakes such as overreliance on macro trends, overconfidence, ignoring debt and accounting red flags, and holding stocks despite deteriorating fundamentals.

HDFC Bank is considering Kaizad Bharucha as a potential next CEO. The bank is also seeking an external candidate for the top position. This search follows recent leadership changes and governance concerns. Sashidhar Jagdishan's retirement is scheduled for October after his second term. The Reserve Bank of India must approve the final appointment.

Three new passive mutual funds are set to open for subscription this week, including two index funds and one ETF. UTI Mutual Fund will launch two BSE India Sector Leaders funds, while Navi Mutual Fund will introduce a Nifty REITs & Realty Index Fund. Investors should evaluate these new fund offers based on their risk appetite, investment horizon and financial goals.

The DGCA had previously flagged safety concerns regarding Tecnam aircraft. These issues were raised over a month before the recent Kanpur training plane crash. The regulator had issued specific safety recommendations to flying training organizations. These recommendations followed an earlier crash investigation into a Tecnam P2006T. The DGCA advised immediate implementation of these crucial safety measures.

As Warren Buffett turns 96 in his first birthday since stepping down as Berkshire Hathaway's CEO, the piece revisits the investing principles behind his six-decade run

State Bank of India plans to divest nearly one percent of its National Stock Exchange stake. This divestment will occur as part of the exchange's upcoming initial public offering. SBI's mortgage portfolio is projected to surpass ten lakh crore rupees this quarter. The bank holds a significant market share in the home loan segment. Home loans are considered vital for India's overall economic growth.

Ram Kapoor faced a severe health crisis and depression during his show's peak. In a recent candid chat, the actor revealed that doctors warned him of life-threatening consequences due to his poor health. Ram Kapoor has since undergone significant weight loss and is now happy. Read on to know what helped him to change his life.

Nifty ended the week lower after consolidating in a narrow range, with the broader technical structure remaining unchanged. The index moved between 24,076.85 and 24,378.60, while India VIX declined 4.64% to 10.68. Support remains at 23,900

Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed a website detailing historical rulers of Bharat. He also highlighted the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat' campaign's progress. This initiative aims to create drug-free youth and a drug-free nation. The campaign is gaining momentum across the country with significant youth participation. It represents a collective resolve for the well-being and future of India's youth.

Over the past two months, 10 penny stocks delivered gains ranging from 13% to 119%, with four emerging as multibaggers.

During August, foreign portfolio investors added over Rs 30,000 crore to Indian equities, showcasing the ongoing trend of substantial market inflows for the second month in a row. This surge can be attributed to enhancing corporate earnings and a stable economic environment. Furthermore, easing global geopolitical tensions have aided investor optimism, yet uncertainties surrounding crude oil prices and US bond yields remain pressing issues.

Last week observed a notable decline in market valuations, with seven out of the ten top firms witnessing a reduction of Rs 1.13 lakh crore. The greatest impact was felt by Bharti Airtel and Reliance Industries, linked to concerns over global interest rates and geopolitical instability. Nonetheless, there was robust buying in IT stocks, which facilitated a recovery in the market on Friday.

A Faridabad delivery boy allegedly returned two hours after making a parcel delivery in changed clothes and carrying a knife to rob a woman and her elderly mother-in-law. Police said repeated visits helped him learn the house had no man, while a recce helped him plan the robbery, The Times of India reported.

Equity mutual funds posted mixed performance last week, with 426 of 621 funds delivering positive returns between August 24 and 29. Nippon India Taiwan Equity Fund topped the list with a 6.56% gain, while the other top performers, including international, healthcare, contra and momentum funds, delivered returns over 2.40%.

Nearly 90 companies, including NTPC, Coal India and Oil India, have scheduled record dates for dividends, bonus issues and stock splits from August 31 to September 4. Investors must hold the respective shares as of the record date to qualify. Mastek, Glenmark Pharma and Triveni Engineering are among Mondays stocks, with several companies announcing dividends for shareholders.

India has become a key gasoline supplier to Russia recently. Russian fuel imports surged due to Ukrainian drone attacks on its refineries. Indian refiners supplied significant gasoline volumes to Russia in recent months. These supplies largely originated from Nayara Energy's Vadinar refinery. Russia is importing gasoline as domestic production faces disruptions.

India may need to sustain annual growth of more than 9% to achieve its developed-economy ambition by 2047. Economists say reaching that goal will require stronger manufacturing, private and foreign investment, exports, domestic savings and job creation, while avoiding the middle-income trap.

Australia's One Nation party secured a state parliament seat previously held by Labor. This victory follows the populist group's recent entry into the national lower house. The party's hard stance on immigration gains traction amid public frustrations. One Nation's rise challenges major Australian political parties ahead of upcoming elections. This win sends a clear message that no Labor seats are considered safe.

India's inflation outlook hinges critically on September rainfall performance. A monsoon shortfall could push inflation to 5.5 percent or higher. Kharif sowing has recovered significantly from earlier deficits this season. Reservoir levels offer some cushion but remain below last year's figures. Weak rainfall's impact will emerge gradually, affecting rural demand.

Reliance Industries telecom and digital arm Jio Platforms has secured Sebi approval for its IPO, taking one of Indias most closely watched listings a step closer to the market.

As crypto markets face heightened volatility, with Bitcoin down 30%, traditional assets have delivered strong gains over the past six years. A Taurex study comparing major US and UK stocks, gold and Dubai real estate found Google, BAE Systems and gold among the top performers, with several technology and defence stocks more than doubling in value between end-2020 and August 12, 2026.

Indian equities are likely to take cues from a slew of domestic and global factors this week, including Indias first-quarter GDP data, US jobs numbers, crude oil prices, institutional flows and global technology sentiment. Analysts expect the Nifty to remain in consolidation, with the technical setup balanced as investors track key resistance and support levels.

Wellness has shifted from luxury retreats to daily personal management and longevity. Wearable technology now tracks health markers, encouraging consistent self-care habits. Fitness goals are increasingly performance-driven, moving beyond aesthetics and appearance. Nervous system regulation through breathwork and sound baths is gaining prominence. This new focus emphasizes consistent, unglamorous daily habits for long-term health.

A significant fire erupted at a timber and plywood factory in Delhi early Sunday morning. The Delhi Fire Service swiftly deployed twenty-five fire units to combat the blaze. The fire was reported around 3 am at the Assam Timber Market godown. Firefighters worked diligently and brought the extensive blaze under control by 6:30 am. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported from the incident.

Securonix CEO Toby Weiss believes AI will not simplify the fragmented cybersecurity landscape. He notes that enterprises are rapidly adopting AI despite security concerns. The recent Hugging Face incident has intensified discussions about AI regulation and governance. Weiss sees Securonix helping customers prepare for security challenges in the AI era. India represents a significant market and engineering talent pool for the company.

Data centers are now a key election issue across America. Rising electricity bills and noise pollution fuel voter anger against Big Tech companies. Candidates from both parties are campaigning on opposition to these facilities. Some states have imposed moratoriums and new regulations on data center development. This growing opposition challenges the industry's rapid expansion and political influence.

China reportedly uses Myanmar for processing Indian human hair, raising concerns about child labor. Indian exporters face visa rejections for attending a major Chinese wig exhibition. India exports significant raw hair volume while importing finished wig products. Industry associations urge the government to ban raw hair exports. This move aims to boost domestic processing and job creation opportunities.

India is processing requests for increased power flow to Nepal. Nepal seeks advance import approvals effective September due to flood damage. Flash floods caused significant infrastructural damage to Nepal's power generation units. India's national grid capacity can absorb the temporary shortfall seamlessly. Major cross-border transmission corridors remain operational and projects continue on schedule.

Best German Proverb of the Day: You cant wash the fur without getting it wet offers a practical lesson about accepting the effort and inconvenience that accompany desired results. The German proverb suggests that people cannot always achieve their goals while avoiding the difficult or uncomfortable parts of the process, encouraging realistic expectations, patience and responsibility when pursuing an outcome.

Foreign banking firms significantly boosted office space leasing for global centers. This sector's demand for office space rose seventy percent year-on-year. IT and IT-enabled services companies saw a decrease in their office space absorption. Other service companies also increased their office space leasing across major cities. India's commercial real estate market shows a diversified and resilient demand profile.

Blackstone is looking to sell a stake of up to 25.03 percent in Knowledge Realty Trust. This offer encompasses both a base stake and an oversubscription option. The base price has been established at 108 rupees per unit. Knowledge Realty Trust, supported by Blackstone and Sattva Group, manages a diverse portfolio of assets. Since its listing in August 2025, the REIT has experienced moderate growth.

Max Estates has successfully acquired 84.71 acres in West Delhi for a whopping Rs 420 crore. This bold move paves the way for future residential and commercial projects, estimated to yield between Rs 10,000 and Rs 12,000 crore in revenue. By entering Delhi's housing market, Max Estates significantly enhances its land portfolio while ensuring robust future growth without immediate cash expenditure.

Sebi has taken decisive action against Trafiksol and its promoters, imposing a one-year ban from the securities market. The company and its directors face penalties totaling Rs 1.05 crore after being found in serious breach of regulations concerning financial disclosures and the allocation of IPO funds. The decision comes in light of complaints regarding Trafiksol's SME IPO, which was significantly oversubscribed at a rate of 345.

MCX recorded its highest-ever daily turnover of Rs 62.93 lakh crore on August 28, driven largely by options activity across more than 3.13 crore contracts. The record comes as the exchange strengthens its physical-derivatives market linkage through standardised delivery norms, supporting greater participation, hedging and depth in commodity markets.

Veteran portfolio manager Paul Black