The Economic Times

Mutual funds bought Rs 15,900 crore of stocks in July while FIIs sold Rs 11,000 crore. Axis Bank, INDO-MIM and Kotak Mahindra Bank saw major buying, while ICICI Bank, Eternal and Reliance Industries faced selling. Buying remained strong across large, mid and smallcap segments, reflecting active portfolio repositioning by fund managers.

SIF assets under management rose 30% month-on-month to Rs 23,177 crore in July 2026, while inflows also jumped 30% to Rs 4,922 crore. Hybrid Long-Short Funds dominated the segment, accounting for 66% of total SIF AUM.

Eleven Indian clean industrial projects will receive tailored support from the Industrial Transition Accelerator. These initiatives represent over eighteen billion dollars in potential investment and significant carbon abatement. Companies like Jindal Steel and JSW Steel are developing carbon capture technologies. ACME Group and ReNew are advancing green ammonia and methanol production facilities. Circular Urban Energy will produce sustainable aviation fuel from waste materials.

Motilal Oswal Group has committed Rs 1,500 crore to Inox Clean Energy Ltd through compulsorily convertible debentures to fund acquisitions and growth. The initial Rs 1,000 crore has been deployed, with the remaining Rs 500 crore expected soon. This hybrid capital investment aims for an equity conversion upon Inox Clean's potential IPO within 12-24 months, offering downside protection and equity upside.

Indias FMCG market is becoming more difficult for smaller brands, with only 56% of low-penetration brands growing their consumer reach in 2025, compared with 83% of highly penetrated and 78% of mid-sized brands. Overall FMCG consumer choices rose 5.1% to 129 billion, while brands such as Balaji, Rin, Sunrise and Exo gained ground.

Gold rates today:Here is a look at the latest 22k gold jewellery prices at Tanishq, Joyalukkas, Malabar Gold & Diamonds and Kalyan Jewellers across major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram.

Mutual fund SIP stoppage ratio fell to 81.87% in July from 91.23% in June, marking the third consecutive monthly decline. New SIP registrations outpaced discontinued or completed SIPs, while monthly inflows rose 12% year-on-year to Rs 31,961 crore, signalling continued investor preference for systematic and disciplined investing.

Builder used coercive bargaining and paid Rs 18 lakh less as refund to homebuyers for cancellation of allotment under full and final settlement; HC rejects settlement and orders full refund with interest to homebuyers

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright claims nearly nine million barrels daily leave the Strait of Hormuz. Vessel tracking services, however, report volumes closer to half this amount. Total Middle East crude exports remain below pre-conflict levels, according to tracking data.

Indias domestic passenger vehicle dispatches to dealers rose 34.3% year-on-year to 4.58 lakh units in July, according to SIAM. Two-wheeler sales increased 22.6% to 19.23 lakh units, while three-wheeler dispatches grew 33.4% to 92,560 units compared with July 2025.

Automakers privately expressed concerns about E20 fuel contamination, citing chloride and moisture issues. This data emerged after the auto lobby withdrew a complaint to the government. Industry tests found high chloride and moisture levels in many fuel samples. These contaminants are reportedly harming vehicles and reducing performance.

Property buyers gave Rs 54 lakh to property dealer who deposited it in his own bank a/c; dealer gets tax notice, he fights and wins case in ITAT Delhi; Know why

Retirement is not synonymous with tax freedom. Your pensions, interest income, rental earnings, and capital gains may still incur taxes. It's crucial to identify which income streams are subject to taxation and which advantages remain untaxed to prevent errors and manage your finances wisely. Learn strategies to legally minimize your tax responsibilities after retirement and bolster your financial stability.

Crude oil from a grounded tanker has reached Omani mainland beaches. The sanctioned vessel, Caroline Bezengi, is leaking nearly one million barrels. Contamination has spread north of Qabiliyah Island, endangering a marine protected area. Southern coasts of Masirah Island may also be affected soon. Satellite images show the spill covers over six hundred square kilometers.

An investment advisor recommends a tailored strategy for a surplus of Rs 1.31 crore, focusing on balancing risk and stability for retirement aspirations. This plan involves a staggered investment approach via a systematic transfer plan (STP) spanning four to seven years. The proposed portfolio diversifies into equity, hybrid funds, arbitrage, and gold investments, aiming for capital growth while safeguarding assets as retirement approaches.

Hindustan Petroleum Corp has bought 4 million barrels of Middle Eastern crude through a spot tender, according to trade sources. The state-run refiner purchased 2 million barrels of Murban crude each from BP and PetroChina, along with 1 million barrels of Oman crude from Trafigura, with deliveries expected in early October.

A parliamentary committee suggests a self-reliant revenue model for UPI's financial sustainability. Amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act now permit transaction charges on digital payments. The committee noted a significant funding gap between allocations and operational costs. Future merchant discount rate charges will be nominal and apply to limited high-value transactions.

According to Sebi norms, focused equity mutual fund schemes must invest in a portfolio of maximum 30 stocks. These schemes have no other restrictions when it comes to investing- like flexi cap schemes they can invest in any market capitalisations and sectors. If that investment strategy appeals to you, you can get to know more about focused equity schemes.

Karnataka Bandh: Banks in Karnataka will remain open on Thursday, August 13, 2026? The Reserve Bank of India calendar shows banks closed only in Manipur on this day. Customers can proceed with their banking plans as usual across Karnataka.

India nearly doubled its planned coal mining capacity in 2025 to 638 million metric tons per annum, driving almost all of the global increase in proposed coal projects, according to Global Energy Monitor. The expansion comes as India seeks to meet rising power demand despite rapid renewable growth and slowing global coal demand.

Missing a single loan EMI doesn't lead to immediate bank intervention; instead, lenders often issue reminder calls and formal notices first. For secured loans, repossession of assets follows legal procedure, while unsecured loans depend on collection efforts. Recovery agents must uphold borrower dignity, refraining from harassment. Engaging proactively with lenders can facilitate loan restructuring and help preserve your credit score from significant damage.

Microdrama is now a mainstream Indian entertainment format, with most audiences preferring it. Viewers spend over fifteen minutes daily watching these short, episodic stories. Social media feeds are the primary source for discovering new microdrama content. This format shows strong brand recall and purchase intent for advertisers. Microdrama offers creators and brands opportunities for deeper audience engagement.

The Securities Appellate Tribunal reserved its order on interim relief for Zee Entertainment and Punit Goenka. They are challenging a Securities and Exchange Board of India order which they deem punitive. Lawyers argued the order should not take effect until future resolutions are completed. These resolutions are for the company's overall benefit and future operations. Parties must file their replies and submissions within the next six weeks.

Hotel chains plan substantial expansion, expecting many new openings soon. This growth will create thousands of new jobs across India. Radisson Hotel Group anticipates a 75% increase in hotel openings. ITC Hotels aims for over 2,000 new hires for its upcoming properties. IHCL's guidance indicates about 6,000 direct employment opportunities.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2027, India's pharmaceutical exports soared to $8.10 billion, showcasing remarkable strength in drug formulations and biologicals, which together made up roughly three-quarters of the total. Both bulk drugs and vaccines saw substantial double-digit growth. North America and Europe served as vital markets for Indian medicines, indicating a promising future for the nation's pharmaceutical sector.

Television broadcasters anticipate a challenging festive advertising season ahead. This comes as ratings remain withheld following a ministry directive. Advertising demand is already subdued due to economic pressures and digital shifts. Free commercial time consumption has fallen to a three-year low. This situation impacts the entire TV broadcasting ecosystem significantly.

General insurers face higher motor third-party claim reserves due to Supreme Court rulings. A recent ruling fixes homemakers' notional income, increasing claim payouts. This interpretation is expected to raise claim outgo significantly over eighteen months. Insurers also face policy standardization for occupant and pillion-rider coverage. Motor third-party insurance remains challenging with rising claim costs and slow premium growth.

The government has initiated 950 enforcement actions against pharmaceutical companies since December 2022. These actions aim to improve the quality of locally made medicines and prevent spurious drug sales. More than 1,100 cough syrup manufacturers are facing intense audits due to quality concerns. Drug manufacturing premises are inspected periodically to verify compliance with good manufacturing practices. Risk-based inspections are now prioritized based on a company's risk profile.

South Indian banks have seen their gold-loan portfolios nearly double in three years. This significant growth is driven by rising gold prices and increased demand for credit. Federal Bank, CSB Bank, and others experienced substantial portfolio expansions. CSB Bank recorded the fastest growth, more than doubling its gold loan book. Gold loans now represent a significant portion of advances for these regional lenders.

The Reserve Bank of India has proposed new lending rate guidelines. Regulated entities must declare lending rates monthly and reset floating loans quarterly. Total charges for microfinance and small loans will be capped by the regulator. These new norms aim to harmonize interest rate determination methods. Final guidelines will take effect from April 1, 2027.

Indian Railways has launched two new train services and is extending several existing routes. The new daily services, Kasganj-Aishbagh Express and Valsad-Surat MEMU, will enhance connectivity. Additionally, the Varanasi City-Gorakhpur Express will now reach Nepalganj Road, thus improving travel options for passengers across various states and fostering greater convenience and accessibility.

NCERT faces over half its sanctioned posts vacant, impacting its key educational roles. CBSE also has 44 percent of its positions unfilled, a significant concern. This major shortage of permanent staff risks the safety and quality of national board exams. The parliamentary committee urged fast-track recruitment to fill these critical vacancies. Urgent attention is needed to address these staff shortages at both bodies.

Bank of America will invest up to $1.9 billion in Jio Credit. This significant foreign investment aims to acquire nearly fifty percent of the lending subsidiary. The transaction will provide substantial capital for Jio Credit's expansion plans. It will combine Jio's digital network with Bank of America's financial expertise. This partnership seeks to enhance credit access for all Indians.

An Air India pilot on sleep medication tested positive for marijuana after an incident. The aircraft rapidly lost altitude, injuring seventeen passengers on its flight. The pilot reported sleep difficulties and personal circumstances affecting his rest. Aviation experts stated prescribed sleep medication would not detect THC. The incident is now under investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau.

JSW Dulux reported strong June quarter volume growth and expects demand to continue. The company targets double-digit volume growth for the remainder of fiscal year twenty twenty-seven. Premium products are driving growth, with the company aiming for market share expansion. Manufacturing synergies are being implemented after the acquisition by JSW Group. Raw material costs remain a focus, with potential calibrated price increases considered.

Kia India plans to expand its manufacturing capacity to meet future demand. The automaker targets annual sales of 410,000 vehicles by the year 2030. Kia will introduce ten new vehicles, with eight being electrified models. The company is also expanding its network into smaller Indian cities. This expansion aims to serve both domestic customers and increase exports.

Jio Financial Services and Bank of America announced a significant joint venture agreement. The US banking major will acquire up to 49.9% in Jio Credit. This investment could reach Rs 18,268 crore, approximately $1.9 billion. Bank of America will initially hold a 26.5% stake in the NBFC. The transaction is subject to necessary regulatory and statutory approvals.

The Road Transport Ministry has directed ride aggregators to immediately remove all pre-ride tipping prompts from their apps, saying tips must remain voluntary and can only be offered after a journey is completed under the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025.

Gold prices have surged significantly, encouraging consumers to buy the yellow metal. Expectations of further price increases are driving purchases ahead of the festive season. Consumers are adapting by choosing lighter designs and lower-carat gold options. Jewellery purchases for festivals remain driven by tradition and sentiment. Buyers are increasingly focusing on a fixed budget rather than weight.

Maharashtra FDA suspended four Domino's Pizza outlet licenses for hygiene violations. This action follows a recent suspension of a Blink Commerce facility due to infestations. Reliance Retail also faced scrutiny after live larvae were found in a sweet. The food authority has intensified statewide inspections and crackdowns on food outlets. Ayurvedic drug manufacturers received show-cause notices for serious compliance issues.

Yokohama India plans a USD 100 million investment over the next three years. This expansion aims to meet rising demand for SUV tyres following GST reforms. The company will increase its tyre production capacity from 4.5 million to 6.3 million units. Yokohama India will focus its growth strategy on tier three and four markets. A new premium tyre range, GEOLANDAR X-CV, has also been launched.

India must double infrastructure investments to forty lakh crore rupees annually. This significant scaling up is crucial for achieving long-term economic growth ambitions. Manufacturing capital expenditure also requires substantial and continuous investment for sustainable growth. Growing domestic long-term savings will increasingly finance infrastructure and other long-duration assets. Financial institutions will need to originate projects and distribute exposure to other investors.

Bharti Airtel has discontinued several popular prepaid recharge plans nationwide. This move effectively increases Airtel's tariffs by three to four percent. The Rs 299 plan's discontinuation is expected to have the biggest impact. Following this revision, Rs 349 becomes the cheapest unlimited prepaid plan. This rationalisation aims to encourage subscribers towards higher-value recharge packs.

Bharti Airtel has removed four prepaid plans, impacting subscribers of the Rs 299 pack. These subscribers now face a higher cost for similar services. The company aims to increase its average revenue per user through this strategy. This move may signal a wider industry trend towards increased telecom tariffs. Airtel's profit rose significantly in the recent June quarter.

Global and domestic edible oil prices have risen due to the West Asia crisis. Higher crude oil prices and biofuel demand reduced export availability significantly. However, India's edible oil availability remains adequate through usual import routes. Retail prices for groundnut and mustard oils have seen notable increases recently. The government monitors prices and is prepared for market interventions if needed.

Julius Baer India has secured a significant office space lease in Mumbai's Andheri East. The Swiss private bank will occupy over 74,000 square feet for sixty months. This new office space is located in Brookfield's Waterstones Business Park development. The lease agreement commences on May 1, 2026, with an annual rent escalation. This transaction highlights sustained demand for Grade A office spaces in Mumbai.