The Economic Times

Demat 2.0 can allow investors to receive tokenised bonds instantly against payments made through the central bank digital currency (CBDC), significantly reducing the time gap in securities settlement, NSDL Managing Director Vijay Chandok said, while noting that wider trading will depend on regulatory approval and market readiness.

BlackRock's flagship private credit fund saw lower redemption requests in the third quarter, signalling that pressure in the sector may be easing. Withdrawal requests at other BlackRock funds also declined, while analysts said improving sentiment and a clearing redemption backlog could support private credit firms and asset managers.

Granules India promoter Krishna Prasad Chigurupati sold 1.72 crore shares worth about Rs 1,500 crore through block and open-market deals. The sale funds the second tranche of a preferential issue, while promoter holding falls to 31.08% following the transaction today.

Recent inflation figures have exceeded expectations, leading many to anticipate a rate hike from the Federal Reserve. Core consumer prices increased more than what economists forecasted last month, and alongside rising oil prices, this trend indicates that inflation is on an upward trajectory. Traders are now estimating an 85% likelihood of a quarter-point increase in the upcoming meeting, with further rate hikes expected in December.

Gold prices firmed over one percent on Friday, finding a short-term floor. Strong United States inflation data lifted expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike next week. Market participants had a hike seventy percent priced in before the data release. Gold demand in India was subdued this week due to volatile prices. Investment demand remained strong in top consumer China, while silver and platinum also saw gains.

Sebi has concluded its proceedings against ninety-one commodity brokers linked to the NSEL issue, allowing these firms to participate in a settlement scheme. Many brokers consented to temporary limitations on proprietary trading and onboarding new clients, with some remitting settlement fees of up to thirty-six lakh rupees. This move aligns with the directive from the Securities Appellate Tribunal regarding an orderly settlement process.

India's premier stock exchange, NSE, has finally revealed the long-anticipated details of its initial public offering. Existing investors will sell fewer shares at a revised price band, aiming to raise between Rs 21,494 crore and Rs 22,569 crore. The public can subscribe from September 17 to September 21, with the official listing set for September 24, marking a pivotal advancement for NSE.

Vama Wovenfab is set to launch its initial public offering on September 15, offering shares priced between Rs 324 and Rs 341. The company aims to raise Rs 49.5 crore, which will support various operational needs including working capital, machinery acquisitions, and the construction of a new shed. The equity shares will also be listed on the BSE SME platform.

The Reserve Bank of India will drain Rs 1 lakh crore through bond sales this month after VRRR auctions failed to absorb excess liquidity. The move follows dollar inflows, with Governor Sanjay Malhotra signalling multiple tools to manage surplus funds.

Oracle shares rose 3% in early trading after a $26 billion increase in its revenue backlog eased concerns over its debt-funded AI spending. Strong earnings and an improving balance sheet also supported the stock, though analysts warned that a meaningful recovery in Oracle's cash flow could still take years.

For Vineet Agrawal and Sikha Agrawalla, entrepreneurship was not a single leap but a sequence of carefully planned decisions and treating financial planning as a shared responsibility.

US stocks opened higher on Friday despite data showing consumer prices accelerated in August. The Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq gained at the open, putting the major indexes on track to end a volatile week on a positive note as investors assessed the latest inflation data and its implications for Federal Reserve policy.

In the U.S., diesel prices have soared to unprecedented levels, surpassing six dollars a gallon. This spike is primarily caused by tensions between Washington and Iran, which have disrupted global fuel supplies. As a result, transportation costs for essential goods are on the rise, impacting consumers with higher fees on online purchases. Additionally, the conflict has driven crude oil prices over one hundred dollars a barrel.

The National Stock Exchange aims for a substantial valuation with its forthcoming IPO. However, an anticipated decline in weekly options revenue share due to growth in other sectors could pose challenges. Notably, transaction charges are vital for the exchange's revenue generation. Recent adjustments to the IPO size indicate a reduction of over fifteen percent, coinciding with major offerings from Reliance Jio and Hyundai Motor India.

In August, consumer prices in the U.S. surged, mainly due to increasing gasoline prices. This trend elevates the likelihood of an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve, with economists predicting a monthly rise in the consumer price index of 0.4%. When excluding food and energy, the core consumer price index saw a 0.3% rise, leading to a market expectation of a 70% chance for a 25-basis-point hike.

Sebi has imposed a Rs 2 lakh penalty on Emami Realty for regulatory lapses involving a related-party loan and the classification of investments in its standalone financial statements. The regulator found that the company lacked prior audit committee approval for a Rs 25 lakh loan and improperly classified Rs 49.94 crore of investments.

Smartworld Developers has successfully raised Rs 800 crore in funding from Kotak Realty Fund for two prominent housing initiatives in Gurugram. This financial backing is earmarked for the Smartworld Sky Arc and Trump Residences, located in Sector 69. With anticipated total sales revenue projected at Rs 8,200 crore, this move underscores Smartworld's strategic growth as a subsidiary of M3M India.

Sebi proposes extending its IT and cyber security framework to MII subsidiaries, seeking to close oversight gaps involving critical technology, data and infrastructure. The paper covers subsidiaries linked to MII activities, data or shared infrastructure, with comments due October 2.

NSE CEO Ashish Chauhan said the exchange has not applied to Sebi to trade its own shares on the NSE platform ahead of its IPO. The issue will be entirely an offer for sale, with about 12.64 crore shares on offer and an expected size of Rs 22,500-23,500 crore.

Mann Fleet Partners has secured SEBI approval for its initial public offering. The company plans to raise funds through a fresh issue and an offer for sale. Proceeds will be used for debt payment and general corporate purposes. Mann Fleet Partners provides car and coach rental services across eighty-six cities globally. The stock will be listed on the National Stock Exchange and the BSE.

Indian government bonds dipped this week due to a spike in oil prices, alongside a decline in global debt markets significantly affecting Treasury yields. The uncertainty surrounding the Reserve Bank of India's liquidity stance added further strain, resulting in the 10-year yield exceeding 7%. Looking ahead, investors are keenly awaiting critical inflation data and insights into future central bank policy directions.

In a recent decision, Russia's central bank opted to hold the benchmark interest rate at fourteen percent. Economic challenges have intensified due to heightened price pressures. Furthermore, Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries have resulted in fuel scarcity and price hikes. Positive news came from a reduction in the budget deficit, supported by dividend influxes and soaring oil prices.

Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath recalled how NSEs free NSE NOW trading platform helped the brokerage start in 2010 when it lacked funds to build its own platform. He also said NSE waived Zerodhas membership fee and was welcoming during its early days, expressing confidence that NSEs much-awaited IPO will succeed.

Nine BSE 150 Midcap stocks hit fresh 52-week lows on Friday, led by PI Industries, Havells India and IRCTC, with declines of up to 18% over one month.

Sebi proposed extending IT and cyber security rules to subsidiaries of market infrastructure institutions. This move aims to strengthen regulatory oversight over these evolving business structures. Subsidiaries undertaking core MII activities will now follow parent company's cybersecurity frameworks. Exemptions can be sought if subsidiaries do not meet specific criteria. Public comments on this proposal are due by October 2.

Reliance Industries could see a re-rating of its oil-to-chemicals business as the planned Dangote Petroleum Refinery listing provides a global valuation benchmark, says YES Securities. The brokerage sees up to Rs 1 lakh crore of potential O2C valuation uplift and retains a Buy rating on Reliance with a Rs 1,660 target price.

Indian equity markets ended the week lower as crude oil prices surged and global rate concerns pressured sentiment. Nifty fell 0.34%, while Sensex gained 0.16%. Midcaps and smallcaps declined, volatility rose, with metals and realty stocks leading losses on Friday.

Aswath Damodaran argues that the Federal Reserves interest-rate debate is overemphasized, saying corporate earnings and fundamentals will ultimately drive US stocks. Rising Treasury yields, $40 trillion debt and inflation fears remain concerns, but stronger earnings have helped equities remain resilient.

Following an early morning slump, Indian stock markets rebounded robustly on Friday. This turnaround was encouraged by a significant drop in oil prices and a moderation in bond yields from their recent peaks. The anticipated discussions between Gulf nations and Iran regarding shipping management in the Strait of Hormuz also played a crucial role in easing supply concerns and stabilizing the market.

European stocks edged higher on Friday, but the STOXX 600 remained on track for its worst weekly performance since April as elevated bond yields and concerns over aggressive interest rate hikes weighed on sentiment.

Abhijeet Dipke urged the Maharashtra government to dialogue with Maratha activist Manoj Jarange. He warned against any forceful intervention in the ongoing hunger strike protest. Dipke highlighted Jarange's demands for student facilities and Maratha reservation. He questioned the government's inaction and lack of dialogue with the activist. Dipke stressed that Maharashtra would not tolerate any harm to Manoj Jarange.

NEW DELHI: Nearly a third of India's coal-fired power plants are operating with critically low fuel stocks despite government efforts to boost supplies, as an extended spell of hot weather keeps electricity demand elevated, government data showed.India's peak power demand, a measure of the maximum electricity requirement, has been hovering near the record 270.70 gigawatts touched in May.Demand has consistently reached around 267 GW over the past few days, driven by increased cooling needs amid a

Acknowledging India's strength in weathering increased energy prices, the International Monetary Fund has praised the country's economic stability during a tumultuous global landscape. The real GDP growth for the April-June quarter notably exceeded initial expectations. While the IMF appreciates advancements in statistical frameworks, it calls for persistent improvements in data quality. Anticipated growth projections for India will be published in October.

Sri Lotus Developers shares hit a fresh 52-week high after a Capital Group fund acquired a 2% stake worth over Rs 195 crore. The promoter stake sale helped meet minimum public shareholding norms. The stock has more than doubled since its March low, while Q1 FY27 profit rose 77% year-on-year.

Jefferies has identified Paytm, Groww, PB Fintech, AU Small Finance Bank and Poonawalla Fincorp as its 25% CAGR club of Indian financial stocks. The brokerage expects strong earnings and revenue growth over FY26-29, supported by scale, new business initiatives and operating leverage, while maintaining Buy calls on all five stocks.

Congress leader Salman Khurshid stated India's BRICS representation should include the entire country. He urged the Union government to consult the Opposition on BRICS matters. BRICS represents a significant share of global population, trade, and emerging economic strength. India's BRICS chairship this year carries significant international expectations and responsibility. The Opposition believes BRICS presidency is a national responsibility, not just government's.

Green roofs present a remarkable solution for enhancing temperature control in urban environments, effectively lowering surface temperatures. The vegetation on rooftops generates shade while aiding in air cooling through the process of evapotranspiration. This natural cooling not only alleviates indoor temperatures but also minimizes energy consumption. Across the country, federal agencies are increasingly adopting green roof systems, marking a strategic approach to mitigate summer cooling deman

Jefferies has cut its target price for KEI Industries by 11% to Rs 6,150, citing concerns over UltraTech Cement

Steamhouse Indias IPO was subscribed 8.36 times by 1 pm on Day 3, led by strong demand from non-institutional investors. The issues grey market premium stood at Rs 23, indicating a potential 28% listing gain over the Rs 81 upper price band. The IPO closes on September 11, 2026.

Eurozone government bonds are facing their sharpest weekly selloff since the Iran war began as surging energy prices fuel inflation concerns and boost expectations of further rate hikes. German, French and Italian yields have climbed, putting global debt markets under pressure.

Over the past five years, Decathlon India's wholesale venture has experienced explosive growth, increasing twentyfold and now representing ten percent of company revenue. This segment reaches over twenty thousand pin codes across India, providing services to defence organizations, government entities, and corporate partners, alongside collaborations with schools and nonprofits to promote sports and fitness.

The NSE IPO could unlock significant hidden value for 26 listed shareholders, whose combined NSE holdings could be worth around Rs 94,619 crore at the tentative upper price of Rs 1,785 per share. LIC stands to benefit the most, with its 26.53-crore-share stake valued at around Rs 47,351 crore.

Robert Downey Jr.'s unique guest house took nine years to complete. This unusual structure utilized a Binishell technique involving inflated concrete balloons. The construction process required custom-built elements due to the dome's curved walls. Engineers are studying these concrete domes for their material efficiency and strength. While expensive and slow, the home highlights innovative construction possibilities.

India's digital finance sector now prioritizes trust and resilience over access. Technology transforms finance, but trust remains the essential bedrock. Operational and cyber resilience are key priorities for the nation's financial infrastructure. Inclusion must extend beyond smartphones to reach all citizens. Technology distributes services, but responsibility always remains with regulated institutions.

BRICS finance ministers voiced serious concerns over unilateral trade measures. Higher tariffs and non-tariff barriers are distorting global trade and adding risks. The global economic outlook remains under pressure from geopolitical tensions. Trade fragmentation and protectionism also contribute to economic instability. Policy uncertainty and financial vulnerabilities add to the global economic challenges.

Parag Patil, a 47-year-old athlete from Badlapur, has won 22 international Masters athletics medals for India, including four gold, 10 silver and eight bronze. Despite his achievements, he works as a cab driver in Mumbai while continuing to train and fund his sporting career. His journey has involved loans, fundraising and significant family sacrifices, including his wife Sunita's mangalsutra being pledged as collateral. Patil's next goal is to win 100 international medals for India.