The Economic Times

In Louisiana, discarded oyster shells are being creatively transformed into living shorelines to combat coastal erosion and rising sea levels. This innovative project collects shells from restaurants, providing a habitat for juvenile oysters to thrive. Studies indicate that these reefs can effectively diminish wave impact during certain flooding scenarios. This community-focused initiative is making strides across Gulf states, presenting an eco-friendly solution for coastal resilience.

New military installations have been sighted on an islet near Antelope Reef. Analysts believe China is building its largest military base there. Construction started in March and April, with new images showing progress. This could support an early warning radar facility for Antelope Reef. The construction strengthens China's military hold on the vital trade waterway.

Kriti Sanon's latest jewellery advertisement has sparked a heated debate online regarding the outfit she wore. Kangana Ranaut shared her thoughts on its appropriateness for the festival, while Sanon countered by emphasizing the deeper emotional ties of traditions over mere clothing choices. She asserted that true cultural respect emanates from the heart and is not confined to what one wears.

The Sensex has gone 697 days without a new record high, marking its longest stretch of weakness in years. In 2026, 37% of trading days have delivered negative two-year returns, the highest share since 2012. However, easing FII selling, resilient domestic flows and potential foreign inflows could support a recovery.

With NSEs IPO expected in the second half of September, investors face a choice between buying its unlisted shares or waiting for the public issue. NSEs unlisted shares are currently trading around Rs 2,015, little changed from their level when the exchange filed its DRHP. The stock has traded between Rs 1,800 and Rs 2,150 over the past year.

Indian companies delivered better-than-expected Q1FY27 earnings, with around 70% of firms meeting or beating HSBCs estimates. Mid- and small-cap companies led growth, while financials drove earnings upgrades. However, HSBC flagged risks of downgrades in coming quarters as elevated commodity prices persist and the benefits of GST cuts and inventory gains fade.

Bernstein has retained an Outperform rating on Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and REC but cut its target prices and loan-growth estimates, citing stronger competition from banks, slower renewable capacity additions and improving financial health among state-owned DISCOMs. The brokerage lowered its target to Rs 465 for PFC and Rs 410 for REC, while reducing FY26-FY28 loan-book growth estimates to 7%.

IIFL Finance shares fell sharply on Tuesday after subsidiary IIFL Home Finance received a Rs 963.39 crore income tax demand covering April 2018 to February 2025. The company disputed the additions and said it is pursuing appellate remedies. Separately, IIFL Finance secured a stay on a Rs 475.56 crore tax demand.

Radhakishan Damanis top five stock holdings include Avenue Supermarts, Sundaram Finance, VST Industries, 3M India and United Breweries

Antique Stock Broking initiated coverage on Astra Microwave Products with a buy rating and Rs 2,000 target price, implying around 20% upside from its August 25 market price. The stock rose as much as 3.7% following the report.

IHCLs merger with Oriental Hotels is expected to be EPS accretive and strengthen its presence in South India, according to brokerages. Nomura, Goldman Sachs and JM Financial retained Buy ratings on IHCL, citing potential cost synergies, asset optimisation and direct ownership of key properties. The merger is expected to close in FY28.

Ratnamani Metals & Tubes shares gained around 21% in two trading sessions after its subsidiary, Ratnamani Finow Spooling Solutions, secured export orders worth approximately Rs 2,700 crore. The orders, placed by international customers, are expected to be executed over two to three years and could strengthen the subsidiarys export and revenue visibility.

The brokerage expects 24,000 to act as a crucial support level for the Nifty; a sustained break below this level could trigger further weakness towards 23,800.

India's capital market is on the brink of a transformative shift as more investors engage actively. The Metropolitan Stock Exchange (MSE) is dedicated to cultivating a resilient financial framework, improving accessibility, and mitigating costs for emerging investors throughout the nation. With a versatile platform powered by advanced technology, this initiative aspires to broaden wealth generation opportunities and contribute to the countrys overall prosperity.

The Indian stock market will remain open on August 26 despite Eid-e-Milad, with the BSE and NSE observing only a settlement holiday. Trading will continue as usual, while clearing and settlement activities will remain suspended. MCX and NCDEX will also operate normally. The next market holiday is September 14 for Ganesh Chaturthi.

Netweb Technologies shares fell nearly 4% after the company completed its Rs 1,200 crore Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP), its first equity capital raise since listing in July 2023. The issue drew strong participation from global and domestic institutional investors, including Nomura, Goldman Sachs Asset Management and several mutual funds. The company will use the proceeds to meet working capital needs and support anticipated growth in its order book.

Lenskarts IPO valuation drew sharp criticism from investors, with its 230x P/E and 10.5x sales multiples sparking comparisons with expensive listings such as Mamaearth, Paytm and Nykaa. Retail investors mocked the Rs 70,000-crore valuation on social media, questioning whether the eyewear company offered enough upside. Less than a year later, the debate over Lenskarts valuation has taken a new turn.

TCS shares rose after the IT major signed a five-year 1.25 billion deal with Porsche AG and agreed to acquire its IT arm, MHP, for 320 million in an all-cash transaction. The acquisition, expected to close in 34 months, will deepen TCS relationship with Porsche and strengthen its AI transformation push, while expanding its presence among European automotive and industrial clients.

Entero Healthcare Solutions shares rose sharply after Prashant Jain-owned 3P Investment Managers acquired a 2.5% stake in the company through open market transactions. The shares were bought from Prasid Uno Family Trust at Rs 1,377.8 apiece, according to stock exchange data.

Shares of fertiliser companies rallied up to 13% on Tuesday after Russian President Vladimir Putin assured India of uninterrupted fertiliser supplies amid the West Asia crisis. Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT), Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF), Paradeep Phosphates and Chambal Fertilisers & Chemicals gained as investors assessed the potential boost from assured supplies.

Heres a look at the 10 stocks that witnessed the biggest drop in FII holding during the quarter.

ESDS Software Solution Ltd has set the price range for its initial public offering, valued at Rs 720 crore. The IPO is set to open for public subscriptions starting August 28, while anchor investors get a chance to bid on August 27. Subscriptions will conclude on September 1, and the funds raised will be allocated for data center equipment and other corporate needs.

Afcons Infrastructure shares gained 4.40% after the company received a favourable arbitral award of Rs 335.50 crore from a tribunal in its dispute with Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority. The award comprises Rs 152.25 crore in principal and Rs 183.25 crore in interest, potentially providing a positive financial impact for the company.

Ceigall India shares rose 4% after securing a 704.7 crore MoRTH contract for the Frontier Highway in Arunachal Pradesh. The EPC project, awarded jointly with Sushee Infra & Mining, includes 48 months of construction and five years of maintenance. The order strengthens Ceigalls road infrastructure portfolio and regional presence.

Over the past five years, six prominent Nifty companies have reported negative returns. Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys struggle under the strain of evolving IT service landscapes. Hindustan Unilever has seen a dip in stock value driven by weak rural demand and intensified competition. Meanwhile, HDFC Life Insurance is grappling with slower growth and profitability challenges, and both Asian Paints and HDFC Bank have also faced considerable declines.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday termed the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) a major turning point in the country's digital payments journey, as the interface completed 10 years since its launch.

India's recent smallcap surge indicates that less stock is outpacing the benchmark index, revealing a narrowing group of successful stocks boosting overall returns. Conversely, largecap stocks are showing wider engagement even as they lag in market performance. While the NSE 500 reflects enhanced market breadth, individual stock gains are waning, presenting investors with a challenging environment requiring careful selection amidst higher valuations.

With the recent acquisition of a major contract for three battery energy storage ventures, Larsen & Toubro is poised for expansion. This initiative will provide a total of six gigawatt-hours in storage capacity. The projects also involve the construction of crucial grid connectivity infrastructure that ensures each system provides four-hour battery storage, thereby enhancing grid stability and facilitating greater integration of renewable energy solutions in the area.

PVR Inox shares rallied over 4% after announcing its board will consider the multiplex operators first-ever share buyback on August 31. The stock touched a fresh 52-week high, gaining strongly in recent weeks. Investors will watch the buyback price, route, record date and promoter participation for further cues.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Japan's government is considering tax breaks on non-core business sales. This move aims to accelerate corporate restructuring and industry consolidation efforts. The plan would defer corporate tax on sale gains if proceeds are reinvested. This initiative is modeled on Germany's successful tax reforms from the early 2000s. Such changes could boost already active merger and acquisition deal activity in Japan.

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.

In the fight for the South Carolina Republican Senate nomination, Senator Darline Graham has secured major support from MAGA Inc., while Representative Ralph Norman intensifies his campaign efforts. Norman voices his worries regarding the role of super PACs in shaping elections. With rallies and endorsements from President Donald Trump on her side, the winner of this runoff will square off against Annie Andrews, the Democratic candidate, in November.

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.