The Economic Times

Starting April 2027, UK pension pots will be subject to inheritance tax, prompting a reevaluation of legacy planning strategies. For Indians holding UK pensions, transferring them to Indian QROPS before this deadline becomes vital. This process involves specific forms and an exact completion sequence. Indian pension schemes present a variety of investment options tailored to different risk profiles.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly assisting in financial tasks and decision-making. Organisations report improved decision quality and faster processing with AI integration. Routine finance work like bookkeeping is being automated by AI systems. However, complex decisions still require human judgment and professional expertise.

Brent crude may stay near eighty dollars a barrel for twelve months. Analysts favor Oil India and ONGC due to expected earnings growth. Oil India's refinery capacity expansion will drive future output increases. Oil marketing companies face pressure from lower integrated gross margins. Valuation and earnings concerns persist for HPCL, BPCL, and IOCL.

Rahul Gandhi supports tribals protesting the Ken-Betwa river-linking project. He will visit the protest site to pressure the government. Tribals claim the project will displace thousands and harm the Panna Tiger Reserve. They allege administrative harassment and seek parliamentary intervention. Gandhi pledged his and Congress's solidarity with the affected communities.

Italian Proverb of the Day: The eye doesnt see, the heart doesnt hurt explores the connection between awareness and emotional pain. The traditional saying suggests that people may avoid worry or distress when they remain unaware of something unpleasant. Its broader lesson considers whether knowing difficult truths always brings greater peace or whether ignorance can sometimes protect peace of mind.

Swiggy is moving closer to becoming an Indian-owned and controlled company (IOCC), a move that could enable an inventory-led model for Instamart and potentially improve margins. However, Jefferies expects the shift to trigger passive outflows of over $400 million from MSCI and FTSE indices due to foreign ownership limits. The brokerage retained its Buy rating with a target price of Rs 435.

Research indicates that using cacao-shell waste to create biochar has significantly improved agricultural yields on degraded farmland in Sumatra. Over time, this biochar technique demonstrated enhanced effectiveness, particularly in the acidic Ultisol soil. However, its benefits diminished after multiple growing seasons, necessitating repeated applications to sustain its positive influence. Thus, biochar emerges as a beneficial resource for promoting soil health and ensuring food security.

Bangladesh seeks faster business visa issuance for its nationals traveling to India. Dhaka also urged greater ease of doing business for mutual economic benefits. The nation wants businesses and private sectors to communicate more frequently. Bangladesh desires more vibrant trade, investment, and communication between the two countries. It invites greater Indian investment in Bangladesh's economic zones.

Looking for something entertaining to watch this weekend? Zendaya has built an impressive screen career, moving effortlessly between superhero blockbusters, musical dramas, intense romances and dark coming-of-age stories.

Shiprockets strong stock market debut reflects surging investor confidence in Indias tech-driven e-commerce infrastructure. As rapid D2C expansion, SMB digitization, and quick commerce transform Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets, Shiprockets neutral API aggregation model unifies a fragmented logistics ecosystem. Beyond core shipping aggregation, the platform's long-term growth is powered by expanding merchant fulfillment, payments, and checkout workflows.

Behari Lal Engineering shares surged 14% after making a strong market debut, listing at a 63% premium to the IPO price. Brokerages remain positive, citing strong investor appetite and reasonable valuations, though they advise investors to book partial profits after the sharp listing gains. Heres what SBI Securities and Swastika Investmart recommend on the stock.

IDFC FIRST Bank raised $500 million through its maiden international bond issuance, marking its entry into global debt markets. The three-year senior notes, due in 2029, carry a 5.625% coupon and attracted major investors including BlackRock, Capital Group and AllianceBernstein. The fundraising diversifies the banks funding base and supports its long-term growth ambitions.

Indian Bank raised $400 million through a four-year overseas funding programme via its GIFT City branch, joining Indian lenders tapping global debt markets. Banks are accelerating dollar bond issuances following regulatory changes to the concessional swap window for FCNR deposits. Axis, ICICI, Federal, IDFC First, Kotak Mahindra and Yes Bank are also active.

Mihir Rale and Dibyajyoti Das will lead IAMAI's Legal Tech Committee. This committee fosters collaboration among legal professionals and tech providers. It aims to simplify regulations for India's evolving digital economy. The group will address overlapping laws and compliance challenges. Their work supports innovation while protecting consumers and managing risks.

India's rupee banknotes in circulation significantly outnumber US dollar and Euro notes. The Reserve Bank of India reports 176 billion rupee notes are currently in use. This volume is driven by a preference for lower-denomination notes and a Clean Note Policy. Physical currency circulation expands at double-digit rates annually, despite digital payment growth. This expansion presents forecasting challenges for the central bank's production planning.

Upstox is currently in talks with investment banks regarding a possible initial public offering. Backed by Tiger Global, the company plans to hire advisers shortly for the imminent listing. This IPO could potentially generate approximately $400 million from both new and existing investors. Following Groww's impactful IPO last year, Upstox reached unicorn status in 2021 subsequent to a significant funding round.

BSE shares face fresh pressure after Nuvama and Jefferies downgraded the stock, citing headwinds from the Closing Auction Session, RBIs bank guarantee norms and limited scope for further market share gains. Nuvama cut its target price to Rs 3,240, while Jefferies lowered its target to Rs 2,940.

India has replaced Indonesia as Asias least-preferred stock market among fund managers surveyed by Bank of America, with 32% of respondents net underweight on Indian equities. Lack of clear AI exposure, weak growth, high valuations and limited reforms emerged as key concerns, even as improving earnings and renewed foreign inflows provide some support.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is actively analyzing new frameworks for small company IPOs and delisting procedures. In a move to bolster global fund management operations from Indian turf, proposed enhancements to portfolio manager regulations aim to strengthen onshore trading strategies. Furthermore, the SEBI head announced that the innovative closing auction session will effectively pinpoint manipulative practices, assuring the public that severe repercussions await any det

Preston Harp, Natalie Harp's estranged brother, was taken aback after hearing that she climbed into an SUV trunk due to denied access to a motorcade. He expressed concern over what he views as her unhealthy fixation on President Trump, attributing her loyalty to their shared conservative beliefs and a strong sense of American exceptionalism, which he believes shapes her understanding of Trump's values.

The Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister Vijay has extended maternity leave for women state government employees having a third child from 12 weeks to 365 days. Human Resources Management Minister D Sarathkumar announced the decision in the Assembly on Tuesday. The move aligns third-child maternity benefits with those for the first two children amid Tamil Nadu's declining fertility rate and ageing population.

Extreme weather is pushing farmers toward climate-resilient practices for better yields. Regenerative farming methods improve soil health and water retention significantly. Major companies and financial institutions are funding this agricultural transition. These collaborations aim to mitigate risks from climate change and ensure supply chains. Farmers adopting these techniques are outperforming conventional holdings during droughts.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced new measures for MLAs. These measures include official vehicles and a monthly allowance for their work. MLAs will now travel constituencies to monitor projects and address public grievances. This initiative aims to enhance their capacity and provide support. The announcement was made under rule 110 in the state assembly.

Isha Koppikar identified as a proud 'andhbhakt' for India's progress. She clarified her devotion is towards the nation, not any political party. Kangana Ranaut voiced support for Koppikar's sentiment on social media. Ranaut explained her own identification with loving one's country and people. This exchange follows Ranaut's earlier criticism of Gen Z protests.

Bengaluru-based investor and IIT Delhi alumnus Ishan Preet Singh has claimed that entering an IIT is mathematically 20 times harder than getting into Harvard. In an Instagram vox pop interview, he discussed Indias rapid growth, founders returning from the US, career advice, passion, ambition, financial success and the importance of enjoying the work.

Apple's rumored camera-equipped AirPods may launch soon, showing Visual Intelligence capabilities. These earbuds could understand wearer's surroundings and save visual information for later use. The new AirPods, codenamed B790, might debut alongside the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models.

Hayden Panettiere was found unresponsive at a South Carolina apartment. Both Brian and Zach Hickerson were present when emergency responders arrived. Zach became emotional while Brian showed no visible emotion until after her death. Medication was found at the property, and Narcan was reportedly present. Panettiere's mother expressed distress over Brian's presence at her daughter's death.

Pia Dandiya has clinched the Democratic primary for Floridas newly redrawn 22nd Congressional District, setting up a contest against Republican Casey Askar in the general election in November. With a campaign centred on her experience as an educator and her vision for progress, Dandiya has secured backing from the Democratic National Committee, marking a significant moment in South Floridas evolving political landscape.

INCOIS issued a swell surge warning for Kerala and nearby regions. High period swells from the southern Indian Ocean will impact coastal areas. Inundation of low-lying coastal areas may occur from August 19. Fishermen and coastal populations are cautioned to be alert for surging waves. Tourist activities at beaches and nearshore regions are suspended.

Mumbai-based Milky Mist Dairy Foods made a strong debut on the NSE, listing at

Gaja Alternative Asset Management plans a

Indian markets faced pressure as the Nifty declined for a sixth consecutive trading session. Rising oil prices and ongoing West Asia conflict kept traders cautious throughout the day. The Nifty closed lower, reflecting broader market weakness and investor concerns. Domestic institutional investors provided some buying support, while FPIs also bought shares. Technical indicators suggest a period of consolidation for the indices in the near term.

The Nifty index continued its decline for a sixth consecutive session this week. Elevated crude oil prices and global tensions are impacting market sentiment negatively. Analysts anticipate continued pressure on Indian equities in the immediate future. Foreign and domestic institutional investors showed net buying activity on Tuesday. The Indian rupee closed slightly weaker due to oil prices and bond yields.

The Indian stock market experienced a downward trend for the sixth consecutive session on Tuesday, influenced by rising oil prices and soaring global bond yields. Key companies like ONGC and BPCL will attract attention due to recent corporate developments. More newsworthy, RailTel Corporation and Compucom Software have landed significant contracts with government bodies. Additionally, Lohia Corp and others are expected to report their first-quarter earnings today.

The unofficial grey market shows increased activity with rising share prices. Recent strong IPO listings have boosted investor confidence and expectations for future gains. Several upcoming initial public offerings are experiencing significant grey market premiums. This heightened investor appetite is driven by recent successful stock market debuts. Companies are now pricing their offerings more conservatively to ensure strong subscriptions.

India's top private banks are reducing their employee numbers significantly. This workforce contraction occurred after substantial hiring in the previous fiscal year. Technology-led efficiencies are enabling banks to expand operations without increasing staff. Some midsize lenders, however, have increased their headcount during this period. Banks are accelerating AI and automation deployment across their operations.

Most Indian companies show a persistent gender pay gap, with women earning less than men. Only a small percentage of companies reported progress towards pay parity in the recent fiscal year. New labor codes strengthen legal foundations against wage discrimination for equal work. Structural career drivers and representation in high-value roles remain unchanged for women. Women are concentrated in junior roles and underrepresented in core business functions.

The apex court also directed the special court in Mumbai dealing with money-laundering cases to decide within two weeks on the CBI's plea seeking further investigation into a sixth transaction involving Rs 1,574 crore.

Indian consumer companies are increasing festive marketing budgets by up to 20% as demand shows signs of strengthening and dealers build inventory ahead of the key consumption season. Automakers, FMCG and electronics firms are boosting advertising and consumer engagement despite margin pressures from higher input costs and rupee depreciation.

Leaders still have to raise the sails. That is the real shift: from optimiser to navigator. Optimising assumes conditions are stable enough to fine-tune around. Navigating assumes disruption will arrive without warning and the job is to hold course regardless.

India's fair trade regulator CCI has approved Prudential Corporation Holdings' stake acquisition. This acquisition involves a significant equity shareholding in Bharti Life Insurance Company. UK-based Prudential plc will acquire a majority 75 percent stake for Rs 3,500 crore. The transaction requires Prudential to reduce its holding in an existing venture. Post completion, Prudential's Indian operations will include majority-owned Bharti Life Insurance.

Regional Rural Banks saw gross loans rise 10.3 percent to Rs 5,78,349 crore. Their performance under Priority Sector Lending targets remained strong, achieving 91.7 percent. Agriculture and allied activities formed the largest credit component, accounting for 77 percent. MSME lending focused on micro enterprises, supporting rural entrepreneurs and small businesses. RRBs also extended significant credit to weaker sections and inclusive development areas.

Gaja Alternative Asset Management secured Rs 165 crore from anchor investors on Tuesday. The company's Rs 550 crore initial public offering opens for subscription on Wednesday. The IPO includes a fresh issue of Rs 450 crore and an offer for sale. Proceeds will fund debt repayment, new fund seeding, and general corporate needs. Shares are scheduled to list on BSE and NSE on August 26.

Indian equities extended losses as fading Middle East peace hopes, elevated crude prices, rising US yields and weak global cues intensified risk-off sentiment. Sensex fell 493 points and Nifty 133 points, while technical indicators pointed to further downside.

Crude prices, rising US yields and weak global cues kept Indian equities under pressure. Analysts remain bullish on Aeroflex Industries and JG Chemical, citing strong technical setups, key support levels and potential upside targets despite near-term market risks.

Ashok Leyland's June-quarter has an unusual contradiction. The company sold 48,763 commercial vehicles, its highest-ever first-quarter volume, and revenue from operations rose 10.43% to Rs. 9,634 crore. Yet, the operating EBITDA was Rs. 970 crore, almost the same as a year earlier. The Q1 FY 27 result must, therefore, be understood not in terms of greater demand, but in terms of why the record volumes and revenue did not lead to an increase in operating earnings.