The Times of India

Asian markets rose as the US dollar weakened following a Supreme Court ruling invalidating a key part of President Trump's tariff framework. Technology stocks led the gains across the region. The decision injects uncertainty into the trade outlook, with potential legal battles and revised tariff plans expected.

Stock market recommendations: KEI Industries, and Punjab National Bank (PNB) are the stocks recommended by Sudeep Shah, Head - Technical Research and Derivatives, SBI Securities for the week starting February 23, 2026. Heres his detailed analysis and outlook for Nifty and Bank Nifty:

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices suggest an underlying bullish bias, according to Manav Modi, Senior Analyst, Commodity Research at Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd. The commodities expert shares the factors that will guide gold prices in the coming days and key levels to watch out for:

IDFC First Bank shares plunged 20% after the bank revealed a Rs 590 crore fraud at its Chandigarh branch involving unauthorized transactions from Haryana government accounts. Four employees have been suspended as an internal investigation and police complaint are underway. The bank is taking steps to recover funds and conduct a forensic audit, assuring other customers remain unaffected.

Delhi Police arrested Jitendra Yadav in Gwalior, marking the fifth arrest in connection with the Youth Congress protest at the AI Impact Summit. The protest, described by a court as a latant assault on public order, involved displaying T-shirts with slogans against the government and a trade deal, leading to a scuffle with security.

An Indian team has developed MANAS 1, an AI model trained on extensive brainwave data to detect neurological and psychiatric disorders early. This foundational platform, built on 60,000 hours of recordings, aims to interpret the brain's electrical signals, potentially aiding doctors in remote areas and reducing diagnostic delays for conditions like epilepsy and dementia. A next-generation version is anticipated soon.

President Trump insists on a $2,000 payment to Americans, funded by tariffs, potentially bypassing Congress. This claim faces significant hurdles after the Supreme Court limited his tariff authority, potentially requiring billions in refunds. Trump has since adjusted his tariff strategy, but the program's affordability remains uncertain.

Indian stock markets opened higher on Monday, with Nifty50 and BSE Sensex trading in green, boosted by positive global cues. This optimism follows a US Supreme Court ruling against President Trump's tariffs, though new tariff increases were announced. Crude oil prices dipped as nuclear negotiations progressed.

Veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar asserted Mamata Banerjee is crucial for the INDIA bloc's survival, urging Rahul Gandhi to cede leadership to smaller parties. Aiyar, who expressed admiration for Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, also voiced contempt for Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera. The party has since distanced itself from Aiyar's controversial statements.

Morgan Stanley is bullish on Reliance Industries' $110 billion AI investment, seeing it as a major capital shift. Investec initiates a buy on JSW Cement, highlighting its execution and cost leadership. Motilal Oswal recommends Lenskart, despite near-term capex impacting cash flow. Macquarie remains cautious on United Spirits due to growth concerns, while HSBC holds ITC with limited upside triggers.

ATM jackpotting malware is on the rise, with cybercriminals exploiting physical and software flaws to dispense cash without legitimate transactions. The FBI warns of significant losses, highlighting how malware like Ploutus bypasses bank authorization by directly controlling ATM hardware. Physical indicators like open doors and unauthorized devices signal potential compromise, urging immediate action.

Stock market recommendations: Max Financial, and Delhivery are stocks recommended for buying by Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd for the trading week starting February 23, 2026. Below is a detailed analysis:

Veteran politician Mukul Roy, a former railway minister and founding TMC member, passed away from a cardiac arrest at 1:30 am. Roy, who represented Krishnanagar Uttar and served twice in the Rajya Sabha, had a notable political journey, including stints with the BJP before rejoining the TMC. His son confirmed the news.

The Indian Embassy in Mexico has issued an urgent advisory for its citizens to remain indoors due to widespread violence following a major security operation. The operation resulted in the death of a top Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader, sparking retaliatory actions across several states and paralyzing transport networks.

Brazil President wraps up India visit, likely to visit US next month

Sam Pitroda, head of Indian Overseas Congress, sparked a row by stating India's IT talent served global firms, not the nation. He questioned why India couldn't build its own tech giants. The BJP swiftly condemned his remarks, accusing him of anti-India rhetoric and highlighting indigenous operating systems as counter-evidence.

At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, India showcased its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a lifestyle experience, exemplified by a coffee stall where Google CEO Sundar Pichai sampled GI-tagged coffee and paid via UPI. This DPI-first approach was highlighted in a bilateral partnership with Brazil, aiming to link UPI with Brazil's Pix and establish a DPI Centre of Excellence.

Aviation authorities are finalizing summer flight schedules, with pilot availability a key concern. Airlines' requests for extensions on flight duty time limitations are under review, impacting potential flight numbers. Exemptions are crucial for carriers like Air India and IndiGo to manage longer routes and night operations, but safety concerns over crew fatigue loom large.

Enforcement Directorate chief Rahul Navin urged officers to expedite chargesheets to meet the financial year's target of 500 prosecution complaints. The Guwahati meeting, attended by other central agencies, focused on emerging financial crime trends and cross-border threats. Officials were advised to leverage intelligence platforms and international cooperation to combat illicit activities, particularly in the North-East.

Prime Minister Modi announced the removal of Edwin Lutyens' statue from Rashtrapati Bhavan, replacing it with one of C Rajagopalachari. This move signifies a broader effort to shed colonial vestiges and embrace India's heritage. Modi also lauded former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa's contributions to governance and women's empowerment.

Delhi Police special cell has foiled a major terror plot by arresting eight suspects linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. The module, comprising mostly Bangladeshi nationals with Indian Aadhaar cards, had targeted a Chandni Chowk temple. The operation began after provocative posters appeared at metro stations, revealing a calculated psychological warfare tactic.

Following a Supreme Court setback, President Trump is directing new Section 301 investigations against trading partners. These probes, covering industrial policies to drug pricing, empower the USTR to enforce trade rights and respond to unfair practices. Past actions have led to significant tariff impositions, particularly on China, with ongoing reviews and new investigations initiated.

Inconsistent policies in US seen as 'new normal'; companies fear buyers may seek discount review

The Supreme Court rebuked President Trump's use of emergency powers for imposing sweeping tariffs, deeming it an overreach. Despite this, Trump vowed to continue, raising global tariffs under different legal provisions. This move, while a political setback, strategically allows him to recalibrate his trade policy and potentially renegotiate terms with countries.

The draft new income-tax rules have proposed significant change in the scope and threshold for PAN quoting obligations for transactions of purchase or sale of immovable property.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted the power of organ donation in his Mann Ki Baat address, sharing the story of a one-year-old from Kerala whose parents donated her organs.

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and renewed global trade uncertainty following US tariff decisions are pushing gold and silver prices higher. Investors are flocking to these safe-haven assets amid escalating global risks and market volatility. Key economic indicators and central bank decisions will be closely watched for further direction.

State Bank of India aims to increase its green advances to 7.5-10% of its loan portfolio by 2030, supporting India's sustainable financing goals. The bank launched CHAKRA, a Centre of Excellence for green financing, and hosted its Green Marathon to promote environmental commitment and collective climate action.

India's leading FMCG companies anticipate a shift towards volume-driven growth in FY27, fueled by easing inflation and softening commodity prices. Executives report a more favorable operating environment, with mid- to high single-digit volume growth already observed. This trend is expected to be supported by factors like GST rationalization and a healthy crop season, leading to improved EBITDA margins.

India's ethanol production capacity now significantly outstrips demand, leading to over 50% excess capacity. This surplus challenges the green fuel program's viability, impacting farmers and investors, as distilleries operate at low utilization rates. Future growth hinges on exploring diesel blending and flex-fuel vehicle adoption, though policy clarity remains elusive.

Dalal Street faces renewed uncertainty as US President Trump increased global import tariffs to 15%, just after the Supreme Court struck down his earlier program. Investors are concerned about the unpredictability of trade tensions, despite expectations that the current rate may be temporary. This development adds to existing pressures on Indian equities from Fed policy and weak IT stocks.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh attacked the Centre over the proposed India-US interim trade pact, calling it Abki baar Trump se haar and demanding it be put in cold storage and renegotiated. He warned agri import liberalisation would hurt farmers across states and questioned the deals timing amid US tariff turmoil after a Supreme Court ruling against Donald Trumps earlier measures.

Prime Minister Modi, in his Mann Ki Baat address, highlighted AI's role in animal healthcare and agriculture, showcasing innovations at the AI Impact Summit. He also remembered Jayalalithaa, urged embracing Indian culture over foreign influences, and cautioned against digital fraud, emphasizing the importance of local products and organ donation.

Eight individuals with alleged links to Pakistan's ISI and Bangladesh-based extremist groups were apprehended in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Intelligence reports indicated a potential terror plot targeting Delhi's Red Fort and prominent temples. The arrests followed specific inputs about a module planning subversive activities, with digital materials being analyzed to uncover a wider network.

Brazilian President Lula da Silva was touched by India's musical tribute during his state visit, recalling a similar gesture he made for PM Modi in Brazil. The visit saw both leaders aiming to boost bilateral trade to $20 billion in five years and signing agreements on rare earth minerals, digital partnership, and mining cooperation.

Nine states in Phase 2 of the special intensive revision (SIR) have seen their combined electorate drop by 7.9% to 19.7 crore. Over 1.7 crore electors were removed, with Andaman & Nicobar and Gujarat experiencing the steepest declines. Three states are yet to publish their final rolls.