The Economic Times

Infosys, TCS, HCL Tech, Wipro and other IT stocks are in focus after the US Department of Homeland Security proposed a $103,265 fee on H-1B cap-subject petitions. The charge would be additional to existing fees and could generate $8.8 billion annually, based on 85,000 petitions. The proposal is not final and will undergo a 30-day public comment period.

Marathwada's cultivation area has shrunk by nearly 3.5 lakh hectares this year. Rainfall is 20.3 percent below average, impacting the region's agriculture significantly. Cotton and sugarcane acreage have dropped sharply, while farmers shift crops. Soybean, maize, and sunflower cultivation has seen an increase. This shift reflects adaptation to current weather conditions and market demands.

The Hy-Tech Engineers IPO entered its second day of bidding after receiving 7.74 times subscription on Day 1, led by strong retail and non-institutional demand. With a grey market premium of Rs 30, indicating a potential 57% listing gain, the Rs 135.73-crore issue has attracted bullish investor interest.

We are looking at the next 12-18 months from a two perspective, corporate earnings growth and impact of geopolitics through higher energy prices on the Indian market. From the corporate earnings perspective we are fairly constructive. After 1.5 years of earnings downcycle, the earnings cycle has been reviving from 2HFY26.

Indian equities extended losses on Tuesday, with Sensex falling 200 points to below 77,150 and Nifty declining 83 points to 24,136. Broader markets also weakened, with Midcap and Smallcap indices down up to 0.5%. Sentiment remained cautious despite stable oil prices after the US imposed tougher secondary sanctions on Iran.

H1N1 cases rise in Delhi: Delhi has recorded more than 1,777 H1N1 cases this year as seasonal influenza cases rise across the capital. Health officials have issued an advisory explaining symptoms, high-risk groups and precautions from swine flu.

The Sumax Engineering IPO opened for subscription on August 25, 2026, on the NSE SME platform and will remain open until August 28. With a grey market premium of Rs 32, the issue indicates a potential 32% listing gain.

Symbiotec Pharmalab IPO enters its second day with 80% subscription and a 34% GMP, indicating strong listing expectations. The Rs 1,757 crore issue offers specialised API and biotechnology exposure, while proceeds will reduce debt. However, premium valuations and moderate return ratios warrant careful consideration despite strong investor interest.

Tempsens Instruments IPO allotment is expected on August 25 after the Rs 650-crore issue was subscribed 184.07 times. Investors can check their allotment status through the registrars website, NSE or BSE. With the IPOs GMP indicating a potential 105% premium, the stock is expected to attract strong interest ahead of its August 28 listing.

With the industrys whos who in attendance, the event explored the opportunities and challenges shaping businesses in a rapidly changing world.

A significant uptick in futures open interest indicates a substantial increase in the number of active, unexpired futures contracts in a particular security.

Annu Projects Rs 175.06 crore IPO opens today, with bidding until August 28. The issue has a zero GMP despite strong FY26 growth in income and profit. Proceeds will fund machinery and working capital. Anand Rathi has given a Subscribe Long Term rating, though valuations appear fully priced at the upper band.

Six Nifty500 stocks, Muthoot Finance, PTC Industries, Siemens, HFCL, Zydus Wellness and Engineers India, formed White Marubozu patterns, signalling strong buying pressure and bullish momentum during Mondays session.

Today marks the end of bidding for Augmont Enterprises' IPO, which has attracted considerable interest from investors. The grey market premium forecasts promising gains upon listing. Retail and non-institutional subscriptions have been impressive. The anticipated proceeds will support working capital and other general needs, with the companys stock expected to debut on NSE and BSE on August 31, 2026.

The government has announced its intention to divest a 3% holding in Hindustan Copper through an offer for sale, commencing for non-retail investors on August 25, with retail options shortly thereafter. The share floor price is pegged at Rs 514, below the closing value. If the offer is met with high demand, an extra 3% may be available.

Anil Rego, Managing Director & Chief Investment Officer at Right Horizons PMS, believes the worst of the valuation-led correction may be behind us, while a broadening earnings recovery could provide the catalyst for the next leg of the market.

Bitcoin climbed above $80,000 for the first time since mid-May, extending a 23% weekly rally, its biggest in about three years. The surge reflects renewed optimism around crypto markets amid a combination of bullish signals and the liquidation of billions of dollars in leveraged bets. Despite the recovery, Bitcoin remains well below its October peak of around $126,000.

Indias derivatives market is set for its first monthly expiry under the new auction-based closing price system, marking a crucial test for the mechanism after concerns over sharp price swings and alleged manipulation. Introduced on August 3, the system has so far handled regular sessions and a weekly expiry. Tuesdays monthly expiry will bring stock futures and options into play.

Strong momentum in Beauty & Cosmetics, a recovery in Oral Care and the ramp-up of its Thailand operations are expected to support growth, while investments made ahead of the curve could drive operating leverage and help sustain underlying EBITDA margins around 20%.

The government has extended the processing window for duty-free raw sugar imports. This move aims to increase domestic sugar availability before the festive season. Domestic sugar prices have risen sharply due to tighter supplies and increased demand. The government is also curbing hoarding by reducing stockholding limits for bulk consumers. These measures seek to stabilize sugar prices and ensure adequate supply for consumers.

Non-resident Indians have the opportunity to access their Employees Provident Fund (EPF) corpus upon their departure from India. Those who are relocating permanently abroad can initiate a complete withdrawal after fulfilling necessary formalities. Notably, NRIs arent required to reach the age of fifty-eight for this withdrawal.

Private credit, REITs, InvITs and PMS are gaining interest for their potential to provide differentiated return streams, contractual cash flows and exposure to Indias growth story.

Amazon Swiggy Bigbasket Food Licence Suspension News: Karnataka's Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department has suspended the food licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket after datura fruits and seeds were found listed as food products. The department ordered the platforms to remove the listings and stop selling or distributing datura for human consumption.

The United States has formally removed Syria's State Sponsor of Terrorism designation. This action ends a 47-year classification, removing barriers to investment. Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham's terrorist designation was also rescinded by Washington. These steps aim to promote Syria's economic recovery and global reintegration. Syrian officials welcomed the decision as a historic milestone for their nation.

Malini Sharma, once known for her performance in Raaz, has transitioned away from the spotlight of Bollywood. She founded The Slow Local, a project devoted to culinary delights and community interactions. Relocating to the picturesque Sahyadri Hills, she embraced farming and the hospitality sector, welcoming visitors to her charming homestead. Read on!

American support for the war with Iran has reached its lowest point. President Donald Trump's approval rating also remains at a record low. Most Americans believe this conflict will continue for an extended period. Rising gasoline prices are impacting voters ahead of midterm elections. Independent voters currently favor Democrats in congressional races.

Sigma Advanced Systems secured a new 125 million contract with Rolls-Royce. This agreement expands their existing partnership and builds on a prior 300 million deal. The new contract will see Bromford manufacture critical aero-engine components for Rolls-Royce. Sigma's acquisition of Bromford Precision Solutions strengthened its manufacturing capabilities. This collaboration enhances India's precision engineering and defence-aerospace manufacturing base.

Brokerages remain bullish on a set of stocks across sectors, with strong upside potential seen in Tata Consumer Products, Hexaware Technologies, Welspun Corp, Navin Fluorine International and Urban Company.

The retail portion was subscribed 2.42 times, while the qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) category recorded 1.32 times subscription. The non-institutional investors (NIIs) segment saw stronger demand, with the issue subscribed 5.68 times.

The IPO, which was open for subscription between August 18 and August 20, received a blockbuster response from investors, with the issue subscribed 105.81 times overall.

Today is the last opportunity for investors to buy the shares so that they are credited to their accounts by Wednesday, making them eligible for the stock split.

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington remains prepared to use military force against Iran, including in the Strait of Hormuz, while intensifying economic pressure on Tehran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent launched Operation Economic Outcast to isolate Iran financially.

US Vice President JD Vance referred to Canada as a state, correcting himself amid trade disputes. He criticized Canada's military underinvestment and trade policies, comparing it to China. US-Canada trade talks collapsed last week, with tariffs threatened for January 2027. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected US proposals as unfair and uneconomic. Canada vows retaliation, potentially using critical minerals and electricity as leverage.

On August 24, four Nifty500 stocks that gained 4% were identified using the RSI Trending Up scan, based on data from StockEdge.com. An uptrend signal is generated when the RSI value crosses above 50 from below, indicating strengthening price momentum and potential upward movement in the stocks.

In the Nifty500 pack, eight stocks' closing prices crossed above their 200 DMA (Daily Moving Averages) on August 24, 2026, according to stockedge.com's technical scan data. Traders use the 200-day daily moving average (DMA) as a key indicator to determine the overall trend in a particular stock. As long as the stock is priced above the 200-day SMA on the daily timeframe, it is generally considered to be in an overall uptrend. Take a look:

Brent crude futures were up 6 cents, or 0.1%, at $92.16 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 15 cents at $85.12. Both contracts fell more than 2% on Monday, with U.S. crude touching a one-week low as investors took profits following a rally over the previous two weeks.

On Tuesday, the U.S. dollar showed weakness against key currencies as investors reacted to new sanctions on Iran and attempts to reduce Treasury yields. The euro and pound both saw minor increases, approaching their recent highs. Additionally, Bitcoin enjoyed a notable weekly surge, bolstering its upward trajectory. Market watchers are eager for insights from Federal Reserve Chair Warsh's upcoming address regarding potential policy shifts.

Gold prices experienced an uptick on Tuesday, fueled by news of Treasury buybacks. The market's focus is now on significant U.S. inflation data and a forthcoming address from the Fed Chair. Analysts are eager for indications regarding interest rates and bond yields. Citi has upgraded its gold price projections, suggesting a likely easing of geopolitical tensions and a decline in real interest rates.

Indian stock markets have disappointed investors with negative returns over two years. The Sensex has shown its worst two-year performance since 2012. Indices have not struck a new all-time high for 697 days. This extended period marks a significant downturn for market performance. Investors are facing a challenging and prolonged market slump.

On Tuesday, oil prices found stability following a notable decline on Monday. Investors are currently evaluating newly imposed U.S. sanctions that aim to target Iran's economy without resorting to military force. An incident involving an oil tanker near Oman has raised concerns about shipping safety. Additionally, the U.S. has reported a significant decrease in its strategic oil reserves, marking a historical low.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford labelled President Donald Trump a loser and a bully. He vowed to fight back against escalating United States tariff threats. President Trump attacked Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney on social media. Ford threatened to cut off critical minerals and electricity exports to the US. Canada is preparing retaliatory measures against the United States.