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The Hindu Businessline

Business / The Hindu Businessline

Godfrey Phillips, VST Industries, ITC shares surge on reports of cigarette price hikes

The development follows the governments notification ending the GST compensation cess and initiating a new tobacco tax regime from February 1, moves that could reshape pricing dynamics across the sector

18 Feb 2026 12:30 pm
Dabur shares slide 2% after management rejig

The stock opened higher at 525 but reversed sharply, touching a low of 505.55. Sell orders outpaced buys, with 54.93 per cent of order flow on the sell side

18 Feb 2026 12:24 pm
Iran says it is closing parts of Hormuz Strait as US talks resume

The drills, announced previously, come as Iran and the US start a second round of negotiations in Geneva. Oil reversed losses on the news, with Brent trading 0.1% higher to $68.74 a barrel

18 Feb 2026 12:13 pm
Galgotias University asked to vacate AI Summit after displaying Chinese robodog as in-house innovation

After social media backlash, Galgotias University clarified that the robodog was not an in-house innovation, and the Unitree Robodog was bought to help students expand their capabilities

18 Feb 2026 12:04 pm
APSEZ signs MoU with French port to deepen cooperation on trade facilitation

The agreement will strengthen the IndiaEurope leg of the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor

18 Feb 2026 11:39 am
Western disturbances bring rain, thunderstorms to hills and plains of North, Central India

Low-pressure area over Bay looks to dig south of Sri Lanka bringing rain to parts of South India

18 Feb 2026 11:14 am
Bharti Airtel shares in focus as Airtel Money gets RBI NBFC licence

The certificate, bearing Registration No. N-14.03676 and dated February 13, 2026, was disclosed to stock exchanges on February 17 under Regulation 30 of SEBIs Listing Regulations

18 Feb 2026 11:01 am
18 Feb 2026 10:59 am
Rupee rises 5 paise to 90.67 against US dollar in early trade

At the interbank foreign exchange, rupee opened at 90.60 but lost some ground to trade at 90.67 against the US dollar, higher by 5 paise from its previous close

18 Feb 2026 10:38 am
Sensex, Nifty slip into red after firm open as IT stocks bleed; metals, steel shine

Sensex was trading at 83,256.74, down 194.22 points or 0.23%; Nifty 50 opened at 25,752.65 was trading at 25,668.05, down 57.35 points or 0.22%

18 Feb 2026 10:33 am
India, France sign pact for manufacturing Hammer missiles, renew defence cooperation

The two leaders also discussed a range of bilateral security and defence issues, including priority areas for co-development and co-production of equipment

18 Feb 2026 10:26 am
Crude oil futures gain despite positive US-Iran talks

April Brent oil futures were at $67.66, up by 0.36%, and April crude oil futures on WTI (West Texas Intermediate) were at $62.43, up by 0.27%

18 Feb 2026 10:20 am
Eternal shares steady on OpenAI collaboration

The companies enter into a partnership aimed at advancing artificial intelligence capabilities across Eternals businesses

18 Feb 2026 10:11 am
Nuclear fusion start-up claims major advancein New Zealand trial

OpenStar Chief Executive Officer and founder Ratu Mataira is betting the simplicity of the companys reactor design gives it the edge in the global race to turn fusion from theory into an effective power source

18 Feb 2026 10:10 am
Fed officials say AI productivity boost could raise neutral rate

AI and productivity are likely to take on increasing importance this year in debates over interest rates as President Donald Trump continues to put pressure on the Fed to reduce borrowing costs

18 Feb 2026 9:27 am
Buffett cuts Amazon stake, makes bet on New York Times

Also in the fourth quarter, Berkshire continued trimming its stakes in Bank of America Corp. and Apple, Inc., bringing them to 7.1% and 1.5%, respectively

18 Feb 2026 9:20 am
India, France announce Joint Declaration of Intent for cooperation in critical minerals

The leaders recognise the key role of critical minerals in supporting a green and digital economy, emerging technologies and advanced manufacturing

18 Feb 2026 9:12 am
Gold steadies after 2 day drop in thin lunar new year trading

Bullion was near $4,880 an ounce in early trading, having lost more than 3% over the previous two sessions, when the US dollar strengthened

18 Feb 2026 9:05 am
Oil holds drop as US and Iran signal progress in nuclear talks

Crude has pushed higher this year as geopolitical concerns, including the tensions over Iran, outweighed warnings that the global market faces a glut thatll drag down prices

18 Feb 2026 8:58 am
US renews threat to withdraw from IEA over climate advocacy

A latest flagship report published in November tempered the IEAs forecasts on an imminent peak in oil demand, and reintroduced a Current Policies Scenario after a five-year hiatus, which bases forecasts on existing conditions

18 Feb 2026 8:52 am
Markets likely to open on a flat to negative note

IT stocks to remain in focus, analysts expect a volatile session

18 Feb 2026 8:27 am
Stock Market Live February 18: Stock to buy today: Astral (1,646) BUY

Sensex, Nifty, Share Prices Live Updates: The short-term outlook is bullish for Astral. The 3 per cent rise this week has taken the share price well above the key resistance level of 1,593. The region around 1,590 will now act as a strong support.

18 Feb 2026 6:46 am
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stresses Hindu unity, calls for three-child families

Advocating social engagement from families to communities, Bhagwat encouraged citizens to prioritise collective well-being, serve society, and strengthen Indias civilizational ethos in guiding the worlds future

18 Feb 2026 12:31 am
Our equity returns have improved due to lower module costs

We have raised roughly 4,000 crore of cumulative equity over 15 years, including pre-IPO rounds, CleanMax Enviro Energy Founder and MD Kuldeep Jain

17 Feb 2026 10:37 pm
ndias sovereign push gathers pace as local firms roll out AI models

BharatGen, Gnani.ai, and Sarvam launching innovative models for various sectors

17 Feb 2026 10:27 pm
India hungry for its own AI, says head of BharatGen

BharatGen says it has a pipeline of customers with pilots on in education, fintech and in governance

17 Feb 2026 9:56 pm
Construction Equipment retail sales slide 21% in Jan on monsoon impact, slower infra push

All 12 manufacturers report y-o-y decline; industry volumes fall to 6,834 units

17 Feb 2026 9:21 pm
RMG exports rise 1.6% to $13.13 billion in AprilJanuary despite January dip

AEPC chairman A Sakthivel requested increase in the Interest Equalisation Scheme from the existing 2.75% to 5% for exporters

17 Feb 2026 9:13 pm
Amit Shah chairs Manthan meeting to boost cooperative reforms and rural economy

The meeting emphasised digital integration, transparency, governance reforms and improved value addition in agriculture and dairy sectors to boost rural incomes.

17 Feb 2026 9:12 pm
Modi invites Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman to visit India

Modi vows support for democracy in Bangladesh and strengthening bilateral relations

17 Feb 2026 9:09 pm
Gold, silver prices slip on weak global cues

The yellow metal plunged below $4,900 an ounce and silver slips to near $72 ounce

17 Feb 2026 9:06 pm
Indo-French partnership a force for global stability, says PM Modi

Two countries amend double taxation agreement, announce several initiatives in AI, critical minerals, defence

17 Feb 2026 9:05 pm
BLR Airport ships over 60 million roses for Valentines season, volumes up 38%

New international destinations added this season included Los Angeles, London Gatwick, Dallas Fort Worth, Toronto and Orlando.

17 Feb 2026 9:03 pm
Next round of growth in pharma, life sciences will be in high value products: CEOs

Indian industry should move from being a capacity leader to a capability leader

17 Feb 2026 8:37 pm
India gets first private-sector helicopter final assembly line

The facility, owned by Tata Advanced Systems was inaugurated virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and France President Emmanuel Macron

17 Feb 2026 8:36 pm
HomeRun raises 60 crore Series A funding led by Sorin Investments

HomeRun said the funds will be used to expand product categories and scale its dark-store network

17 Feb 2026 8:30 pm
Tina Ambani fails to appear twice before ED in PMLA case

On Wednesday, Anil Ambani too has been asked to appear before the ED at its headquarters here in the overall 40,000 crore worth bank fraud money laundering case

17 Feb 2026 8:29 pm
Indias cotton imports touch $1.79 billion in April-January

The cotton imports in rupee value stood at 15,857 crore during the April-January period of current financial year, an increase of 81% over corresponding last years 8771.96 crore

17 Feb 2026 8:26 pm
India-US deal: Pulses off the factsheet but on the table

Chouhan criticises the Congress for resisting US trade deal and opposing import of pulses, cotton and apples, which are required to be imported to meet demand

17 Feb 2026 8:25 pm
India launches Bharat VISTAAR to provide single window information to farmers

Various types of information will now be available to rural people, who can access it using their mobile and language.

17 Feb 2026 8:22 pm
Sanjay Jain to join Investment Manager of Capri groups two alternative investment funds

Jain has over three decades of experience across stressed assets, capital markets, investment banking and corporate and project lease finance

17 Feb 2026 8:16 pm
National Consumer Helpline facilitated refunds worth 52 crore in nine months

Thee-commerce sectorrecorded the highest number of grievances, with47,743 complaints, resulting in refunds exceeding36 crore

17 Feb 2026 8:02 pm
India-EU trade pact fuels Air India, Lufthansa partnership expansion

The partnership will initially focus on Lufthansas core markets including Germany, Austria, Belgium, Italy and Switzerland, before expanding further

17 Feb 2026 8:00 pm
Tata-Airbus helicopter unit showcases strong high-end manufacturing partnership: Rajnath Singh

The H125 project, executed by Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus Helicopters, reinforces the Make in India initiative and deepens Indo-French defence ties.

17 Feb 2026 8:00 pm
KNR Constructions bags 2,163-cr TN order

The signing of the Concession Agreement, however, is subject to the outcome of a case in the Madras High Court, the company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange.

17 Feb 2026 7:47 pm
Tradex Kerala 2026 to boost States contribution to global trade: Minister Rajeeve

The Minister was inaugurating the event organised by the Directorate of Industries and Commerce in association with the Federation of Indian Export Organisations here on Tuesday

17 Feb 2026 7:33 pm
Mobilise App Lab to raise 20 cr via IPO on NSE Emerge

The company will issue 25.12 lakh equity shares in the price band of 75- 80 per equity share

17 Feb 2026 7:32 pm