The Economic Times

Indian equities ended mixed on Thursday, with the Sensex declining marginally while the Nifty gained 0.23%. HDFC Life, Tata Motors PV and SBI Life led Nifty gainers, while ONGC, Titan and HDFC Bank were among the top laggards. Broader markets recovered, with midcap and smallcap indices gaining up to 1%.

Sebi Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey said regulatory measures have helped reduce aggregate F&O losses, but individual traders continue to lose money. Sebis latest study showed individual traders net losses fell to Rs 91,685 crore in FY26 from Rs 1.12 lakh crore in FY25, while 88% still reported losses.

Venus Pipes and Tubes shares jumped 9% after the company proposed a Rs 372 crore preferential issue to marquee investors including Ashish Kacholia, Carnelian Bharat Amritkaal Fund and WhiteOak Capital-linked entities, with most proceeds earmarked for debt repayment.

Indias Nifty has declined 12% in 2026, but Goldman Sachs basket of 42 AI enablers has surged 60%. Power, data centres and semiconductor companies are driving gains, supported by earnings growth, rising capex and increasing corporate focus on AI infrastructure.

Emami announced a Rs 282 crore share buyback at Rs 475 per share, offering a premium to the previous close. The FMCG company will repurchase up to 59.36 lakh shares through the open market, marking its first buyback since 2023.

European shares rose on Thursday as falling crude oil prices and stabilising bond markets improved investor sentiment following the U.S. Federal Reserves rate hike. The STOXX 600 and DAX gained 0.5%, led by travel and technology stocks. Energy shares declined, while investors awaited the Bank of Englands interest-rate decision.

Rentomojos stock market debut has turned into a major windfall for early investors, with Nazara Technologies founder Nitish Mittersain set to clock a 152X return on his investment based on the IPOs upper price band. Several other early backers, including Accel India, Madison India and Rajeev Chitrabhanu, are also poised to unlock multi-fold gains following the companys listing on Thursday.

Tata Sons has granted Chairman N Chandrasekaran a five-year extension, setting the stage for the long-awaited initial public offering of the group. This announcement spurred a surge in several Tata group stocks, particularly Tata Chemicals and Tata Investment Corporation, which experienced significant price increases. This development follows the Reserve Bank of India's decision to deny the company's request to remain privately held.

Between early 2024 and mid-2026, India's power sector maintained consistent emissions levels while clean energy sources effectively managed the surge in electricity demands. The output from solar power dramatically increased, with added support from wind and nuclear energy. Conversely, emissions from the cement and steel industries rose significantly, spurred by investments in real estate.

Oriflame anticipates India becoming its largest market within four years. The company expects India to contribute 25 percent of global revenue by 2030. Oriflame plans to add ten lakh new brand partners to its existing network. The beauty major is also exploring India as a global manufacturing base. This expansion is driven by India's growing economy and women's workforce participation.

The EPF wage ceiling limit has been increased to Rs 25,000 with effect from September 17, 2026. However, this does not mean that every employee will experience a lower take home pay. This is dependent on many factors like how much EPF contribution has been now, and others. Read the article.

New U.S. tariffs and sanctions legislation create a new flashpoint for India-U.S. relations. Washington imposed tariffs on Indian goods, citing continued Russian oil purchases by New Delhi. The U.S. also proposed tariffs on countries reducing dependence on Russian energy sources. India warned that these actions could negatively impact bilateral trade and engagement. Both nations are working towards a limited trade deal and aim to double bilateral trade.

Yemen's Houthi group now controls the vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This group evolved into a formidable fighting force with Iranian support. They have disrupted vital shipping and struck critical oil facilities. Houthi missiles and drones have reached over 1,000 miles away. Their military tactics focus on infiltration and drone attacks.

India secured a 1.9 million tonne annual steel export quota to the European Union. Exporters anticipate an additional 0.9 million tonne from residual quotas. This agreement protects the EU's steel industry against global overcapacity issues. Indian steel exports will face the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. The pact is expected to be implemented next year after signing.

India's Finance Ministry rejects claims of US influence on UPI payment charges. The new framework prioritizes RuPay credit cards for UPI transactions. This move aims to foster domestic competition and create a sustainable revenue model. Small merchants and certain transactions will remain exempt from the new charges. The government emphasizes protecting India's electronic payment ecosystem sovereignty.

Indian power sector coal imports reached a 15-month peak in August. This surge occurred as electricity demand rose significantly due to a heatwave. Lower hydropower generation also contributed to the increased reliance on imported coal. Domestic coal supplies could not meet the higher consumption levels. Consequently, power producers turned to more expensive overseas coal sources.

The Feds rate hike could keep pressure on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies by raising the appeal of safer assets and limiting cheap funding. ETF outflows, tighter liquidity, inflation risks and potential further hikes may shape investor demand. For Indian investors, currency movements add another layer to Bitcoins dollar-price volatility.

Anarocks H1 2026 survey shows homebuyers remain committed to residential property despite rising prices, with growing preference for larger homes, premium housing, new launches and established developers, while resale and rental potential are gaining importance.

A day after the government announced a revision in wage ceiling under the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to Rs 25,000 per month from Rs 15,000, the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) AITUC demanding the wage ceiling to be fixed at Rs 30,000 per month to keep pace with increase in workers earnings.

Pakistan plans to request an increased swap line with China upon its 2027 expiration. The nation anticipates a U.S. response regarding a proposed $10 billion stabilization facility soon. Discussions are ongoing with U.S. entities for potential aircraft and refinery financing. Pakistan navigates elevated crude oil prices due to Middle East conflict concerns. The government currently sees its financial situation as manageable without additional IMF support.

GIFT City has surged nine positions to secure the 37th spot in the Global Financial Centres Index, marking a significant achievement for India as it joins the top 15 financial hubs in the Asia-Pacific region. With its FinTech ranking also improving by three places to 26th globally, this leap underscores the city's commitment to enhancing its financial services ecosystem and integrating technology.

A senior coach voiced disappointment with Asian Games arrangements in Nagoya. Shooters face long commutes to the competition venue daily. Buses experienced significant delays, impacting training schedules for athletes. The coach noted Japan's image was somewhat tarnished by these issues. Despite challenges, the team must adapt and focus on their performance.

Indias merchandise exports jumped 26.1% year-on-year to $43.8 billion in August, accelerating from 19.6% growth in July, while slower import growth narrowed the merchandise trade deficit to $26.9 billion from $32 billion in July.

The eurozone bond yields edged higher after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates and signalled further tightening. German short-term yields increased, while the 10-year yield remained near a 17-year high. Rising oil and gas prices are also raising concerns about renewed ECB rate hikes, with markets pricing further increases amid persistent inflationary pressures.

Michael Burry has joined Minerva Investment Management as a senior adviser, partnering with Unicus founder Lakshmi Ganapathi to launch a short-biased investment fund. Ganapathi, who founded Unicus Research in 2020, has built a career in short-selling and investment research. Burrys latest move comes amid his renewed warnings over AI-driven market valuations.

According to a warning from a US think tank, Indian goods could face tariffs as high as 100%. This move may compel India to significantly limit its imports of oil from Russia. The recent US legislation permits tariffs on principal buyers of Russian energy, highlighting India's growing reliance on Russian crude since 2022. The think tank recommends prioritizing energy security over achieving trade advantages.

India's rice production faces a significant decline this year. Below-normal rainfall during maturation threatens to reduce crop yields substantially. This drop will increase local prices and make exports more expensive. However, large existing stockpiles will allow India to maintain record export levels. Farmers may receive higher prices for premium varieties in the open market.

The NSE IPO has sparked a valuation debate as investors weigh subscribing at the issue price against waiting for a post-listing correction or considering BSE. With NSE commanding a dominant share of Indias equity markets, analysts point to its strong financials and scale, while flagging rich valuations and risks around options volumes.

The Bank of England is expected to hold its 3.75% benchmark rate for a sixth meeting despite UK inflation rising to 3.1% in August. Higher fuel and energy costs linked to the Iran conflict are intensifying price pressures. Policymakers will monitor wages and domestic inflation, while markets anticipate possible rate hikes later.

The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points, prompting investors to reassess the outlook for further tightening. Higher Treasury yields, persistent inflation and uncertainty over future rate moves could keep pressure on equities and fixed-income markets.

ETMarkets identified 41 stocks held exclusively by a single equity mutual fund scheme, with holdings valued at over Rs 10 crore. Ten gained between 50% and 141% in six months, including three multibaggers that more than doubled investors wealth.

US drone maker Powerus has signed an MoU with the Pakistan Army that includes an initial order for unmanned aerial systems, co-founder Brett Velicovich told Reuters. The value and specific details of the order were not disclosed due to security and confidentiality concerns.

China has expanded yuan foreign-exchange clearing to include the Singapore dollar, New Zealand dollar and Thai baht, as Beijing seeks to widen the currencys international use. The move strengthens clearing infrastructure for yuan transactions, supports greater liquidity and facilitates direct trading and settlement with a broader range of global partners.

The Rs 22,569 crore NSE IPO was subscribed 22% in the early hours of Day 1, with the retail portion seeing 24% subscription. The grey market premium stood around 9%. Brokerages remain positive, citing NSEs market leadership and strong profitability, while cautioning investors about its valuation, regulatory risks and derivatives dependence.

Kanohar Electricals shares surged on Thursday, extending gains for a second session and rising 36% above its Rs 632 issue price. The Rs 1,055.74 crore IPO was subscribed 90.59 times, led by 215.37x subscription in the QIB category.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay concluded a successful six-day UK trip. He secured investment commitments totaling Rs 15,300 crore for the state. This visit aims to boost Tamil Nadu's economy towards a USD 1.5 trillion target. Several MoUs were signed for auto components, renewable energy, and GCCs. CM Vijay also inspected Silverstone Circuit and flagged off a race.

Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. He stated that repolling results in Jaipur debunked the BJP's majority claims. Congress swept all four wards where repolling was conducted in Jaipur city. Dotasra accused the BJP government of misusing power and the Election Commission. He asserted that the people's mandate was clear and the BJP's actions were exposed.

The Jindal Supreme IPO has attracted strong Day 2 demand, with overall subscription reaching 12.53 times and retail subscription at 19.13 times. Its GMP stands at Rs 25, suggesting positive unofficial market sentiment. The Rs 124.88 crore issue closes September 18. The proceeds from the issue will primarily repay debt.

Buckingham Palace issued a pointed response to Charles Spencer's memoir claim. Spencer alleges King Charles III said Diana would be forgotten soon. The Palace noted grief can affect memory and judgment over time. This statement came during a dispute over the funeral procession for Diana. Spencer's book revisits Diana's life and the events surrounding her death.

Paytm shares have rebounded over 480% from their lifetime low but remain 20% below the Rs 2,150 IPO price. The introduction of MDR on select high-value UPI transactions could create a new revenue stream for the fintech, while merchant lending, operating leverage and AI initiatives offer additional growth avenues.

Indian equities are better positioned to withstand global rate shocks due to strong domestic liquidity, but expensive mid- and small-cap stocks remain vulnerable to rising US yields and earnings disappointments, says YES Securities Amar K Ambani. He expects quality smaller companies to deliver alpha but stresses the need for greater selectivity.

China and Hong Kong stocks fell on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 25 basis points and signalled another hike could come this year. Rate-sensitive sectors, including gold, non-ferrous metals and property stocks, came under pressure as investors reassessed the outlook for global borrowing costs and higher-for-longer rates.

Indias early FTAs promised a two-way trade highway, but 15 years later the traffic looks decidedly one-sided. Deficits with ASEAN, Japan and South Korea have ballooned as imports raced ahead of exports. Trade experts say the answer is not to shut the road, but to repair it from tariff imbalances and non-tariff barriers to poor FTA utilisation and costly inputs at home.

Mumbai: Global investment firm Brookfield will invest up to $600 million in ACME Cleantech Ventures, the green molecules platform of ACME Group, to fund the development and construction of projects in India and the Middle East.The investment marks Brookfields entry into the green molecules sector in the region and will be made through its Brookfield Global Transition Fund, which focuses on investments supporting the transition to a net-zero carbon economy.ACME Cleantech Ventures, a UK-based enti