The Economic Times

Augmont Enterprises plans a

In FY26, an alarming trend emerged in India's equity derivatives market, with nearly 90% of traders facing financial losses. Retail participation saw an unexpected decline of 18%, marking a significant shift not seen in a decade. Regulatory changes pushed numerous new traders out, leading to a notable concentration in short-dated options, where the highest risks burdened younger investors with smaller portfolios.

In a progressive move, the capital markets regulator has allowed foreign investors to adopt digital signatures, streamlining the onboarding experience. This change eliminates notarisation and apostillisation for power of attorney documents, thus accelerating onboarding times and enhancing regulatory processes. The goal is to invite more international capital into the Indian market landscape.

Domestic equities rebounded on Thursday, with the Nifty gaining 0.6 percent. Analysts expect Indian equities to remain sideways with a marginal recovery bias. Broader market action and sector-specific opportunities are likely to remain in focus. Foreign portfolio investors net sold shares worth Rs 583 crore. Domestic institutional investors were net buyers at Rs 3,538 crore.

Indian equity benchmarks ended a seven-session losing streak on Thursday, August 20. The NSE Nifty50 closed higher, reclaiming its 50-day exponential moving average. Several companies, including BPCL and HAL, announced significant corporate developments. RailTel Corporation received a work order, and Saatvik Green Energy secured a module supply order. Manipal Health Enterprises reported a decline in net profit for the quarter.

The Indian stock market rebounded on Thursday, marking the end of a downward trend. Major indices Nifty and Sensex enjoyed notable gains, supported by a robust response in midcap and smallcap sectors. A weakening dollar index alongside declining US bond yields positively impacted emerging markets. Nonetheless, bond yields in India increased, influenced by recent hawkish policy discussions.

Overseas investors showed strong buying in early August, marking four consecutive fortnights of inflows. Financial services and automobiles attracted the highest foreign investment during this period. Broader markets demonstrated resilience, with investors favoring mid-cap names within key sectors. Foreign investors net bought shares worth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will headline the Economic Times World Leaders Forum this Friday. Global business leaders and policymakers will gather for two days of discussions. The forum will explore AI, geopolitics, and demographic shifts impacting global business. India's role in the evolving global economy will be a central theme. Discussions will focus on shared futures and navigating a changing world order.

Millions of hectares of protected tropical forests were lost to wildfires between 2001 and 2024. Wildfire destruction inside protected areas has significantly accelerated since 2016. The tropical Americas, especially Brazil, experienced the vast majority of these losses. Protected areas offered some reduction in fire risk, particularly in Africa.

India is poised to be a major global growth market over the next decade, driven by seven structural strengths including economic stability, a reform-oriented policy framework, a large consumer base, and a growing talent pool. The nation's technology and manufacturing sectors are gaining global relevance, supported by a widening trade architecture.

Second-generation entrepreneurs are increasingly using the experience, support and capital available within family businesses to pursue independent interests and build new ventures, business leaders said at The Economic Times Family Business Dialogue in Bengaluru.

While things are changing, insurance is still seen as a bit of a savings and tax product. We are focusing on making protection and annuity more relevant across proprietary and partnership channels, where we are looking at growth of 15% or 16%. The discussion is around protection rather than just premium. We've started focusing very sharply on the young Indian middle clas, says Sumit Madan.

Niva Bupa's allowable expense for FY25 was Rs 2,403.75 crore, while its actual expenses stood at Rs 2,652.12 crore, exceeding the limit by Rs 248.37 crore, according to the regulator's order. Irdai has prescribed limits to ensure insurers control management and operating costs so that a reasonable portion of premiums collected from policyholders is available for providing insurance cover and settling claims.

The upgrade helped Shriram, in which Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) bought a significant stake, save 60-80 basis points on a $1.3-billion syndicated loan. One basis point is a hundredth of a percentage point. Managing director and CEO Parag Sharma expects such clauses to become more prevalent as growing focus on credit ratings is expected to determine the rates at which financiers raise money.

Private credit investments were broadly similar to the second half of 2025 levels of $3.4 billion, with refinancing, holding-company funding and acquisition financing serving as key drivers of activity. The growing share of domestic capital is one of the most significant developments in India's private credit market, Vishal Bansal, partner, debt and special situations, EY India, said.

Investment platform Upstox is exploring a potential initial public offering. The company aims to raise approximately USD 350-400 million through this offering. This proposed IPO will include both new shares and an offer-for-sale.

Augmont Enterprises secured Rs 246.3 crore from anchor investors before its upcoming IPO. The company will open its initial public offering for subscription on August 21. Augmont Enterprises plans to use fresh issue proceeds for working capital and inventory. The IPO comprises a fresh issue and an offer for sale component. Shares are scheduled to list on the NSE and BSE on August 31.

Indian equities snapped a seven-session losing streak as falling US bond yields, short-covering and stronger sentiment lifted markets. Sensex surged 628 points and Nifty gained 154 points. Analysts remained cautious, citing elevated crude prices and geopolitical risks despite improving technical momentum.

General Atlantic Singapore Fund sold 1.51 crore KFin Technologies shares worth around Rs 1,400 crore at Rs 925 apiece. Mutual funds bought most of the block, with six funds acquiring shares worth about Rs 1,178.5 crore. KFin shares closed at Rs 961.

Retail traders paid around Rs 25,000 crore in F&O transaction costs during FY26, while nearly 88% incurred losses. Aggregate losses reached Rs 91,685 crore, with options accounting for 92%. Active traders fell sharply, while near-expiry trading remained highly concentrated.

Urban co-operative banks may be limited in size but face risks far beyond their physical footprint, RBI Deputy Governor Swaminathan J said. He flagged cyber threats, digital fraud and dependence on external service providers as key vulnerabilities, urging stronger safeguards, continuity planning and shared infrastructure to bolster UCBs resilience.

SEBI found individual equity derivatives traders fell 18% to 88 lakh in FY26, the first annual decline in over a decade. Yet 87.7% still lost money, collectively losing Rs 91,685 crore, with options accounting for 92% of losses.

Analysts recommend GMR Airports and Bajaj Consumer Care for Friday, citing technical strength, supportive retracement levels and improving momentum. GMR Airports has a target of Rs 112, while Bajaj Consumer Care targets Rs 540, with stop-losses at Rs 98 and Rs 480.

Individual traders incurred substantial losses in India's equity derivatives market during FY26. Options trading accounted for the vast majority of these aggregate net losses. Active traders declined significantly, and new entrants also dropped considerably. Smaller investors with limited equity holdings experienced heavier losses than larger ones. The profit pool remained concentrated with institutional and professional traders.

Fintech firm smallcase Technologies has introduced CASE Platforms as its new corporate identity. This new identity will unify its diverse portfolio of investment products and platform businesses. The mutual fund business, a joint venture with Zerodha, will now be known as Zerodha CASE Mutual Fund. CASE Platforms aims to help individual investors access the right financial products and tools.

Six stocks from the BSE Financial Services Index hit fresh 52-week highs as the Sensex surged 628 points. Tourism Finance led with a 59% monthly gain, followed by Karnataka Bank at 21%, while four others posted gains of 4%-10%.

Aditya Birla Capital will enter Indias competitive gold loan market with 200-300 dedicated branches by March 2027, followed by a target of around 1,000 branches over three years. The move comes after Tata Capital and Godrej Capital entered the segment, as diversified non-bank lenders expand secured lending portfolios.

Private credit deployments saw a sharp 61 percent drop in early 2026. This decline occurred amid a volatile macro economic environment and shifting fund dynamics. Domestic funds led nearly three-fourths of the deployments during this period. Real estate remained a favored investment sector for private credit funds. Regulatory changes and bank credit growth also influenced private credit volumes.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Siliguri for three days starting Thursday. He will attend programs and chair meetings concerning border security matters. Shah will also interact with Sashastra Seema Bal personnel during his visit. High-level reviews of India's borders with Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh are planned. This visit continues efforts to strengthen national border security arrangements.

Man declared HIV positive by AIIMS Rishikesh was found to be HIV negative when retested at another hospital. A consumer commission has upheld a ruling of medical negligence against AIIMS Rishikesh, ordering it to pay Rs 60,000 in compensation after finding the institution could not justify repeated HIV positive entries in its own discharge records.

Agrivoltaics systems, which ingeniously merge solar energy with agricultural practices, have demonstrated remarkable advantages, particularly amid arid conditions. In Germany, potatoes grown beneath solar panels thrived, revealing an impressive eleven percent yield increase during a drought crisis. Similarly, studies from the Sonoran Desert highlight both enhanced crop production and effective water conservation.

The Supreme Court will hear review petitions challenging its 2022 judgment. These petitions question the Enforcement Directorate's powers under the PMLA law. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued for the review petitions' urgent hearing. The Centre opposes a wider review beyond specific issues. The court previously upheld key PMLA provisions and ED's arrest powers.

Actress Jane Seymour has maintained a consistent exercise routine well into her 70s. She focuses on Pilates and Gyrotonic training to support strength and mobility. Her approach to fitness emphasises consistency rather than intense workouts. Seymour has trained with Jeeny Miller for more than 18 years, highlighting the importance of regular movement as we age.

Recent research reveals that solar panels and farming can thrive together, particularly aiding livestock. While grass yield under solar panels was lower, lambs benefited from enhanced nutrition and reduced heat stress due to the shade provided. This innovative agrivoltaic approach allows simultaneous electricity generation and livestock grazing, and its popularity is rising across the country, especially with sheep utilizing solar sites.

The discovery of GJ 523b, an exoplanet more than twice the size of Earth, has shaken scientists' understanding of rocky planet formation. This Mega-Earth, studied using TESS and Webb telescope data, showcases a significant core and a surprisingly light atmosphere. These intriguing findings highlight the need for further research to fully grasp the complexities of such unique celestial entities, as GJ 523b blurs the lines of conventional planetary science.

A Chennai couple who paid Rs 46 lakh for a flat in 2019 allegedly waited years without receiving possession, while continuing to pay both rent and home-loan EMIs. Wealth manager Kalyan Kumar Biswal said a 2025 consumer court ruling ordered the builder to refund the amount with 19% interest from 2019, taking the total to Rs 1.06 crore, including Rs 60 lakh in interest.

BMC Gen Z Fellowship: Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has launched the BMC Gen Z Fellowship 2026, offering 50 seats to graduates under 28 years of age for a monthly stipend of Rs 61,500 for a 12-month tenure. Applications are open online between 19 and 31 August 2026 with an application fee of Rs 500.

Quote of the day by Fernando Pessoa: Fernando Pessoa was a groundbreaking Portuguese writer who delved deeply into the concept of identity through his unique literary personas. His heteronyms, such as Alberto Caeiro and Ricardo Reis, presented varied perspectives on life. After his death, his writings surfaced, showcasing his essential thoughts on existence, creativity, and humanity's essence. Today, Pessoa is celebrated as a vital figure in modernist literature.

A small black diamond labeled on the tape measure indicates a precise 19.2 inches for floor joist spacing, effectively coordinating with plywood sheet dimensions. This alignment provides proper support for panel edges resting on joists. Span tables released by engineered wood associations highlight this spacing option specifically. It's important to differentiate this from wall stud spacing, which adheres to separate guidelines.

Swiggy's Instamart will adopt an inventory model after shareholder approval for India-owned status. This change allows Instamart to potentially improve margins and gain greater control. The quick-commerce unit aims to catch up with market leader Blinkit in this competitive sector. This shift requires higher working capital for inventory purchases and stock management. Instamart's transition is part of Swiggy's broader strategy for profitability.

India and Japan agreed to deepen maritime security cooperation and naval coordination. They will strengthen naval coordination and explore joint development in shipbuilding. The pact will enhance cooperation in maritime domain awareness and disaster relief. Both nations will also enhance coordination for protecting sea lines of communication. This agreement aims to advance their defense partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.

Jane Sewall's childhood dream came true when she purchased Witch Island near South Bristol, Maine. In a generous move, she donated it in two stages to prevent commercialization, carefully timing the gifts to sidestep impending tax regulations affecting property values. The Maine Coast Heritage Trust and the Maine Audubon Society were the fortunate recipients, while Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust now oversees the island as a protected wildlife haven.

Max Verstappen has extended his contract with Red Bull until 2030. This announcement ends speculation about a potential move to another team. Verstappen stated the team feels like a second family and he is happy. He has achieved four world championships with the team. The driver is considered one of F1's all-time greats.

A clash erupted between ABVP and Left-leaning student groups at Jadavpur University. Several students sustained injuries during the confrontation which continued late into the night. Both sides accused each other of bringing outsiders onto the university campus. Fires were allegedly set at several locations on the campus early Thursday morning.

NSE may allow its shares to trade on its own platform after listing on rival BSE, potentially boosting liquidity and paving the way for inclusion in Nifty indexes. The proposal was discussed with global investors during IPO roadshows. However, current rules dont permit exchange self-listing, meaning NSE would need Sebi approval. The IPO is targeted for September.

Man takes a DNA test, finds out he isn't the child's father, files for divorce, and moves court for an official paternity test after his wife refuses one. The Supreme Court has now allowed the test, ruling that a child can be subjected to a DNA paternity test in matrimonial disputes where unchastity is the ground for divorce, and that a private DNA test showing zero probability of fatherhood is sufficient to establish the need for a court-ordered one.

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar urged the Southern Zonal Council to adopt a resolution. He called for the 1971 census to be the basis for delimitation and Lok Sabha seat numbers. Shivakumar also requested that the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats remain unchanged for twenty-five years. He emphasised accommodating women's reservation within these current parliamentary seats.

Both pilots of an Airbus A320 carrying 157 passengers fell asleep for 28 minutes while flying at 36,000 feet from Kendari to Jakarta. The aircraft remained on autopilot but drifted from its assigned route before the captain woke up, corrected the course and resumed communication with air traffic control. The incident highlighted concerns over pilot fatigue and crew rest.

A Japanese island's initiative to curb pests with cane toads resulted in unintended consequences. These invasive toads proliferated, wreaking havoc on local ecosystems. Their toxic secretions wreaked havoc on numerous indigenous predators, including serpents. Surprisingly, a native eagle species demonstrated genetic immunity to the toads' venom. This scenario highlights the potential risks associated with the introduction of non-native species as makeshift solutions to ecological challenges.