The Economic Times
Elections 2026Company / The Economic Times
Greenlands 1,600-foot ice dome vanished 7,000 years ago when temperatures were several degrees warmer than today. Now, scientists have found the buried evidence beneath Prudhoe Dome. The discovery raises a difficult question about Greenlands future. Similar warmth could return by the end of this century. If that happens, the ancient melt record could offer a rare clue to how quickly Greenlands ice may respond and what it could mean for global sea levels.
Quote of the Day by Christina Aguilera: Christina Aguileras quote, Red lips and fragrance always top off an outfit for me, explores the importance of personal style, beauty, confidence, and self-expression. The quote suggests that makeup and fragrance can be more than simple beauty accessories, as they can add personality, elegance, and a sense of completeness to an outfit. Aguileras words highlight how small details such as a bold red lip and a favorite fragrance can help a person feel polished
A 17-year-old student from Pennsylvania has developed a promising blood-based method for detecting pancreatic cancer by using magnetic nanospheres to isolate tumor-derived particles from blood samples. Audrey Zheng, a senior at North Allegheny Senior High School, focused on extracellular vesicles that carry molecular information from cells and tested them for cancer-linked KRAS mutations.
The Asian Development Bank and Karnataka government on Friday signed an agreement for Rs 1,750 crore in ADB assistance to develop 500 government schools as Karnataka Public Schools by 2029-30. The state will contribute Rs 750 crore, taking the total project outlay to Rs 2,500 crore to upgrade infrastructure and educational facilities.
In a time before air conditioning, Americans became innovative in their quest to stay cool. Architectural elements like high ceilings and strategically placed windows promoted cross-ventilation. Porches transformed into relaxation spaces, and sleeping porches harnessed the evening breeze. Even fans predated electricity, while ice offered temporary relief. Evaporative cooling and adaptive daily routines emerged as practical strategies to combat the heat.
Jainendrajeet's academic journey is inspiring. Despite starting with a modest 54% in Class 10 and struggling with mathematics, he rebounded spectacularly by achieving a 99.98 percentile in JEE Main 2023. This exceptional performance earned him an AIR of 349 in JEE Advanced, paving the way for his studies in Computer Science at IIT Bombay. His story illustrates that early challenges do not dictate ultimate success.
Indian equity benchmarks ended largely flat on Friday, extending gains for a second straight session despite Middle East uncertainties. Power Grid, HDFC Life and Kotak Mahindra Bank led the gainers, while Maruti Suzuki, Trent and HCL Tech were among the top losers. Broader markets outperformed with positive market breadth.
A scan of the BSE universe identified 207 companies with a market capitalisation above Rs 3,000 crore that maintained profit margins above 10% for eight consecutive quarters through June 2026. Among these, 12 stocks delivered gains of 97% to 396% over the past two years, with Acutaas Chemicals emerging as the top performer.
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AI agents are increasingly performing purchases, which presents new payment challenges. Banks and networks must verify agent intent and transaction legitimacy. New security measures will distinguish between genuine and malicious automated activity. Payment rails may become invisible as consumers focus on speed and reliability.
Italian Proverb of the Day: Hope is the last to die highlights the enduring role of hope during uncertainty, setbacks and difficult circumstances. The saying suggests that people can continue believing in the possibility of change even when outcomes appear uncertain. Rather than promising success, the proverb presents hope as a source of resilience that can encourage perseverance until the very end.
The Supreme Court recently nullified a directive from the Madras High Court regarding DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran's legal situation. This decision permits Maran to summon the Union Telecom Secretary as a defense witness, overturning the earlier high court order that required the secretarys testimony. The core of this case pertains to allegations of illicit telephone exchanges established during Maran's tenure as minister.
Indias gold loan market is emerging as a growth opportunity for financial institutions, with outstanding loans against gold jewellery reaching Rs 3.3 lakh crore by May 2026. Tata Capital, Godrej Capital and Aditya Birla Capital are expanding aggressively as lenders shift toward secured retail credit, driven by rising gold prices, strong demand, regulatory changes and Indias vast household gold holdings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged young space entrepreneurs to innovate for agriculture and daily life. He highlighted the potential of India's private space sector for global impact. Startups were urged to engage with schools and inspire future generations. Modi acknowledged the risks taken by entrepreneurs and the government's reform process. The government will continue supporting startups to build national space capabilities.
Nobel Hygiene has filed its DRHP with SEBI for an IPO comprising a fresh issue of up to Rs 150 crore and an offer for sale of up to 15.51 million shares. The company plans to use the fresh issue proceeds for debt repayment, subsidiary investment and manufacturing expansion, as it seeks to capitalise on Indias fast-growing adult absorbent hygiene market.
Indias aspiration economy: How consumers are reshaping cars, hotels, homes and food | ET WLF 2026
Punjab National Bank and the Indian Army have signed an exclusive memorandum of understanding. This partnership will offer two specialised credit cards for Army personnel. These cards provide benefits like cashback and airport lounge access. The PNB Parakram Credit Card features an environmentally friendly biodegradable design.
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Jefferies retained its Buy rating on Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals with a Rs 330 target, implying nearly 29% upside. The brokerage expects the companys premiumisation strategy, market share gains, new product categories and margin expansion to drive a 12% revenue CAGR and 18% EPS CAGR through FY29.
Mold-Tek Packaging and Mold-Tek Technologies will consider bonus issues and dividends at their August 26 board meetings. While investors await the announcements, both stocks have delivered strong gains over the longer term, with Mold-Tek Packaging also featuring among Axis Securities top midcap picks with a Buy rating.
Bharat Coking Coal shares surged over 7% to Rs 37.70 as global coking coal prices soared 18%. The rally follows supply disruptions and strong long-term demand forecasts, offsetting the company's weak Q1 FY27 results where it posted a net loss of Rs 68 crore amid falling production.
Aswath Damodaran says AIs investment debate should shift from hype and skepticism toward evaluating it as a business. He argues revolutionary technologies follow four stages: hype, investment, business building and recalibration. AI is entering the business-building phase, with revenues emerging but profitability uncertain. Significant disruption and market corrections remain possible.
Indias domestic economy remains resilient, with healthy revenue and earnings growth despite geopolitical uncertainties, according to OmniScience Capital. The firm sees potential for 7%+ GDP growth this fiscal year and believes India could sustain a high-growth trajectory even if the West Asia conflict persists.
India's digital economy growth requires empowering small enterprises, farmers, and workers. Artificial intelligence must reach beyond large corporations to benefit all citizens. Companies are moving past AI experiments towards actual deployment and integration. AI can significantly enhance cybersecurity efforts for users and enterprises. India needs compute capacity and infrastructure for widespread AI adoption.
MCX shares rose in three sessions to Rs 3,211, tracking a third straight session of gains in gold and silver prices amid a weaker US dollar and easing concerns over long-term yields. The stock has gained 15% in a month, 45% so far this year and 101% over the past year, while delivering a staggering 932% return in three years and 970% in five years.
Motilal Oswal sees 27% upside in Aditya Infotech, citing strong surveillance demand, rising market share, STQC norms and improving margins. The brokerage expects robust revenue and profit growth through FY28, supported by higher-value products, backward integration and lower competitive intensity.
Vedanta Aluminium Metal shares gained more than 2% after the company launched two advanced offerings under its Primary Foundry Alloy range for high-performance automotive applications. The new products, unveiled at AutoEdge 2026, come as the company expands its value-added aluminium portfolio and targets growing demand from the automotive sector.
Jefferies Christopher Wood sees gold as the second-best hedge for investors amid rising geopolitical and fiscal risks linked to the Iran conflict. While he prefers oil and energy stocks as the primary hedge, Wood expects gold and gold miners to benefit from renewed monetary easing expectations, geopolitical shocks and persistent fiscal concerns.
Netweb Technologies India shares rose nearly 3.5% to a fresh 52-week high after the company completed its Rs 1,200 crore qualified institutional placement (QIP). Nomura, Goldman Sachs, ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund and other institutional investors participated in the fundraise, which comes amid strong growth in the company's revenue and profit.
Deepinder Goyal revealed his experimental Temple wearable is now significantly smaller. This device tracks cerebral blood flow and neurological markers. The company plans to start taking pre-orders for a limited edition soon. Shipments of the Temple wearable are anticipated before the end of 2026. Interested individuals can join the mailing list for future updates.
Walchandnagar Industries shares rose on Friday after the company secured a Rs 30.53 crore order from Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre for fabricating, testing and supplying HS200 motorcase segments for the Gaganyaan mission. The order, which includes all three segments, is scheduled for completion over four years, according to the companys filing.
Indian CEOs must build real AI products and solutions, moving beyond simple chatbot experiments. Companies are accelerating AI adoption and need to identify complex problems for dedicated task forces. Anthropic India is collaborating with major banks and institutions on various AI initiatives. McKinsey estimates AI's economic value at $4.4 trillion, with India investing billions.
Ladakh will withdraw cases against 25 individuals involved in a protest incident. Preparations for upcoming Panchayat elections in Ladakh are now commencing. A meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs is scheduled for early September. Land use changes and Nautor land tenancy rights will be regularized soon. Tourism sector will now receive electricity at industrial tariffs.
The BJP will meet tomorrow to finalize plans for Modi@25 celebrations. These nationwide events will commemorate Prime Minister Modi's 25 years in public service. The campaign, Seva Sankalp Mahotsav, begins September 7 and lasts fifteen days. It will feature outreach programs and digital exhibitions highlighting his public life. The celebrations focus on service, good governance, development, and public welfare.
Shares of Kronox Lab Sciences surged after Indo Borax and Zenrock Chemicals announced plans to acquire a 64.26% stake in the company and launch an open offer for an additional 25.79% stake.
Goldman Sachs has initiated coverage on 14 Indian banks with a mix of Buy, Neutral and Sell ratings, focusing on earnings growth, franchise strength, valuations and the normalisation of return on assets (ROA) as key stock drivers. The brokerage sees private banks at an inflection point.
Over one crore NCMC RuPay smartcards were registered in five months. These cards now serve MSRTC concessional passengers across Maharashtra's villages. The digital passes replace old paper systems, improving verification and reducing misuse. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Modi's Digital India 'One Nation, One Card' vision. Future plans include retail payments and integration with metro and water transport.
Lumino Industries has fixed the price band for its Rs 700 crore IPO at Rs 78Rs 82 per share, with the issue set to open for subscription on August 27 and close on August 31. The IPO comprises a Rs 500 crore fresh issue and a Rs 200 crore offer for sale, with a substantial portion of the fresh issue proceeds earmarked for debt repayment.
India Private Equity Investment 2026: Geopolitical risks now shape private equity deal considerations in India. Investors increasingly focus on resilience and supply-chain stability for investments. Capital deployment concentrates on manufacturing and financial services sectors. Export-oriented businesses still attract interest despite US tariff uncertainties. India remains an attractive destination due to its market scale and policy support.
Jefferies has initiated coverage on Anthem Biosciences with a Buy rating and Rs 1,050 target, implying around 20% upside. The brokerage is bullish on the companys integrated CRDMO model, strong return ratios and growth prospects, forecasting 18% revenue CAGR through FY29. Key triggers include new commercial molecules and biosimilar launches, while customer concentration and high capex remain key risks.
US public debt has crossed $40 trillion as its fiscal position worsens and Treasury yields move closer to levels that could threaten equities. Jefferies strategist Christopher Wood flagged a rise above 5% in the 10-year US Treasury yield as a key risk trigger, with the yield recently at 4.69%.
RailTel Corporation of India shares gained nearly 4% after the company secured a Rs 164.79 crore work order from Western Coalfields Limited, taking its August order wins to five worth around Rs 551.44 crore. The latest contract involves setting up an MPLS VPN network on a rental basis for 60 months, adding to the companys growing order pipeline across key public-sector and infrastructure segments.

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