The Economic Times

US stocks opened lower on Thursday after August producer prices strengthened expectations of a possible Federal Reserve rate hike this month. The Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell at the open, while escalating Middle East tensions pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel, adding to inflation and market concerns.

Citi has launched eFPI@Citi, a digital solution that can cut foreign portfolio investor registration in India to five business days. The service uses technology to simplify onboarding as global investor interest rises, supporting faster access to Indian capital markets overall.

Canara Bank plans to raise up to Rs 4,500 crore through Basel III-compliant AT-1 bonds next week at an expected 7.85%-7.90% coupon. The issue is part of its Rs 8,500 crore fiscal capital plan, with Tier 2 bonds planned later.

Sebi has launched Demat 2.0, a pilot for tokenised corporate bonds using distributed ledger technology and wholesale e-rupee settlement. REC, L&T and IIFL have raised Rs 1,025 crore, while future phases will enable trading and retail investor access in India.

Six stocks in the BSE 250 Small-cap Index hit fresh 52-week highs as the Sensex gained 138 points to close at 74,902. Welspun Corp led with a 51% monthly gain, followed by Finolex Cables, Chennai Petroleum and Maharashtra Seamless.

The Sumadhura Group is gearing up for a massive investment of Rs 17,000 crore, set to complete by March 2030. This extensive funding will drive a variety of housing and commercial projects while facilitating key land acquisitions. Their ambitious plan includes a development pipeline of 45 million square feet across three major urban centers, primarily focusing on residential units.

Kolte-Patil Developers reported remarkable success with its latest Pune project, Vyana at The Reserve, where they sold over 600 apartments worth more than Rs 600 crore in just 60 hours post-launch. This rapid turnover not only highlights the project's allure but also reflects the immense trust customers have in the developer's vision and quality.

On Wednesday, Indian government bonds showed some fluctuations but still managed to outperform their global counterparts. Rising oil prices and increased concerns regarding supply chains pushed international bond yields higher. However, India's banking system's surplus liquidity helped stabilize local debt. Market participants are now closely monitoring upcoming inflation figures and central bankers' policy moves, with the Reserve Bank of India potentially using liquidity-reducing measures to ke

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has completed the first phase of its Demat 2.0 pilot for corporate bonds and will next bring secondary-market trading into the new technology framework, SEBI Chairman said on Thursday.

In a significant move, Nasdaq is set to invest $100 million in Payward, the parent corporation of Kraken. This collaboration aims to create a robust infrastructure for the trading of tokenized equities. Scheduled for a debut in 2027, the Nasdaq Equity Tokens will operate beyond traditional market hours, targeting the growing demand for blockchain-driven investment opportunities.

India's Securities and Exchange Board of India has resolved disclosure breach allegations against two Adani Ports executives, who each settled by paying 1.37 million rupees without acknowledging any fault. This action comes after a thorough probe into banking operations and inter-corporate security deposits, triggered by concerns over financial reporting violations. The inquiry was part of a broader review sparked by the Hindenburg report on potential share price manipulation.

The settlement relates to an investigation into banking transactions and inter-corporate security deposits involving PMC Projects (India) Private Limited, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), and the port operator's subsidiaries.

Sonaselection India will launch its IPO on September 17 at Rs 94-99 per share, targeting around Rs 141.6 crore. The Rajasthan-based fabric maker will use proceeds to repay borrowings, buy machinery and fund corporate purposes before NSE-BSE listing.

Sebi Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey stated the Closing Auction Session is here to stay. Traders express concerns about sharp expiry-day swings linked to this new mechanism. Global index provider MSCI acknowledged its recent rebalancing went well under the new framework. Sebi is reviewing derivative settlement price calculation methods after CAS implementation. The regulator will issue a consultation paper on potential changes to reduce shocks.

Indian equities ended marginally higher on September 10 despite Brent crude nearing $102 a barrel and weak global cues. Nifty gained 0.20% and Sensex 0.19%, while technical analysts flagged 23,600 as crucial resistance amid persistent market pressure.

The landscape of digital finance is evolving as India's payments authority creates a registry specifically for AI agents. This registry aims to verify and oversee AI transactions, initially targeting UPI payments, with potential future expansions. By facilitating agentic payments, AI will be enabled to engage in frequent, minor digital transactions, resonating with global initiatives aimed at the identification and validation of AI-driven financial agents.

BharatPe unveiled BharatPe Flex, a new consumer credit offering built on UPI. This innovative product allows users to access credit limits up to sixty thousand rupees. Eligible users can utilise this credit for everyday UPI merchant payments seamlessly. Spends can be settled in full within forty-five days or via flexible monthly installments. The company also launched a new brand campaign featuring Rohit Sharma to promote this service.

European shares edged higher after their sharpest one-day decline in two months, as investors awaited an expected ECB rate hike and Christine Lagardes comments on inflation. Rising oil prices above $100 a barrel remained a key concern for markets.

India-listed US ETFs are trading at steep premiums to their indicative NAVs, with some reaching 65%. The divergence appears driven by limited supply due to overseas investment caps, strong demand for US equities and changes in ETF circuit-limit calculations. Investors buying at elevated premiums risk losses if the gap narrows.

On September 10, the BSE faced a brief disruption that impacted various cash segment partitions and specific scrips. Once the exchange addressed the technical glitch, regular operations were restored. However, traders using Zerodha reported issues with outdated prices and order placements on certain contracts. Although Zerodha confirmed the resolution, some users experienced lingering technical difficulties.

Blackstone has secured a dominant share in Sanha Logistics Park II, located in South Korea. This strategic acquisition reinforces Blackstone's foothold in the East Asian market, with the logistics park slated for completion by 2028. Management of the development and assets will remain under ESR. This initiative enhances Blackstone's logistics real estate portfolio throughout the region.

Michael Burry is pulling back on portfolio risk, exiting December 2026 put options on Nvidia and Palantir without rolling them over. The Big Short investor said he is happy to sit on cash while continuing to hold 2027 Palantir puts and QQQ puts, amid renewed warnings about stretched AI valuations.

The European Central Bank is widely expected to raise interest rates to 2.50% on Thursday as soaring energy prices amid the Iran war fuel fresh inflation concerns. With inflation above its 2% target and the euro zone economy proving resilient, markets are pricing in further ECB rate hikes.

HDFC Bank has won all seven Bahrain cases filed by Credit Suisse AT1 bond investors, who accused the lender of mis-selling the risky securities. The Bahrain court rejected all allegations, saying investors failed to provide sufficient evidence linking HDFC Bank to their losses.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund has introduced the Altiva Equity Long-Short Fund, designed to achieve long-term capital growth through strategic equity investments. The fund's new offering is available for subscription until September twenty-fourth and features a balanced large-cap portfolio complemented with an income-oriented derivatives aspect. This investment opportunity is ideal for those with a time horizon of three to five years.

AeroVironment reported fiscal Q1 2027 revenue of $480.5 million, up 6% year-on-year, while adjusted earnings beat estimates. Record funded backlog and strong bookings supported the outlook, although shares fell nearly 5% amid valuation and execution concerns.

Smallcap mutual funds can offer high long-term returns but carry significant risk. ETMutualFunds shortlisted four schemes based on rolling returns, consistency, downside risk, outperformance and asset size, with a minimum threshold of Rs 50 crore.

HFCL shares hit the 5% lower circuit on Thursday, extending their two-day decline to 7% despite a 240% rally so far in 2026. The stock is currently consolidating in the Rs 257218 range, with technical indicators pointing to a sideways bias, according to SBI Securities Sudeep Shah.

Promoters raised stakes in eight Nifty largecaps despite stock declines in 2026, with Jio Financial, Bharti Airtel and Reliance among the companies seeing higher holdings. The moves suggest continued promoter confidence amid a challenging phase for largecap equities.

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynixs massive shareholder-return plans are putting South Koreas efforts to narrow the Korea discount While investors welcome payouts worth over 130 trillion won, concerns remain over corporate governance, capital allocation and minority shareholder rights, with the KOSPI still trading at a steep valuation discount to regional peers.

On a year-on-year basis, SIP inflows rose 14% from Rs 28,265 crore in August 2025.

Molbio Diagnostics shares have surged nearly 30% in two sessions, extending their post-listing gains to around 80% from the IPO price. The sharp rally comes as the newly listed company reported a strong Q1 FY27 performance, swinging to a profit of Rs 58.75 crore from a loss in the year-ago quarter.

South Korean shares fell over 1% on Thursday as escalating Middle East tensions and attacks near the Strait of Hormuz weighed on investor sentiment. The KOSPI declined 1.37%, with major technology and heavyweight stocks including Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix and Samsung BioLogics falling, while foreign investors remained net sellers.

Agentic AI's growing use in finance necessitates new checks beyond customer identification. Banks may develop a 'Know Your Agent' framework for autonomous systems. This framework will address AI identity, authentication, and transaction limits. Such systems require accuracy, accountability, and unbiased access for trust. India aims for intelligent inclusion by scaling AI financial services.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund raised its stake in HDFC Bank, Coal India and eight other stocks in August, while adding DLF as a new entrant. The fund increased its holding in Indraprastha Gas and trimmed exposure to The Great Eastern Shipping Company. It held 34 stocks across 26 sectors.

U.S. 10-year Treasury yields touched their highest level since November 2023 before easing after strong auction demand. Rising oil prices and shifting Federal Reserve rate-hike expectations added to concerns over inflation and the interest-rate outlook.

Dilip Buildcon shares rallied after the company received an LOI from PNGRB to develop an LPG pipeline from Paradip to Raipur. The project gives the company an exclusive licence to develop, finance, construct and operate the pipeline, as well as levy and collect transportation tariffs up to the designated delivery point.

Jefferies retained a Buy rating on Adani Enterprises with a Rs 3,830 target, citing its infrastructure incubation model and strong growth potential. The brokerage expects a 23% EBITDA CAGR through FY31, led by airports, data centres and ANIL.

Markets are also bracing for a series of key events, including US consumer price data due on Friday, the Federal Reserve's policy decision next Wednesday and the BOJ's monetary policy decision.

Indian government bonds weakened for a second day on Thursday. Rising U.S. Treasury yields and crude prices above $100/barrel fueled inflation concerns. Higher oil prices threaten India's import bill and government finances. The rupee also slipped for a fifth day against the dollar. Focus remains on upcoming inflation prints and the Fed's policy decision.

Manipal Hospitals acquisition-led expansion is entering a key phase, with Jefferies initiating coverage with a Buy rating and Rs 870 target. The brokerage expects strong earnings growth, driven by the turnaround of Sahyadri Hospitals, new bed additions, higher utilisation and operating leverage. However, execution risks at Sahyadri and intensifying competition in Bengaluru remain key concerns for the investment case.

Vertiv shares tumbled as investors booked profits in AI infrastructure stocks and reassessed valuations, putting the spotlight on whether the AI-led rally can sustain its momentum.

Jefferies retained a Hold on CDSL with a Rs 1,315 target, implying 7% downside from Rs 1,414.90. While the IPO revival could add 34% to earnings, CDSLs EPS is expected to grow 19% CAGR over two years, driven by new demat accounts, IPO income and margin expansion.

Shares of IRB Infrastructure Developers surged up to 8% after the company reported a 25% YoY rise in toll revenue to Rs 807 crore in August 2026, supported by strong traffic growth and tariff revisions. Key projects, including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway, also recorded healthy revenue growth, offering a positive operational trigger for the stock.

Enviro Infra Engineers shares sharply after its step-down subsidiary Suyog Urja received a Rs 224.19 crore LOI from Tata Power Renewable Energy for EPC works on a 180 MW NTPC wind project in Maharashtra. The contract covers foundation, balance-of-plant and transmission-line works, strengthening the companys renewable energy portfolio.

Coforge shares recovered after brokerages retained Buy calls, saying concerns over Chairman Om Prakash Bhatts resignation are overdone. Nuvama and Motilal Oswal see limited business impact and remain positive on the companys growth outlook.