The Economic Times
Elections 2026Business / The Economic Times
Gap shares jumped as much as 24.1% after the retailer named Michael Francis as Old Navy CEO and raised its annual profit forecast. The appointment comes as Old Navy struggles with falling comparable sales, while Gap's other brands gain momentum. Investors are betting on a turnaround at the company's biggest brand.
Hero MotoCorp acquired 1.18 crore shares of Ather Energy for Rs 1,758 crore. This purchase significantly deepened Hero MotoCorp's existing holding in the electric two-wheeler maker. The Government of Singapore was the seller in this substantial block deal transaction. Hero MotoCorp's stake in Ather Energy now stands at approximately 32.8 percent. This move strengthens Hero MotoCorp's position in India's growing electric mobility market.
Nifty faces potential pressure on Monday following US Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh's hawkish inflation comments at Jackson Hole. Elevated US bond yields, a stronger dollar, and rising crude oil prices threaten foreign institutional flows, while technical analysts highlight 24,200 as a key resistance level for the Indian stock market.
Blackstone plans to sell up to 25.03% of Knowledge Realty Trust units. This offer for sale aims to meet regulatory public unitholding requirements. The sale includes a base offer and an oversubscription option for additional units. The transaction will occur over two trading days on BSE and NSE. Blackstone and related entities currently hold a significant stake in the trust.
Sebi has banned Trafiksol and its promoters from the securities market for one year. Monetary penalties were also imposed on the company and its two promoters. The regulator found misleading financial disclosures and inflated revenue figures in the company's IPO documents. Sebi also noted concealment of material facts and submission of false information regarding Oasis Corpcare. The IPO was unwound after Sebi directed Trafiksol to refund investors and cancel shares.
PayPal shares fell 13% after Advent International and Stripe reportedly abandoned plans to acquire the payments giant. The consortium had offered $60.50 per share, valuing PayPal at about $53 billion. Valuation concerns and regulatory hurdles reportedly derailed the deal, adding pressure to the company's ongoing turnaround efforts.
Purple Style Labs secured Rs 306 crore from anchor investors before its upcoming IPO. The company will open its initial public offering for subscription on Monday, August 31. This luxury fashion platform operates under Pernia's Pop-Up Shop, offering curated designer products. It sources items from 1,109 active designer brands, focusing on wedding and occasion wear. Purple Style Labs utilizes an omni-channel model with 14 global experience centers.
Lenskart Solutions experienced institutional transactions totaling Rs 1,857 crore on August 28. Numerous domestic and global investors purchased shares at Rs 630 apiece from sellers. The company's shares closed at Rs 636.15 on the NSE, down slightly from the previous day. Lenskart's stock has gained 45.06% year-to-date in 2026. The eyewear company debuted on the stock market in November 2025.
U.S. Treasury yields saw an increase during trading sessions. Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh indicated further action may be necessary. Policymakers need confidence that inflation is returning to the target.
Jio Platforms has received SEBI approval for its upcoming initial public offering. Reliance Industries shareholders may still qualify for a reserved portion of the offering. The final details regarding share reservation and the record date are pending. This IPO marks a major value creation milestone for Reliance shareholders.
Wall Street opened mostly flat on Friday as the AI-driven rally lost momentum ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warshs Jackson Hole speech. The Dow and S&P 500 edged higher, while the Nasdaq slipped. Investors are watching Warshs comments for clues on US interest rates and the Feds policy outlook.
Sensex stayed relatively calm during Fridays closing auction, a day after a 2,000-point plunge during the monthly expiry raised fresh concerns over CAS. The subdued move suggests Thursdays sharp swings may have been an expiry-driven anomaly rather than a persistent issue with the new closing-price mechanism, experts said.
India's foreign exchange reserves surged by over twelve billion dollars. This sharp build-up pushed reserves to an unprecedented $729.328 billion. Foreign currency assets and gold reserves significantly drove this latest increase. The country's external buffers are now strengthened against global shocks. These reserves are now higher than both end-March and a year earlier.
An Alliance Air flight experienced a tyre burst while landing at Bilaspur airport. The aircraft was carrying thirty-seven passengers and four crew members safely. All individuals on board were evacuated from the plane without any injuries. The airline subsequently cancelled the onward journey of the affected flight. Further details regarding this incident are still awaited by officials.
Sebi has approved seven IPOs, led by Reliance-backed Jio Platforms proposed Rs 37,700 crore offering. Paras Healthcare, Bharat PET, Paramotor Digital Technology, Pushp Brand, MK Sons Fine Jewels and Sadbhav Futuretech also received approvals, expanding Indias primary-market pipeline.
The Indian bond market experienced notable losses on Friday, with government bond yields climbing to a two-month peak. As investors anticipate key policy hints from Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh during his Jackson Hole address, the hawkish tone in the latest RBI minutes has intensified expectations for future monetary policy adjustments. This escalation in yields has enhanced the attractiveness of Indian bonds compared to U.S.
Six BSE 200 stocks hit fresh 52-week highs on Friday as the Sensex gained 331 points. Coforge, GSK Pharma, Glenmark Pharma, Laurus Labs, Oracle Financial Services Software and Piramal Finance showed strong momentum, with several posting double-digit monthly gains.
Odisha colleges must reduce cooking oil consumption in their canteens. This directive follows global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical conflicts impacting food. Principals are instructed to avoid high-oil breakfast items like puris and vadas. Students will receive meals prepared with less deep-fried food and more traditional oils. Community awareness programs will also encourage households to conserve cooking oil.
Jio Platforms has received Sebi approval for its proposed Rs 37,700 crore IPO, bringing Reliance Industries much-awaited listing closer. The issue could value Jio at nearly Rs 9.5 trillion and become Indias largest IPO. The company plans to use Rs 27,500 crore of proceeds to repay borrowings of Reliance Jio Infocomm.
An Indian grandmothers innocent conversation with ChatGPT has gone viral after she was led to believe that the AI voice assistant was a foreign woman who could become her grandsons bride. While many viewers found her warm and genuine reaction adorable, others criticised the prank, saying it was unfair to make fun of an elderly woman who did not understand she was speaking to AI.
Chinese automaker BYD has experienced its first profit growth in over a year, primarily fueled by a sharp increase in export sales. This international expansion effectively balanced out the lackluster results seen domestically. In the second quarter, BYD reported a remarkable year-on-year net profit increase of 29.8 percent, although revenue faced a slight decline of 3.2 percent during the same timeframe.
The World Health Organization (WHO) urges people to recognise the signs of stress and take time to pause and slow down. Stress can manifest through physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension and stomach discomfort. Persistent stress can significantly affect both mental and physical wellbeing. Simple techniques such as deep breathing can help manage rising pressure, while people experiencing overwhelming or persistent symptoms should consider seeking professional support.
Indian equities rebounded on Friday, ending a two-session losing streak as heavyweight IT stocks led gains. Nifty rose 0.35% to 24,175.65, while Sensex gained 0.43% to 77,264.51. Analysts expect consolidation amid mixed global cues and geopolitical uncertainty.
Tea Association of India said that the auction Price figures of North Indian Tea Industry recently reflect a precarious state of affairs in the industry, coupled with the onslaught of flash floods, excessive heat and severe pest and disease infestations hampering production of the crop during the current cropping season.
Indias industrial growth slowed to 6.7% in July from 7.3% in June, government data showed. Manufacturing and electricity supported growth, while mining contracted. Capital goods recorded the strongest expansion at 16.1%, while consumer non-durables declined 1%.
Norway's King Harald V, Europe's oldest monarch, has died at the age of 89. He reigned for over three decades, modernizing the royal house and serving his nation. The king famously married his school sweetheart, defying noble expectations and winning public approval. Harald V led Norway through an oil-driven economic boom and championed diversity. His son, Haakon VIII, automatically ascended to the throne following his father's passing.
Apollo 15's lunar retroreflector continues to aid scientists with precise measurements. This device, left on the Moon in 1971, reflects laser light sent from Earth. Scientists measure the Earth-Moon distance to centimeter-level accuracy using this equipment. These measurements help determine the Moon's orbit and test gravitational theories. This Apollo experiment remains a valuable scientific tool decades after its deployment.
Motilal Oswal says several headwinds facing Indian equities are easing, supported by stronger earnings, positive FII flows and domestic demand. It remains Neutral on equities but Overweight on mid- and small-caps, while preferring gold over silver and accrual-focused fixed-income strategies.
Baba Vangas alleged predictions have once again drawn attention following the recent devastation in Nepal. However, there are no verified primary sources confirming these specific prophecies. Baba Vanga, a Bulgarian mystic who lived from 1911 to 1996, has long been associated with predictions about major world events, although many claims attributed to her lack contemporaneous documentation or written records.
An explosion in Pakistan's Makeen bazaar killed one person and injured nine others. The blast occurred Friday in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province's South Waziristan district. An improvised explosive device attached to a motorcycle detonated in the busy marketplace. The injured were transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Authorities have cordoned off the area and initiated a search operation.
Keralam agriculture department will increase market interventions to prevent price hikes. Steps will be taken to curb exploitation by middlemen during festive seasons. Farmers' markets held during Onam facilitated digital sales and timely payments. The government also plans a state-level Keralotsavam to mark Coconut Day. A comprehensive coconut revival project will be formulated to boost production.
Iran's Foreign Ministry declared all nations must avoid implementing United States sanctions. New United States economic measures were called illegal state terrorism and a crime. These actions put millions of civilians' health and livelihoods at serious risk. Tehran urged the international community to uphold the rule of law. Iran will use all capabilities to defend against a combined United States-Israeli assault.
Roger Federer will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame this Saturday. He realized his impact extended beyond on-court victories and trophies. Federer cherished making friends and traveling extensively during his 25-year career. Fans still express their fondness for the legendary Swiss player. He achieved 1,251 match wins and 103 tournament titles.
SBI General Insurance reported 10.9% year-on-year GDPI growth to Rs 3,506 crore in Q1 FY27. Comprehensive income rose 17.4% to Rs 573 crore, while health, engineering and personal accident segments delivered strong growth, alongside a 2.0-times solvency ratio.
Nimisha Sajayan has grabbed audiences' attention with her dynamic performances across various genres, including crime dramas and romantic thrillers. Her portrayal of a police officer, a forest ranger, and a house help demonstrates her impressive versatility. She was recently seen in Prime Video's Babita Singh Reporting.
Sensex plunged over 2,000 points during Thursdays closing auction session before recovering some losses, while Nifty remained comparatively stable. Market experts attributed the sharp divergence largely to thin trading volumes on BSE. The episode has renewed scrutiny of the new CAS mechanism, particularly around monthly expiry and its impact on price discovery.
Tamil Nadu Minister P Viswanathan declared Rahul Gandhi the INDIA bloc's prime ministerial candidate for 2029. A ministerial committee was dispatched to Nepal to assist flood victims. Dedicated control rooms are monitoring the ongoing relief efforts around the clock. The minister defended Assembly proceedings as a vital forum for debate. Discussions also touched upon other potential national leaders for the alliance.
German bond yields moved higher as investors weighed persistent inflation risks and expectations for the European Central Banks interest-rate path. Short-dated yields remained under pressure, while longer-dated yields also edged up. Investors also watched French and Italian bond spreads and awaited Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warshs Jackson Hole speech for clues on global monetary policy.
Japan's finance minister and central bank governor will attend the upcoming G20 meeting. Policymakers will discuss the global economic fallout and the persistently weak yen. Financial markets are watching for potential meetings with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The yen has shown some recovery after joint intervention but remains under pressure. Bank of Japan officials are signaling a possible interest rate hike soon.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence searched Waaree Energies' subsidiary plant in Gujarat. This search concerned imported stainless-steel pipes and tubes under the EPCG Scheme. The matter involved the applicability of Anti-Dumping Duty on these specific imports. Waaree Energies has already paid the required Anti-Dumping Duty and applicable interest. The company stated no further payment is needed and financials remain unaffected.
Jackie Shroff, Bollywoods beloved Jaggu Dada', is an ace gardener. He maintains over 700 plants, including guava trees at his farmhouse. In a chat with Twinkle Khanna, the veteran actor shared five tips to nourish your plants and help them grow faster and keep them safe without artificial pesticides. He also revealed he often talks to his plants.
Retail investors increased holdings in 124 smallcap stocks for the fourth straight quarter. Despite subdued sector performance, nine stocks delivered 50%-150% gains alongside steadily rising retail ownership.
India's economy could reach $5.1 trillion by FY29, according to OmniScience Capital. Stronger real growth and healthier balance sheets support this expansion. The pandemic and rupee depreciation had previously delayed this $5 trillion ambition. Real GDP growth averaged 7.4% between FY22 and FY26. An optimistic scenario projects India's GDP reaching $5.9 trillion by FY29.
Shein is set to debut in Hong Kong, marking a shift toward embracing its Chinese roots after failed US and UK listing efforts. Regulatory approval, strong manufacturing and supply-chain ties, and domestic economic contributions helped secure the listing. The IPO highlights growing geopolitical pressures and Sheins sharply reduced valuation.

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